Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[stayathomechick]

ok i wont worry unless it happens again thank you

 

[WasabiChicki]

Any opinions from the OTs on vaccines??
Getting my first batch of mail ordered chicks at the end of May, never have vaccinated anything before because I believe it lowers natural immunity in general. But, I said yes to the Markes' Disease vaccine for this batch & am now second guessing myself... what do ya'll think?

 

[Leahs Mom]

I made it all the way though!!!!!

Now I'm completely caught up.

Deep litter question... My chicks will be leaving their LARGE cardboard box brooder to go out to the henhouse in the next day or so. The hen house is a converted shed so no former inhabitants (at least intentionally).

Do you recommend I start the floor litter with the litter that's in their box and add to it or just start with completely new litter?

 

[Beekissed]

It doesn't matter...either/or is fine on the litter.

For the vaccines...I never get them. Everyone has their own reasons for or against, but I see it as a way to give money away for no reason. My flocks have always enjoyed incredible good health and I attribute this to various methods I incorporate to increase immune system health and overall hardy genetics in the flock. I don't feel that good health in a flock is due to luck, the right climates, or any other unexplained reason... when one has worked actively to develop and manage it for that very reason, I call that success. Why fix what isn't broken?

 

[Lollipop]

Any opinions from the OTs on vaccines??
Getting my first batch of mail ordered chicks at the end of May, never have vaccinated anything before because I believe it lowers natural immunity in general. But, I said yes to the Markes' Disease vaccine for this batch & am now second guessing myself... what do ya'll think?

Never vaccinated anything, Wassabi. Only time I ever did was after an outbreak of pox, then I found out that it would run it's course and be over with, even if I did nothing. Other diseases aren't so forgiving, but I see no need unless ya got a problem. Your call on the mareks........Pop

 

[fowlman01]

I don't medicate in any form. The only thing in my medicine chest is an ax. It is a lot easier to deal with a disease resistant flock than mess with sick chickens.

Walt

 

[gardendufus]

During the height of the spring laying season they are knee deep in laying and laying heavy, this will stress them a tad and may lack additional protein to keep feathers in top shape. Most folks don't consider this and think a normal run of the mill layer ration is enough and it may be for some hen's but for some they need a top dressed feed bucket twice a week and this will help.

Sorry if I'm making you repeat something, but what is a 'top dressed feed bucket'?

 

[WasabiChicki]

It doesn't matter...either/or is fine on the litter.

For the vaccines...I never get them. Everyone has their own reasons for or against, but I see it as a way to give money away for no reason. My flocks have always enjoyed incredible good health and I attribute this to various methods I incorporate to increase immune system health and overall hardy genetics in the flock. I don't feel that good health in a flock is due to luck, the right climates, or any other unexplained reason... when one has worked actively to develop and manage it for that very reason, I call that success. Why fix what isn't broken?

Never vaccinated anything, Wassabi. Only time I ever did was after an outbreak of pox, then I found out that it would run it's course and be over with, even if I did nothing. Other diseases aren't so forgiving, but I see no need unless ya got a problem. Your call on the mareks........Pop

I don't medicate in any form. The only thing in my medicine chest is an ax. It is a lot easier to deal with a disease resistant flock than mess with sick chickens.

Walt

Thanks Beekissed, Fowlman & Pop!
I am going to call the hatchery in the morning & ask that they do not give the vaccine... I personally don't feel right about it. I appreciate your input!
I also think it's kinda crazy to get chicks sent in the mail lol but am so excited at the same time!

*Anything I absolutely need to know about the day I receive them? (I have brooder & temp & feed requirements thanks to the other forums!)

(and btw, I absolutely LOVE this thread!)

 

[al6517]

Quote:


Top dressing is simply adding something to a feeding program so as to incourage the bird(s) to eat it first or completely. For example if you choose to feed back crushed egg shells you would simply just sprinkle them on top of the feed so the birds eat them first. Top dressing is also mixing a small amount of a supplement into a small amount of feed, so they eat it all for an added benifit.

 

[al6517]

Quote:


Water first off, do whatever it takes to get water in them and hydrate them. Hold the chick near the waterer dip your finger in the water and get them to drink the drip from your fingertip, Shipped hatchery chicks have never seen a waterer and don't know what to do or what water even is, so you need to teach them and this goes as well for the food. Chickens love the color red that is why feeders and waterers are often colored red as to attract and encourage them to eat and drink. I think a small added amount of a vitamin supplement disolved in the water will do wonders for couple of day's to help them thrive, more times than not shipped chicks are in poor shape for a number of reasons so giving them a leg up for a day or so makes sense.