Chicken breeders or Folks in South Africa?

[Genadendal]

I'm looking for some good egg laying hens in the Caledon region. Any ideas will be welcome

 

[Nadene]

I also got some silkies over the weekend. there are a few bantams as well. will post some photos some time

 

[Nadene]

I have had a very sad incident yesterday... My husband is a beekeeper. We recently acquired 28 Silkies and built them a coop close to where the bees are. We've had chickens for 3 years now together with the bees, and never had any trouble. The chickens hang around the bee hives every day and eat some of the drones, but no trouble. The silkies was in quarantine for a few weeks before we let them come out to free range. They've been free ranging since sunday. When I got home yesterday afternoon, the silkies was shattered across the lawn, gasping for breath. When I ran closer to inspect them, I saw that the bees attacked them! It never happened before. 16 out of the 28 are dead so far. 2 of our other chickens also was stung. They also look very bad. I really don't know what to do. They are in terrible pain, and they scream and go into spasms as they die. It is the saddest horror I ever had to witness. I gave them Allergex and put on some detoxifying shrub's leaf sap, but I feel totally helpless and don't know what to do. I can't even stay home to check on them. We are close to giving up on the chicken story

 

[Spunky1]

How very sad! So sorry for you and the chicks

. I wonder what set off the attack?

 

[Birdlover 13]

Oh no!!!

That's terrible!!!

 

[Genadendal]

So sorry for your loss. I experienced a similar incident with bees. I lost a hen and rooster. One if my silkies lost an eye. I realised that bees are wild animals and when agitated they react and the results are disastrous. I moved the hives away from my chickens. Do not give up on your chickens. God bless

 

[IrfaanGP]

That's terrible..

We had a wild hive and bought a super and the suits and the works.. moved the hive into the apiary.. swarm grew so large, had to call the beeman to remove the swarm, parentals were scared they would attack the neighbors.. Hope the strong ones survived? any updates?

 

[Gwyllm]

Hi all, I have a hen about to hatch a clump of eggs, so wanted to find out about vaccinating in Jo'burg, anything specific that we need or don't compared to international sites? Where do you get vaccines etc. from? @Nadene so sorry to hear about that, have had my share of losses as well and I know it's really sad, and frustrating when you feel you can't help.

 

[Nadene]

An update on the silkies. Only 6 out of 28 survived the attack. I blended some Bulbine asphodeloides (spreading bulbine) in the coffee grinder and applied it to their faces as an antidote to the poisen. I fed them Allergex, Ponado and Stresspak. Had to force feed them some Morevite with a syringe as their eyes are swollen shut and infected, they can't see. There is one hen that can see through both eyes now, able to feed herself. Three others can see through one eye, but can't target their beak at the food yet. One is still in bad shape. My rooster, Aasvoël, received only 4 bee stings, so he is alright in that matter, but then the dogs attacked him (2nd time in 3 weeks) and this time, they broke his legs. It is the 10th dog attack this rooster survived, although it seems like this time, he lost his crown to the new rooster.

We aren't sure what triggered the bee attack. All speculation at the moment. What I think happened is this: 2 of the 12 swarms, moved away, leaving the empty honey cakes, the broods and stuff behind. My husband removed the broods, so that he can recycle the wax and clean the hives. He through some of the brood to the chickens as they love the eggs. But it was real hot that day, so the wax started to melt. I think the bees came to clean up the melting wax, and the silkies thought they could eat the bees. One of the bees should have attacked and followed by the rest. My other chickens eat some of the drones when they have a chance, but they know the difference between bees and other insects. When they see it's a bee, they run away. The silkies didn't know that difference yet, so they were too stupid to run away in time to be safe.

 

[Daniel58]

Hi. I am new to this forum. My name is Chris and I have been rearing backyard chickens/mutts for the past 25 years. I have in the past bred solely for looks and no specific standard. I have now sold most of my chickens and plan to breed Light Sussex chickens as I have always fancied them. They will be free ranging. Should be good to keep me busy during my retirement years, which will be soon.. I have some Light Sussex chickens of unknown/doubtful origin. Maybe they are just Sussex want-to-be. Where can I acquire pure or good quality Light Sussex chickens in the Vaal Triangle/ Gauteng area. Thanks Chris