Keith Cooper

[keithcooper]

Hi 'Newby" here just starting out, & so many, as yet, unanswered questions, I stay just outside Rustenburg, North West Province, about 20k's on the West side & about 500 mtrs off the main N4 highway to Botswana & Namibia. Currently I am buying in from Pretoria 4-6 week old birds, then raising them free range & selling back to my 'Seller'' @ 20 wks old. Already had about 60% losses due to one fact or another, but managed to get in touch with one of my Vets who specialises in Poultry, via Rainbow Chickens, her knowledge is limited to raising ''table birds'' but as with layers & breeders, seems to remain the same for both, until about 20-22 wks. I have already applied some of her knowledge & since Sunday I have had no losses, though have found 3 'blind' birds, maybe somebody out there can tell me why this has happened ?
Eventually after having 'learnt the ropes' I will be breeding my own stock of pure Rhode Island Red's of which from my school days was brought up with ! & developing the hatchery for this purpose, any & all advise will be highly appreciated

thank you

Keith Cooper

 

[N F C]

Hi Keith, welcome to BYC!

If you post over on the emergency/disease forum, you may be able to get some feedback on what has caused the blindness in your birds. This will take you there:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

Good luck with all your plans, hope it all goes well for you.

 

[keithcooper]

thank you will go there now !!

 

[N F C]

You're welcome Keith, keep us posted on how things are going. Have a great day!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi Keith

Glad you could join the flock! Congratulations on getting your chicken venture underway. But sorry to hear you have suffered losses Hope you are able to get lots of feedback on your blind birds and that you can get things sorted out as soon as possible. The learning centre ha slots of great articles on all aspects of raising chickens. Here is the link if you have not dropped by already ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Wishing you the very best of luck with your flock in the future and getting a hatchery up and running.
Be sure to ask all the questions you need to, everyone here to help and very friendly.

Enjoy BYC

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to the flock,

 

[keithcooper]

Thank you all, for your warm welcomes, I know I have stacks to learn, but BYC seems to be the way to go for more learning & great advice, now just have to hone my almost non-existent computer skills but as with all parts of life..."one day at a time"
kind regards
Keith C