Rides a Broom
Hatching
- Apr 22, 2015
- 6
- 0
- 7
I've been over here off and on for years, looking for answers or ideas. Not new to poultry and I currently have 6 ducks (2 Pekins, 2 Cayugas, 1 Magpie and 1 Rouen. I also have 7 hens (mixed with banty cochins and just traveled to Northern Iowa to get a couple Toulouse goslings (5hr drive), because all the hatcheries either had Toulouse sold until July or were too far to go to so I didn't have to worry about a minimum order. Nice people, too. So, I brought 2 buff orpingon pullets and I think it's a Wyandotte pullet.
At any rate, I added 3 chicks to this little crowd in my crate in the house, because their mothers get them on the ground, out of the nests and well, we have a treat for a cat. Yes, I'm on a farm, the cats are a necessity. Therefore I usually take the chicks away from the hens (judge me anyway you want).
Now, it's all over the news about the bird flu hitting northern Iowa west and central. From my understanding, over 5M birds were sick and died and also slaughtered to control the virus. I do understand the pathology of how viruses work and mutate and supposedly, they are blaming the migratory birds coming up the Mississippi River bringing it here. Hmm, my take is it started in North Dakota and is coming south.
This morning, one of my "home" chicks is very sick, third eyelid is closed, labored breathing, no discharge I can see and her craw is like a little balloon to one side of her head. I have her in a box near the heat lamp, she's just leaning on the opposite side of that craw that is prominent- and when I feel the craw, it feels like it's filled with air/gas. If anyone has any ideas (this chick is about 1 week old, very tiny cochin cross), please let me know- I completely cleaned the crate I use for the babies, new pads, new bedding, washed all food and water containers. Too tell you the truth, I've had chickens die in the past, dealt with wild birds bringing in red mites and infecting my entire flock (gads, the dusting!) and even had raccoons kill off half my ducks (there were contained, but obviously not good enough). But I'm worried now- concerned about this bird flu deal.
I'm not commercial, therefore I'm not worried about the USDA showing up at my door to kill my birds- but is there a vaccine available for bird flu or IF there is, is it like human influenza vaccines and possibly not covering the mutation?
Anyway, it is always nice to read here and do enjoy all the photos.
Gail
P.S "Riding my Broom" = riding my HD Dyna Street Bob. LOL
At any rate, I added 3 chicks to this little crowd in my crate in the house, because their mothers get them on the ground, out of the nests and well, we have a treat for a cat. Yes, I'm on a farm, the cats are a necessity. Therefore I usually take the chicks away from the hens (judge me anyway you want).
Now, it's all over the news about the bird flu hitting northern Iowa west and central. From my understanding, over 5M birds were sick and died and also slaughtered to control the virus. I do understand the pathology of how viruses work and mutate and supposedly, they are blaming the migratory birds coming up the Mississippi River bringing it here. Hmm, my take is it started in North Dakota and is coming south.
This morning, one of my "home" chicks is very sick, third eyelid is closed, labored breathing, no discharge I can see and her craw is like a little balloon to one side of her head. I have her in a box near the heat lamp, she's just leaning on the opposite side of that craw that is prominent- and when I feel the craw, it feels like it's filled with air/gas. If anyone has any ideas (this chick is about 1 week old, very tiny cochin cross), please let me know- I completely cleaned the crate I use for the babies, new pads, new bedding, washed all food and water containers. Too tell you the truth, I've had chickens die in the past, dealt with wild birds bringing in red mites and infecting my entire flock (gads, the dusting!) and even had raccoons kill off half my ducks (there were contained, but obviously not good enough). But I'm worried now- concerned about this bird flu deal.
I'm not commercial, therefore I'm not worried about the USDA showing up at my door to kill my birds- but is there a vaccine available for bird flu or IF there is, is it like human influenza vaccines and possibly not covering the mutation?
Anyway, it is always nice to read here and do enjoy all the photos.
Gail
P.S "Riding my Broom" = riding my HD Dyna Street Bob. LOL
and Welcome To BYC! You'll want to post in the Emergencies forum about your sick chick, hope it recovers 
