INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

Even though I gave the boys the outdoor pen during the day, they were still pacing the fence constantly. So I rigged a bit more and added the dog house down at one end so they had a shelter with it too. After they figured it out, they went right in and relaxed...coming and going as they pleased. It seemed to make them feel much more at home and in control of the situation.

I really believe that stress is what makes for chinks in the immune system. After going through shipping then being in unfamiliar surroundings, new food, and strange people (that would be me

), I'm glad that the dog house seems to have brought them a place of calm.

This is a poor photo but you can see the dog house down there at the end.


Was working on the pole barn power washing the floor where the winter kennels will be set up so I didn't have time to get a better photo.

Tonight when I put them back in their garage pen for the night, they both went and got on the little rigged roost I had made for them. This is the first night they've gotten on the roost. The previous nights they were on the floor and last night in the dust box. Sounds like they're getting more at ease with the new situation.


ETA:
When I was out finishing up the dog house, a plane flew over. The boys thought it was a hawk and the black boy was frantic trying to break through the fence and get under a nearby shrub.

I think they were able to relax after the figured out the dog house because it gave them shelter.

I need to remember for the future that even though a pen has a covering on it, it still feels too open and vulnerable if there is nowhere to go to hide.

After they figured out the dog house they actually began to lounge. Both in the house and out in the grass.

 

[LKShepherd]

Hey all, it's been awhile since I was here last, been busy with life.... but doesn't mean I am neglecting my chicks!! Recap: I'm a new chicken momma, and ordered the pullet surprise from Ideal Hatchery/ The chicks were born on Aug 20th. I ordered 10, but got 15. And wasn't sure what all I have.... So I took a few pics today, will take individual ones later... but this is what I have so far... Right now it looks to me I have ALL FEMALES - but 1, he is 100% rooster and already trying to crow. He tried it yesterday and I had to laugh cause it was so pitiful!! LOL But if I got lucky and they sent me only 1 rooster, I am happy with that as I am sure my girls will be!! I just realized I didn't get a photo of him, and I need to cause he is beautiful. ....... BRB LOL

Here's my handsome boy

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How he has changed just in 1 month!

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[kabhyper1]

Hey guys, one of my Wheaton Marans started wheezing tonight and her comb is bluish colorred. Everyone else is fine. She is also molting pretty hard. I immediately got her on Tylan tonight. Since she has already been with the rest of the flock and no one else has it, what could it be? We haven't been anywhere, nor have we had visitors that could have exposed her to anything. Could she have gotten chilled in the cold temps or something? I know I know, chickens can't get colds.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Hey guys, one of my Wheaton Marans started wheezing tonight and her comb is bluish colorred. Everyone else is fine. She is also molting pretty hard. I immediately got her on Tylan tonight. Since she has already been with the rest of the flock and no one else has it, what could it be? We haven't been anywhere, nor have we had visitors that could have exposed her to anything. Could she have gotten chilled in the cold temps or something? I know I know, chickens can't get colds.

The last several times I've known people that had the wheezing and bluish comb it was heart failure. What is the age of this kiddo?

 

[kabhyper1]

The last several times I've known people that had the wheezing and bluish comb it was heart failure. What is the age of this kiddo?

Hmmm thats no good! I dont know her age. I got her from @raisinemright this summer. He got them from a breeder somewhere who was selling off some of his girls. Not sure the reason. They have been okay. I had 2 this summer that got sneezy and clooged nares mostly from food stuck in them. She dropped off laying and has been sleeping a lot, but I figured it was molting related. She isn't coughing or sneezing. She comes out for corn and treats she has some energy. I just heard the wheezing tonight. I can't imagine the 4 wheatens are very old. I would guess maybe a couple years. They lay pretty well and one went broody during the summer.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Another possibility that can cause the bluish comb is poison. Is it at all possible that she may have gotten into something? A neighbor treating the lawn or termites, etc.?

2 yo isn't very old, but I have heard of the heart issues with birds that age and sometimes younger.

 

[kabhyper1]

Another possibility that can cause the bluish comb is poison. Is it at all possible that she may have gotten into something? A neighbor treating the lawn or termites, etc.?

2 yo isn't very old, but I have heard of the heart issues with birds that age and sometimes younger.

No poison that I can think of. They are confined to our pasture and alpaca stalls in the barn. Their coops are in that area also. I am freaking out that it could be bird flu based on symptoms, but I understand that is extremely rare and they don't get exposed to anything unless a wild bird had it. Most of the birds around here are long gone for the winter. I am going to go out and separate her I think. Although she has been around everyone, I feel better having her isolated, plus it's easier to administer meds when they are confined.

 

[Leahs Mom]

It does seem that the wheezing with the blue comb together is pretty indicative of heart issue. When the heart begins to slow down or have trouble, the lungs can begin to fill with fluid as the heart isn't able to keep up... like congestive heart failure where it isn't pumping enough for the kidneys to be able to remove the fluids.

I hope I'm wrong. She is a beautiful bird.

 

[kabhyper1]

It does seem that the wheezing with the blue comb together is pretty indicative of heart issue. When the heart begins to slow down or have trouble, the lungs can begin to fill with fluid as the heart isn't able to keep up... like congestive heart failure where it isn't pumping enough for the kidneys to be able to remove the fluids.

I hope I'm wrong. She is a beautiful bird.

Thanks for your quick response! I hope shes just got a glitch

. Maybe just a weird congestion thing. Ooooh yeah I just remembered, we put two bales of straw down last night for them because it was going to be so cold, and it was so wet everywhere. It got very dusty in there last night. I wonder if that affected her somehow. Any who, I separated her with one of her sisters. She actually seems to be doing better already. I gave her a dose of Tylan at 6 or so. Her comb is a little darker and less blue than it was and she isn't wheezing as badly. Her eyes look good and her legs have good color, although they are silver colored so that's not saying much lol. She immediately started eating and drinking in the new digs.

hope shes okay.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Sounds hopeful!