INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Ok this batch of chicks has just had so many issues ( I will admit a few were my fault). Sorry if it sounds like I am complaining, but I need some advice from you guys. One of my chicks will scratch his head like crazy on both sides and freak out so much sometimes he flips himself over. Then he will lay there kicking and chirping and I have to help him back up. I noticed him do it once or twice yesterday and once this morning. Now this is happening like every 1-5 minutes. I though lice, since scratching. Nope nothing. Some of the others will scratch every now and then but every one is clean, as in bedding, and none are doing it excessivly but the one. My moms very good friend was over and I showed her the chicks. We were explaining to her what the chick was doing, just talking. And she had a good assumption. She thought it be having sezziures? Didn't seem unreasonable to me and I was able to find one youtube video of another chick having a sezziure. The chick in the video would also fall on its back and chirp and kick, just no scratching. I have never dealt with this problem in chicks. I have had a few adults with neurological disorders or epilepsy, but they all had triggers so it was pretty easy to prevent. This chick doesn't have a trigger. As I am sitting here the poor chick just keeps freaking out. Anybody have any suggestions on what I can do to help it, if anything?

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: Ahh thanks. I need to get my house all spring cleaned. It is a "nesting" thing I think. I just tend to wait till after the baby is born.

 

[bradselig]

So went and got my 2 weeks of feed (200# worth) and noticed TSC had their bantams 1/2 off! So of course I had to go back after work and I got 6 more porcelain d'uccle and a single silkie. I was curious as to what color it would turn out to be. I'm thinking buff, but not sure. I'll try to get pictures later of them as well as my most recent hatch. I'm excited with this last hatch as I got some of my tolbunt/legbar eggs to hatch! One looks like it could be pure tolbunt they other 2 are mixes. Also got one of my legbar/Marans to hatch as well as another pullet legbar.

 

[brittany4]

Im indiana too! my grampa had over 200 chickens when i was a kid and now im starting my own small flock!

 

[Mother2Hens]

Ok this batch of chicks has just had so many issues ( I will admit a few were my fault). Sorry if it sounds like I am complaining, but I need some advice from you guys. One of my chicks will scratch his head like crazy on both sides and freak out so much sometimes he flips himself over. Then he will lay there kicking and chirping and I have to help him back up. I noticed him do it once or twice yesterday and once this morning. Now this is happening like every 1-5 minutes. I though lice, since scratching. Nope nothing. Some of the others will scratch every now and then but every one is clean, as in bedding, and none are doing it excessivly but the one. My moms very good friend was over and I showed her the chicks. We were explaining to her what the chick was doing, just talking. And she had a good assumption. She thought it be having sezziures? Didn't seem unreasonable to me and I was able to find one youtube video of another chick having a sezziure. The chick in the video would also fall on its back and chirp and kick, just no scratching. I have never dealt with this problem in chicks. I have had a few adults with neurological disorders or epilepsy, but they all had triggers so it was pretty easy to prevent. This chick doesn't have a trigger. As I am sitting here the poor chick just keeps freaking out. Anybody have any suggestions on what I can do to help it, if anything?

CCCHICKENS ~ Poor you! It's frustrating when you want to help, but don't know what to do. I consulted my trusty "Chicken Health for Dummies" book, and found the text online for possibilities of nervous system disorders: How to Recognize Problems of Growing Chickens - For Dummies

Another site mentions Encephalomalacia, which the "Dummies" book refers to as Crazy Chick Disease - Vitamin E deficiency. Note that one sign is uncontrolled movements.

Encephalomalacia​

Encephalomalacia is a disease that is thought to be triggered by lack of Vitamin E in the chicks' diet. It is sometimes referred to nutritional Encephalomalacia
Spreading the Disease
Encephalomalacia generally crops up in young birds within their first five weeks. This problem is typically brought about due to rancid feed – most often in high-fat diets.
Signs & Symptoms
This can result in a number of neural problems, including staggering, imbalance, uncontrolled movements and even paralysis.
Treatment
Fortunately, the condition is quite treatable with vitamin E and/or selenium supplements to the diet. In some cases, broad-spectrum antibiotics are also helpful.
Prevention
In most cases, the disease can be prevented by maintaining a good quality diet with proper levels of vitamin E, antioxidants and selenium.

This info is from Nervous System Diseases of the Chicken - How to Raise Chickens​

 

[Mother2Hens]

Quote: Originally Posted by jen214 I need the opinions of experienced chicken addicts

.....I have a 14x14 fenced in area for my 12 hens that is currently mud, leaves and a bit of outcast pine shavings. I was going to try to find some natural wood chips to try and reduce the mud issue, but realized I may have a solution in my own backyard. We live in a wooded area with mostly shag bark hickory and oak trees. I was wondering if it would be safe to rake up all of the fallen hickory shells and acorns to use as bedding in the run. This solution seems more biosecure than getting wood chips from some unknown area, however I don't know if it would harm the hens in any way. Opinions???? Please and Thank you!
jen214 ~ First of all, I think we've welcomed you to the thread before-- I remember a "jen." If not, Welcome!!
The following are included on the "Good Treat List" from "Raising Chickens for Dummies," so they should be great for use in a run. Cooked nuts are fine, as are raw crushed acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, or pecans. Be sure the hickory shells aren't sharp or a chicken might end up a foot infection called "Bumblefoot." At one time, our thread discussed this article about using coarse construction sand (not play sand because it's too fine and can cause respiratory issues): The Chicken Chick: Chicken Coop Bedding: Sand, the Litter … In my coop/run the bottom is dirt, and I add coarse sand mixed with mulch from a tree removal. CRSelvey uses the coarse sand method and has been pleased (you can purchase it inexpensively from a quarry or places like Lowe's sell it in bags).
Urbanmom~ That was a coincidence that CRSelvey and I were just discussing your chicken today and wondered how she was doing. That sounds hopeful that she's doing better, and it must be a relief to have consulted a vet and to have lab tests taken. Best wishes!

iamfivewire ~ Oooh-- I love this velvet chick of yours!

SallyinIndiana ~ I agree with Leahs Mom . . . Take it easy!! You just gave birth!

chickrookie ~ Loved the great pics! All of your animals (including your DH) look so healthy and happy!

 

[iamfivewire]

welcome to BYC brittany4

 

[chick rookie]

Well I got an e-mail today that said I was getting 16 laying hens. NO MORE STORE EGGS!!!!!!!! SO i WENT AND PICKED THEM UP AND TO MY SURPRISE (sorry forgot caps ) 2 were Americana's ( I think) I have never had them before and have only seen Pic's, but have always wanted them. So am going to get pic's tomorrow and see what you all think . anyway most all are mixes, I think. but very fat and healthy. am keeping them in the garage at night and dog yard to free range in (sort of, still fenced ) till the coop and run are safe. Gertrude is going to have friends!!!

One of them is white and BEAUTIFUL I love her beard and ear muffs, cant wait to get pic's.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Horribly busy last few days, taking full advantage of the wonderful weather. Going to catch up as much as I can tonight!
Shadow my goat doe is improving. She is standing for short periods, milk is drying up.
Going to get her health in order, and assess Her overall condition before we even consider breeding her again.
My little buckling buddy is doing fantastic, and is walking on his hooves now. He was doing an ankle/hoof type step first few days.
Sugar and Sophie were bred this last week, Bocephus was a pretty busy boy

Will wait to see if it "took".
Laying is picking up, seeing a few more eggs daily. Geese and pekin are in full swing.
Turkey eggs are fertile

I think spring is finally almost here

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

[COLOR=CC6600]CCCHICKENS[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]~ Poor you! It's frustrating when you want to help, but don't know what to do. I consulted my trusty "Chicken Health for Dummies" book, and found the text online for possibilities of nervous system disorders:[/COLOR] How to Recognize Problems of Growing Chickens - For Dummies [COLOR=8B4513]Another site mentions Encephalomalacia, which the "Dummies" book refers to as Crazy Chick Disease - Vitamin E deficiency. Note that one sign is uncontrolled movements.[/COLOR]

Encephalomalacia​

Encephalomalacia is a disease that is thought to be triggered by lack of Vitamin E in the chicks' diet. It is sometimes referred to nutritional Encephalomalacia
Spreading the Disease
Encephalomalacia generally crops up in young birds within their first five weeks. This problem is typically brought about due to rancid feed – most often in high-fat diets.
Signs & Symptoms
This can result in a number of neural problems, including staggering, imbalance, [COLOR=A52A2A]uncontrolled movements[/COLOR] and even paralysis.
Treatment
Fortunately, the condition is quite treatable with vitamin E and/or selenium supplements to the diet. In some cases, broad-spectrum antibiotics are also helpful.
Prevention
In most cases, the disease can be prevented by maintaining a good quality diet with proper levels of vitamin E, antioxidants and selenium.

This info is from Nervous System Diseases of the Chicken - How to Raise Chickens​

Thanks for all of the help M2H! I really appreciate it. I might have to get me one of those books- can't ever have too much information. The ones left are strong and only the one with sezisures seems to stumble. They are on chick starter from a local feed store. Not name brand, they were out of purnia. I will watch carefully and see how things go. I am hoping I was just having a stroke of bad luck and that that is over with. The chicks are in the house now.