California - Northern

[juststruttin]

I need to add shade to my run and soon.

If you add shade cloth I would double it up. One layer does not seem to keep it cool enough for my chickens. I end up having to water the runs on really hot days to cool down the ground even with the shade cloth.

 

[TheKeeper]

Would love to have Diamonds I think they are very pretty.

Let me know when you're in the market. Mine are breeding like crazy & I need to thin out the youngsters.

 

[caychris]

Im thinking of adding a cheep box fan outside the portion under the coop and possibly dropping an ice bag behind it during the middle of the day.

I need to get a mister does anyone have a product they like.

 

[SpringPeeper]

My numbers are going the right way, in the last two days I've sold fourteen hens, thirteen roosters, four ducks and four chicks. I have someone else scheduled to get a chick this afternoon, another rooster and two hens to go on Tuesday and six more hens and three chicks to go next Thursday.

Now if you don't count the seventeen chicks I hatched over the weekend or the call duck egg in lockdown, things are looking good.

Don't look at that other tray of 30 eggs in the cabinet or anything being collected on the kitchen counter.

Those were test hatches..............they don't count!

Well, we've always been told not to count our chickens before they hatch. So, that means they don't count.

 

[TheKeeper]

My numbers are going the right way, in the last two days I've sold fourteen hens, thirteen roosters, four ducks and four chicks. I have someone else scheduled to get a chick this afternoon, another rooster and two hens to go on Tuesday and six more hens and three chicks to go next Thursday.

Now if you don't count the seventeen chicks I hatched over the weekend or the call duck egg in lockdown, things are looking good.

Don't look at that other tray of 30 eggs in the cabinet or anything being collected on the kitchen counter.

Those were test hatches..............they don't count!

LOL - great chicken math!
The four chicks are happily caged up in their new temporary home.
I'm guessing 2 boys & 2 girls (1 each frizzle & 1 each smooth) after getting to watch them for awhile.
Thank you again.

 

[chrissyr]

Do you have pictures?

Sorry, didn't get a quote notification.
I will try to get some. They're all next to the Bresse pen and the rooster is tid bitting to them. So cute!

 

[chrissyr]

Im thinking of adding a cheep box fan outside the portion under the coop and possibly dropping an ice bag behind it during the middle of the day.

I need to get a mister does anyone have a product they like.

I use the box fans on auto timers. I also have shade cloth which has helped trendously. Most for the Marans , but the other coop seems to be begging for it as well. I'm finding the best thing is real shade, from a nice strong material. Then wet the ground a little.
Misters will create mud messes (flies, cocci)
Last year I got a sprinkler timer, put the hoses on light and they wet down areas that dry out easy

 

[chrissyr]

This wait is killing me. Just called the lab and they said it takes a few days to get the results from the MG blood test. They got it yesterday at 10:30am, so today is day two. Hopefully I will know by tomorrow evening. I'm trying to prepare myself for the worst possible news but every time I think about it I start crying again.

So, if my flock DOES have MG...They will always be carriers and spreaders of the disease. It can live on shoes, hair, water, dirt, etc. for several days. It can spread to the wild birds here, who will in turn spread it to all the other local chickens and birds. It will spread to anyone with chickens who visits my house, and any house I visit where the people have chickens, as it can live on my shoes/body for days. The responsible thing to do so that it does not spread to anyone else(so that they don't have to deal with the devastation I'm dealing with now), is to cull my entire flock and start over. This includes culling the chicks in my brooder in my room, and the eggs in my incubator. Please correct me if any of this information is wrong.

You know I would just try to relax and try to forget about it until you hear.
What else can you do?
Seperate any other sick birds.
Ask if they can test for other things that have similar symptoms.
You can call Davis yourself and actually speak with one of the vets....for free!
They are the experts, your vet may not have lots of chicken experience . But Davis does.
It may turn out to be something not as bad as your thinking.
I've had chickens for years.
My own birds for 17 years. After all of the scary internet stuff, it's never turned out to be anything scary at all.
But whatever it is, talk with a uc Davis vet about what you should do.

 

[chrissyr]

Help! This hen has been way over mated! My cockerel won't stop... I separated her. She's exhausted and hurting. Do you think if she rests and stays away from men she'll recover?

Check her for wounds. Her stance has me a little worried.
Here's your problem: if she recovers 110%, as soon as you put her back with THAT rooster it will start all over again.
Some hens are really submissive and those are the favorites. He will remember

 

[chrissyr]

While on the this subject, does anyone know of some good bio-security links?

-Kathy

The uc Davis calendar suggested a foot wash before entering coops. They didn't recommend a product . It did say to replace something like 3-5 days.
When I dropped my chicks there, they had a foot bath and recommended getting my car washed before going home
Edited to add: you should always have seperate shoes for your coops that never leave the property, and vice versa.