My dad believed strongly about the food he fed.
Now I do too!
Now I do too!
Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps
- Thread starter Nifty-Chicken
- Start date
Honestly, that made me cry.
I'm losing a chicken too. 
One of my leghorns. She obviously has ascites, which is what killed the last one. I think this batch has a bad genetic history. I got them at Tractor supply a couple years ago. So just a word of warning. It's hard to watch and I'm debating on putting her down. She is still eating and occasionally running around so that is a hard decision to make at this point. Soon enough it will get easier and be the obvious thing to do.
And no, I have no plans to drain it and give her possibly two months. We allow hens to live out their natural lives here, but we don't go beyond that. If it's curable, sure, we'll tend to that. But ascites is always fatal. There is a heart issue or something and it's most likely genetic. Only happening in the leghorns from Tractor Supply. Everyone else is healthy as all get out.
Running around and doing what they do.
One of my leghorns. She obviously has ascites, which is what killed the last one. I think this batch has a bad genetic history. I got them at Tractor supply a couple years ago. So just a word of warning. It's hard to watch and I'm debating on putting her down. She is still eating and occasionally running around so that is a hard decision to make at this point. Soon enough it will get easier and be the obvious thing to do.And no, I have no plans to drain it and give her possibly two months. We allow hens to live out their natural lives here, but we don't go beyond that. If it's curable, sure, we'll tend to that. But ascites is always fatal. There is a heart issue or something and it's most likely genetic. Only happening in the leghorns from Tractor Supply. Everyone else is healthy as all get out.
Running around and doing what they do.
Smokerbill
Free Ranging
Dang, sorry your leghorn is sick. It seems that all the layer chicks sold at farm stores have been bred with only one thing in mind... laying lots and lots of eggs.I'm losing a chicken too.
And no, I have no plans to drain it and give her possibly two months. We allow hens to live out their natural lives here, but we don't go beyond that. If it's curable, sure, we'll tend to that. But ascites is always fatal. There is a heart issue or something and it's most likely genetic. Only happening in the leghorns from Tractor Supply. Everyone else is healthy as all get out.
Mine seem to have been very healthy so far except for the one sudden death due to, I think, internal laying. One may have an off-day every once in a while, and it doesn't worry me much as long as she recovers quickly.
As many eggs as mine are putting out, I wouldn't be surprised if they start having reproductive issues in a year or two. If/when I get replacement chickens in the future I'm going to look for some true heritage breed birds that haven't been bred to be production layers.
That is a really good idea, and if you find any, let me know where. I have always gotten my chicks from Wilco and they have always been healthy and lived long lives. I have 3 Australorps from there that are 7 or 8 years old now. I only bought these 4 leghorns at Tractor Supply and will never buy there again. This year I bought the last three Buff Orpingtons they had at the Farm Store. I think they hatch their own there, but I'm not 100% positive about that. So, we'll see how they do. I would love to find a good stock to buy from but everyone I know buys from Wilco or each other, which ultimately means Wilco, right?
Smokerbill
Free Ranging
I got mine at the Wilco in Kelso. Did yours lay a ton of eggs the first year? So far this year I've gotten an average of close to 5.7 eggs per day from my seven hens, which seems like a lot. Currently I get 7 eggs a day several times per week.
And yes, I'll let you know if I find a source for good heritage birds.
I tend to hatch mine or go to Onalaska farm store if I by
hatchery birds.
I buy some from a friend like the roosters and marans are from a friend.
hatchery birds.
I buy some from a friend like the roosters and marans are from a friend.
The hens I have gotten at Wilco have been great layers for at least 3 years and then still laying after that, just less per week. They all slow down during the winter, and I think that's true no matter where you get them, unless you are using lights and techniques to keep your birds laying. I do have a light year round, but allow at least 12 hours a day for darkness and sleep. I have found Wilco to be a good source for hatchery birds, but would still love to find a local breeder. I have talked to the people at Wilco. They are very particular where they get their chicks.
Even my Australorps lay an egg once in a while!!!
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