Eastern Tennessee Thread

[littlechicklet]

Hey all! And thank you for the warm welcome! Jeez, after reading these last few posts...it doesn't sound like I want to get any birds at a show? I used to raise parrots, and I understand people who want referrals only. I would be one of those people too. But, being new to the area, that's why I am asking for help here. Or a good place to start my quest in finding healthy birds. One of my concerns would be integration? If I get some birds here at one age, then some more birds there, at another age...how would the integration work? That's why I am considering hatchery birds, so they will all be the same age, and come together. My mother in law is having the same issue.she has five hens out of fifteen left, and wants to get more. But doesn't know how best to integrate. I told her about this website and that I would ask for all for some help on this question. So...any ideas? Thanks ahead of time!

I do not know as much as many on here but I will throw out my opinion on integrating varying age groups or just adding to your flock. In my experience with adults always add more than one to the flock so the new one is not bullied as badly. When it comes to babies or young ones its best if they are about the same size and also I would not add just one but several. Of course if you quarantine (as one always should) it will be at least 30 days before you even begin to integrate any new members to your flock (so even if they are younger they could potentially be close to the same size when you integrate them).

Have you considered buying hatching eggs in the breeds you want from one or more breeders and hatching your own so they would all be the same or very close to the same age? I have never used an incubator but I know many people do and there are threads all about incubating eggs. Just a thought.

I have only had a very bad experience buying from a breeder at a show. I am sure it could have just been very bad luck on my part but it has influenced any future purchases I make. I will never again buy any birds from anyone that I do not have referrals or personal positive past interaction with. I mean if you are going to try to build a healthy productive flock that you may plan to sell from why would you take any chances? IMHO even if you quarantine for 30 days unless you have either a separate property to house them on or a place at least 1/3 of a mile from your flock it is not going to be 100% fail safe (some diseases can travel in the air for 1/3 of mile or more). I apologize if I sound very negative towards breeders at shows and paranoid about diseases but I would rather be overly cautious than lose my entire flock due to negligence or ignorance.

Good luck!

 

[redbudchix]

Thanks for the help. I always quarantine anything new.I'm already for that. So, when integrating, do you do a howdy fence between them for awhile? Or do it at night? If you are integrating younger chicks, do you just keep them separated until they are about as big as the older girls?

 

[FeyRaine]

Thanks for the help. I always quarantine anything new.I'm already for that. So, when integrating, do you do a howdy fence between them for awhile? Or do it at night? If you are integrating younger chicks, do you just keep them separated until they are about as big as the older girls?

yes, yes, & yes. Also, watch them over a few days, I've noticed the more violent problems generally aren't the first few hrs but more like a day or two when some 2 hens just refuse to get alone (= one back down to the other) and decide to fight it out for real (not just shows and noise). I've had some times when it was no problem to integrate, and other times I've lost a couple pullets (EE hen actually broke the neck on a couple blk Orp pullets that I guess where too small still to try to mix with the big girls, my bad).

 

[redbudchix]

I know chickens can be tough...I've pretty much told my MIL the same things. I just talked her into finally setting up a feced area. She started with 15 and now down to five! She had the best fed bobcat! So, now she needs more chickens, and is asking about integration. Thanks for all the great advice...I'm sure ill be asking for more help when the time comes

 

[tnchickenut]

Hello again everyone! Been so busy and just plain worn out. Hope everyone's holidays were good.

 

[tnchickenut]

As for chickens as shows... caution is the best advice.

Yes, there are flippers or stringers... these people go around and buy up cheap birds and flip them for profit. They sometimes know less than a beginer about chickens because they never kept any long enough to know much.

Yes, there are all sorts of nasty things that can be brought in... quarentine isn't always enough. Some things take longer than 30 to show symptoms... other things can be airborne ... misquitos, vermin, wild birds can and do spread things.



As for the Madisonville trade (locals call it "show").... BUYER BEWARE. This is my area and I have been many times and I know the people there and their reputations. It is not a BYCer kinda place. These people do not treat them as pets... they see them as currency and there are alot of flippers ALOT of flippers. Alot of fighters too. That goes for shows too.


You just have to do your research, but chicks from a breeder you can grow to know (before you buy) are your best choice. Next best is hatching eggs.... unless hatchery is fine with you, then by all means, pick out your breed and sexes from them. I love hatchery birds for laying purposes and have had MANY breeds. Sometimes the best personalities and best layers are hatchery stock. Keep that in mind.


Hope that helps any newbies (said with respect).

 

[itsthelaw37801]

Have a book that indicates if you can put them in the run contained in something like a large kennel for two weeks so they can see each other, it will be easier. And the book also indicates to introduce them while they range. It gives the new chickens room to run/hide.

We rearranged our crew in the fall. It is working out well. In March, we plan on moving again. We have three wyandottes that are three months younger than their comrades. We'll be moving them too.

But we even moved two of our guineas that were getting bullied to the point where they couldn't eat into one of the coops. They did great. Then when we had them at the age that they could run all day, we moved them back into the group.

 

[itsthelaw37801]

I also learned from one of the byc'ers that you can contact the president of the breeding association. They can put you in contact with a reputable breeder. We went through an ugly spell when we first started, and I will NEVER chance disease.

And it helps to follow Rodney/Terri around so they can tell you who to trust. lol (sorry that made me giggle)

 

[TNBarnQueen]

Hey all! And thank you for the warm welcome! Jeez, after reading these last few posts...it doesn't sound like I want to get any birds at a show? I used to raise parrots, and I understand people who want referrals only. I would be one of those people too. But, being new to the area, that's why I am asking for help here. Or a good place to start my quest in finding healthy birds. One of my concerns would be integration? If I get some birds here at one age, then some more birds there, at another age...how would the integration work? That's why I am considering hatchery birds, so they will all be the same age, and come together. My mother in law is having the same issue.she has five hens out of fifteen left, and wants to get more. But doesn't know how best to integrate. I told her about this website and that I would ask for all for some help on this question. So...any ideas? Thanks ahead of time!

Not all people at the shows are bad..there are some who are honest and have very nice healthy chickens. You just have to be careful and it is good to ask around. I don't know if I posted before but here are some things to ask when you are looking.
Did you hatch these from your stock or hatching eggs from someone else? Did you raise these from chicks? Where is your farm? How often do you worm and treat for mites/lice? If they are local ask if you can think about it and call them. Sometimes you can tell what you may be getting by seeing how clean they keep their areas and what their other chickens look like. Turn them over and look at their bottoms..and under their wings for mites. Look at their feet and toes. Check the wings. Even if you do not know what to look for...they think you do and this is not dishonest. If it is someone you can trust they should not have any problems answering your questions no matter how nosey you get...I do!
I sell at shows and I try to tell as much info as possible including letting them know when they where wormed and treated for mites last. Also age and what feed they are on. There are a couple others here on our thread who sell as well. So...I think between all of us on this thread we may be able to help you find healthy chickens. One thing I do as well when I buy...even from friends and they do not take any offense to it. I worm and treat for mites while they are in quarantine. Good Luck!! Hope this helps.

 

[TNBarnQueen]

I also learned from one of the byc'ers that you can contact the president of the breeding association. They can put you in contact with a reputable breeder. We went through an ugly spell when we first started, and I will NEVER chance disease.

And it helps to follow Rodney/Terri around so they can tell you who to trust. lol (sorry that made me giggle)

You are so funny! I will bring my flute to the next show so everyone knows who I am (Terry) and make Bario (Rod) follow with me. One thing I have been thinking about for our picnics when we get back to those for this year is maybe having a couple members give a short talk about care, breeding..etc for some of our new ones and some of us, like me, can always learn something new!
OK..here is my new little group with their mamma, Angus...1 black sillkie, 1 partridge silkie (call me Beth) and 2 Polish from eggs I stuck under her. I have another hen sitting on 13 eggs. She kept stealing eggs from another chicken, She will be hatching in a couple days. After the 9th my incubators are officially shut down til end of Feb. Have 2 eggs to hatch and finally a little rest!!



Here is one of the little Polish....she will be a Diluted Crele. It has an excellent vault...I am so happy



I am looking for a couple Barred Rocks and a brown Leghorn for a project. Hopefully I will be able to find some Aracauna eggs to hatch for it as well. tennesseecknut...you know of any??