Hi from Devon, England UK

[kayakmanuk]

Hi Everyone

Got ourselves our first chickens back in April and had a continuous steep learning curve ever since. We have 6 chickens (2 x RIR crosses, 2 x Plymouth Rock crosses, a white leghorn, a speckled, and we had a Blue Maran cross which I had to put down a couple of weeks back after it prolapsed and the others started cannibalising it). We also took in a Light Sussex cockerel that was being picked on by an older one at the local school.

We've had one thing after the other go wrong and it's getting a bit disheartening having to treat one thing after the other. We had major pecking issues (where most of them ended up with bald patches), Mycoplasma, feather loss, worms and this weekend I've found out my speckled hen has Bumblefoot.

Don't suppose the weather is helping either, there's been nothing but heavy rain for the past month and everywhere's like a quagmire and nothing gets the chance to dry out. (Not a problem in the US at the moment I believe).

Anyway just thought I'd introduce myself and thank everyone for the huge amount of useful information that is available on here.

Will

 

[sourland]

Hopefully your problems will all be resolved and you can enjoy your birds.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us. So sorry to hear about the rough start you've had with your birds

I hope you have much better luck in the future with them

 

[miss blue]

hello im also in the uk in hastings welcome to BYC the weather has been very wet iv got a roof on the chicken run so in stays dryer that help with my chickens feet when they got sore .

 

[kayakmanuk]

Thanks for the welcome Sourland, Weimarmama. It's refreshing to see I'm not the only one having problems judging by some of the posts on here.

At this rate I'll be a chicken illness guru by the end of the year

Miss Blue, I think I might cover one half of the coop just to try and keep a bit of dry ground. The sun will come out one of these days !

 

[Kevin565]

 

[Rhodetoegg]

Hi from soggy Somerset. I have had my two Rhode Rocks for 6 weeks and really enjoying them. One of them lays a shell less egg every few days which I am working on. Today is the first fine day we have had in weeks so the run has dried up a bit at last as even the covered portion became mud. I am sorry that you have had troubles with your girls and hope things improve for you soon.

 

[Fierlin1182]

Hi and

Sorry to hear about everything you've had to deal with
Hopefully you will get some nice weather soon! I used to live in England, so I know what it's like with the rain there.
Good luck!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad you to have you aboard.