Recent content by minou33

  1. minou33

    Cedar in bedding?

    I've been keeping chickens for the last 4 years on pine shavings that I purchase from the local feed store. There's a local source of finely ground wood that I can purchase in bulk instead, however, the wood is mixed and contains cedar. How worried should I be about this? All my chickens are...
  2. minou33

    Preparing for my first broody...what do I need to know?

    How do you break them? Just prevent them from sitting on the nest?
  3. minou33

    Preparing for my first broody...what do I need to know?

    I spend a lot of time with my girls and feel as if my wyandotte is showing signs of going broody. I've had chickens for 3 years and this will be my first. She's spending more time in the box hissing but not sitting all day yet...she is making more strange sounds, puffing up, and bald on her...
  4. minou33

    Integrating new birds into existing flock

    I'm a little nervous about closing them up in the coop right now unsupervised. I think I may need to order a coop camera so I'd be able to sleep at night! Our run area is 600 sf and has multiple fenced in spaces, so I've been introducing them all day that way and then some free range time...
  5. minou33

    Integrating new birds into existing flock

    UPDATE: I've now been introducing the flocks together in an open area--but they haven't really been trying to integrate. The bigger girls move around together and the little flock (13 weeks) completely avoids them. There has been a few approaches and fights, but it doesn't seem like much...
  6. minou33

    Integrating new birds into existing flock

    I have a flock of 3 older hens (2 years) and six 11 week old pullets. The pullets currently spend the day in an enclosure next to the main chicken run where both flocks are able to see each other. This has been for about a week now and although I'm not sure what signs to looks for--I'm not...
  7. minou33

    Suspected Marek's and young pullets

    Thank you SO much! I do have a symptomatic bird, but she may hang on for a while longer. She's still eating for now, so I don't want to rush euthanasia. Now that I know live testing is available I will look into that! Do you suggest continuing to isolate the pullets? They are getting a bit big...
  8. minou33

    Suspected Marek's and young pullets

    Does anyone have advice/experience with Marek's in their flock? I now suspect my 2 year-old hens may have Marek's (they were purchased unvaccinated as chicks from a homestead supply store). I lost two recently from my original flock of 5, however, my vet didn't push having a necroscopy. I...
  9. minou33

    Giardia in my flock

    I recently lost 2 birds from first flock of five (all 2 years old) and had another showing symptoms so I drove to Colorado State University veterinary to have a full work-up on my sick bird. The vet was not very avian experienced, but a fecal test showed giardia. The vet was fired after our...
  10. minou33

    Introducing new chicks to a small flock?

    Thank you!! So it takes you about a week to integrate birds at 5-8 weeks old? I like the idea of them being younger when introduced so that the old girls aren't stressed about mature birds showing up.
  11. minou33

    Introducing new chicks to a small flock?

    I have 2 birds left from my original flock of 5 and decided to add 6 chicks this season. I haven't added new birds before so am a little nervous about how this will go. I understand it will a separation process for several weeks until the birds are mature enough to join the flock. However...
  12. minou33

    22% protein until 18 weeks?

    You keep your layers at 22% protein? Interesting! I'll look into this more.
  13. minou33

    22% protein until 18 weeks?

    The lady at the homestead supply store somehow convinced me that I needed a 50lb. bag of chick starter for 6 chicks! :confused:The starter is Modesto Milling Chick Starter and Broiler Grower at 22% protein. My chicks are layers (not broilers,) so I'm wondering if I can continue using this feed...
  14. minou33

    Lash egg treatment

    I have a hen with suspected lash egg. I had on die previously of this a few weeks ago. Her symptoms come and go (which is similar to my other hen that passed) so I don't know how much of an emergency, but I would like to be proactive. I haven't been able to get a call back from the vet for the...
  15. minou33

    Alfalfa Powder for darker yolks?

    Does anyone use alfalfa powder? My girls can't free range and even wih fodder, greens and weeds... I have a hard time getting those orange yolks. Anyone have any experiences? I'm hoping the powder form is safe and just as good as any.
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