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Sorry for all the posts, but caught up!!!!! Goodnight everyone
INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!
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kittydoc
Songster
You don't say how old the chicks are and/or where they are or have been housed, and for how long. That's relevant to whether to vaccinate against Marek's disease or not. A bottle that is supposed to be used within a single hour does ONE THOUSAND chicks, but I have sterilization equipment and have been able to subdivide my $25 bottle into smaller amounts for smaller numbers of chicks, while keeping the liquid part separate from the "dry" part, and keeping all refrigerated in between. Marek's vaccine is the only one that the state recommends. Some bigger breeders vaccinate against coccidiosis, but unless you have a zillion birds to either keep or sell, I don't find it personally worth the trouble. If one quarantines chicks and chickens properly, it is easily caught and treated. If I sold hundreds of chicks a year, I'd probably do it, though, just so it was one less thing buyers could blame "me" for if/when it happened.
Marek's is everywhere in the environment (outdoors anyway). Ideally, chicks should be vaccinated on Day 1 of life, but as long as it's before they go outside, I think it is worth doing. There are no data on this since almost all studies are performed on commercial chicks. I'm near Zionsville, and will vaccinate appropriate chicks for $1 each for people close enough to want to come here. If you have a couple of dozen chicks to do at one time, it costs about that to use that whole giant bottle on 20-25 chicks. If you are only doing a few, it's more expensive, but I will not have chicks without it myself. A lot of people don't do it, but it's not fun to deal with if they catch it.
If they are 2-3 week old Silkies, I'd do it if it were me.
First aid supplies, and I'm sure I'll miss some:
Hydrogen peroxide
Triple antibiotic ointment
Non-stick (Telfa type) pads
Kwik-Stop (to stop bleeding from small wounds, but don't go nuts with it--cornstarch will work though not as fast or well, and regular wheat flour will work in a pinch)
Perhaps a pair of nail trimmers to keep toenails a reasonable distance
A crop tube (optional but good to have when you need it--can be bought or made)
A lot of people like VetRx products (even though they are OTC at feed stores)
Injectable penicillin (preferably long-acting, but any is OK as long as you know the type and how often it should be dosed)
Injectable LA-200
Injectable B-complex (optional)
3 cc syringe with 22 gauge needles
1 cc syringe with 25 gauge needles
Many would say unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, though it is NOT a cure-all for everything
Sharp but fine scissors in case you have to trim dead skin away from wounds (I use what are called iris scissors)
Liquid multivitamin for kids (WITHOUT iron)
Stretchable fabric bandaids for splay leg
Good old fashioned soap and water
An isolation crate for injured or sick birds (preferably a couple)
Vetwrap (available in the equine area of most feed stores, for wrapping wounds, etc.)
Waterproof tape about 1" wide
KY-type lubricant if you have to go inside the vent for any reason
Exam gloves (don't have to be sterile, just a box of exam gloves kept OUT of the chicken house, barn, etc.) that fit your glove size for when you need to go in the vent to feel around
Blue-Kote (maybe--nice for covering wounds after everything else because its color does not attract pecking by other birds)
Some like to coat combs with vaseline in really cold weather to help prevent frostbite (IMO better to concentrate on good ventilation, but it can't hurt)
A few spare towels that you don't mind using for the chickens (cheap at Goodwill, or if you have some past their prime)
We personally always keep incontinence chair pads to line crates, then newspaper, then straw--makes it easy to get out and easier to clean the crate afterward).
Clip-on or hang-on cups to use with crates for food/water, and/or calcium/grit
I'm sure there's more. This is what occurs to me off the top of my head. I'm a veterinarian and have had chickens for 5 years. I'm sure others will chime in!
Marek's is everywhere in the environment (outdoors anyway). Ideally, chicks should be vaccinated on Day 1 of life, but as long as it's before they go outside, I think it is worth doing. There are no data on this since almost all studies are performed on commercial chicks. I'm near Zionsville, and will vaccinate appropriate chicks for $1 each for people close enough to want to come here. If you have a couple of dozen chicks to do at one time, it costs about that to use that whole giant bottle on 20-25 chicks. If you are only doing a few, it's more expensive, but I will not have chicks without it myself. A lot of people don't do it, but it's not fun to deal with if they catch it.
If they are 2-3 week old Silkies, I'd do it if it were me.
First aid supplies, and I'm sure I'll miss some:
Hydrogen peroxide
Triple antibiotic ointment
Non-stick (Telfa type) pads
Kwik-Stop (to stop bleeding from small wounds, but don't go nuts with it--cornstarch will work though not as fast or well, and regular wheat flour will work in a pinch)
Perhaps a pair of nail trimmers to keep toenails a reasonable distance
A crop tube (optional but good to have when you need it--can be bought or made)
A lot of people like VetRx products (even though they are OTC at feed stores)
Injectable penicillin (preferably long-acting, but any is OK as long as you know the type and how often it should be dosed)
Injectable LA-200
Injectable B-complex (optional)
3 cc syringe with 22 gauge needles
1 cc syringe with 25 gauge needles
Many would say unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, though it is NOT a cure-all for everything
Sharp but fine scissors in case you have to trim dead skin away from wounds (I use what are called iris scissors)
Liquid multivitamin for kids (WITHOUT iron)
Stretchable fabric bandaids for splay leg
Good old fashioned soap and water
An isolation crate for injured or sick birds (preferably a couple)
Vetwrap (available in the equine area of most feed stores, for wrapping wounds, etc.)
Waterproof tape about 1" wide
KY-type lubricant if you have to go inside the vent for any reason
Exam gloves (don't have to be sterile, just a box of exam gloves kept OUT of the chicken house, barn, etc.) that fit your glove size for when you need to go in the vent to feel around
Blue-Kote (maybe--nice for covering wounds after everything else because its color does not attract pecking by other birds)
Some like to coat combs with vaseline in really cold weather to help prevent frostbite (IMO better to concentrate on good ventilation, but it can't hurt)
A few spare towels that you don't mind using for the chickens (cheap at Goodwill, or if you have some past their prime)
We personally always keep incontinence chair pads to line crates, then newspaper, then straw--makes it easy to get out and easier to clean the crate afterward).
Clip-on or hang-on cups to use with crates for food/water, and/or calcium/grit
I'm sure there's more. This is what occurs to me off the top of my head. I'm a veterinarian and have had chickens for 5 years. I'm sure others will chime in!
Last edited:
kittydoc
Songster
Quote:
Well, what happened was this. My DH, who is a more tolerant person than me, was actually worried about the neighbor's welfare, since her car was there and she did not answer the door for two days. I fed, watered, and in one case housed one of her remaining birds overnight. She let one roo go two days without food and one without water (I could water him through the crate, but the first day was a little leery of sticking my hand in a strange adult roo's space). A friend suggested we call 911 and explain, and ask for a welfare check on the owner. We did, deputy sheriff came out. I chatted with him a bit, and he told me they had been called there before, and NEVER answered the door (she has a cam at the front door). So for over an hour, I have him the tour of her property, her mental health history (I feel sorry for her, but she just ain't right), the deal with the birds, blah blah blah. Also noticed she's been driving a nice new SUV with no original tags, just 4 month expired dealer tags, but nothing he could do about that since the car was not moving. He made a report, and said if she did not turn up or respond within 24 hours, call back and they'd break the door down. An hour after the deputy left, she appeared at our door, kinda miffed at us at first, but when Jay and I explained it from a CONCERN angle, she settled down. I did offer to take her remaining birds. No dice. She did promise they'd be inside until she could afford a coop. This woman took her divorce settlement and paid cash for that house, leaving nothing left over after the well had to be replaced, so she's working at Meijer for peanuts no doubt (greeter, etc.). She is also boarding a horse that she needs like a hole in her head. I'd love to have a horse, but I know what I can and cannot afford, and monthly horse board and farrier expenses are not among them. I could do most of my own vet work, but that would be it (I actually used to practice on horses, sheep, and goats, in addition to small animals).
Anyway, she brought the hen in. Roo is still outside because he talks to our boys all day long. Oh, and we also told neighbor that when one lives in a suburban neighborhood, a community, then one must acquire and pay for trash service. She has had NO trash pick up in 9 months. Deputy said the house was full of garbage, and we know her garage and deck are, too, as well as the side of her house that faces us. I've been sneaking some of the trash into ours just I don't have to look at it every day, but 90% or more is still there and growing.
So I guess it's a draw. If she does not get trash service and a coop within a couple of months, I may see about further action. I wish she would move. Because of her own actions, she has made herself persona non grata (look it up--lesson for the day) in the whole back end of our cul de sac. On the other hand, she is divorced from a 22 year marriage and I think clinically depressed. At minimum, she's a regular kook, but I don't think she is getting any kind of professional help. I did NOT mention that her.
9 months after 22 years is reasonable to still be upset and pining for the ex. I bet he is so ****** happy she is gone, though, and left him happily many, many states behind.
Well, what happened was this. My DH, who is a more tolerant person than me, was actually worried about the neighbor's welfare, since her car was there and she did not answer the door for two days. I fed, watered, and in one case housed one of her remaining birds overnight. She let one roo go two days without food and one without water (I could water him through the crate, but the first day was a little leery of sticking my hand in a strange adult roo's space). A friend suggested we call 911 and explain, and ask for a welfare check on the owner. We did, deputy sheriff came out. I chatted with him a bit, and he told me they had been called there before, and NEVER answered the door (she has a cam at the front door). So for over an hour, I have him the tour of her property, her mental health history (I feel sorry for her, but she just ain't right), the deal with the birds, blah blah blah. Also noticed she's been driving a nice new SUV with no original tags, just 4 month expired dealer tags, but nothing he could do about that since the car was not moving. He made a report, and said if she did not turn up or respond within 24 hours, call back and they'd break the door down. An hour after the deputy left, she appeared at our door, kinda miffed at us at first, but when Jay and I explained it from a CONCERN angle, she settled down. I did offer to take her remaining birds. No dice. She did promise they'd be inside until she could afford a coop. This woman took her divorce settlement and paid cash for that house, leaving nothing left over after the well had to be replaced, so she's working at Meijer for peanuts no doubt (greeter, etc.). She is also boarding a horse that she needs like a hole in her head. I'd love to have a horse, but I know what I can and cannot afford, and monthly horse board and farrier expenses are not among them. I could do most of my own vet work, but that would be it (I actually used to practice on horses, sheep, and goats, in addition to small animals).
Anyway, she brought the hen in. Roo is still outside because he talks to our boys all day long. Oh, and we also told neighbor that when one lives in a suburban neighborhood, a community, then one must acquire and pay for trash service. She has had NO trash pick up in 9 months. Deputy said the house was full of garbage, and we know her garage and deck are, too, as well as the side of her house that faces us. I've been sneaking some of the trash into ours just I don't have to look at it every day, but 90% or more is still there and growing.
So I guess it's a draw. If she does not get trash service and a coop within a couple of months, I may see about further action. I wish she would move. Because of her own actions, she has made herself persona non grata (look it up--lesson for the day) in the whole back end of our cul de sac. On the other hand, she is divorced from a 22 year marriage and I think clinically depressed. At minimum, she's a regular kook, but I don't think she is getting any kind of professional help. I did NOT mention that her.
kittydoc
Songster
Any day I sell chicks is a good day. One little black/lav split Orp went to live with @jchny2000 . Four others (2M, 2F) went to some list "lurkers" near Terre Haute, and they want several more pullets. I also have some pullets reserved for a return buyer, and the start of those will go to them later this week. The only bad thing is that I know I will probably wind up with over a dozen boys that I don't need, and at this time of year may or may not be able to sell. I'll keep a few lav cockerels for myself to whittle down, but with Cogburn, I have no need for a better black split roo in any way, shape, or form. He's my baby! Anyway, maybe a few boys will be wanted to replace predator losses, but I suspect a number will be @SallyinIndiana 's table roosters. I will try to talk these buyers into taking "just one more" free, too. I hate culling healthy boys.
My black and blue English Orp cockerels look great (if gawky), as does their black sister. I can't repeat that breeding, so they stay unless they turn ugly, and right now they look very nice, and the boys are very heavy bodied. Splashes and blues will be on the agenda for next year instead of Jubilees!
Speaking of which, the sick Jubilee hen seens absolutely fine now. I need to check to see if she resumed laying, but she is active and eating, and has been for the last 5-6 days. I gave her LA-200 and B-complex, and SC fluids when she was really feverish. She does not feel feverish to the touch any more, and since neither of us enjoys the thermometer use, I'm just going to trust that she is as normal as she looks. She's been off antibiotics for a good 5 days.
Goodnight all!
My black and blue English Orp cockerels look great (if gawky), as does their black sister. I can't repeat that breeding, so they stay unless they turn ugly, and right now they look very nice, and the boys are very heavy bodied. Splashes and blues will be on the agenda for next year instead of Jubilees!
Speaking of which, the sick Jubilee hen seens absolutely fine now. I need to check to see if she resumed laying, but she is active and eating, and has been for the last 5-6 days. I gave her LA-200 and B-complex, and SC fluids when she was really feverish. She does not feel feverish to the touch any more, and since neither of us enjoys the thermometer use, I'm just going to trust that she is as normal as she looks. She's been off antibiotics for a good 5 days.
Goodnight all!
kittydoc
Songster
I keep forgetting to mention that @SallyinIndiana was right about eggs forgotton for 2-3 hours out of the incubator was not a big deal. It was only on Day 5, so I was concerned. I know toward the end it doesn't matter. Anyway, I cancled all 20, had 2 clears (not the result of that, just that I need to trim some rears again), and 2 were a little questionable like they might be forming a blood ring. Here at 2 weeks in, all 18 of the 20 that were fertile are alive and active. They are due to hatch about a week from Monday or so. My Octagon 40, when I get it ANYWHERE in the optimal range of 99-100, I leave it there, even if it's low 90's. My hatches have mostly been day 22-24, but that's OK as long as they hatch.
We have mostly lav and splits, plus a couple of blue eggs set, and one more attempt at an olive egger pullet (our red wheaten Ameracauna x Lav Orp--last chick was gorgeous, but male, so he went bye-bye and I just hated it because he was a gorgeous, big chick (bigger than my Orps!). But the last thing we need are mixed boys. Keep fingers crossed this one is a pullet. We already know it will be jet black, like its brother, from the color charts. I swear I don't know such a huge chick hatched out of that Ameracauna egg last time, and it was so strong.
We have mostly lav and splits, plus a couple of blue eggs set, and one more attempt at an olive egger pullet (our red wheaten Ameracauna x Lav Orp--last chick was gorgeous, but male, so he went bye-bye and I just hated it because he was a gorgeous, big chick (bigger than my Orps!). But the last thing we need are mixed boys. Keep fingers crossed this one is a pullet. We already know it will be jet black, like its brother, from the color charts. I swear I don't know such a huge chick hatched out of that Ameracauna egg last time, and it was so strong.
Ok here is the bresse chick count so far!
22 out of the incubator, three that I helped out and still in the bator, Those three are doing good just need to fluff up. Still a few eggs to go and had a few quitters... They all look great!
Got a question for racinchickins??
What's up with this chick and the black spots?
That ones easy to SPOT in the crowd! Sorry couldn't help myself.
Hmmm. I had some dark Cornish hens in with the Bresse as a project. But I removed them before I started collecting your eggs. Maybe I missed an egg from one of them? Let me know what it looks like as it matures. It should be fine for the table, just wouldn't breed it.
Welcome. I'm in Mooresville too. I haven't heard of any specific diseases to watch for that are particular to our area. Enjoy your new chicks and don't be afraid to post any other questions you may have.
I run into MISLABELING all the time at RK, I have almost stopped going there, if you have a question ... they DONT have an answer, they hire kids ( that don't know animals AT ALL ) and they care more about selling clothes and recliners then actual farm stuff. I go to TSC, DH still goes to RK ( for the new gun dept. they just put in... lol ) unless I'm with him. But that's our town, I have herd other RK's are pretty good. Sorry that kinda turned into a rant... didn't mean for it too.....lol
I read latter that you found her, So happyGuys I'm crying here my last little Legbar chick is gone this morning. It's my fault too! I almost brought her in last night because she was on the roost with the big girls (momma was in a nest box) DH has a fit about the birds being in the house though so I moved her into a tank with two roos close to her size. This morning she's gone!!! Not a feather or part left! I don't know what happened?!?!
Didn't know you could use LA-200 on chickens.... thanks for the tip, always have that on hand for my goats...
I think DH is trying to push me into a goat breed that I don't want... and it's not that I don't like the breed it's just that I Don't want to sell a kid KNOWING what that kid will most likely end up as someones dinner. If you eat goat meat that's fine, not saying anyone should not, I don't and I cant even think about that being served at my house, but that's me. Anyway, I went in another direction, sorry my brain is just scattered this morning.. lol.
So DH goes to the auction Saturday to mainly sell some barn clean out hay, and get rid of a very mean roo and My broody hen that eats her eggs ie.. chicks... ( I know you cant sell chickens at auction right now, we have a friend that buys and sells all the time, anyway after this bird flu stuff is over, he is going to replace with 2 hens ) So anyway he sells the hay and a few other little things he took and comes home with A Boar Goat Doe!!!! I have LaMancha's and Nubian x's Dh would like to get into Oberhasssies ( o my that is so spelled wrong... but for the life of me I just cant spell right now and spell check has no ideal what I'm trying to say... lol ) And Toggs, and I'm ok with that. But Y a Boar goat???? Well I'll tell ya why..The ding bat was playing with his HAT during bidding, he wasn't even watching... he was talking to some friends with his back turned even..... He was told all sells are final... So now we have a Boar goat.
How old do you guys think she is? I think only a couple of mths, and should still be on milk, but she is already weaned and I cant get he to take a bottle at all. Do ya think she will have health problems because of being weaned so early??
She is half wild ( working on that ) her front legs are messed up, her hooves point in and her elbows point out. Most the time she walks around with a hunched back ( down not up ) but she eats great and gets around good although I have not seen her " playing " or Jumping. She acts like she is a old nanny.
OP's please.
first post was so long thought I would finish up with a 2nd lol.
I lost 4 BYM eggs and 2 Silkie eggs from my incubator, 2 of the BYM's had icky stuff seeping out of the shells. The 3 eggs that my BJG was sitting on before she started eating them were dead, they just stopped. it looked like they were ready to hatch too. Which is really upsetting cause 1 of the eggs was the LAST fertile AM egg I had. And since my Rooster died I wont get anymore, and I really loved my Gus now I wont get any babies from him. I cried for about an hour.
And trying to find an actual AM Roo in these parts is real hard, it took me 2 years to find Gus. People would say they have one for sale and when I get there... nope its an EE.
My unexpected kid is doing great... he has a very funny personality, its like it is his goal in life to play and make you smile...
Mom is getting some weight on finally :
And Remember Waddles and Chubs...
and we cant forget Splash mom and her kids, she lost 1, it drown in the dog bowel so she now has 5 left.
And the SLW that DH got from " RK " for me after my hen died... they aren't SL they are GL. Not happy but oh well. I don't have pics of them, cant catch them they are as wild as a wild bird, cant get them to calm down any, don't know if I'm going to like the Golds as well as I do the Silvers??? Stupid RK!!
Ok thats all I got for now, hope you all enjoy the pic's.
Have a great day all its time I got to feeding my critters their breakfast.
I lost 4 BYM eggs and 2 Silkie eggs from my incubator, 2 of the BYM's had icky stuff seeping out of the shells. The 3 eggs that my BJG was sitting on before she started eating them were dead, they just stopped. it looked like they were ready to hatch too. Which is really upsetting cause 1 of the eggs was the LAST fertile AM egg I had. And since my Rooster died I wont get anymore, and I really loved my Gus now I wont get any babies from him. I cried for about an hour.
And trying to find an actual AM Roo in these parts is real hard, it took me 2 years to find Gus. People would say they have one for sale and when I get there... nope its an EE.
My unexpected kid is doing great... he has a very funny personality, its like it is his goal in life to play and make you smile...
Mom is getting some weight on finally :
And Remember Waddles and Chubs...
and we cant forget Splash mom and her kids, she lost 1, it drown in the dog bowel so she now has 5 left.
And the SLW that DH got from " RK " for me after my hen died... they aren't SL they are GL. Not happy but oh well. I don't have pics of them, cant catch them they are as wild as a wild bird, cant get them to calm down any, don't know if I'm going to like the Golds as well as I do the Silvers??? Stupid RK!!
Ok thats all I got for now, hope you all enjoy the pic's.
Have a great day all its time I got to feeding my critters their breakfast.
I caught a varmint!
Hopefully she's the only one but I doubt it! The trapping continues!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hopefully she's the only one but I doubt it! The trapping continues!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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