Australorps breed Thread

[ocap]

.that is true about the keel especially if they get crowded on it so I put a big log chunk in there..they can climb around and flap their wings To get up on it.it's too wide to cause damage lot of them prefer to sleep beside it....I took the log out of there to take a couple pics..it has up until today been very cold outside so had to keep them in..but setting up the a frame with heat lamp tomorrow..we have weasels here so swopping the a frame chicken wire for weasel proof wire..

4 chicks..I do see a theme there LOL.. Australorps are classy birds for sure..I'm way down here on border of pa..

how can you tell if you have weasels? What do you do to keep weasels out?

 

[aveca]

I had never had a problem with them until last year..they can fit through a chicken wire hole and they usually strike at night..they will wipe out an entire flock as small as they are..they bite veins in neck and head let the bird bleed out then they eat the tail nub or face off and leave..they are one of the worst of all of the predators becuase they are so small..I wound up re wiring the whole barn with a wire with small holes so weasles couldnt get through...no problems now..

 

[DeesHens]

Quote:
Great idea. I'll switch it out for sure. We have some nice 4x4 Douglas fir non treated wood in the garage that should be great to "climb around and flap their wings". I think that is one of the cutest things about watching chick TV. lol Their precious little wings are so small fluttering away.

How soon do you expose your chicks to the ground? The sooner the better or later? I've heard it helps build immunity and some even place a plug of sod in the brooder for them to peck on at a week old. Wondering what you believe is good for them? TIA ~Dee~
Hi again.
I would really like to hear everybody's opinion on this subject (see above) if you wouldn't mind sharing please. I want to make sure I do everything right to help insure the very healthiest BA chicks.
I have never done this before with any of my previous chicks but really wondering what you all think about it. TIA ~Dee~

 

[ocap]

Hi again.
I would really like to hear everybody's opinion on this subject (see above) if you wouldn't mind sharing please. I want to make sure I do everything right to help insure the very healthiest BA chicks.
I have never done this before with any of my previous chicks but really wondering what you all think about it. TIA ~Dee~

i put soil in my brooder from the first day

 

[ronott1]

The sod is supposed to help expose them to coccidiosis in small doses. I start watching my chicks at about 6 weeks old because that is when they seem to get cocci.

I do not think the little bit of sod will hurt them and they really love it. Watch them for symptoms though.

 

[luluann]

How can you treat it?

 

[ronott1]

How can you treat it?

I use Corid. It is a powder that goes into the water and they get it fresh at full strength for 5 days and the half strength for another 5 days. The first round kills the cysts and the second one helps them build up resistance to Coccidiosis.

It is everywhere and it can't be gotten rid of. Some breeds and chickens are more prone to have problems with it. It is not usually a problem after12 weeks or so but it can kill young ones within a couple of days. It is similar to a Fungal disease we have in the Western states called Valley Fever. The Fungus is in the dirt here.

 

[tigercreek]

How can you treat it?

That is what is in medicated feed, so if you feed medicated, you don't need to worry about it. ....stan

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Medicated feed will prevent it but they still sometimes get overwhelmed with Coccidiosis.

You still need to watch them until they are old enough to build up their resistance. Also, keeping their brooders and pens clean helps. A lot of people are using oxine.

 

[aveca]

i put soil in my brooder from the first day

I do too..some people use baby grits..I have always used dirt..never had a problem...not out of chicken pens but old driveway Type dirt...our baby feed is manna pro medicated...tractor supply or agway have some other brands like Purina..