Recent content by Lilyofsalen

So no more broody hens and chicks, unfortunately. It seems that once a hen sits on eggs that fail to hatch, even though she still sits on the eggs sometimes for weeks afterwards, she isn't actually interested in chicks. I tried to adopt chicks hatched in the incubator to three broody hens...

I've noticed that they really don't like complete darkness at least in the first week or two. They cry a lot when the lights go out and keeping a small light on really seems to calm them down. I'm working on getting a small LED to keep on them all night as I use a CHE as my heat source. Maybe...

It's hard to see but I'm leaning towards silver pharaoh pied.

There is no physical barrier. I am going to sell the silkies off and start over with a clean flock. If that flock gets it and I've done everything right, then I'm just going to assume that it's in the area and there is nothing I can really do about it. I brought in a beautiful rooster three...

Oof. Then it's likely my finches and doves are at risk too. I've convinced my parents to sell them with full disclosure to someone who wants a little closed flock of pet silkies. I'm sure there is someone out there. This whole experience with chickens has been rather discouraging. I guess...

Also, assuming I start over and get MG-free birds, MG isn't going to be living in the soil or carried on the wind, etc? It's not going to be a situation where some chicken flock down yonder spreads MG through the wind and then I'm stuck in the same situation? MG can be spread by wild birds too...

How would I go about finding MG-free chickens? Are the major hatcheries MG free? Is there a certification for hatcheries?

I am aware of that, but if I sell locally then it is likely their birds have it anyway and it might be OK? This is the worst-case scenario. The quail don't have it but the silkies do. I'm trying to determine what to do with the silkies. The quail are healthy and have never given me any...

My quail have never shown any symptoms of MG, why would I cull them? My biosecurity is pretty decent. The quail and silkies are housed in their own pens a minimum of 50ft away from each other. I use a different pair of shoes when caring for the quail. I wash hands between them and change...

I live in SoCal. And yes, it's a shame that the feed store sets people up for failure. Those who buy their quail have it the worst. It's not just the feed store though--it's the local breeders too. I'm not wanting to create a situation where my quail have it and I'm really not sure whether I...

Vinegar is not toxic to them. I would imagine they would not enjoy it being sprayed in their eyes due to its acidity but it is pretty mild. I know many, many chicken and quail owners who use a small amount of apple cider vinegar in the water once or twice a week.

I need some information and opinions on mycoplasma. My silkies have it. They got it as a secondary infection with fowl pox. It's been pretty rough and I've treated them with the help of a vet who prescribed Tylan. After talking to the state vet (the state agriculture animal health division)...

The thread named "Quail molt pictures?" has an excellent picture of a bird in molt as well.

It could also be a molt. Coturnix molt twice a year; once in the fall after the breeding season ends and once in the spring when breeding season begins. Almost all my birds are in molt right now. The season is just about wrapped up for me. The key difference between plucking and molting is...

The white and silver hen still hasn't given up sitting on her eggs. I've left them be since the eggs were in no danger of getting nasty (having no development to speak of). I didn't expect her to keep going this long. I thought she would quit after a week past hatch and I would clean out the...