Bad Luck Bantams

[thecatumbrella]

As a side note: Did all of these birds come from Meyer? It may be a complete coincidence, but I have 20 chickens from 3 different hatcheries (Meyer was the last), and the chicks I got from Meyer were the worst by far.

I ordered 7 (2 Bielefelder, 2 Bantam Splash Ameraucana, 2 Bantam Mottled Cochin, and 1 Bantam Green Queen). 1 of the Bantam Splash Ameraucanas died the day after I received them (I know this happens sometimes), 1 of the Bielefelders died suddenly in the middle of the night at about 8 months old (hadn't even started laying yet), the Splash Ameraucana that survived has horrible feather shredding, unusually short legs, and is VERY small (even for a bantam). The Bielefelder that survived has one foot with curled toes (despite our best efforts to straighten them and fix any nutrient deficiencies that may be present, she still hobbles around). The 2 bantam cochins (pekins) are healthy, but one of them is constantly broody while simultaneously trying to murder me if I even look in her direction. The only 1 of the 7 from that Meyer order that hasn't had any issues is the bantam Green Queen. I won't ever order from Meyer again.

Yes, everyone's from Meyer since it's the only source for sexed bantams that I've been able to find. I have heard that some lines of Bielefelder are just not hardy, so it's possible that could explain her premature death (which is really sad, I'm so sorry). It's interesting you had luck with the Bantam Green Queen, because a lot of the reviews claimed they were weak chicks.

We got 3 Mottled Pekins, 3 Calico Pekins, and 2 d'Uccle. 50% were sickly (Pip, Willow, Wren, and Clover). I'm not feeling great about this hatchery either, though I don't know if bantams are just more sensitive. Actually, I wasn't even thinking about the second batch of chicks; 2 out of 3 were sickly in that group. My previous flock was from Mt. Healthy, and they were all fit as fiddles.

Also, thanks for the kind words. I know chickens can be a lot of work, but they were meant to be a positive. It's been very disheartening to have things go awry.

 

[ChickenChick46]

Yes, everyone's from Meyer since it's the only source for sexed bantams that I've been able to find. I have heard that some lines of Bielefelder are just not hardy, so it's possible that could explain her premature death (which is really sad, I'm so sorry). It's interesting you had luck with the Bantam Green Queen, because a lot of the reviews claimed they were weak chicks.

We got 3 Mottled Pekins, 3 Calico Pekins, and 2 d'Uccle. 50% were sickly (Pip, Willow, Wren, and Clover). I'm not feeling great about this hatchery either, though I don't know if bantams are just more sensitive. Actually, I wasn't even thinking about the second batch of chicks; 2 out of 3 were sickly in that group. My previous flock was from Mt. Healthy, and they were all fit as fiddles.

Also, thanks for the kind words. I know chickens can be a lot of work, but they were meant to be a positive. It's been very disheartening to have things go awry.

I'm hoping to have better luck, since my birds coming next month are from Meyer. They aren't bantams though.

They're also the only place I've seen for sexed bantams. I've wondered, since other hatcheries don't sex bantams, and I've read in many places that they're so tiny that it's considered dangerous, is that contributing to them being sickly and weak? Like maybe the chicks would be better off if they just sold them straight run?

Obviously, the other poster here who had a bad experience with Meyer didn't have bantams, so maybe not. But it's a thought I've had.

I've now gotten chicks from TSC and RK, and next up is shipped. I still plan to get an incubator and hatch as well. The results and outcomes from all these options will shape how I grow my flock over the coming years.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I've wondered, since other hatcheries don't sex bantams, and I've read in many places that they're so tiny that it's considered dangerous, is that contributing to them being sickly and weak? Like maybe the chicks would be better off if they just sold them straight run?

I've wondered the same exact thing.

 

[ChickenChick46]

I've wondered the same exact thing.

Believe me, as someone who bought a Mille Fleur d'Uccle just over a week ago, holding her breath that it would be a female to cross with the known male d'Uccle she's already got, I see the appeal in sexed bantams. Especially because I just have this nagging feeling that Quinn is also a boy.

But maybe some breeds just weren't meant for us to know early.

 

[BDutch]

Following.
I on page 2 now.
A quick reply. Hope it isn’t stupid or already mentioned.

Did the vet check on Marek?

If you separate a chicken who is low in the pecking order, you should separate 2 chickens. Not 1. Wait a several weeks .
Integrating with lots of hide outs and several feed and water stations and if possible a roost /part of a roost where they dont see each other.

Coming back later….

 

[thecatumbrella]

Following.
I on page 2 now.
A quick reply. Hope it isn’t stupid or already mentioned.

Did the vet check on Marek?

If you separate a chicken who is low in the pecking order, you should separate 2 chickens. Not 1. Wait a several weeks .
Integrating with lots of hide outs and several feed and water stations and if possible a roost /part of a roost where they dont see each other.

Coming back later….

I'm not gonna lie, I completely dropped the ball on that. I was so distraught over the whole ordeal with Willow that it slipped my mind. Do you know if they can blood test for it? I was under the impression that it needed to be done postmortem. It would mean she brought it with her from the hatchery, which would be absolutely insane. She had symptoms on Day 1.

Just so I'm clear, you're suggesting I give Dandelion a friend to hang out with before trying to merge everyone back together? Her and Poppy still get along, though I know Poppy would be very distressed to be separated from her best friend, Clover. It's really difficult to manage when I'm running on fumes with flock numbers!

 

[BoundlessLove]

That’s a good idea to put someone with Dandelion. She will have a friend and it will keep her happy.

I wouldn’t keep the flock separated much longer though. And would put them together daily for a few hours with you supervising.

 

[thecatumbrella]

That’s a good idea to put someone with Dandelion. She will have a friend and it will keep her happy.

I wouldn’t keep the flock separated much longer though. And would put them together daily for a few hours with you supervising.

My plan was to utilize the azygous method, which depending on how the flock behaves, can be a bit of a slow burn. Dandelion is a pecking order drama queen and gives off way too much submissive body language. It's triggering for birds like Hornet (and even Flora, back before she was rehomed). I absolutely plan to continue having supervised visits to test the dynamics. I just need a moment to regroup. And I promise Dandy is happy as a clam next door in the meantime. The four of them even cuddle together through the wall!

 

[BDutch]

That’s a good idea to put someone with Dandelion. She will have a friend and it will keep her happy.

I wouldn’t keep the flock separated much longer though. And would put them together daily for a few hours with you supervising.

Putting them together daily doesn’t work. They remember the situation over and over again. And the chickens get stressed every time you make a change.

It takes at least 3 weeks to forget. And it also gives Dandelion a chance to recover.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I wouldn’t keep the flock separated much longer though. And would put them together daily for a few hours with you supervising.

Putting them together daily doesn’t work. They remember the situation over and over again. And the chickens get stressed every time you make a change.

It takes at least 3 weeks to forget. And it also gives Dandelion a chance to recover.

The good news is that I'll be the guinea pig for any and all techniques, depending on how long this drags on. I literally have nothing to lose with my flock being held together by popsicle sticks.

My plan is to start with at least 1 week of Dandelion on the partitioned side. I need Hornet to "forget" (ha!) that she bullies her. At least, this is how it works with dogs: The best way to prevent an undesirable behavior is to not let them act on the behavior. I may let Poppy through the door for visits, but that's about it. Like I said, Dandelion was meant for this. She's done great living next door, and we make sure there's still plenty of interaction with eating/snacking/napping next to each other through the wall.

In the meantime, I need to figure out WTF I'm doing with my coop. I can't just snap and put a better one in its place. At a bare minimum, I'm going to open the nest side. This makes it very, very close to the 4 sqft/bird, but I don't get that vertical element that I really need. It's harder to beat someone up when you're perched in the air.