Consolidated Kansas

[chicken danz]

@HEChicken , aren't days like this wonderful? We had some strong winds today that apparently didn't go that far south. They were predicting major storms tonight but nothing is showing up at all so far.
I got some flowers planted in some pots outside which is something I didn't have time to mess with but enjoyed. I took the tractor over and tilled the new garden spot again. I was going to put in the posts for fencing but got sidetracked. I went into the old trailer and started pulling out cages and things I need to house birds and move birds around. That place had been so infested with ice that everything in there is covered with mouse pee. Gross! So I decided to pressure wash every thing I took out. That turned into a few hours of work I hadn't planned on. But I got some brooders cleaned up and stuff so I'll be ready to house some more little ones.
I also pulled out a bunch of old boxes and stuff that I hauled to the burn pile. Late afternoon, like 6:00 or so the wind had died down so I burnt those things.
Tomorrow is booked pretty solid so I won't have time to do much around here other than feed and water. Weather permitting maybe Tuesday I can get my fencing in and start planting in the garden. I have three big tomato plants that have blooms on them and then some really small ones I bought in a 6 pack. I got some bean seed and some onion sets I need to get out when I can. Maybe tomorrow I can pick up a few more seeds and stuff.
I've got turkey eggs in the incubator and the very first of them were due today. There were only like 4 of them and none of them have pipped. I also have a bunch of chicken eggs due but have only had 4 hatch so far. I haven't candled the turkeys recently so they may have not made it this far. I think the next group in due like the 17th. My hens all want to be broody. So I haven't been collecting many eggs. I'll let them do some work for me while I get some other things hatched. I've got 3 turkeys in the freezer I butchered this spring. I'd like to save a couple of young ones from this year to add to my breeders. I'm not sure how well the older hens are laying. I think adding one or two each year is probably a wise thing to do.

 

[chicklover56]

I gave the chicks corid yesterday and another one died this morning. Do I continue the 5 day treatment or should I just give them the Tylan 50?

 

[HEChicken]

It really depends on whether they have coccidiosis or a respiratory infection. I think I remember you describing them as hunched over. Were their feathers sticking up like they are trying to be little armadillos? If so, it is undoubtedly coccidiosis in which case I would continue the Corid. The one who died overnight may have been too far gone with it by the time you started the treatment but hopefully it isn't too late for the others.

If they have stuffy noses or you hear sneezing, it is more likely to be a respiratory infection, in which case Tylan will be more helpful.

Are you feeding medicated feed? If not, you should switch to it immediately. The medication is Amprolium which helps to provide immunity against cocci. Cocci is in the soil so birds are exposed all the time. The difference is that as they mature, their immune system normally prevents them being affected by it. However chicks' immune system is not yet developed and they need the medicated feed to help protect them until they are old enough to have their own immunity.

If you have been feeding medicated feed from hatch, it is less likely you are dealing with cocci but if you have been feeding unmedicated, and they are hunched over looking like armadillos, then that is most likely what you are dealing with. Note that switching to medicated feed now will not help as much as the Corid since they are already affected. But for future use, it is a good idea to always start chicks on the medicated feed and that way you don't reach the point you need the Corid.

 

[chicklover56]

It really depends on whether they have coccidiosis or a respiratory infection. I think I remember you describing them as hunched over. Were their feathers sticking up like they are trying to be little armadillos? Some are but not all. If so, it is undoubtedly coccidiosis in which case I would continue the Corid. The one who died overnight may have been too far gone with it by the time you started the treatment but hopefully it isn't too late for the others.

If they have stuffy noses or you hear sneezing, it is more likely to be a respiratory infection, in which case Tylan will be more helpful.

Are you feeding medicated feed? I just started using medicated feed but I was not before. If not, you should switch to it immediately. The medication is Amprolium which helps to provide immunity against cocci. Cocci is in the soil so birds are exposed all the time. The difference is that as they mature, their immune system normally prevents them being affected by it. However chicks' immune system is not yet developed and they need the medicated feed to help protect them until they are old enough to have their own immunity.

If you have been feeding medicated feed from hatch, it is less likely you are dealing with cocci but if you have been feeding unmedicated, and they are hunched over looking like armadillos, then that is most likely what you are dealing with. Note that switching to medicated feed now will not help as much as the Corid since they are already affected. But for future use, it is a good idea to always start chicks on the medicated feed and that way you don't reach the point you need the Corid.

I ended up putting both in the water. Hopefully it isn't too much of a risk but I don't want to lose anymore.

 

[chicken danz]

I gave the chicks corid yesterday and another one died this morning. Do I continue the 5 day treatment or should I just give them the Tylan 50?

How are the others acting now? The one that died may have been too far along that the corid couldn't save it. Are any of the others that you noticed weren't feeling good, acting better today? If not then I would go to the tylan. I'm so sorry you are having such a rough time with this. That really stinks.

I got up late this morning. I was up in the middle of the night and once I am up I just can't go back to sleep. The dogs were close to the house and obviously upset that a critter was in their yard. I finally got up and put my shoes on and went out to see what the rukus was. They had an armadillo cornered in my flower bed, half buried. I happen to love armadillos. Back when I was a police officer I wore an armadillo tie tack my chief gave me instead of the usual handcuff tie tacks most of the other officers wore. I still have it someplace.
I know it's a weird thing to love but I have been enamored with them cause they are so cute. They aren't cared for because they tunnel for food and protection and it messes up people's lawns. And of course they can carry leprosy but it isn't common for an infection from them because you have to come in contact with the exudes from their nose and mouth. I'm all for an animal that will till my garden for free and eat the grub worms!!!

We used to have tug of war with them. It's so fun to find a big old armadillo that is burrowing to get away and grab them by the tail and try to pull them out. I've done that more than once. The armadillo almost always wins cause I get too tickled at the fun and can't hold on while I'm laughing. (Keep in mind this was 30 years ago and I was much much younger back then. It would be no contest at all these days.

I agree @HEChicken on the medicated feed but if one bird gets weak it will increase the number of Oocysts it leaves and then the others can be infected. Not intending this info for you cause I know you are aware of it. Just adding the info for those that don't. Medicated feed actually doesn't prevent coccidiosis. It keeps it in a milder form which helps them build antibodies against it. If for some reason a bird got sick, then the others can become vulnerable. This started with a hatchery bird if I remember right, who was probably stressed due to being shipped and then in a store which would make it more susceptible to getting sick. Once it was sick it was about 7 days before the others got sick which is perfect timing for coccidiosis to get started.
I was also concerned about the feed being from Orsheln's. Too many horror stories about chick food with mold growing in it from there. I am one person whom that actually happened to as well. You can't imagine how many people who have asked why chicks were dying and found their Orcheln's food had mold in it. Not to bad mouth them. I'm sure the food is as good as any other. I believe the food obviously isn't allowed to dry long enough before it is bagged so the extra moisture allows mold spores to grow. It's just not a chance I would ever take again. I had checked into doing my own feed grinding and pelleting or crumbles. In the long run it would have saved me a mint. However the problem with the entire process was the room and the time it takes to dry the finished product. I didn't have the room or a rodent safe area to do it all in.
@chicklover56 that is probably what I would do. Just be sure to give them some probiotics to help them so it's not too hard on their system. Any kind will do. If nothing else give them some plain yogurt with active cultures in it. Or be sure to give them some vitamins.

 

[Trish44]

@chicklover56 I'm sorry you're having such a hard time with your chicks. I just had a customer come yesterday to pick up chicks from me & he said they have had a terrible time with some of the chicks from hatcheries dying. He said one hatchery they only lost a couple but another one they lost about two thirds of what they got. They don't breed but just want hens for laying eggs. He was glad to pay more to me for pure bred, healthy chicks & not have any shipped. They drove up from OK as well to get them. I told him with the way the hatcheries treat the chicks it's a wonder any get to anybody alive. I know they ship them very soon after they hatch & they have had no time to get stabilized before they have to make a very stressful trip through the postal system.

We got rain a couple of times last night, I sure welcome it since we had such a dry winter & I'm trying to get the field ready soon to turn my sheep & goats out there, it will really help. My DH is trying to dig a hole by hand to put in a post too & said when he got down aways it was really still dry & hard down there. This rain should help a lot with that since the hole would have gotten some water in it last night. He's trying to get another post put in so we can put in a gate between fields for the animals to pass through. It was either that or have to put a bunch of fence through the orchard to route them through there & I really hated to have to pound in all of those posts & waste t-posts for that.

 

[dwink2]

Hello everyone! Whoever sent out the memo to my chickens that it was time to go broody can come get them. We were gone overnight and I thought that everyone should be just fine without me gathering eggs for 1 night. Well, they must have all decided to go broody. 7 of my 48 hens went broody on me at the same time. It must have been monkey see, monkey do. There were 21 eggs that 3 of them were sitting on. The other 4 were sitting on air in the roll out nests. I just couldn't bring myself to throw those eggs away that could have been developing for 2 days. So, I divided them up between 3 of them and am going to let them hatch them. The other chickens keep going in and add more to their nests but I can remove the unmarked eggs. I fear there may be some broken eggs but I am just going to let nature take its course. I could move all of them if I have to but it would mean setting up more waters and feeders. The other 4 extremely upset broodies are in the time out cage and hopefully will cool off soon.

What do you all charge for your eggs that you sell for eating? I was charging $3 for mine but went back down to $2.50. I have so many of them that I put an add on our local Facebook page. Someone posted right after me that they had some for sale for $2. It made me feel bad and a little mad. Someone else advertised this morning on the radio for $2 also. How can they even be breaking even at $2? I refuse to deliver mine and do all of the running around for $2.

Chicklover56 I am so sorry that you are having so much trouble with sick chicks. I hope that they turn around soon with all of the good advice everyone is giving you.

Danz that is interesting about the food from Orscheln's. I usually feed their brand but I have noticed that sometimes it does smell a bit "wet". It is handier for me to get from them but I get from TSC sometimes too. I prefer the 40 lb bags though and the ones at TSC are 50#. But, if it would save a chicken's life I can handle lifting that extra 10 pounds.

Have a great day everyone.

 

[Trish44]

@dwink2 I charge $3 now for mine & my customers don't blink an eye. I know there are some in the area that charge less but as I was telling someone yesterday I just needed more to help cover the feed cost. When I was charging $2 or $2.50 I had customers telling me I was underpriced & would pay me $3 a dozen anyway so I just raised it to that.

I know about the broodies too & I wasn't that thrilled about it other than the Cochin who I have an order for chicks from.

I buy my chick starter from TSC because it's so close in price to Orschelns & the bags are 50# instead of 40#. I just feel like the 40# bags are just a way to rip people off. That is the only place I even see 40# bags of feed.

 

[lizzyGSR]

I don't have much choice around here. Orscheln's is the only place to get a lot of the feed I get for my animals. The local coop has a few things but their choices are limited and are usually more expensive.

 

[dwink2]

@dwink2
I charge $3 now for mine & my customers don't blink an eye. I know there are some in the area that charge less but as I was telling someone yesterday I just needed more to help cover the feed cost. When I was charging $2 or $2.50 I had customers telling me I was underpriced & would pay me $3 a dozen anyway so I just raised it to that.

I know about the broodies too & I wasn't that thrilled about it other than the Cochin who I have an order for chicks from.

I buy my chick starter from TSC because it's so close in price to Orschelns & the bags are 50# instead of 40#. I just feel like the 40# bags are just a way to rip people off. That is the only place I even see 40# bags of feed.

I only charged $3 for my eggs previously too because my customers thought they were worth that at least. Even at that price it is hard to break even. Maybe I spoil my ladies with their full feeders but it is easier for me that way. They free range all day too so that helps. I just have more eggs than I have customers now and need some new ones so I had to go down in price.

I really hadn't done a price comparison between Orscheln's and TSC so I will take your word for it. The 40# bags are just easier for me to handle and fill my feeders perfectly with none left over.

I am using a big wire dog crate raised off of the floor for my broody breaker. I am needing something larger volume for it for feed and water with 4 ladies in it at once. Normally it is just 1 or 2 at a time and I use the feeders that screw on the side for feed and water. i bought a couple different feeders to hang on the side but they are knocking them down and throwing the feed out of them. The water pan hooks on the side of the cage too but when they get really rambunctious they knock it off and over. Does anyone have any suggestions?