California-Southern

[sumatrass]

I have a Thai pullet and stag, and yes i also have 3 Sumatras (my favorite) I hatched them myself, I got them from this farm in Washington the parents a beautiful I hope mine turn out just like them!!

 

[sumatrass]

 

[tacopaco]

I like shamos and Malay, and I had a neighbor that had Thai x Ganoi. And I love Sumatras! I can't wait to get some. Does the breeder show his birds? I want some but want to start with quality birds. When they grow up if you have a pair or trio you should sell me some chicks that you hatch lol

 

[Sylvester017]

I may get myself into trouble here but I dont use vets for chickens. My chickens arent pets they are livestock. I have great respect for every bird but the cost versus benefit of taking a sick chicken to a vet is not in mathematical favor of a chicken.

If I had an issue that was affecting a number of birds, then perhaps I would reconsider.

I have found that biosecurity and a good vaccination and anti parasite schedule is way more cost effective. I vaccinate for Mareks, Newcastle Disease, Fowl Pox and Coryza. I use Ivermectin for round worms and external parasites and valbazen alternate for tapeworms and round worms

My birds get a complete diet with some free ranging. Chicks get a coccidistat medicated feed.

I have a war chest of medications that I am familiar with indications, dosage and administration. I have not used and antibiotic for many many months but will treat if needed. I dont use Sulmet but Dimethox as my first line drug. Its a Sulfa drug like sulmet but more gentle on the birds system and more effective for cocci. My second line go to antibiotic is Tetrox.

Birds get a physical inspection every month to check for lice.

My personal experience is that chicks most often get cocciadosis and birds13-18 weeks get Coryza. Both preventable. On occasion I get an adult bird drop dead without warning.

No, you won't get into trouble. My folks ran a farm that included 50+ Babcock Leghorns and they were livestock. I never considered them pets until we started backyard chickeneering. Since most ordinances limit the number of hens and no roos it's hard not to get attached to just a few. If I lost one chicken I'd lose 1/3 my flock so having a vet is crucial for me. If I had 50 hens I could afford to lose one but not when I only have 3.

Your preventative maintenance is good for any number in a flock but since my birds are bought as juveniles and not chicks most of your methods are moot for me but certainly necessary for you.

People who have experience with large flock numbers can get very good at self-diagnosis and medicating their own flock but for us simple and small backyarders a vet is a better option. We have spent almost $400 in vet bills this past year and have not regretted it. She is a healthy happy laying Silkie again after he pulled her through a couple infections. My DH insisted our chickens be taken to a vet and not self-diagnosed. If I were back on the farm I'm sure my methods would be like my folks' but our current girls are just as much pets as they are livestock. My DD spent $5000 this past year on surgery for her dog where I only spent $400 so I consider our chicken the more reasonable pet.

 

[sumatrass]

Yeah their birds are show quality that's why i went to the trouble of hatching them lol i had never done that but i didn't wanna miss out, check out their website its www.rarefeathers.com and definitely if you wanna wait till mine are of age and hopefully i end up with a female n male Ill sale you some. I want mine for show as well, i have never done that, but I think it would be exciting!

 

[Sylvester017]

Yeah their birds are show quality that's why i went to the trouble of hatching them lol i had never done that but i didn't wanna miss out, check out their website its www.rarefeathers.com and definitely if you wanna wait till mine are of age and hopefully i end up with a female n male Ill sale you some. I want mine for show as well, i have never done that, but I think it would be exciting!

Rare Feathers (or chalk on BYC threads) produces and is conscientious about breeding quality birds. I put in an order for a couple Breda for next Spring.

 

[tacopaco]

I think I saw a post of theirs on here with Sumatras, they did look nice and I believe their post was the one with the standard on there. and Great! Thanks hopefully they are a pair, I can't wait! I live in El Monte but willing to travel for Sumatras! Lol

 

[sumatrass]

awesome ill keep you posted!!! and that was rare feather ranch Sylvester017 the place i got them from is rare feather farms they are located in Washington.

 

[Sylvester017]

awesome ill keep you posted!!! and that was rare feather ranch Sylvester017 the place i got them from is rare feather farms they are located in Washington.

Sorry about that. Mine is in NoCal.

 

[sumatrass]

I plan on getting 2 more Thai from a breeder in Sacramento California, he has some awesome birds too Im getting a pair so i can breed them as well, i also want to breed a sumatra with a black Thai to see if i can possibly get a larger sumatra looking rooster