Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[satay]

Hi Satay, hope your foot is feeling ok. How're the babies going? Mine have started hatching, got 8 so far.

Yah grats on your babies rexy. How many did you put in the bator

 

[satay]

Thanks Luke, I have seen that site. There is no such thing as "Buff" Marans. The colour is Black Tailed Buff Marans, and it is a close relation to Wheaten. Do you like them? I get a BTB Marans cockerel pop up out of one of my hens now and then. Satay will probably end up with one.

Yah that sounds nice .

 

[IamSamSam]

So Wilma is 11 days post surgery today (full comb removal) she is doing fab and is back to normal completely! Just thought if share a picture of her new look

Glad Wilma is better! I'm not sure if you have thought of it but you will need to watch her in hot weather as the comb helps them cool. And as she is a dark girl it maybe prudent to be extra careful with her.

 

[IamSamSam]

Ash - would white oil spray do it? I have cans of it for citrus trees and roses?!

 

[qldchook]

My poor girl who's being treated for a prolapse vent has started loosing her feathers around the area, I am not worried about it for now as it will help keep the area clean. Once she is fully back to normal what's the best protein to help grow new feathers, cause the poor thing is going through a molt too. I know cat food is good but have to be very careful because of the salt levels in it. Is there an alternative to cat food that helps feather growth??

I think you have done so well just keeping her going. Why not use boiled egg for extra protien plus they LOVE it. After such a close brush with death, I think she can wear her bare bum with pride for awhile & certainly not rush back to laying. Ouch!

 

[Megans Chickens]

Glad Wilma is better! I'm not sure if you have thought of it but you will need to watch her in hot weather as the comb helps them cool. And as she is a dark girl it maybe prudent to be extra careful with her.

Wow I had no idea about that! As these are my first chickens ever lol.. It's quite bad heat up here at the moment (Gold Coast).. What should I be watching out for?

 

[IamSamSam]

Wow I had no idea about that! As these are my first chickens ever lol.. It's quite bad heat up here at the moment (Gold Coast).. What should I be watching out for?

Open beak panting wings held out from her body if she looks stressed.

Anyone else wanna jump in here ! Have I missed anything?

 

[Teila]

I agree with Sam; we have had some hot weather also and even the girls with full combs do all of those things in the heat.
Some tips for helping her keep cool, some (or probably most) of which I got from helpful people on this thread; thank you, as always
* Chilled watermelon
* Damp down an area where she likes to lay in the shade so she can lay in the cooler dirt.
* Frozen peas and corn in water to cool her down and also keep her amused to take her mind off the heat (thank you FCL); worked a treat!
* Frozen plastic bottles of water strategically placed to pick up a breeze and cool the air in the run.
* Most importantly, lots of fresh water available. I have dropped ice cubes in mine.
* I have shade cloth on some parts of the run and have used the mist-setting on the hose to damp this down also. (Hubby has since installed a mister for those super hot days. Do not overuse as the humidity can cause a nice habitat for germs. (Thanks again FCL .. lol).

As they use their combs to keep cool, anyone got any thoughts either way on maybe gently rubbing some cool water directly on it? Just a thought!

Others may have more tips

 

[Ashburnham]

Ash - would white oil spray do it? I have cans of it for citrus trees and roses?!

White oil may work , but you can add a little pyrethrum based insecticide to be sure.

 

[Ashburnham]

Yes it also has a soothing affect on the chooks legs. It's very messy to apply but when they dust bath , the dirt sticks to the Vicks and really smothers those little suckers. I've tried spraying with cooking oil,( not viscous enough ) , castor oil, ( same ), WD40, ( didn't enjoy the smell ) I made up my own potion last time.
To a tub of home brand vasoline I added a bottle of castor oil, several drops of rose oil and a teaspoon of orchardists sulphur. It made up just enough to do all of my birds. Works well, for me it has to work in one application I don't have time to wash and scrub the feet of 50 chickens and then reapply weekly.

I only treat the occasional chook that needs it. I find painting the perches keeps scaly leg at bay.


xxxx M