Faverolles Thread

[elizmartin]

Ok it seems that this is a breed specific problem so I thought I'd ask in this thread. All the info I find on it seems to refer to salmon Faverolles, though I have never seen it in my chicks, these 2 are some that my friend has hatched in her last batch of eggs. Has anyone had experience with bug eyed chicks like these? If so what causes it and how can I help these pitiful babies?

HI, What brings you to the thought that it is breed specific???? I have had this happen 2c but they weren't Faverolles....Both passed away.....I would guess more something having to do with the incubation????? Hello Dick, Any thoughts?????? Anyone else?

 

[elizmartin]

So we had the first nice spring day today. You'd think that would put the hens in a good mood.

In one pen two pullets went from being nice to squabbling, resulting in some bloody combs. Didn't last long, and now they're best buddies again.

In the other pen I checked for eggs at noon. All was fine. Went back an hour later to find a mess. One younger hen hiding with a torn and bloody comb, one older hen with one eye swollen shut, the other going that way fast, and blood all over her comb and beard. I've never had hens fight like this before! My males never fight that much. Ugh, hopefully the older one will recover.

HI, just curious, did you see them go at it????? I don't think i have ever had something like this either in all the years i have had chickens....Well it is the Full Moon today i think......

Regarding LF and Bantam, I have an assortment of mutts in the barn, DAnver, BantamCochin, Silkie, and then some LF Favs.....no problem, on the other hand, with Bantam Favs.....They are easier to intimidate and could starve. Again, always good to touch your birds once in awhile to check for weight. I just lost a hatchery Fav. that was in a mixed pen and i know it was because of bullying, was my fault for not watching better....Most of them are slated for freezer camp.

 

[keesmom]

HI, just curious, did you see them go at it????? I don't think i have ever had something like this either in all the years i have had chickens....Well it is the Full Moon today i think......

I caught the tail end of it. I was in the middle of something when I heard the rooster squawking. I took a quick look to make sure it wasn't predator related, but since the bantams weren't running for cover I figured it was a false alarm. Went out a few minutes later and the male was breaking it up. The problem hen hid for the rest of the day. I let her roost with the rest that night. Next morning as soon as she hopped down she was after another one. All I can figure is she decided she wanted to be top hen.

I have 2 other problem hens. I tried to put my older male in with them for a day and they wanted no part of that. So I decided to try moving them in with my second male, figuring they'd be less territorial when put on his ground. Left them crated with him for 3 days before letting them out. Vicious! Both grabbing his head trying to drag him around. I took one troublemaker out in the hopes that he'll have a better shot at taming them one at a time. It's like hens gone wild!

 

[Snozzle]

The more I read about this, the more it seems to be breed specific. Out of 5 articles that I found 4 were Faverolles with bug eyes, though I have never had this in my birds and the friend these 2 came from uses the same feed and incubator as I and our birds are related for the most part.
They can open their eyes, they just seem to be light sensitive, I may just stick my EcoGlo on them so it's not so bright. I can't see a pupil or iris, then again they won't keep their eyes open long enough to really look at. They are tiny and seem fragile, but they do have food in their crops and are growing some feathers, just at a much slower rate then other chicks.

 

[n8ivetxn]

I'm sorry about your little chicks.....I don't think I've seen anything like it. Poor things... I hope somebody can help...

 

[elizmartin]

The more I read about this, the more it seems to be breed specific. Out of 5 articles that I found 4 were Faverolles with bug eyes, though I have never had this in my birds and the friend these 2 came from uses the same feed and incubator as I and our birds are related for the most part.
They can open their eyes, they just seem to be light sensitive, I may just stick my EcoGlo on them so it's not so bright. I can't see a pupil or iris, then again they won't keep their eyes open long enough to really look at. They are tiny and seem fragile, but they do have food in their crops and are growing some feathers, just at a much slower rate then other chicks.

Ok, Maybe something from a group more concentrated??? Breeding too close can bring out the best and the worst especially if newer blood isn't brought in once in awhile.( not saying this about your friend since often we can get birds from different sources and not know how close they are related) .......Did you say LF or Bantam? Just a thought...eliz

 

[LeBlackbird]

Hi there, hope its a girl but me thinks its a boy....I have just had several chicks look like this and they were boys. 

I don't know which way "she's" going right now, it seems like every day more dark feathers grow in. Will post update pics tomorrow!

 

[n8ivetxn]

uh-oh,

I like the way you put she in quotations!

I'm sorry, I know how frustrating it can be when you get one and need the other instead....

 

[LeBlackbird]

uh-oh,

I like the way you put she in quotations!

I'm sorry, I know how frustrating it can be when you get one and need the other instead....

It's not too too bad, the breeder has a "Roo line" so if it does turn out to be a boy then he's more likely do well in shows

Alright, Update

You can really see the dark breast here~

 

[keesmom]

It's not too too bad, the breeder has a "Roo line" so if it does turn out to be a boy then he's more likely do well in shows

The breeder is double mating? Lighter cockerels tend to come out of pullet pens, and yours does look light so far.