California - Northern

[chiqita]

I have one right now that needs to be euthanized. I know I could ask Mike to do it, but a part of me feels like it's my hobby, not his, and that I should do it. Just need to muster up the courage and get it done.

-Kathy

Im too afraid to do the large guys with the hatchet so im in charge of the small birds. Mario was very distressed by it. I seem to sooth them so its easier on them.

 

[BCollie]

 
I'm getting fed up with my 6 or 7 week old Marans cockerel. I put my two 6 week old Buff Polish outside in the pen, and the dang thing is bullying them. The poor things are huddled in a corner, the only place they feel safe. It's hot out and I'm worried they won't be able to get water. Stupid cockerel...

Polish generally do not do well with larger breeds of chickens unless the Polish are roosters. I keep my bantam buff laced Polish roosters in with my Ameraucana rooster and hens. If I put them in with my Marans rooster he would kill them. 

I have forgotten . . are yours LF or bantams? 

I don't think they're bantams because they seemed to be normal sized chicks and are bigger than the 5 week old chicks. The other birds are being fine to them, it's just the stupid cockerel that is bullying them. I'm not sure what to do.

ETA: The cockerel is not staying. We're looking for a home for him as roos are illegal here.

 

[casportpony]

Disclaimer: I am a complete novice when it come to incubation and hatching, but thought some of you might fin this interesting, Pictured below is an egg I found somewhere that's been struggling for days to pip externally, so today I made a hole, waited 12 hours, moistened the membrane and I think this one is malpositioned with it's foot over it's head. Beak is under right wing, but that looks like a toe to me, lol.



-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Quote: Mario sounds a lot like Mike, it's definitely not something he wants to do, and I can't really blame him.

-Kathy

 

[chickee]

5 happy ducks from the crazy duck hatch too! everyone seems to be doing well now.


MANY SHOWGIRLS! Peaches and flame went wild!!! I got almost all showgirls this hatch!

I love the Silkies/showgirls! and these guys are so adorable! The two I hatched are coming in partridge. They crack me up how they waddle about.

Here's my latest, it's a chocolate Muscovy and I think it might be barred! Interestingly, all of the ducklings from this black/white mama were chocolate. Is there anyone here that knows about Muscovy genetics?



-Kathy

I want one! I love the chocolate and khaki colors! Nothing is cuter than a baby duckling!

Well, today I had to put on my big girl pants and cull my first chick. I usually have DH do it for me but there was no way I could wait until Friday. The poor little thing hatched with its intestines outside. (It also had eye problems, a tiny body, and very long legs which are not typical for Pita Pinta chicks.) I tried to use a sterile q-tip to push the coils of intestines back in but then he pooped and there went the sterile part. I couldn't let him suffer through the infection that would cause so, I just spur of the moment dispatched him. I used Dyanne's method but I didn't expect him to move his legs and open his mouth after I broke his neck. I did it again because I thought he wasn't dead yet. Finally I pulled on his head like Cheryl used to do when she culled. That ended up with a piece of chick in each hand. Next time I have to do this, I'm going to use sharp pruning shears and do the deed in the garbage can. RIP little one!

I haven't been able to do that yet. That must have been so hard!

 

[SpringPeeper]

Well, today I had to put on my big girl pants and cull my first chick. I usually have DH do it for me but there was no way I could wait until Friday. The poor little thing hatched with its intestines outside. (It also had eye problems, a tiny body, and very long legs which are not typical for Pita Pinta chicks.) I tried to use a sterile q-tip to push the coils of intestines back in but then he pooped and there went the sterile part. I couldn't let him suffer through the infection that would cause so, I just spur of the moment dispatched him. I used Dyanne's method but I didn't expect him to move his legs and open his mouth after I broke his neck. I did it again because I thought he wasn't dead yet. Finally I pulled on his head like Cheryl used to do when she culled. That ended up with a piece of chick in each hand. Next time I have to do this, I'm going to use sharp pruning shears and do the deed in the garbage can. RIP little one!

Poor thing, but good for you for not letting it suffer.

 

[chickee]

I don't think they're bantams because they seemed to be normal sized chicks and are bigger than the 5 week old chicks. The other birds are being fine to them, it's just the stupid cockerel that is bullying them. I'm not sure what to do.

ETA: The cockerel is not staying. We're looking for a home for him as roos are illegal here.

If they are raised with large fowl chicks then those chicks will grow up to treat them well. Cockerels that age are pretty boisterous! My GCM cockerel is 3 weeks old and starting to run and jump on the other chicks

 

[sewandgrow]

I know. I am totally bummed our events landed on the same weekend. Next time.

Definetely.......I would like that.

My daughter went to check on my Dels last evening before it got dark they had gone into the coop but she couldn't see them through the window. So she opened the lid to the nest box and all 4 dels were in one box (there are 2 and they are not that big of a box) bedded down. I guess at the end of the day all the squabbles are done and they need each other again. Funny things. Cant wait to see what happens when they get moved out of this home to the big coop.

I had Silky Mamas that would do that 3 of them piled all together in 1 5 gallon bucket nest box. So funny to see. I called it a Silky totem pole............LOL

If you're the curious type, do an experiment... dust that hen with a proper poultry dust or 5% Sevin (DE won't work for this), place some white paper towels on the bottom of a box, put her in the box, cover it and come back in 30-40 minutes. No bugs on bottom means that's not the cause, but if there are some, that certainly could be the problem. It's an interesting experiment to do. I had a hen with feather issues and I saw no signs of lice on her, so I did the experiment and I sure was surprised! I guess the lice were hiding in the feather shafts, but one dusting took care of the problem.

-Kathy

That sounds like a really neat experiment Kathy................almost makes me want someone to try it & let me know how it works....Any of you out there going to give it a try soon?????

So nice of you to think of the bees Ron!

Yes Ron...........so far my new beehive seems to be happy. I don't want anything to harm them but my bees are way across the yard from my chickens.

What would we do without you, Ron!!! You are such a big help on this thread! You always answer our "dum" questions and never make us feel stupid for asking them....

Everyone here is so helpful....I am so glad I found this thread!

X however many it takes to keep up.....LOL

I like this thread too. People here are very patient with new people respectful of each others reasons for having birds and is all around a pleasant experience. Im glad I found it too and can't wait for Karens party. I feel like I found a bunch of new friends with people I have never met
(more so than Facebook)

Well Chris I am looking forward to meeting you too. I do hope you know I am a country bumpkin at heart. This in no where near a palace but certainly where we love to live.

Very interesting thing happened yesterday. We had let the dels out and they were roaming the yard not paying much attention to us. We brought the watermelon out and they didnt really notice.
I kept calling them and waving the WM hoping they would see and come but nada. I couldnt remember the call I had used the other day when we had given them treats so they were taking no notice. Then all of a sudden I remembered the call I had used. "Bwawk Bwawk". And then the most enthusiastic WM eater came tearing around the plants and everything right up to the WM. It was like night and day. I called some more and they all came a running. They don't like being picked up but will tolerate being held fairly well once we do. I think the treat feedings are helping some too.
They also are pretty good about being herded back into the coop. (Probably because we bait them back in with treats)

Well,................. who wouldn't come running for Watermelon..........it's one of my favorites..!!!!!!!

Yesterday was day 20. First little pip early afternoon, didn't change by the time I went to bed. In the meantime, one other was already zipping. By this morning there were 4 out and I got to see another hatch. Tiny little hole with membrane covering it on the one Delaware egg this morning. As of now, there are still 5 chicks bouncing around in there. They pushed the Del egg over, so I can't see if there's any progress. 3 other Dork eggs with no signs of a pip.

I set the eggs on April 22, late afternoon. So day 21 isn't until late afternoon today, correct?

What do I do if there are chicks in there but eggs that haven't hatched?

The RCom dividers do not hold the chicks in place and it seems small in there. I don't see a way to do pedigree baskets in there. I need a hatcher that will accommodate covered trays.

Congratulations Kim...............Better watch it or you will be shopping for a cabinet with a hatcher tray......LOL

Congrats on the babies! I have never seen an R-Com in person...would strawberry baskets fit in there?

I hadn't thought about that, but I think you are right! Everyone seems to be grown up enough to have discussions and different points of view without it becoming an argument!


Well trained chickens!
I am actually having a lull right now. Nothing hatching since the Bob Whites. I do have my Grocery Store Rock Island eggs due Saturday though. Good thing...I was starting to go thru withdrawal..

My R-Com wouldn't accommodate any kind of basket. You must have a bigger model than mine. The baskets I used in my cabinet Brinsea & in the Hovabator Genesis are smaller than strawberry baskets & they do fine in there. They are cylinders bird feeders made for BOSS.

The only birds here that are wormed on a *regular* basis are my peafowl, they get wormed once a year before breeding season. Everyone else gets wormed as needed, like if I see one looking a little off, it gets wormed. Or broodies on peafowl eggs, they get wormed even if they look okay (cecal worm and blackhead concerns).

We bought a scope and stuff to do floats, so once we get the lab set up I hope to learn how to do my own!

-Kathy

A scope..........how interesting I have one upstairs that rarely gets used but loved using them when I was a kid.

Thanks! Yes, the small square type strawberry baskets would fit.

Now that I've seen chicks hatch, I wonder if it's ok to confine them to a small basket, though. These chicks are climbing all over the dividers from one end of the incubator to another. Seems like they'd be squished if they hatched in a small container.

The ones that Ron uses are larger. I'll have to see what I can fit in there once this hatch is over. I really want a hatcher.

see above......I will show them to you Sunday if I remember

5 happy ducks from the crazy duck hatch too! everyone seems to be doing well now.


MANY SHOWGIRLS! Peaches and flame went wild!!! I got almost all showgirls this hatch!

Your yellow ducks are adorable......................Showgirls???? I just think I should have one just for fun....!!!!!!! LOL

Well, today I had to put on my big girl pants and cull my first chick. I usually have DH do it for me but there was no way I could wait until Friday. The poor little thing hatched with its intestines outside. (It also had eye problems, a tiny body, and very long legs which are not typical for Pita Pinta chicks.) I tried to use a sterile q-tip to push the coils of intestines back in but then he pooped and there went the sterile part. I couldn't let him suffer through the infection that would cause so, I just spur of the moment dispatched him. I used Dyanne's method but I didn't expect him to move his legs and open his mouth after I broke his neck. I did it again because I thought he wasn't dead yet. Finally I pulled on his head like Cheryl used to do when she culled. That ended up with a piece of chick in each hand. Next time I have to do this, I'm going to use sharp pruning shears and do the deed in the garbage can. RIP little one!

Sorry Deb................see PM

Im too afraid to do the large guys with the hatchet so im in charge of the small birds. Mario was very distressed by it. I seem to sooth them so its easier on them.

While watching a You tube videos on rabbits I saw more than one dispatching board that people had made. I wonder if it would work with chickens on a smaller scale. It basically held the head in place & with one jerk the job was done ,,,,,,,,,,, no blood or anything. I am not sure what the most humane way would be.??? My grandmother used to wring their necks & then later on just had my uncle shoot them in the head with a 22 rifle but I hated that they ran around crazy until they dropped that way. I think breaking the neck is faster & neater.

 

[PetRock]

While watching a You tube videos on rabbits I saw more than one dispatching board that people had made. I wonder if it would work with chickens on a smaller scale. It basically held the head in place & with one jerk the job was done ,,,,,,,,,,, no blood or anything. I am not sure what the most humane way would be.??? My grandmother used to wring their necks & then later on just had my uncle shoot them in the head with a 22 rifle but I hated that they ran around crazy until they dropped that way. I think breaking the neck is faster & neater.

My DH grew up on a small farm and they killed a chicken almost every Sat to have for Sun dinner. He and his brothers thought it was funny to watch them run around the yard without a head. Their poor mother had to do the real work of plucking without scalding or using an automatic plucker. That doesn't sound appealing to me! I read that allowing them to run around like that can bruise the meat. Is that true?

 

[casportpony]

Quote: Good lord, I still cry when they die in my arms, I cannot imagine cutting a head off and letting them run around. Don't get me wrong, I sell roosters and ducks for meat, so I know what's gonna happen to them when they leave, it's just that I can't get the courage to do the deed myself.

-Kathy