INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
@ChicagoClucker

Your description sounds like a thiamin/ribofavin issue. Thiamine/riboflavin deficiencies cause curling toes and lameness - and also sitting with the legs out like you describe. If that's what is causing the problem, (which it may not be!) here are some thoughts:


If you are feeding medicated feed, I recommend you stop it immediately. The medication is a thiamine blocker and some chicks can't take it. If not feeding medicated, that's good.

I think I read that you have already given the poly-vi-sol. Keep doing that.

Can feed some RAW liver from a good, healthy source (not supermarket - preferably grass-fed). chop into tiny pieces (or put through a grinder...slimy!) and give as much as she'll eat. Don't leave it out- just give what it will eat in one setting and remove leftover within 10 minutes. This should be fed RAW. Offer the liver several times throughout the day.

Good quality brewer's yeast also has the vitamins that will be helpful. Lewis Labs Brewers yeast is the only one on the market that's not grown on a GMO substrate (they can call it non-gmo because the yeast itself if not gmo, but most the other brands are grown on gmo substrate even if marked non-gmo). I have put this out in a dish and my birds will eat it right out of the dish. They love the stuff. Just be sure there is plenty of water out for them as it is quite dry!

 

[Mother2Hens]

This, exactly.

When I read about Ditzy, I felt like posting, but I just wasn't sure what to say. It hit really close to home for me, as well, so it took me a bit. It's been nearly 10 weeks since I lost my beloved Frou-Frou and I still feel very lost, and I cry way too easily when reminded. But it does get easier, and I have been able to think and talk about her fondly more as of late without needing to break down. It takes time, especially with the most beloved ones.

Write all you need to, M2H, and make sure to get in your chicken therapy time. That's what has gotten me through this far.

Even if I have been 'overworking' Elda.

"I want a raise."

(But seriously, she loves every second of it.

)

 

[Mother2Hens]

When I had only one Silkie, I was concerned about her going through the winter without a snuggle buddy. Do you think Smalty snuggle next to BonBon or Screech this winter?

Thanks for thinking of her! Yes, she'll end up snuggling —probably with Bonbon who sleeps in a nesting box. Before she ever went broody, she perched. Bonbon the type to roll her eyes at bedtime ruckus, so she's satisfied having a box, and she's nice about sharing. Also, I use heat when needed. (Remember all of the debates on our thread about using heat?

LOL) Heck, even Perdue Farms and other commercial chicken companies have temperature controlled housing. Anyway… a couple of nights ago, temps were only in the 50s, but it was windy, and my chickens were sopping wet. When it was time for bed, I blotted them with a towel and turned on a heat lamp for 20 mins while they preened and dried their feathers.

@Indyshent Good news about not having to reduce as much of your flock! I can't imagine anyone having chickens and actually coming out ahead financially by saving on eggs and/or meat, but I know we have some savvy members who run the numbers and come out ahead. In my personal situation, my chickens are my expensive hobby!
Originally Posted by tmarsh83
Innovation is never fully appreciated in its time is it @mother2hens? Lol
I don't know why, but the orps just don't trip my trigger. As I'm looking at what to add, practically they make sense, they just don't do it. I'm bizarre I guess...
@tmarsh83
Even with a large lot, I live in a subdivision so I try to keep my flock small. Since my hens are pets (not as worried about egg production) and I have a limited number, I like to have different breeds. I started out with some classic barnyard chickens — a RIR (lots of personality and high strung) and the three I still have: BR (wonderful) SLW (no problems with my Wyandotte) and EE (she's had issues fitting in, but she lays large beautiful blue-green eggs). I've learned a lot about other breeds (and a million other things) by being active on this thread. I was drawn to English Orps because they're so large and fluffy. At first I had no interest in bantams, but my bantam English Orp (my avatar) is the best chicken ever. So cool, calm, and collected. I used to think Silkies were weird, but the more I saw pics and read stories about them, I soon had Silkies! As one of our members @kabhyper1 has said, silkies are like live stuffed animals. Cochins, both LF and Bantam, have been very popular with our members so I ended up with my funny little Screech—my first chicken who walks up and wants to be picked up and loved. And although breeds have certain characteristics, we've discussed on this thread that personalities vary—they're all unique "individuals." haha Very fascinating entertainment.

 

[Hholly]

Quote:
Aw, bummer. Sorry.

 

[Hholly]

Quote:
That sucks! What is wrong with people??? Hope his birthday ends up better than you expect.

 

[tmarsh83]

While driving down to pick up my daughter/drop of my husband for an extended weekend, I got to meet @ellymayRans
 again! She's such a cool lady (and apparently has great taste in custom mix feed because my birds are already loving it!). 

I stopped by RK in Martinsville to pick up more chicken chow (esp for the babies!) and picked up a new toy and some special root beers for my son's 7th birthday tomorrow. His dad is already not going to be there, and he doesn't have any friends to come over; the only people who are going to be able to make it at all are going to be his two siblings, me (who also has to study for a calculus exam the following morning) and my parents. So yeah, it was already going to be pretty miserable... and then, as I was hauling the feed into the garage, someone stole the all the root beer from my car.    At least I'll be able to keep his favorite hens. 

People are the worst.

 

[pginsber]

Thanks for thinking of her! Yes, she'll end up snuggling —probably with Bonbon who sleeps in a nesting box. Before she ever went broody, she perched. Bonbon the type to roll her eyes at bedtime ruckus, so she's satisfied having a box, and she's nice about sharing. Also, I use heat when needed. (Remember all of the debates on our thread about using heat?

LOL) Heck, even Perdue Farms and other commercial chicken companies have temperature controlled housing. Anyway… a couple of nights ago, temps were only in the 50s, but it was windy, and my chickens were sopping wet. When it was time for bed, I blotted them with a towel and turned on a heat lamp for 20 mins while they preened and dried their feathers.

OOOoooohhh, that's right! It's almost time to have the heat versus no heat discussions.

That's fun, but I also like the routine worming versus not, and different ideas about how to keep the waterers unfrozen. I know we have these discussions every year, but I must be nuts because I don't get tired of them. Always fun to hear peoples ideas and positions.

Speaking of ideas, anybody heard from Hoosiercheetah lately?

 

[pginsber]

Here's something fun from the Farmer's Almanac. A Rooster jack-o-lantern
http://farmersalmanac.com/blog/2015/10/28/create-your-halloween-rooster-olantern/

 

[tmarsh83]

OOOoooohhh, that's right! It's almost time to have the heat versus no heat discussions.

That's fun, but I also like the routine worming versus not, and different ideas about how to keep the waterers unfrozen. I know we have these discussions every year, but I must be nuts because I don't get tired of them. Always fun to hear peoples ideas and positions.

Speaking of ideas, anybody heard from Hoosiercheetah lately?

Watching people smarter than me bicker like two old hens (see what I did there) is my favorite way to learn...

Education, and entertaining!

 

[chick rookie]

While driving down to pick up my daughter/drop of my husband for an extended weekend, I got to meet @ellymayRans again! She's such a cool lady (and apparently has great taste in custom mix feed because my birds are already loving it!).

I stopped by RK in Martinsville to pick up more chicken chow (esp for the babies!) and picked up a new toy and some special root beers for my son's 7th birthday tomorrow. His dad is already not going to be there, and he doesn't have any friends to come over; the only people who are going to be able to make it at all are going to be his two siblings, me (who also has to study for a calculus exam the following morning) and my parents. So yeah, it was already going to be pretty miserable... and then, as I was hauling the feed into the garage, someone stole the all the root beer from my car.

At least I'll be able to keep his favorite hens.

Thats terrible!! Just another reason why I don't like most people!! so sorry for him, hope his Birthday is great anyways!!!

OOOoooohhh, that's right! It's almost time to have the heat versus no heat discussions.

That's fun, but I also like the routine worming versus not, and different ideas about how to keep the waterers unfrozen. I know we have these discussions every year, but I must be nuts because I don't get tired of them. Always fun to hear peoples ideas and positions.

Speaking of ideas, anybody heard from Hoosiercheetah lately?

Yep its about time for all that to start up again. I haven't see Hoosier for a very long time.

Here's something fun from the Farmer's Almanac. A Rooster jack-o-lantern
http://farmersalmanac.com/blog/2015/10/28/create-your-halloween-rooster-olantern/

that is cool but did you read " the Year Without A Summer " story, vary interesting.