California - Northern

[PetRock]

Penedesenca are California's best kept secret . If you free range there is No comparison

Love the Spanish breeds! I'm trying to be good about adding any new breeds but I'm feeling the pull to add some Penedesencas to keep my Pita Pintas company!

 

[fowlman01]

Nice to see there are so many people in N. California. Does anyone here have recommendations for breeds here? The only chickens I've have experience with are Leghorns and Jersey Giants that are my friends. I know I want another Leghorn I lost my hen at my friends she was the most love able chicken. But I'd like to know what chicken breeds are the most happy here in California. I'm also a tiny bit interested in showing so a good show breed/egg layer breed would be loved.

I live in Sonoma County too and I can't think of any chicken that would not thrive here. If you want to show chickens you should look for a breed recognized by the APA. Many of the breeds mentioned on this thread are not accepted by the APA. I raise many breeds but the New Hampshires seem to fit perfectly into what you want to do. They are mellow don't eat a lot for big birds and are very pretty,

Walt

 

[fowlman01]

his spurs are about 3/4 " long. Do you think it's the spurs? I see the nails being a problem, but are spurs a culprit too?

If it is the spurs you will note that they dig into the sides of the hen, not the top.

Walt

 

[beanonastring]

What most people don’t understand is that most packages under 2 feet are all sorted by machines, after you hand it across the counter it goes into a cage and until it gets to the delivery office is almost never touch by a human.

 

[liz9910]

I need some help, my Serama rooster appears to be sick, he is very withdrawn but is still eating and drinking. His comb is blackish in places. He is closing his eyes a lot. I checked him for mites/injuries I didn't find any. None of the other chickens look like that. What can I do for him? I'm at a loss.

 

[chiqita]

My list of stuff to look for
Any nasel discharge
Any lumps or missing feather patches
Swolen eyes
How are his feet and toenails
Is he thin?

 

[liz9910]

My list of stuff to look for
Any nasel discharge
Any lumps or missing feather patches
Swolen eyes
How are his feet and toenails
Is he thin?

He doesn't have any of those symptoms. It's really strange.

 

[OR4-hmom]

I need some help, my Serama rooster appears to be sick, he is very withdrawn but is still eating and drinking. His comb is blackish in places. He is closing his eyes a lot. I checked him for mites/injuries I didn't find any. None of the other chickens look like that. What can I do for him? I'm at a loss.

I don't have much experience with illness so others will be more helpful. I separate, move to a warm place if possible and needed, mix up corrid water and provide a 21% feed. I also give cooked egg and yogurt.

Hope he turns around quickly and is back strutting for the ladies soon.

 

[capayvalleychick]

But I'd like to know what chicken breeds are the most happy here in California. I'm also a tiny bit interested in showing so a good show breed/egg layer breed would be loved.

I live in Sonoma County too and I can't think of any chicken that would not thrive here. If you want to show chickens you should look for a breed recognized by the APA. Many of the breeds mentioned on this thread are not accepted by the APA. I raise many breeds but the New Hampshires seem to fit perfectly into what you want to do. They are mellow don't eat a lot for big birds and are very pretty,

Walt

@Ponyfeather I would take Walt's suggestion of New Hampshires, if I were you. He didn't mention that he is a judge and a Master Exhibitor and his NH have been winning at shows all over the West.

 

[casportpony]

I need some help, my Serama rooster appears to be sick, he is very withdrawn but is still eating and drinking. His comb is blackish in places. He is closing his eyes a lot. I checked him for mites/injuries I didn't find any. None of the other chickens look like that. What can I do for him? I'm at a loss.

If he were mine I would start my bringing him into a warm room as sick birds are often hypothermic (see below). Once warm enough I would do a though exam that includes looking in mouth, eyes, nostrils, smelling mouth, eyes, nostrils, checking for bugs, swelling, bruising, etc and I also get a baseline weight on him. I'd also have him in a place where I could easily examine *all* of his poop, 'cause that can be very helpful in determining what's wrong. Remember there are two types of poop... cecal poop, which they only do a few times a day and regular poop.

Source:http://avianmedicine.net/content/uploads/2013/03/07_emergency_and_critical_care.pdf
Supportive Care
SICK-BIRD ENCLOSURES
Sick birds are often hypothermic and should be placed in heated (brooder-type) enclosures b (Fig 7.7) in a quiet environment (see Chapter 1, Clinical Practice). A temperature of 85° F (29° C) with 70% humidity is desirable for most sick birds. If brooders are not equipped with a humidity source, placing a small dish of water in the enclosure will often supply adequate humidity. A moist towel that is heated and placed on the bottom of a cage or incubator rapidly humidifies the environment, as indicated by the fogging of the acrylic cage front.

-Kathy