Eastern Tennessee Thread

[littlechicklet]

I guess the wild song birds bring the lice to the flock if you never bring out side stock in.

Some of the cardinals around here have head mites in the summer.

They loose all the feathers on their heads.

Is this a problem with barn yard poultry?

Do I need to quit feeding song birds during the summer, since the chickens are under the feeders, getting what the song birds knock out?

I wish I had the answer. All I know is there was a young Cardinal I would see in my lot looking for scratch I threw out for the chickens. Since I do not feed wild birds and still had one in my pen I would guess it may cut down on the contact with them if you didn't feed them but it would not stop it.

 

[TNBarnQueen]

I have been lucky that I have had mites BUT only on a few chickens. But I treat even if I find 1 with mites. I know my neighbors must think I am crazy..I make it a habit of grabbing several of mine and doing "butt checks" for mites..next day I do several others. So when I do find some luckly they have not had a chance to affect many.

Well...the weasel war is still on. He is an arrogant bugger!! After putting wood along the bottom of the hen house then putting large rocks up next to that...he is still digging through. I am now trying baiting the trap with the doors wired up several nights then on the 8th day setting it to trap. My little SG pullet who survived is really trying. After she was unresponsive for the first 2 days I decided to put her down. I went into the bedroom and when I touched the cage she rocked up back on her feet and looked at me like I was the devil! So...I started syringe feeding and watering her these past 5 days. She has moved from liquid food to a mush now. I dropper it in her mouth and she eats it. Yesterday she tried to drink water on her own while it was in my lap. She can stand up and sit and poop. Here is the problem though. The bite was right behind her right eye. She is having problems controlling her head movement. Chickens with vaulted heads have an air pocket in their head to create the vault. I am wondering if the weasel bit deep enough to puncture this and that is why her head movement is not good. I know she is getting stronger cause she fights me more when she has to sit in my lap. I have her on Polyvisol and electrolytes since she cannot drink when she wants. She did try to drink on he own yesterday but can't do the dip and raise up to swallow. I keep working on her neck to make sure it doesn't freeze. If anyone has any thoughts please speak up. If she is not doing better with her head control in the next few days I am going to have to let her go.

My farrier told DH that he has some of the small spring toothed traps...like trappers use to use. DH told him I would not hurt an animal on purpose but this weasel is probably going to be a huge exception.

Welcome to all our new comers!!!

 

[TNBarnQueen]

Oh...forgot about Morristown TSC......I am so impressed! They now have B=Complex,,,,Rooster Booster,,,,and ALOT of other stuff I have not seen in other stores. I am proud of the manager for trying so hard to cater to us chicken people. Go take a look...course I noticed quite of it is being sold quick. If you are there please ask for the manager and thank him. He has really give cooperate a hard time about not stocking this stuff.

 

[SistaChick]

Edited to add that they are gone..... Found a great home for them!

Is there anyone here close to Athens or Sweetwater TN that would like a couple month old Light Brahma chicks? Free.

 

[StacyTN]

Is there anyone here close to Athens or Sweetwater TN that would like a couple month old Light Brahma chicks? Free.

Me me me - I would love them. I am off Hwy.58 half way between Ooltewah & Cleveland. Any guess as to sex? Thanks - Stacy

 

[SistaChick]

Stacy TN, I am sorry, I got a text from someone this morning while at church that wanted them. It is someone from BYC too.

 

[itsthelaw37801]

It was ME! Yeah!!!! They sang to me the whole way home. They didn't hush so I assume they are pullets. lol They will be in a chicken tractor for at least four weeks. (don't worry, it is right next to our house and they'd have to go through dogs to get to them. Plus, I'm still in the stage where I like to get up in the middle of the night and check on everyone - I'm such a nerd) As soon as we get settled in, I'll forward photos. I love them.

 

[Tigeura]

Hello to you all! Welcome to those who have joined the thread .

I want to thank all the those who have posted answers to some questions I have had, and have posted helpful hint that are great. Especially for a person like me who is just learning it all

. Yep, lots to learn about, but it's been nice as my kids have gotten into looking up information about chickens as well.

I have started construction on the the coop. What started out as a smaller coop has now grown into quite a nice sized one. I will post pictures once it get them down loaded

.

Did have another question though. When is the best time to get chicks? I can order some online now, but that would mean that they'd be about coop age in January. Or is it better to wait until closer to spring when it's warmer? My daughter's birthday is on the 14th of the month and was thinking of getting her chicks for her birthday.
Thanks all!

 

[littlechicklet]

Hello to you all! Welcome to those who have joined the thread .

I want to thank all the those who have posted answers to some questions I have had, and have posted helpful hint that are great. Especially for a person like me who is just learning it all

. Yep, lots to learn about, but it's been nice as my kids have gotten into looking up information about chickens as well.

I have started construction on the the coop. What started out as a smaller coop has now grown into quite a nice sized one. I will post pictures once it get them down loaded

.

Did have another question though. When is the best time to get chicks? I can order some online now, but that would mean that they'd be about coop age in January. Or is it better to wait until closer to spring when it's warmer? My daughter's birthday is on the 14th of the month and was thinking of getting her chicks for her birthday.
Thanks all!

and

I don't know the answer to the best time to get chicks. I have raised them in the Spring, Summer and am going to try the Fall. Our winter is still a ways off so I think they will be ready for it when it gets here. The thing I would ask is: will your children be able to enjoy them as they mature with Winter coming or would they be able to engage with them more during the Spring and Summer? From my experiences I like Spring and early Summer because the weather is nice & I enjoy sitting outside with them but I don't have young children in activities I have to keep up with. Hopefully someone else will chime in with a answer.

Good luck and chicks for a birthday present would have been the best to me as a kid

 

[littlechicklet]

I am getting baby chicks from Daphne!!!

Now I would also being doing a separate happy dance if I had gotten everything ready

I am going to get my butt in gear tomorrow & set up for the babies