BYC Café

[Cyprus]

I'm hoping for a good flock roo, but thinking I might get a trio so we can get some pure bred chicks. Also discovered that Meyers Hatchery sells Marecks vaccines.

Mareks Vaccines are a risk.
They do nothing to stop the bird from getting the disease or spreading it. All they do is hide the symptoms.
Marek's vaccinated (or otherwise vaccinated) birds cannot be shown at APA/ABA sanctioned shows. And in most countries vaccinated birds cannot be imported.
That shows, imo, that the vaccines do more harm than good.

 

[Cyprus]

Mareks Vaccines are a risk.
They do nothing to stop the bird from getting the disease or spreading it. All they do is hide the symptoms.
Marek's vaccinated (or otherwise vaccinated) birds cannot be shown at APA/ABA sanctioned shows. And in most countries vaccinated birds cannot be imported.
That shows, imo, that the vaccines do more harm than good.

Not to mention that the vaccines increase chance of survival, allowing infected birds to continue to spread the virus.

 

[N F C]

Okay, let me make a request for advice. The poultry show is on February 16-17 and I plan on acquiring a Roo and hopefully 1 or 2 broody type hens. I have enough of these, View attachment 1667396. Now I need a couple of theseView attachment 1667400 View attachment 1667400 Any recommendations are welcome, since I dont know much about breeds. Also would welcome suggestions about docile breeds for rooster choices.

I've only had 2 roosters so very limited experience. The Polish boy I had was a total goof, unfortunately, he died young so I never had a chance to see him "in action". The 2nd boy I had was a Welsummer and he was gorgeous plus a gentleman to the girls.

Not sure I've ever had chocolate cake with coconut. Wish I could actually try a slice

If you lived closer Pert, I'd bring you a piece. If you like something like a Mounds candy bar, you'd probably coconut frosting on a chocolate cake.

Thanks for the well wishes. Migraines driven by weather changes. I called off work today, noise makes it worse.

Sean, I've had migraines that make me cry. I know they'll go away before long though. The constant pain from being broken, with some days worse than others, can be more taxing on the body which certainly makes it worse.

IM, I had frequent migraines for years. Finally the doc gave me a preventative (1 pill at night) and that cut back their occurrence a whole lot. It's been a long time since I've had a migraine so don't remember what the rx was for but talk to your doctor, I'm sure there are plenty of things like that on the market.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

Mareks Vaccines are a risk.
They do nothing to stop the bird from getting the disease or spreading it. All they do is hide the symptoms.
Marek's vaccinated (or otherwise vaccinated) birds cannot be shown at APA/ABA sanctioned shows. And in most countries vaccinated birds cannot be imported.
That shows, imo, that the vaccines do more harm than good.

Oh man, I wish I had read this earlier! I just sent a letter to a breeder about the Chattahoochee valley poultry show requesting info about whether the birds were vaccinated! So it's safe to buy birds from poultry shows with a reasonable expectation that they wont introduce diseases into my hatchery flock?

 

[Bamabexchicks]

No, there are large fowl Cochins.

I like the looks of Cochins! Have heard good things about the roos also.

 

[ShrekDawg]

That would be cute! I want fertile eggs from my entire flock though, 2 of my RIR eggs weigh as much as a Serama! Are Cochins all considered bantams?

There is a bantam variety but they are also large fowl.

IM, I suffered debilitating migraines from my early teens until I went through the change at 50. I started taking Evening primrose oil capsules to mediate menopause symptoms and my headaches stopped almost completely. The EPO is loaded with omega 6 and 9 that we are lacking in our diets.

I may have to try that

I'm hoping for a good flock roo, but thinking I might get a trio so we can get some pure bred chicks. Also discovered that Meyers Hatchery sells Marecks vaccines.

That’s a good idea!! I think you would like Cochin or Ameraucana.

Do they sell just the vaccines or vaccinated chicks? I have gotten my chicks vaccinated but dont know if they sell the vaccine separate.

No, there are large fowl Cochins.

Yup

I think you can get an aggressive roo in most LF breeds. If you get one, get rid of it and try another.

Very true!! Depends on the rooster.

I've only had 2 roosters so very limited experience. The Polish boy I had was a total goof, unfortunately, he died young so I never had a chance to see him "in action". The 2nd boy I had was a Welsummer and he was gorgeous plus a gentleman to the girls.



If you lived closer Pert, I'd bring you a piece. If you like something like a Mounds candy bar, you'd probably coconut frosting on a chocolate cake.



IM, I had frequent migraines for years. Finally the doc gave me a preventative (1 pill at night) and that cut back their occurrence a whole lot. It's been a long time since I've had a migraine so don't remember what the rx was for but talk to your doctor, I'm sure there are plenty of things like that on the market.

Is your Welsummer nice? I have heard some people say they can be mean, like people aggressive. I guess it depends on the individual bird.

Oh man, I wish I had read this earlier! I just sent a letter to a breeder about the Chattahoochee valley poultry show requesting info about whether the birds were vaccinated! So it's safe to buy birds from poultry shows with a reasonable expectation that they wont introduce diseases into my hatchery flock?

Well, they would still have to be quarantined in a separate space for 30 days but they should be fine. Unless your current birds are vaccinated, in which case the vaccinated birds can actually kill the unvaccinated birds because the virus becomes hotter and more deadly since the infected birds live instead of dying off. So you do not want to mix vaccinated and unvaccinated birds.

I like the looks of Cochins! Have heard good things about the roos also.

I think you would like Cochins! They are docile, gentle, friendly, and, most importantly, they come in lots of cool colors.

 

[Cyprus]

Oh man, I wish I had read this earlier! I just sent a letter to a breeder about the Chattahoochee valley poultry show requesting info about whether the birds were vaccinated! So it's safe to buy birds from poultry shows with a reasonable expectation that they wont introduce diseases into my hatchery flock?

If you are buying from an APA/ABA sanctioned show (important) it is very fair to assume that the birds you are buying do not carry any diseases that the seller is aware of.
People who show at these shows put a LOT of work into their lines. Sweat, blood, tears and more money than they will ever recoup. It would be foolish of them to disregard biosecurity at the same time.

That said, you could pick up a bird carrying something. But chances are high that the seller was unaware of it and would like to be notified.

 

[Cyprus]

But in any scenario, you are only as strong as your weakest link.

Unfortunately, there are people in the poultry world who are the same as or worse than an ex-friend of mine. He had almost every disease in his flock that a chicken could have and he and I both knew it. He had several birds dropping dead every month without fail.
Yet, he chose to disregard this and to this day still shows at major APA/ABA shows and county fairs. All of his birds are diseased and he is a liability. But he does not care to do his part. Thus why we are EX friends.

 

[igorsMistress]

I've only had 2 roosters so very limited experience. The Polish boy I had was a total goof, unfortunately, he died young so I never had a chance to see him "in action". The 2nd boy I had was a Welsummer and he was gorgeous plus a gentleman to the girls.



If you lived closer Pert, I'd bring you a piece. If you like something like a Mounds candy bar, you'd probably coconut frosting on a chocolate cake.



IM, I had frequent migraines for years. Finally the doc gave me a preventative (1 pill at night) and that cut back their occurrence a whole lot. It's been a long time since I've had a migraine so don't remember what the rx was for but talk to your doctor, I'm sure there are plenty of things like that on the market.

I made an appointment with my doc. They're triggered by storms and variable weather most often. I'm also not thrilled with the medication she gave me for them, doesn't often help and it makes me feel horrible. I'll ask her about a preventive, I didn't know that was option. Thank you.

 

[N F C]

I made an appointment with my doc. They're triggered by storms and variable weather most often. I'm also not thrilled with the medication she gave me for them, doesn't often help and it makes me feel horrible. I'll ask her about a preventive, I didn't know that was option. Thank you.

Good, glad you made an appointment! I'm betting between the time I used to take them and now, they've developed new drugs for migraines. That preventative I took was a real blessing, hope you can find the same kind of relief IM