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

[flocksalot]

I know there are a lot of you out there that like to sit and watch your chickens, but I have a warning for you for something that I learned as child and just got reminded many years later.
So here goes:

I was sitting in one of my coops today watching the interactions and keeping an eye on the young momma with her two little ones in their cage. While I was watching I wasn't paying too much attention to what was going on around my feet. Carmelita, one of my Dark Cornish, was there trying desperately to get my attention. She's worse than a cat sometimes weaving in and out of my legs. Well all off a sudden there was a nasty odor. I looked down and Carmelita had left a very unwelcome very dog sized dropping on my boot. Just like that I remember my Mother telling me "if you stand there long enough you are bound to get $#!+ on."

I had forgotten this sage advise from my loving Mother until this very moment. I'm sure it was taught to her by her parents too, so it's a very old timer bit of advise that I am happy to pass on. I'm sure my chickens will remind me of others, but for now I had better clean my boots.

 

[scottcaddy]

When it come to culling, or killing a chicken, the easiest way by far, for all involved, is an ax. I trapped a rat one time and decided to drown it. Now, I've dealt with death all my life because of my association with chickens. Also, I definately have no love for rats. I'm gonna tell ya, it was heart rending to watch that stupid rat trying to get a breath. No more slow deaths for any animals for me. Use an ax, it's quick and merciful...........Pop



I also had that issue with a slow death as a youngster, My grandapa was good enough to help me understand that fast is best.

Scott

 

[scottcaddy]

I know there are a lot of you out there that like to sit and watch your chickens, but I have a warning for you for something that I learned as child and just got reminded many years later.
So here goes:

I was sitting in one of my coops today watching the interactions and keeping an eye on the young momma with her two little ones in their cage. While I was watching I wasn't paying too much attention to what was going on around my feet. Carmelita, one of my Dark Cornish, was there trying desperately to get my attention. She's worse than a cat sometimes weaving in and out of my legs. Well all off a sudden there was a nasty odor. I looked down and Carmelita had left a very unwelcome very dog sized dropping on my boot. Just like that I remember my Mother telling me "if you stand there long enough you are bound to get $#!+ on."

I had forgotten this sage advise from my loving Mother until this very moment. I'm sure it was taught to her by her parents too, so it's a very old timer bit of advise that I am happy to pass on. I'm sure my chickens will remind me of others, but for now I had better clean my boots.

Can I add to that, do not stand behind livestock talking, you just might find the one who coughs while making a cowpie!

Scott

 

[JenellYB]

Word of advice from an old dog groomer....never stand directly behind a dog when you have to grasp the base of the tail to hold the dog up so you can trim around the rear end. Chicken or cow poop ain't nothin' once you've experienced a blast from a over-full canine anal gland.

 

[southerndesert]

Been away for quite a spell and really good to see this thread still helping folks with their flocks Bee......

 

[hannahransom]

First chicken eggs found today! I believe from yesterday. ORANGE yolks, yes yolks. I know that's not a good thing, but since it's a first egg I'm sure she is just getting everything working. It was a doozy, 2.4 oz!


About the limp: seems to be getting worse. I inspected her leg again today and didn't see anything, but she DOES have a leg scale that is pretty much black, does that indicate anything? She's still normal otherwise.

Thank you for this thread, I mostly don't bother with the rest of BYC anymore. Maybe in time I will venture back out...

 

[Cass]

First chicken eggs found today! I believe from yesterday. ORANGE yolks, yes yolks. I know that's not a good thing, but since it's a first egg I'm sure she is just getting everything working. It was a doozy, 2.4 oz!


About the limp: seems to be getting worse. I inspected her leg again today and didn't see anything, but she DOES have a leg scale that is pretty much black, does that indicate anything? She's still normal otherwise.

Thank you for this thread, I mostly don't bother with the rest of BYC anymore. Maybe in time I will venture back out...

Many back yard chickens have orange yolks, it's not a bad thing....I think I read somewhere that it indicates high Omega 3's.....

Is the leg scale leg mites? The easiest way to treat leg mites is to coat the legs in oil...cooking oil works, vaseline works, I'm sure motor oil would WORK, but not really non-toxic. The OTers can tell you how long you have to treat the legs....(cuz I do not remember the answer to that) You could google (here on the site) Leg Mites and get good info.

If it is just one scale it might be the site of the injury that is causeing the limp.

 

[bobbi-j]

Those orange yolks are perfectly normal! That's what you get with good, home-grown eggs.

Quote:

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

Orange yolks are the BEST! It is like a happy sun looking up at you!

 

[flocksalot]

I don't think it was the orange so much as the yolks, as in more than one. Which is common for chickens to lay in the spring whether they are young or not. I have several girls that are three and they lay double yolkers every day five days a week. It's not always a bad thing, but is something to keep an eye on.