just wanted to share this

Cute story! And "paying their rent" is a line I am so stealing!

We have 3 RSL in our mixed flock and they are wonderful birds. Originally I wanted them for their egg-laying ability, but after finding out what sweet and funny personalities they have, I'm hooked on them. There for a while, I thought one of them (Scottie) was going nuts, she began pecking me (hard!) whenever I went in the coop or run. It turned out, she just loves to be held! She has since learned not to peck me so hard and I've learned to pick her up when she comes running. Scottie helps me check the nesting boxes and we have very serious discussions about each egg laid (her's are the best of course). She is the calmest and friendliest girl we have.

Love those RSL's!

 

I have a Production Red I named Sweets because she really is so nice. I found out hybrids, links, and production types are more prone to ovarian cancer and other reproduction complications, and get frail bones from the egg strain. They often only live a couple years. I will be getting no more of this type unless they are rescues.

 

I am going thru a hard time right now. I got 10 chicks 2 and a half years ago at the feed store, all of them are from a hatchery (3 production reds, 2 barred rocks, 2 white leghorns, 2 EE and 1 black sex link) I only have 4 left (all of them are very dear for me because they were my first chickens and they were all very sweet). The ones that I have lost had egg peritonitis, one had ovarian cancer, one had necrosis on the hip joint. Right now I have my barred rock with signs of egg peritonitis, she quit laying about a week ago, she is not as active as she used to be. I picked her up today and her abdomen is distended, I am watching her carefully, I will give her her favorite treats every day and treat her like a queen. I know that eventually she will have to go.
They all gave us lots of wonderful eggs and now I wish they would have slowed down a bit so they wouldn't wear out so soon. I am switching to heritage chickens now, no more hatchery chicks!!!

 

kim10261. thank you very much for your kind words. I got very much attached to my girls because they were my first and because we went thru a lot together. Specially the one that had ovarian cancer, she grew on me from the very beginning, following me every where and she was the only one that would let me pick her up without a fuss. I took her to the vet because I knew she had egg peritonitis but I wanted a confirmation. Sure enough,after some tests the vet told me it was exactly what she had and even though she was still some how active and eating OK, I knew she would deteriorate and I did not want her to suffer. She and I had a "little talk" I thank her for the wonderful eggs she gave us and told her that i hope she had a good life. There was a necropsy done and it came back with ovarian cancer besides the EYP.
It was very hard at the beginning but as they kept on getting sick and more died, it got not so bad. I cried for every one of them and they all have a piece of my heart. This is part of keeping chickens and now I know that it is inevitable so I have become stronger and come to appreciate each one of them every single day they spend with us.

 

I am an ova vegetarian. I was vegan until my chickens started laying eggs. I only have Sweets that I have to worry about with the diseases. She lays monster eggs every day, and it scares me.