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

[satay]

She's really starting to bond with me, I woke up to a chicken sitting happily on my bed next to me this morning. She jumped out of the box she's currently sleeping in that's next to my bed, to help her settle in. And frizzle Belgiums? That sounds soooooo awesome, have you posted any pics of your brood anywhere? Sounds like you've got a wonderful group there

I'd also love some quail too, but yeah, I think my mother would hit the roof, like your hubby would (I've gone back to uni, had to move back in with the oldies). She complains, but really loves them.

Yes there is frizzle Belgians but they are not a recognized type for a Belgian. Basically you can't show them. I haven't posted any pics for a while of them but if the rain holds off this morning i will try to grab some.

 

[satay]

Hi Teila .... 

About the soft shells.   A while back, ( can't find it now ) Fancychooklady, mentioned to me the benefits of calcium carbonate ( for soft shell laying chickens ) - which I ultimately could not find out here in the sticks.   So I opted for simple calcium powder that is mainly fed to horses.  

Gave her ( on advice from the Stock and Produce merchant ) 1 flattened dessertspoon of that twice a week for 3 weeks, and it did the job.   I then reduced the dosage to 1 teaspoon twice a week for 2 weeks - and she has laid well formed eggs ever since, except for one disaster, which I blamed on her dirty bottom.    It may have stuck there, and she dropped it from a greater height.   She ate the yolk of that one which was harder shell broken,  more than a soft jelly like shell - ( several days back now ).   So back she goes, onto the powdered calcium - probably 2 teaspoons twice a week for the coming week ( in a mix ).   Will think on that.   

I did  however,  clean her dirty bum ---- ( oh ye Gods ) with really warm water, a pair of scissors, and a couple of well aimed 'plucks' which does not bother them at all .... and she is kind of bare bottomed at present, although has cleverly arranged her other feathers to cover the bare patch, and keep her warm !!! .......AND she has laid 2 firm, well developed eggs since.  Her egg shells are most often like bricks to break open for use.   !!  :/  

My rule of thumb would be if a chicken continually lays and strains on soft shells ... then something has to be done.   As Fancy pointed out, calcium carbonate is best - and if you can get it, well and good.   Not for over-use or use for a long period of time though, from memory.    Their food should give them enough calcium, however, if they gorge themselves on dirt pickings / insects etc. while free ranging, I figure they might not always get what they need.   Which is why my girls free range for only a small time of any day - about 2 > 3 hours only ( weather permitting ).

They pick at dirt and heaven knows what in their run anyway, but not enough to fill them up.   They always eat and drink before bed.  

Glad to know that Kiki and Blondie have been broody broken ( for how long ???  ).   I do hope for a long time - for your sake.   !!  


Enjoyed your ovation - that you like hearing of my girls 'chickenalities'.   

Cheers ......... 

Speaking of odd not laid right eggs. I got this one yesterday. A normal white shell on the outside and when i cracked it open it had another egg inside as well as this. The second egg was like a hard boiled egg without the shell on the outside and it was like the white of a normal egg (raw) on the inside. Very odd.

 

[satay]

Sadly I have lost 2 3 year old chickens from the heat over christmas.

kids are hounding me for some silkies, bantams and ducks so looking around for some silkies and bantams and considering musgovies or pekin ducks but dont know much about pet ducks besides their feed and needing plently of water and musgovies are a quiet breed.


I have also been asked if there is anywhere you can get leghorn chickens anyone know where they still sell these?

Hi kat

Leghorns are still out there. A lady across the road from me has them and I am pretty sure they are available in most states still.
Muscovies are a nice quiet breed as they don't quack. Not the best of the egg layers when it comes to ducks. I had them when i lived in the city as well as they are very quiet. If you are looking for an egg layer type Indian runners would be a good one but they are very noisy.

 

[sweetbeak]

Hi all,I have a lovely white arancuna rooster that needs to be re homed, he is about 10 weeks old in this photo and since has developed beautiful lavender tail feathers. I already have another rooster whose 2 years old and don't want to have two. If anyone is interested please email [email protected], i live in trentham in Victoria.

 

[Teila]

Good morning Friends

Sounds like some of you had a wonderful Australia Day; croquet, sailing etc. Not being a downer but Australia Day was a bit of a non event due to the weather; it rained on and off for most of the day. We did, however, proudly display the flag and had sausages on the BBQ for lunch while sheltering under the gazebo with the gals and cheering on the Australians in the T20 cricket last night; sadly they lost to India.

kat79 I am so very sorry to read of your loss

Anniebee many thanks for the calcium carbonate/calcium powder tip. I will definitely keep it in mind if Dusty continues to have problems. She normally lays a couple of soft shells when moulting.

As I mentioned, looks like she did not retain any shell etc, she was right as rain yesterday and again this morning, looks fine.

satay that is an odd egg!

 

[Fancychooklady]

Good morning Friends  

Sounds like some of you had a wonderful Australia Day; croquet, sailing etc. Not being a downer but Australia Day was a bit of a non event due to the weather; it rained on and off for most of the day.  We did, however, proudly display the flag and had sausages on the BBQ for lunch while sheltering under the gazebo with the gals and cheering on the Australians in the T20 cricket last night; sadly they lost to India.

kat79 I am so very sorry to read of your loss 

Anniebee many thanks for the calcium carbonate/calcium powder tip.  I will definitely keep it in mind if Dusty continues to have problems.  She normally lays a couple of soft shells when moulting.

As I mentioned, looks like she did not retain any shell etc, she was right as rain yesterday and again this morning, looks fine.

satay that is an odd egg!

Hi Teila, calcium carbonate is readily available on line , but should only be offered ' free take ' . At this time of the year , when those that aren't broody are moulting , I add livamol to the feed. It can also be offered ' free take ' . It has a strong smell of molasses , contains all of the essential vitamins and minerals and the birds seem to like it.

It also contains 4-6 % calcium.

 

[User395221]

I am in victoria

Sorry, don't know anywhere over there. As satay said, they do have them, I saw them at the Royal Show.

 

[appps]

Just thought Id share some photos from this morning of our baby dove Maddox (it means little fortunate one). He is 8 days old now I think and after supplementing what mum and dad were feeding him for about 24 hours they have now got it worked out and are feeding him themselves.





And this is Dad giving me the evil eye LOL

 

[User395221]

Maddox is cute, looking more "grown up" than when he was first hatched, he looks more like a bird now.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Just thought Id share some photos from this morning of our baby dove Maddox (it means little fortunate one). He is 8 days old now I think and after supplementing what mum and dad were feeding him for about 24 hours they have now got it worked out and are feeding him themselves. And this is Dad giving me the evil eye LOL

Hehe, all I can say is ' thank god ' they get feathers.