Recent content by JUPAFiSH

Cruel and selfish to keep 30 animals inside. I'm disgusted at the thought. I have 8 chickens free ranging in my extra large garden and 4 dogs also sharing the same land (trained). To restrict these animals to a room is unbelievable. You would be depriving them of their right to fresh air, grass...

I have a labrador x jack russel, a boer-boel x rhodesian ridgeback, a labrador x boerboel x boxer and some other kind of indistinguishable cross breed and I've trained them all to leave my 8 chickens alone. It was difficult and took a while but I am finally there. I have a slight problem with...

Oh, also, some flying ants flew into their baby box when I first had them and it was amazing to see their instincts kick in. They went from 7 day old delicate babies to strong feisty mini chickens with attitude. Never try and take a away a flying ant from a chick. He he.

Well I fed mine baby maggots and my chicks LOVED them. And it gave them a real energy boost! They didn't appreciate plain yoghurt until they were about 2 weeks but plain yoghurt is a real treat now in my house! They go MAD over it. I tend to avoid treats so early on as I was worried about pasty...

My Bantam X crowed for the first time today! What age are Bantam Roosters when they usually crow? I have no idea of the age of mine but thought this might give me an indicator? Anyhow, I am so proud! A rooster was crowing in the distance and he obviously felt competitive, he let out this...

Ok I'll avoid green. Ps my rooster crowed for the first ime today, an almighty cocadoodledoo. So proud!

My first free ranging day. Well, I loved it and I'm sure my chickens did too. They are nearly 8 weeks and I think they were dying for some foraging time. I let the three oldest out, the two chicks stayed in and ran around the coop like they owned the place. Well one of them did, the other is...

I started my treats sooner. I figured that as long as they get their sufficient nutrients and their treats aren't too big (choking) then it will be ok?

Maybe a stupid question. If your chickens have Mareks but its been undiagnosed and you're assuming so, can you eat them? I assume not as any diseased bird is a no-no in my book but my broiler is in the same coop as the chick with the suspected Mareks and I'm due to process her at Christmas. The...

The bruise is at the base of her middle toe. I just read this from your report : "Clinical Description In Marek's disease, transient paralysis can occur and is caused by temporary vasculitis and edema in the brain. The condition typically persists for 1-2 days, after which time the chickens...

You wont believe this. I woke up this morning to find her with barely a limp and the bruise almost but gone. She is standing more and running around again. I will try and get a photo of what bruise is left. Does this happen with Mareks? I have a good feeling about her progress today.

Ok, I will forward you some photos tomorrow. I have reallybtried my best to nurture these birds, and I too took 3 Bantam x's in 2 weeks ago. I havent mixed them but they can see eachother through a fence. I hope I havent indirectly given my chicks a disease. I'll forward pics of whole body, eyes...

Apologies, I must have missed that. Oh dear looks very similar. Im terrified now of what to do next. Should i have her culled? The Bird vet here isnt in town for months, Should i try and obtain a spray for the rest of my flock.

I don't think so. She is tiny and a bird of prey would have taken her whole. The other chickens are bigger and feisty - they have been getting on for weeks but I see there is a bit of roughness between the Roo who are roughly 8 weeks and the younger ones who are 5 weeks. Its just that the bruise...

Thanks, I did read it but it didnt mention bruises. However just read something else and I understand Mareks can cause what seems like internal bleeding or infection creating the dark marks. Blimey, she is a youngster and with all my other chickens. Does this mean they have it? I read...