Recent content by debp

  1. debp

    California Greys?

    I am trying to plan my next chicken flock, which is still a year or two off. Over the last 5 years I've rasied a mixed flock and now have experience with Barred Rocks, White Rocks, Black Australorp, Black SexLink, New Hampshire, Rose-combed Brown Leghorn, and Ameraucana. I am pretty sure I want...
  2. debp

    My silkie's eye is swollen shut. What should I do (pics attached)?

    Thanks very much for the reply. I will see what I can find in town for eyes.
  3. debp

    My silkie's eye is swollen shut. What should I do (pics attached)?

    This is not a chicken question, but I hope casportpony might be willing to give a reply. I have chickens, but haven't gone the antibiotic route with them, since I can't afford vet care for 35 chickens. But, I am visiting my mother, whose older parakeet has very swollen eyes (already blind in...
  4. debp

    pullets in molt

    This is reassuring. I suppose it could be the switch up in my feed, or the coyote attacks in August and September that provided some stress. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experience, and especially Ridgerunner, for putting this in perspective and letting me know its not necessarily a sign...
  5. debp

    pullets in molt

    To have so many going into a molt - almost a third of them so far - just has me a little worried.
  6. debp

    pullets in molt

    My pullets (5 different common breeds) are 8 months old yesterday. All or almost all of them started laying in late August/early September, when they were about 5 mo. old. Over the last 2 month, however, they are laying at about 40-50% and at least 5 of the 18 have gone into molt - some quite...
  7. debp

    Is anyone using the Premier "heat plate" brooder for chicks?

    This is my 3rd season using the heat plate.Like Robeenop, I can't imagine doing it any other way (except maybe a mama heating pad, essentially the same thing). I pushed them under there once, and after that, when I turn off the lamp - under they all go. I had very young chicks that arrived in 1...
  8. debp

    Tapeworm Deworming Questions

    It is 4 years since this last post. I have a pullet (about 8 months old) that I think has tapeworms and probably other worms as well. She is laying well, but underweight. I have Valbezen and was going to give her 0.5 ccs of that based on posts I've read. But, I see in this last post Kathy is...
  9. debp

    Tapeworm? Broody? Both? Help!

    Regarding use of Equimax or Valbezen for tapes. My flock free-ranges and some have had tapes for a year or more. I've tried treating with Valbezen once, but seemed to have little effect, and I'm not planning to do it again for the flock. I don't plan to quit free-ranging and they eat lots of...
  10. debp

    Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

    feather-picking while roosting; could be. All 3 Americaunas roost together above the door frame away from the others, so maybe...
  11. debp

    Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

    I meant to type, She is now 1 year old and has a fairly large bare spot on her throat under her chin.
  12. debp

    Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

    This is probably discussed somewhere on this thread, but not easy to find, so... I have an Americauna (really an Easter Egger, I think) from Privett Hatchery who started to lose the feathers under her chin at about 6 months old. She is now one year and has quite a large bare one her throat...
  13. debp

    Calcium sources and behavior

    That is a good idea. I don't think everything in conventional mix is necessarily the BEST option for meeting nutrition, and the reasons for putting things in the mix may be influenced by cost/profit/access, but it would be reasonable to look at the ingredients, and see if anything obivous might...
  14. debp

    Calcium sources and behavior

    I put Durvet Vitamins & Electrolytes in the water. The feed mill owner, who is a real old-timer with experience in the poultry industry, thought that and oyster shell would be sufficient. But I am considering adding limestone or aragonite this spring for calcium as they move into full lay. Do...
  15. debp

    Calcium sources and behavior

    Hi Blooie! I give the egg treat, too, but I usually fry mine, as its easier for me. My egg customers save shells for me, because my chickens like them so much. Maybe they do just taste better to them for some reason. I was thinking that maybe there was some mineral in them that is missing in...
See more
Back
Top Bottom