Araucana thread anyone?

[coturnix2044]

Sounds like you get your work cut-out for you, It'll be worth it though!
What do you mean by no feathers on their backs? It sounds like they've been pecked or have been abused by the roo's a few times.
Good luck!
Ty

 

[smoothmule]

The whole back looks plucked. I'll take some photo's tomorrow. I don't know if they were in with larger or older roosters. I'm not thinking that's it though. I've had mine get ruffed up and a few feathers off from roosters but it's the whole back. I haven't seen that before.
I was wondering if they didn't just have mites or lice really bad but I don't know. Maybe photo's tomorrow will help to figure it out too. They're just pretty ragged all over and out of condition. I'm very glad to have them and plan to have my niece check back later to see if he has more, these were the tail end of his culls.

 

[biddyboo]

With five Araucana pullets hatched the last week of March, I'm wondering when I should anticipate seeing them begin to lay. They are well into their seventh month, are well feathered, and their combs are more noticeable now than they have been, so I think they are maturing enough to be close to point of lay, but I've seen no sign of eggs from them. I don't know enough about the breed to know if they are late maturers and late in beginning to lay or if they may be close. Thanks for advice...~G

 

[Shaffer]

biddyboo,
You may want to try Purina game bird flight conditioner or game bird layena. You may also want to extend their hours of light. Some people extend their hours of light to try and get two generations from their birds in one year instead of one generation like most of us. Also vitamin supplements wouldn't hurt, there are water soluable and then there are others that are comparable to Rooster Booster. Good luck this breed is not for everyone since they are difficult to get a good percentage of APA show quality birds.

 

[smoothmule]

Biddy Boo,
I have a hen that didn't lay till she was over a year old. She just started and they're huge.

Also, I did some reading (a quick search in the forum) and I am trying to cover everything that may have lead to these young pullets loss of feathers. What I came up with is it could be a moult, pecking by each other, older rooster harassment or infestation of some sort of bug.

So, I've treated for bugs and will repeat treatment 2 more times at weekly intervals. I'm providing them with more protein in case it's a pecking thing and will monitor for changes and behaviors. I'm considering BlueKote too. I've never needed it but it can't hurt and may help them recover quicker and stop pecking before it's too much of a habit if that's the deal.

Wish me luck

I'll post findings and progress.

 

[cackleberrycoop]

Hey all - Megan here, formerly Megcpat but my computer crashed and I couldn't for the life of me find my BackYardChickens password to get back in on the new computer; I had to re-apply and change my name. Anyway, wow, lots of stuff I've missed on this thread- it's been fun reading over the new info and pics.
Lanae, seriously, congratulations on the Duckwing pen. It's such a long process with this breed, collecting your desired breeding stock.

A couple of weekends ago, my daughter and I drove five hours to the Great Falls Montana Poultry Exposition. My biggest hope out of the whole adventure was to see some serious Araucana birds and be able to talk to a breeder or two. Out of 420 chickens there, there was one Araucana! ONE!!!!!!! I could have kicked myself for not bringing my white Araucana rooster (I thought Steve Waters might be there and there is no way my guy could have stood a chance against his magnificent birds). Anyway, we had a fantastic time there and learned a great deal about poultry in general and met some stellar breeders. One of the women there is going to bring me a few Araucana roosters for my BBS project, which is a big fat plus! Next year, we've got to get some more Araucanas to that show.

 

[cackleberrycoop]

OH yeah, biddy boo, I forgot that I wanted to ask if there is anyway that your Araucanas could be hiding the eggs from you? I know that mine are the craziest chickens that I own in that respect; they find the most amazing places to hide their eggs.

 

[PitterPatterPalace]

Quote:
You coming to the Stevenson Show this weekend? Steve Waters is showing there, or so I hear. Along with Cindy/Rob Smith I believe

 

[cackleberrycoop]

Are we talking Washington? Are you going?

 

[PitterPatterPalace]

Quote:
We're thinking about it... For some reason, I was thinking it was in Central or Eastern Washington State but it looks like it's actually right by Portland. Which is closer to us but definitely further from you.

http://pacificnorthwestpoultry.org/ShowInformation.html