Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[cgmccary]

I went to the Knoxville show. It was a great show & I was impressed with the turnout and the birds despite the weather. Down here, it has rained for 9 days straight which has made me & just about everyone miserable. At home, I am wading in deep mud.

There were 70 Wyandottes in the show (they had their national meet too). 35 of the 70 Wyandottes were SLW. They were very nice. The NHs were exceptional too as were the Jersey Giants. There were even 10 Dominiques in the show, some RIR and Rocks of course.

Unfortunately, I had the only 3 LF Buckeyes in the open show (there were 2 Bantam Buckeyes in the Jr. show & I think one LF). Laura H was iced in and could not get away, but she would have had at least 6 in the show. I was looking forward to seeing how my 3 Buckeye cockerels squared up against hers. I sold two of my Buckeyes and only came home with one along with the LF La Fleche cockerel I put in the show (he was the only one Bantam or LF). My La Fleche got a lot of attention from the attendees.

Nice to see some of you there and get to talk to you.

 

[TeaChick]

One more night of drastically cold weather here tonight and then it will warm up some! I'll be ready for that. I'm positive my birds will be ready for that. I had to cull a poor boy today... he was 4 years old and very nice bird. Got some frostbite on his comb last night. The night before, his wattles were affected and yesterday they were swollen. Today they were swollen more, about 2 inches thick at the thickest part. Between that and the frostbite on his comb, he was so very miserable. I don't think he ate yesterday and this morning he only took a couple bites because he wattles would bump the edge of his feed pan and they were hurting him. He was not a stupid bird but I think his mind was so overwhelmed by the pain he was in that he was out standing in the wind today trying to stay warm in the weak sunshine we had. We had a breeze out of the northeast last night that came right in his coop and made it so much worse. Poor boy.

He didn't struggle much so I know he was quite weak but it just hurts my heart to have to do them in for these reasons.

I quickly put together some cardboard boxes this afternoon with leaves and shavings to put the boys into tonight. I hope it will help them get through it for this winter. Before next winter I'll be building permanent boxes for them to sleep in.

I'm so sorry. No matter what the reason and no matter how it happens, it's hard to lose an animal!!!

 

[TeaChick]

TeaChick, she might have worms. Are the droppings foamy as well as very yellow? If you think that could be the case, with her being as weak as she is, I wouldn't use a wormer on her. Rather, you can get some Ivermectic pour on. I put mine in a small spray bottle. Don't overdue it though as it will have its effect on her too. Maybe only lightly spray the skin of her abdomen in a couple of places and then wait. Let her pass some of them and get some strength back. Keep using the yogurt mixture. After about a week or so, spray her again. Hopefully you won't have to do it more than that.

While a bird is already weak, you don't want to use a wormer because it is poison and its use is a gamble as to which animal receiving it will live through it. If they're healthy and strong and you suspect worms, that is a different story. Don't use it while she's weak, even says so on the bottle.

If she doesn't go in the coop with the other hens, I'd put her in there in between a couple other hens to keep her warm. Either that or give her a spot with nice dry and deep shavings where she can sleep and be nice and warm. If you're having really cold weather like the rest of the country (except the southeastern sea board) seems to be, she'll really appreciate it.

Her poo this morning was slimy and streaked yellow, but it was clear like egg white.
She seems to be feeling a little better this morning.

 

[TeaChick]

My NHs. are almost 6 mos. old, and watching them grow and develop has been such a delightful, as well as wonderful learning experience. The pullets are sensible, clam and friendly birds, but, the cockerels have only one thing in their minds: romancing everything with feathers on two legs, which has been causing quite a bit of excitement.. Well, I am thankful to my mature roosters who are doing their best to teach manners to these out of control teenagers..

Lual














Walt Leonard/ fowlman01 birds

Beautiful, beautiful birds!!! I really like the coloring on NH reds!!!
I had a hen, but lost her to some mysterious digestive thing. =(

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Her poo this morning was slimy and streaked yellow, but it was clear like egg white.
She seems to be feeling a little better this morning.

Could she be egg bound?

 

[TeaChick]

Could she be egg bound?

I don't think so, but how would I know?

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

I don't think so, but how would I know?

Has she been laying and recently quit? Is her abdomen swollen/hard?

Unfortunately this happens sometimes with hatchery birds and occasionally breeder quality birds as well (though not as frequently)

 

[TeaChick]

Has she been laying and recently quit? Is her abdomen swollen/hard?

Unfortunately this happens sometimes with hatchery birds and occasionally breeder quality birds as well (though not as frequently)

No, I don't think she's laid in weeks. If she has, then she's "still laying". ETA: I have been getting large, light brown eggs consistently, if they're coming from her, it's been consistent; if they're not, then she hasn't been laying. I know what her eggs look like b/c I had her confined over a month ago for a couple of weeks after I got her (two months ago).
No, I just felt the back of her underside and found her pelvis and her last ribs; there's nothing in particular in there, it's not hard, etc.

I don't think she's a hatchery bird, but I haven't specifically asked the breeder I got her from.

 

[Lacy Blues]

I am so sorry. I hope it does warm up some for them and you!

I'm so sorry. No matter what the reason and no matter how it happens, it's hard to lose an animal!!!

Thank you

Her poo this morning was slimy and streaked yellow, but it was clear like egg white.
She seems to be feeling a little better this morning.

Yard full of rocks beat me to it. Maybe she was egg bound and it broke finally. Hopefully she can pass the shell without receiving any internal damage.

No, I don't think she's laid in weeks. If she has, then she's "still laying". ETA: I have been getting large, light brown eggs consistently, if they're coming from her, it's been consistent; if they're not, then she hasn't been laying. I know what her eggs look like b/c I had her confined over a month ago for a couple of weeks after I got her (two months ago).
No, I just felt the back of her underside and found her pelvis and her last ribs; there's nothing in particular in there, it's not hard, etc.

I don't think she's a hatchery bird, but I haven't specifically asked the breeder I got her from.

It may be further along. But if the egg has broken, you won't be able to feel it. Do you provide free choice oyster shell? Maybe something else you can do that will help, if you have it. If you have a calcium supplement that you would take for yourself is to crush up about half of it between two spoons and mix it into the yogurt you are giving her. Do it again the next day and then not after that as it is too much calcium for them. Only in an emergency like this should you do that. Get her calcium levels up and then make sure she has plenty of oyster shell available. If her supply is outside and has been rained on and then frozen (I don't know where you are) she won't be able to get any of it. Make sure it is loose and she can eat it.

 

[TeaChick]

Thank you
Yard full of rocks beat me to it. Maybe she was egg bound and it broke finally. Hopefully she can pass the shell without receiving any internal damage.

It may be further along. But if the egg has broken, you won't be able to feel it. Do you provide free choice oyster shell? Maybe something else you can do that will help, if you have it. If you have a calcium supplement that you would take for yourself is to crush up about half of it between two spoons and mix it into the yogurt you are giving her. Do it again the next day and then not after that as it is too much calcium for them. Only in an emergency like this should you do that. Get her calcium levels up and then make sure she has plenty of oyster shell available. If her supply is outside and has been rained on and then frozen (I don't know where you are) she won't be able to get any of it. Make sure it is loose and she can eat it.

I crush up all their egg shells and put them where they can get them (my compost pile, AKA the chickens' candy store). I've been crushing up the egg with its shell for her with the yogurt (and 1/4 t ecinechea).
No, we haven't been freezing here, far from it; I'm in the Deep South.

Is there any way to know whether she was egg bound and it broke or whether that's something else?

@ YardFullOfRocks too:
Thank you very much for all your help and advice!!!