INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[minmin1258]

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

I am so not an expert AT ALL but the first picture or two iBooks very much like Russian Orloff to me. The coloring and the (lamb chop) "beards" the leg colors and their size all remind me of my girls.

 

[chickiebaby1]

So I have sadly lost 3 younger chickens this week.

1 little rooster just didn't come in to roost one night and we haven't seen him, we have looked all over. And the other 2, 1 silkie rooster and 1 bantam cochin just got really lethargic and quit eating and drinking. I tried to hand feed and water them, but it seems like they just gave up on living, both were at the bottom of the pecking order. Can anyone tell me what might have happened. All the other birds seem to be fine. I didn't know if it was just the weather changes and they weren't strong enough to handle it or if they might have been sick. I am really at a loss, because they were both fine last week, and this just seemed to come on all the sudden.

 

[Leahs Mom]

So I have sadly lost 3 younger chickens this week.

1 little rooster just didn't come in to roost one night and we haven't seen him, we have looked all over. And the other 2, 1 silkie rooster and 1 bantam cochin just got really lethargic and quit eating and drinking. I tried to hand feed and water them, but it seems like they just gave up on living, both were at the bottom of the pecking order. Can anyone tell me what might have happened. All the other birds seem to be fine. I didn't know if it was just the weather changes and they weren't strong enough to handle it or if they might have been sick. I am really at a loss, because they were both fine last week, and this just seemed to come on all the sudden.

Please list all symptoms...what did you observe?

 

[kabhyper1]

In response to @leahsmom I don't have sizes really for the aprons. I brought a girl in, laid the felt on her and went from there. If I had a girl that wasn't the right size, this is how I sized them. They stay on better this way too. The

The knot lays between their shoulders.

This pics uploaded in the wrong order but you get the idea.

 

[Faraday40]

A friend who bought some of our fav baby chicks just had one die of impacted crop. She said it was acting normal & then very lethargic the next day. The 25 week old pullet was very weak, not walking & allowing herself to be stepped on a few hours later. Another person stopped by in the afternoon & immediately knew impacted crop. She massaged upside-down & got the pullet to vomit up foul smelling stuff with bits of straw. They believe she choked on it & died while being treated.

I was not there to witness it, thankfully, but I was wondering what the symptoms are (before the shut down stage) & if there may be a genetic predisposition. I want to know if I may see it in the siblings here & what I should look out for. Is this common or do some breeds get it more easily? Could it have been the straw? Does it happen more often with cooped or free range birds?

The particular chicken (named Superhero by my daughter) was well loved. The silly baby chick peeped day & night & only stopped when in my daughter's hands. I did not want such a "needy" chicken. My daughter's friend (Superhero's new owner) was the only other person who could handle her. Superhero ran away from all adults but always jumped into the arms of either 9 yr old girl when called. She will be missed.

 

[Faraday40]

Another question:
When talking about breeds, some people mentioned that their BAs were mean to new or younger birds. Just wondering if BA was for Blue Andalusian or Black Australorp. Thanks.

 

[ChickCrazed]

Another question:
When talking about breeds, some people mentioned that their BAs were mean to new or younger birds. Just wondering if BA was for Blue Andalusian or Black Australorp. Thanks.

Black Australorp

 

[Leahs Mom]

Black Australorp.

On the impacted/sour crop...how long was the pullet at the new home? Was she on a new feed there that is different from what you were giving her?

A sour crop is a yeast infection.

An impacted crop is just something that has been eaten that is not getting out of the crop. Could be very long pieces of grass. Could be a string or a piece of hardware swallowed by mistake (small nail, nut, screw, piece of metal shaving, etc.), or any other item that just isn't getting through the crop.

So...
Sour crop and impaction have different causes. And folks often use the terms interchangeably. The treatments for each are different.


Massaging crops - especially when putting the bird upside down like that - can cause aspiration of the fluid into the lungs and instant death. I've known more than one person who has experienced this and I never recommend that anyone do that kind of massaging. There are other ways that they can be treated that I would always try first. I only mention this for others that are reading so that folks aren't quick to massage crops while holding birds upside down.

 

[minmin1258]

Ok I know it's afternoon here but you get th message... Lol

 

[Leahs Mom]

Wanted to share my daughter's blog post. We visited the farm last Saturday where we own a share. The family has a fodder system for feeding the animals fresh, sprouted green fodder during the winter. If you're anywhere near the area, I recommend a share! Or even some pasture raised pork, beef or chicken!

http://www.followtheflavor.com/2014/10/pasture-haven-farm-raw-milk/

You KNOW you want one of these.....