INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[kabhyper1]

Does anyone know of any hay for sale in the north eastern part of the state. We are running low.

 

[armorfirelady]

Hello- My girls had horribly messy bottoms when I was feeding them layer pellets. When I switched to grower (I had chicks/pullets that I did not want to feed grower) but I wanted everyone on the same feed. Their messy bottoms started to clear up. They are on grains now and some do have an occasionally dirty bottom but nothing like before. I think now its because of all their down fluffy bottoms for winter.

And as an FYI their prolapsed vents also stopped. I think it was the calcium in the layer feed causing the problems. They have oyster shell available at all times so they can take it what they need to when they need it.

 

[PeacefulWalls]

Does anyone know of any hay for sale in the north eastern part of the state. We are running low.

There are a few listings on the South Bend area craigslist, but they may all be too far away for you. One was in Lagrange...

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:

Hello- My girls had horribly messy bottoms when I was feeding them layer pellets. When I switched to grower (I had chicks/pullets that I did not want to feed grower) but I wanted everyone on the same feed. Their messy bottoms started to clear up. They are on grains now and some do have an occasionally dirty bottom but nothing like before. I think now its because of all their down fluffy bottoms for winter.

And as an FYI their prolapsed vents also stopped. I think it was the calcium in the layer feed causing the problems. They have oyster shell available at all times so they can take it what they need to when they need it.

Thanks, AFL!

So the problem cleared up when you quit the layer pellets and switched to grower. Very interesting. And if I remember correctly, you had the problem whenever they got the layer but it stopped on the grower altogether.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote:

Hello- My girls had horribly messy bottoms when I was feeding them layer pellets. When I switched to grower (I had chicks/pullets that I did not want to feed grower) but I wanted everyone on the same feed. Their messy bottoms started to clear up. They are on grains now and some do have an occasionally dirty bottom but nothing like before. I think now its because of all their down fluffy bottoms for winter.

And as an FYI their prolapsed vents also stopped. I think it was the calcium in the layer feed causing the problems. They have oyster shell available at all times so they can take it what they need to when they need it.

Thanks, AFL!

So the problem cleared up when you quit the layer pellets and switched to grower. Very interesting. And if I remember correctly, you had the problem whenever they got the layer but it stopped on the grower altogether.
Yes basically. I still have hens with the occasional messy bottom but I think thats from fluffy bottoms this winter. I didnt notice it this fall before they molted

 

[CRSelvey]

Hello- My girls had horribly messy bottoms when I was feeding them layer pellets. When I switched to grower (I had chicks/pullets that I did not want to feed grower) but I wanted everyone on the same feed. Their messy bottoms started to clear up. They are on grains now and some do have an occasionally dirty bottom but nothing like before. I think now its because of all their down fluffy bottoms for winter.

And as an FYI their prolapsed vents also stopped. I think it was the calcium in the layer feed causing the problems. They have oyster shell available at all times so they can take it what they need to when they need it.

That is interesting! I just changed about two weeks ago from grower to layer, but if that were the issue, wouldn't I see it with more of the girls instead of only two? I'll go out and take another look at them. As I have two roos, I'm more comfortable feeding the grower anyway.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: our two ducks get a tiny kiddie pool in good weather but I won't defrost it for them. So far they have been fine with their heated water dish. The ducks do need 2 - 3 inch deep water for cleaning their bills. But swimming is optional. And runners supposedly miss the pool less than other ducks. We have Khakis, they are good swimmers and really they are content in this weather to stay dry.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: It did not happen instantly just something I noticed the longer they were on the grower.

 

[bradselig]

Is it common for these sorts of things to happen to silkies? If I was having issues like these with a bird that animal would be a cull. Now if it was the entire flock I would be looking at housing and other outside issues that could be causing it. To me a bird prone to this sort of thing is weak and should not be allowed to breed. Not trying to be mean, I am just curious and trying to understand.
Thanks!

I currently have around 20 sub adult to adult silkies and around 30 chicks. I've hatched probably around 60-75 silkies thus far. I don't think this is common as I've only had two chicks total with these symptoms. I would have to disagree with culling the chick due to this issue. While it has not been examined by a veterinarian, it is responding to the last antibiotic I'm using. Appears toy the previous antibiotic I was using was not effective against the type of bacteria causing these symptoms. It would be like culling a chick due to it have an infected cut, it would be senseless.

Now, I'm not against culling. I have hatched deformed chicks that will not have a good quality of life. I feel that is not the case with this chick. It's just the matter of running the antibiotics their full course and finding the correct one with out having a culture taken by a vet.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
It is never easy to cull when you can help the chick get better in a week or so. But for me it depends on how busy I am as well as how the chick culd grow up. I have rehomed a special chick before with notice that it would be blind in 1 eye as it was pecked by its sister.