INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

My 9 month guard dog looking out the window!

Oh my! What a sad day for you. He looks so beautiful in your photos. Very, very sorry.

 

[Faraday40]

My 9 month guard dog looking out the window!

So sorry for your BIG loss. He was beautiful! We owned a blue Dane & we have more stories from her short 5-year life than our Whippet in all his 16 yrs. They are a terrific, intelligent, loyal, & stubborn breed.

Because of his size, could Diesel have gotten bloat or have eaten something strange? - as many big dogs can do. I just don't know what else would kill a healthy young dog so quickly.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Gee, busy for a day and you have 6 pages to catch up on! Chatty group.

@Acornewell
 [COLOR=8B4513]~ I feel your pain! I'm so sorry for your Silkies and for what you are going through. Although you're dealing with cocci, this info below may help. When you receive your necropsy results, don't hesitate to email them with questions. They are very responsive and helpful.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=8B4513]I received this email today from Purdue's Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory as a reply to my continuing questions:[/COLOR]

[COLOR=1F497D]Dear Julie[/COLOR]

[COLOR=1F497D]Mycoplasma or chronic respiratory disease, is very common in backyard flocks and birds can harbor the bacteria without showing clinical signs. They tend to show signs during periods of stress. IF it is MG, the bacteria can never really be completely removed from the birds (it just hangs around in the sinuses and respiratory tract), but it is treatable with antibiotics (tylan is the treatment of choice). Unless you are selling hatching eggs or plan on trading the birds with others (making it possible to spread to other flocks) I would not worry overly much unless other birds begin to show signs.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=1F497D]In terms of deworming with wazine first, that was a suggestion I read in one of the PDF’s you had attached in a previous e-mail.[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513](I told him that my vet suggested wazine, but I didn't say that my vet  suggested using it before another product. However, I'll use the goat safeguard as he (Purdue) recommended.[/COLOR]

PHEW, it's enough to make your head spin!! I read all of your posts, and I'm still not sure what the diagnosis is here!

So... does this mean that they agree with worming first with Wazine to prevent an intestinal blockage from dead worms? Or was this in regards to your vet's recommendation of Wazine? (I did look it up, and according to what I read, Safeguard (Fenbendazole) should be fine to use without a pre-emptive wormer for the same reason that Valbazen (Albendazole) is, so I'm just wondering on this.)

[COLOR=1F497D]In terms of Marek’s disease, no we did not find any on histopathology (which is needed to confirm Marek’s) that indicated Marek’s disease. Most backyard and commercial flocks actually likely have Marek’s disease on the premise, but it is very variable if birds will develop signs. The vaccine prevents tumors from forming but does not prevent viral infection. Therefore the best thing to do as you mentioned is keep practicing good biosecurity and ALWAYS purchase vaccinated chicks, or vaccinate your own birds.[/COLOR]

Agree with Marek's being everywhere. Not sure I agree with always vaccinating, but I've already posted about that a while back.

 
[COLOR=1F497D]For deworming[/COLOR] [COLOR=FF0000]we generally don’t recommend a routine “deworm” everybody approach. We recommend getting fecal samples checked[/COLOR][COLOR=1F497D](either by your local vet or here at the lab) to see what parasites are there, and that way we can use targeted deworming instead of going for[/COLOR] [COLOR=FF0000]a shotgun approach which contributes to medication resistance in the parasites.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=1F497D]Please let me know if you have any other questions.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=1F497D]Sincerely,[/COLOR]
[COLOR=1F497D]Geoffrey Lossie[/COLOR]

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE.  THANK YOU DR. LOSSIE.

I agree with this as well. This is why I don't EVER use medicated chick starter, either! Having two pharmacists as parents, you get to hear how common immunity of diseases and parasites to medicines really is. Scary.

Speaking of immunity, those of you who use Ivermectin may want to look into alternatives, as my understanding is that internal parasites are becoming more and more immune to that. It may not be a very effective dewormer to use for very long, in other words.


And on the topic of fecal float tests, I was just looking this up not too long ago and thought some of you might be interested. I don't know if or what they charge for fecal float tests (never looked into doing it at my vet, but they're a dog/cat vet with one vet tech who has chickens, so I guess I just never thought of it), but I was looking in to the equipment needed to do it at home. This is a thread here on BYC with all of the equipment you need or might want, as well as instructions and pictures of the parasites: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/848229/poultry-fecal-flotation-procedures-and-pictures I may look into this for my flock, just because it seems easy enough, and we can't always run all the way in to Fort Wayne to the vet unless we have something else to do in town... But I will invest in a parasitology book with pictures if I do, because that seems easier than trying to find clear and correctly labeled pictures online.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Well I'm sad to say my last silkie has died. I have sent the last two birds off for necropsy to Purdue. I am awaiting results. I am just at a loss and it makes me so sad. To my knowledge it started with coccidiosis and has gone downhill from there. I've been fighting an uphill battle. And of course since I've lost a few chicks and birds in the past year, I am just waiting and in the back of my mind I keep saying okay who's next. I'm a nervous wreck always about them and if one bird even does something abnormal I start to get really nervous. Like anxiety. Ugh I just want to enjoy and relax about my flock.

Do you guys vaccinate chicks? If so, which vaccines?

I'm sure once I get the reports back I'll know more. But I'm itching to hatch some chicks. But I won't until I can figure out what is going on with my birds.

I am so sorry for the loss. Hopefully you will get information back soon.

Quote: Good post!

Quote:

Yes they do! They are super soft! They are a large fowl but are on the smaller side, I like their size better than the silkies. They are a lot of fun and are definite flock candy!

They look beautiful!

Im so sorry for everyones recent losses and hope all illnesses are healed quickly!

Im taking a break from hatching

. Mostly because my brooder is full of meat chicks at the moment, but also because I have several pullets that havent started laying yet and Im waiting for chicks from them lol. Freeloaders need to get busy hehe.

While Im waiting, ive started a fodder system to give the birds more greens

. We've got wheat, oats, barley and lentils going. We'll see if it works

. It will help feed the rabbits too.

Also have a greenhouse set up in my dining room with over 300 garden plants started. Cant say my husband is thrilled with that hehe. He keeps tripping over the light cord. Im dreaming of spring yet its supposed to snow today. Ugh. Hope everyone stays dry!

I will start meaties soon too.. waiting for spring, they are so messy. The fodder is just awesome, I just couldn't find time for it this winter. I can't wait to start seeds too! Hopefully my garden will do well this year.

It's that time of year again for us! The kids are in the thick of rehearsals right now. Chloe's in the cast and Benji is helping backstage with set/lights/props/anything that needs done. He's also going to be learning how to handle the ropes for when Mary Poppins flies during the show when the flying company comes to get it set up --- the cast is pretty excited about that! DH has been building set every Saturday for the past month and I've been sewing costumes. Tickets have gone on sale now -- come and see the show if you get a chance -- the kids always do a fantastic job!!

I bet its so much fun to see!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

went to get chicken feed today, & this little rascal jumped into my car while i wasnt looking :

Hehehe! What a sneaky baby!

Today has been extremely rough! Despite the blizzard, woke up to find my 9 month old Great Dane puppy dead in his crate early this morning. Yesterday he was totally fine, happy go lucky, running playing, fetching, and just being ornery puppy self. As much as I was against getting a Great Dane cause of his size I fell in love with him! When we got him I was hoping he would get attached to my fiancé, but instead he only wanted me which made me love him even more! As much as he drove me crazy with his chewing, accidents in the house, getting up in the middle of the night to let him out, chasing the chickens from time to time, and not listening most of the time, he was a good pup! I have never had to deal with taking care of a dead dog like that. Most of my dogs that I had living on a farm they ran off to die, only one dog my dad had to take to the vet to have put down and I was away at college and that was hard for me. But nothing like today! My heart is broken!
This is Diesel, the day we got him!

My 9 month guard dog looking out the window!

Oh my, am terribly sorry. He was a handsome boy.

I sell a dozen of mixed egg colors, medium to large size eggs, for $3.50. (You'd be surprised how many people ask if I colored the blue and green eggs!!) I too use recycled egg cartons; just put a new collection date on them.

Right now our family consists of a little red hen (large brown egg), two EEs (one lays a green egg, one lays a blue), and a Wheaten? Ameraucana (blue egg). An Ameraucana roo is here because he's so handsome and gentlemanly. They came from a local farm as youngsters and were all raised together.
There's a coop for Delaware chickens, and another for Blue/Black/Splash Ameraucanas. So that leaves one empty coop; still trying to decide what will live there

You need a chocolate egg! Maran, Welsummer....

Quote: Dr Lossie is the gentleman thats offered to speak at chickenfest this year. @barb s had some very helpful conversations with him during AI last spring.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Snowing here, everyone is hunkered down in the coops. No piglets yet, I hope she waits til the weekend when its a tad warmer.
When does everyone start their tomatoes and peppers? I am wandering all over looking at seed websites lol. I will plant a lot more corn this year. Our new food saver has me so pleased. Cant wait till I put it to some real use.

 

[pbirdhaven]

My sassy Fayoumi, Marama, jumped the 6' fence into our dog yard during free-range this afternoon. Our dogs have never been trustworthy with the chickens, and Marama didn't stand a chance in there with them. I'm so heartbroken all over again. Miss Attitude, herself. My flock feels so much smaller once again.

So hard to take, especially when it's one of our own who is the culprit.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/187335298300802

This is a live auction on facebook to benefit a very important poultry enthusiast who cannot afford a life-saving cancer treatment. All proceeds are going to fund his surgery, and everything being auctioned is poultry related (art, birds, eggs, etc), and most of it is from excellent quality, closed flocks. I've seen a lot of rare colors and breeds going on it, including Pomeranian geese (buff and gray saddleback), Pilgrim geese, cameo peafowl, gold laced Orps, mottled Orps, show quality bantam RIR and Rosecomb, silkies (buff, white, partridge), calls ducks, Silver Applyard, mallards, d-dang quality dark Cornish (currently up to $180 for 18 eggs), all kinds of stuff. Some are selling chicks; most are selling eggs, and a few are selling breeding pairs.

I've looked at it and for the life of me can't figure out how to bid or to see what the bids are. Thanks for the info!

Hello! I'm in Goshen.

Hi Carole--welcome back!

Hey all. I live in the central west part of IN flock of RIR ,Productin Red, Barred Rock and most recently Ameraucana! Glad to see this thread. Hope you all are bundled down for the next round of winter!

Welcome!

Well I'm sad to say my last silkie has died. I have sent the last two birds off for necropsy to Purdue. I am awaiting results. I am just at a loss and it makes me so sad. To my knowledge it started with coccidiosis and has gone downhill from there. I've been fighting an uphill battle. And of course since I've lost a few chicks and birds in the past year, I am just waiting and in the back of my mind I keep saying okay who's next. I'm a nervous wreck always about them and if one bird even does something abnormal I start to get really nervous. Like anxiety. Ugh I just want to enjoy and relax about my flock.

Do you guys vaccinate chicks? If so, which vaccines?

I'm sure once I get the reports back I'll know more. But I'm itching to hatch some chicks. But I won't until I can figure out what is going on with my birds.

I understand the waiting for the next axe to fall. It seems that we go through periods of loss to unknown causes and it's frustrating. I hope that things look up for you.
I vaccinate for Marek's but not for cocci.

Today has been extremely rough! Despite the blizzard, woke up to find my 9 month old Great Dane puppy dead in his crate early this morning. Yesterday he was totally fine, happy go lucky, running playing, fetching, and just being ornery puppy self. As much as I was against getting a Great Dane cause of his size I fell in love with him! When we got him I was hoping he would get attached to my fiancé, but instead he only wanted me which made me love him even more! As much as he drove me crazy with his chewing, accidents in the house, getting up in the middle of the night to let him out, chasing the chickens from time to time, and not listening most of the time, he was a good pup! I have never had to deal with taking care of a dead dog like that. Most of my dogs that I had living on a farm they ran off to die, only one dog my dad had to take to the vet to have put down and I was away at college and that was hard for me. But nothing like today! My heart is broken!
This is Diesel, the day we got him!

My 9 month guard dog looking out the window!

That's heartbreaking!

I had to go and give my year-old cattle dog a hug after reading this.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Today went well. The goats and our single chicken have bonded.

I'm currently looking for a part time babysitter to come to my place. It would be an evening / night time gig. If anyone here is interested or knows someone, please message me. I was looking on the care website but it charges money just to send potential sittters a message.

 

[Mother2Hens]

@Mishlerfarm24 ~ So sorry to hear about your handsome Diesel — what a terrible shock! I was just looking online to find info about free poultry necropsies through ISPA and ran across this Purdue DDL article from 2012. It's written by the veterinarian who just did my chicken's necropsy. (The vet who has been corresponding with me assisted Dr. Wigle). Anyway, this article may offer some insights.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Also if anyone is thinking of cloth diapering one of their babies, I have a boxfull of covers and pockets I'm giving away free.