NrthrnLghts
In the Brooder
- Apr 15, 2016
- 9
- 0
- 20
Good Evening!
My name is David, and my wife and I decided to start raising a flock of our own 2 months ago. We started with 5 Rhode Island Reds that were 5 months old at the time. This would make them roughly 7 months now. They haven't started laying yet. They were having a hard time breathing so I've started treatment for them. That is issue #1.
Issue #2: I have a Black Ameracauna rooster (age unknown) that I introduced a few weeks ago. His eye has become matted shut, and he has stopped crowing altogether. After some research online, I narrowed the issue down to an infection and have since introduced a cream applied to his eye daily. Also, because the other 5 hens were in the coop with him, I am running a round of antibiotics on all of them as well.
I am using Baytril for the respiratory issues with the hens, and Terramycin for the rooster's eye.
https://poultrykeeper.com/poultry-medication/baytril-used-to-treat-respiratory-problems/
http://www.phibroah.com/Phibro/Products/Catalog/Terramycin-Antibiotic-For-Poultry.html
Now, for some of the mistakes I've made along the way...
When we started caring for the flock, I did not know a dust bath was a major necessity. A week ago, I introduced a tub with soil, sand, ash, and diatomaceous earth. They love it, and use it almost every day.
Also, I was using hay/straw for the bedding. This, I soon realized, was a mistake. It doesn't absorb well. I switched over to pine shavings a week ago as well.
CURRENTLY, I've added a few more to the flock but they are all kept completely separate from each other. The 5 RIR and rooster in the large coop. 4 Amerecauna pullets, aged 2 months, in a smaller coop. Also, I have 4 3-day olds in the house. I want to make sure I get these issues resolved before introducing the young ones to the flock.
I included some pictures just to give an idea of what I am working with now. HELP!
My name is David, and my wife and I decided to start raising a flock of our own 2 months ago. We started with 5 Rhode Island Reds that were 5 months old at the time. This would make them roughly 7 months now. They haven't started laying yet. They were having a hard time breathing so I've started treatment for them. That is issue #1.
Issue #2: I have a Black Ameracauna rooster (age unknown) that I introduced a few weeks ago. His eye has become matted shut, and he has stopped crowing altogether. After some research online, I narrowed the issue down to an infection and have since introduced a cream applied to his eye daily. Also, because the other 5 hens were in the coop with him, I am running a round of antibiotics on all of them as well.
I am using Baytril for the respiratory issues with the hens, and Terramycin for the rooster's eye.
https://poultrykeeper.com/poultry-medication/baytril-used-to-treat-respiratory-problems/
http://www.phibroah.com/Phibro/Products/Catalog/Terramycin-Antibiotic-For-Poultry.html
Now, for some of the mistakes I've made along the way...
When we started caring for the flock, I did not know a dust bath was a major necessity. A week ago, I introduced a tub with soil, sand, ash, and diatomaceous earth. They love it, and use it almost every day.
Also, I was using hay/straw for the bedding. This, I soon realized, was a mistake. It doesn't absorb well. I switched over to pine shavings a week ago as well.
CURRENTLY, I've added a few more to the flock but they are all kept completely separate from each other. The 5 RIR and rooster in the large coop. 4 Amerecauna pullets, aged 2 months, in a smaller coop. Also, I have 4 3-day olds in the house. I want to make sure I get these issues resolved before introducing the young ones to the flock.
I included some pictures just to give an idea of what I am working with now. HELP!