I've been the posting by myself....used to talking to myself, but posting by myself, well....not working so well.
Lost 6 pullets this week. 3 the night after it rained, 2 the next night, 1 the next day.
Also discovered last night we have another problem. Like I need another problem. We were back at the coop for awhile last night and one of the hens was on the ground, fluffed her feathers out and I said "What's up with her?" Daughter and I watched her as she popped out a very soft egg and the others quickly ate it up.
I'm not sure what we are going to do here. Tough choices.
The pullet pen has had so many issues. I think I know what happened, and if so, it sucks.
When DHs dog ate some of my chickens, I went the next day to a chicken swap. I bought a barred rock, an easter egger, and a black jersey giant. After getting them home, I was super excited that the EE laid a beautiful green egg on the way home. She, however, upon further inspection had a rattling breathing. I put the 3 in an isolation pen. I gave them tetracycline. She appeared to get better. The BR however seemed worse. She had not laid an egg, had her feathers fluffed, hunched over, looked pale. After 2 months of isolation, I let them out. The BR turned out fine. I think she absolutely did not like the pen.
What I think happened is that the EE has mycoplasma gallisepticum. Therefore I now have a closed flock and I will be culling a few that I have treated, but they are not responding to treatment. One is a CCL roo. (Not king tut-another one-still not happy about the situation). Another is a huge RIR I got 2 years ago from my original 6 hens. It's really heart wrenching to think they were all so hearty and healthy. I know the weak ones will die during the winter, but the more sick ones, I need to take out now.
About bio security....I try so hard, but in the end, it's harder than I ever anticipated. We wear our barn boots or shoes only to the barn. BUT we wear everyday, work, and school shoes right out the front door to the car, to the bus, to the road. The adult chickens free range in the chain link yard. They free range right over top of where we walk with our everyday shoes.
Off my soap box. You all have a good day. I've got to get ready for work.
