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

[Karen Whitfield]

Arrived home today to find 1 yellow chick out of 4 eggs. And only 2 eggs left! Don't know what's going on. Neighbour was looking after them, maybe 1 died. The other 2 should be here soon if they aren't rotten, can't smell anything. Just have to wait and see.

 

[Karen Whitfield]

Just loaded the bator with another 24 marans eggs, A lot of these are for orders so lets hope we have a good hatch

fingers crossed good luck satay

 

[Karen Whitfield]

Hi all -
I'm from the Mornington Peninsula, in Vic

welcome Kat

 

[Karen Whitfield]

Hi everyone. I have been reading threads on BYC for quite a while and have finally joined up. I live in Western Australia. We have had chickens for about a year, they were pullets and just laying when we got them. I think one is molting as she is losing some feathers (I see new feathers coming through) but the other doesn't appear to be molting. However, neither has laid an egg for about 3 months. I have treated them for lice and bought wormer from the pet store however I don't know if they have worms. I was hoping to post a pic if that is okay of their poo and maybe get someone's opinion. Hubby is at the point where he wants to get rid of them and I really don't want to, I love having them. I want to get more pullets when the local free range egg place has them towards the end of March. Thankyou for reading.

welcome Deebee and good luck with your chickens.

 

[Anniebee]

Originally Posted by katmac555

Hi all -
I'm from the Mornington Peninsula, in Vic

Welcome katma. Hope you have as much fun and learn as much as I have from this wonderful site BYC. Good luck with your chickens.

Cheers ......... AB.

 

[Anniebee]

They are getting a premium layer pellet, which we mixed with the budget feed we had already. They were laying on the budget mix previously, but when they stopped we bought a premium pellet. They weren't really keen on it, and I was worried they weren't eating enough so we mixed probably 2/3rds of the pellets into the budget mix. That's in a feeder in the run, which they have free access to. They have oyster shell in a separate container near their feeder.
As far as treats go, I get lettuce leaves when I go shopping, and we have a small icecream tub that we put kitchen scraps in and they get that when its full. I crush egg shells and feed them to them (usually via that icecream tub.)
I let them out to 'free range' in the backyard in the mornings, they retreat under their bush for the main part of the day and then come out again (I leave their gate open) in the late afternoon, and put themselves to bed when they are ready, then I go lock the gate.
I will have to research other breeds (any suggestions?) as I only know of the free range egg place and they only have the one breed there. Not sure if anyone down here has other breeds (I'm a couple of hours south of Perth.)

Just a thought DeeBeeoz .... Rhode Island Reds are very hardy, sustain good health, are cheeky and unphased by most anything - and above all, are faithful in producing eggs. Well - at least mine has been. Little Aussie Araucana's are also good in the health and attitude department, but can be a little neurotic. But when on the lay - they lay to my hearts' content. !! They are less laid back though than the RIR. Not wanting to squish anyone's ideals here, but Barnevelders - although utterly beautiful, faithful and good layers, can have some inherited health problems - I unfortunately found that out the hard way. That's not to say they are ALL that way, but the Barney ( from what I have read in many posts on other threads here and other sites ) can be a bit iffy, in regards to getting diseased. Only going by my own experience and from what others' have quoted. They are, however an absolutely beautiful chicken ... and good luck if you get one.

Listen to the other breeders here ... the Australorp has a good reputation, but I don't have any .... not from the want of trying. Welsummers are hardy, good layers, beautiful to look at, and usually nice ( but my Mandy girl isn't nice - she's aggressive !! ). There are sooooo many chook breeds to choose from. Best of luck to you in your search.

Cheers .......... AB.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Hi from Perth DeeBeeoz.

I have had similar coloured dropping before from my Isa's. Unfortunately, ours were rescue birds that were older and never 100% from the get go.

For a local place, you could check out the breeders in Yarloop, they have a wide range to look at with great pics of the parent stock. I have never bought from them but I have spent some time on their site. If you are heading up this way I could put you onto some other breeders in the Perth area.

http://www.freewebs.com/chookloop/

Good luck with your couple of girls.

Cheers Ben

 

[Fancychooklady]

Great photo's.    A very kind eye in the first pic of your daughters' horse.  Soft and mellow.   Beautiful head in the second pic.   Thoroughbred in there ? ( I would think for sure ).   Well done to your daughter and her dedicated efforts.   Where in Victoria will she have to compete ?    Werribee ?    Good luck to her and her lovely horses.   Hope she scoops the pool down here in Vic. 

Cheers ..... AB

Thanks, yes he is a very kind soul. He spent most of his racing career in Vic, until he had a terrible fall in the starting gates. He fell in the trap and was kicked in the head by the next horse. His sinuses and eye socket were exposed and in a split second the trainer decided not to put him down. I think somehow he knows how lucky he is to have found Jess and vica versa. I must confess that I can't resist giving him a kiss when I feed him in the morning.
Yes nationals will be at werribee this year.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Arrived home today to find 1 yellow chick out of 4 eggs. And only 2 eggs left! Don't know what's going on. Neighbour was looking after them, maybe 1 died. The other 2 should be here soon if they aren't rotten, can't smell anything. Just have to wait and see.

yay. Shame one went AWOL. Probably rats. Welcome back , how did the engagement party go ?

 

[Karen Whitfield]

yay. Shame one went AWOL. Probably rats. Welcome back , how did the engagement party go ?

The party was good. It was a shame it was so cold. The cake I made turned out really well.
No sign of rat activity. Tim built her a nursery box. Maybe the egg was rotten and exploded, will have to ask the neighbour tomorrow. No signs of anything not even shell.
The little chick is yellow wonder what she is going to be
Great news about Jess.