Checking-In On Peeps - Post Here To Say Hello!

[nightwing1]

Whoa- that'll teach me to actually sign in instead of just doing a search!

It's definitely been a minute since I asked or posted anything, but I think since the last time I was here picking y'all's brains, my sweet leghorn is still doing great, we've lost a few girls, and gained a few rescues, and we also started a turkey adventure this spring. Athena and Apollo (I'm posting an older picture, we're *pretty* sure by now he's a boy...kidding- he's DEFINITELY a boy) are Bourbon Reds, and we love them to pieces. They've got their own coop and get along with chickens really well so far when they're in the same yard.

That said (and my intent was to PM a couple of folks), the information that I got here 1000% saved Athena's life last week. She started showing all the signs of Blackhead- drooping wings, no interest in eating or drinking, and yellow droppings. Our chicken vet basically reiterated everything I had read here and told us that *when* she perished, we should send her in for a necropsy. The Board of Animal health couldn't tell me whether or not there was Blackhead in our area ("We don't document that testing"), which was frustrating- that's the BAH's sole purpose for existing. I was able to pick up Metronidazole, Safeguard, Exact baby bird food, and Corid (just in case, but her stools were yellow and not bloody), and reasonably guess an appropriate dosage (she's 3 months and still lighter than my Brahma hen, especially due to the quick weight loss). We brought her in (MN temps were 92 degrees and ridiculous humidity), she stayed by me in her bin pretty much wherever I went in the house until outside temps were down and she wasn't as lethargic as the onset. After a long week, she's back outside and her normal self with normal poop, and I can't express my gratitude for the members here who put the time and effort into posting information that I'd never get anywhere else. I can't say with 100% certainty that it was indeed Blackhead, but it sure fit the descriptions here. This bird has a special place in my heart.

And we're definitely going to start deworming every 3 months!

 

[muddy75]

Whoa- that'll teach me to actually sign in instead of just doing a search!

It's definitely been a minute since I asked or posted anything, but I think since the last time I was here picking y'all's brains, my sweet leghorn is still doing great, we've lost a few girls, and gained a few rescues, and we also started a turkey adventure this spring. Athena and Apollo (I'm posting an older picture, we're *pretty* sure by now he's a boy...kidding- he's DEFINITELY a boy) are Bourbon Reds, and we love them to pieces. They've got their own coop and get along with chickens really well so far when they're in the same yard.

That said (and my intent was to PM a couple of folks), the information that I got here 1000% saved Athena's life last week. She started showing all the signs of Blackhead- drooping wings, no interest in eating or drinking, and yellow droppings. Our chicken vet basically reiterated everything I had read here and told us that *when* she perished, we should send her in for a necropsy. The Board of Animal health couldn't tell me whether or not there was Blackhead in our area ("We don't document that testing"), which was frustrating- that's the BAH's sole purpose for existing. I was able to pick up Metronidazole, Safeguard, Exact baby bird food, and Corid (just in case, but her stools were yellow and not bloody), and reasonably guess an appropriate dosage (she's 3 months and still lighter than my Brahma hen, especially due to the quick weight loss). We brought her in (MN temps were 92 degrees and ridiculous humidity), she stayed by me in her bin pretty much wherever I went in the house until outside temps were down and she wasn't as lethargic as the onset. After a long week, she's back outside and her normal self with normal poop, and I can't express my gratitude for the members here who put the time and effort into posting information that I'd never get anywhere else. I can't say with 100% certainty that it was indeed Blackhead, but it sure fit the descriptions here. This bird has a special place in my heart.

And we're definitely going to start deworming every 3 months!

-Claire

Good to hear that she made it through!

 

[Beckys Birds]

So glad Gunny had somewhere, with someone familiar to go. Some dogs grieve a lot after losing a pack mate. It's so hard to watch.

I have birds everywhere too. My house birds are budgies and a parrot. Otherwise I have ducks, about 100 chickens, turkeys, and geese. I seem to enjoy chaos too. Keeps me going.

It really was difficult to watch Gunny change so drastically in just a couple of months. The poor old man. If stepson couldn't take him, I would've had to do some things differently, and that would have been a huge change in all the birds situations. I was NOT looking forward to that. As we all know, chickens don't do change well, and there is a purpose and reason for why I have chickens separated in the front yard from the back yard. The front chickens get bullied by the back "Gen Pop" birds. The front birds are two cochins who are severely bullied, a serama roo, and a barnyard mix that grew out in front with her siblings, but REFUSED to stay in Gen Pop, so she lives there now. Her name is Karen for all the right reasons.
I'm just so glad stepson was able to take Gunny and Gunny is living his last years, living his best life, riding shotgun and sleeping in bed with his boy.

 

[don1911]

I've been away for awhile. Getting back into chickens again. I bought 10 production reds with a free rooster. All 6 months old. Next day I realize they all have respiratory problems. We'll try to save them.

We got back into chickens because we missed having them and realized feeding chickens is cheaper than buying eggs, and fresh eggs taste better.

We live on 10 acres of woods And have 4 dogs, and 4 cats.

 

[Honeycluckle]

Been a long time. When I got this message, I was not ready to talk. A lot of hard things have happened. Life does what it does, and it's.. done a lot of things I don't think anyone would be ready for.

My girls are doing well. I have lost some of my originals to old age during this time, and added new girls to the flock. I slacked for almost two years on this due to a very traumatic loss in my life, and am just now trying to take back the reigns. Things are still hard, and changing, and terrifying, but my birds have been and will always be dearly loved no matter what hardship comes. Thank you for checking in.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Been a long time. When I got this message, I was not ready to talk. A lot of hard things have happened. Life does what it does, and it's.. done a lot of things I don't think anyone would be ready for.

My girls are doing well. I have lost some of my originals to old age during this time, and added new girls to the flock. I slacked for almost two years on this due to a very traumatic loss in my life, and am just now trying to take back the reigns. Things are still hard, and changing, and terrifying, but my birds have been and will always be dearly loved no matter what hardship comes. Thank you for checking in.

So very sorry for the loss in your life. I'm very glad your chickens are doing well and helping you through the hard stuff. It helps to have something that needs us, and something to care for daily. Wishing you the best.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've been away for awhile. Getting back into chickens again. I bought 10 production reds with a free rooster. All 6 months old. Next day I realize they all have respiratory problems. We'll try to save them.

We got back into chickens because we missed having them and realized feeding chickens is cheaper than buying eggs, and fresh eggs taste better.

We live on 10 acres of woods And have 4 dogs, and 4 cats.

Hopefully it's just a small infection brought on by the stress of relocating to a new place. Sounds like to love dogs and cats as much as I do. 10 acres of woods sounds wonderful.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It really was difficult to watch Gunny change so drastically in just a couple of months. The poor old man. If stepson couldn't take him, I would've had to do some things differently, and that would have been a huge change in all the birds situations. I was NOT looking forward to that. As we all know, chickens don't do change well, and there is a purpose and reason for why I have chickens separated in the front yard from the back yard. The front chickens get bullied by the back "Gen Pop" birds. The front birds are two cochins who are severely bullied, a serama roo, and a barnyard mix that grew out in front with her siblings, but REFUSED to stay in Gen Pop, so she lives there now. Her name is Karen for all the right reasons.
I'm just so glad stepson was able to take Gunny and Gunny is living his last years, living his best life, riding shotgun and sleeping in bed with his boy.

There can be a lot of drama sometimes with chickens. Hopefully yours calm down soon.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Whoa- that'll teach me to actually sign in instead of just doing a search!

It's definitely been a minute since I asked or posted anything, but I think since the last time I was here picking y'all's brains, my sweet leghorn is still doing great, we've lost a few girls, and gained a few rescues, and we also started a turkey adventure this spring. Athena and Apollo (I'm posting an older picture, we're *pretty* sure by now he's a boy...kidding- he's DEFINITELY a boy) are Bourbon Reds, and we love them to pieces. They've got their own coop and get along with chickens really well so far when they're in the same yard.

That said (and my intent was to PM a couple of folks), the information that I got here 1000% saved Athena's life last week. She started showing all the signs of Blackhead- drooping wings, no interest in eating or drinking, and yellow droppings. Our chicken vet basically reiterated everything I had read here and told us that *when* she perished, we should send her in for a necropsy. The Board of Animal health couldn't tell me whether or not there was Blackhead in our area ("We don't document that testing"), which was frustrating- that's the BAH's sole purpose for existing. I was able to pick up Metronidazole, Safeguard, Exact baby bird food, and Corid (just in case, but her stools were yellow and not bloody), and reasonably guess an appropriate dosage (she's 3 months and still lighter than my Brahma hen, especially due to the quick weight loss). We brought her in (MN temps were 92 degrees and ridiculous humidity), she stayed by me in her bin pretty much wherever I went in the house until outside temps were down and she wasn't as lethargic as the onset. After a long week, she's back outside and her normal self with normal poop, and I can't express my gratitude for the members here who put the time and effort into posting information that I'd never get anywhere else. I can't say with 100% certainty that it was indeed Blackhead, but it sure fit the descriptions here. This bird has a special place in my heart.

And we're definitely going to start deworming every 3 months!

Love bourbon red turkeys. Glad yours if feeling better. Sounds like he may of had cocidia which can happen in wetter years. Either way it's good what you did helped.

 

[Koru25]

Wow it's been ages since I posted. We've been super busy this year with breeding, my boys doing Silver Appleyards and Call Ducks, and me on Welsummers.
My youngest son (13) is obsessed with white callies and we've ran into a bit of bad luck with black dots on ducks, being mis-sold a female that was a male etc, but I totally lucked out and managed to get a wee flock from a guy that was downsizing, so for a great price too! My son did also manage to hand hatch 6 out of 9 callie eggs which was a great success .Shame that some of those have black dots, but I am teaching him that not everything works out perfectly and that he can still love them, which he does!

Our SAs aren't laying well which is why I came on here to post. I've found this forum to be such a great help over the years!