Maine

[ashandvine]

For people who have kept birds a long time they already know to be treating and managing pests. If you are new or you don't know then how do you learn? There are a lot of 'back yard flocks' here and many many new people to keeping chickens in general so its really not at all new for someone to not know or not be so 'serious' that they weren't on top of things. Worms happen. You are developing your management practices. If someone is stunned that your birds poop worms maybe they aren't out there looking at feces that often. It shouldn't happen once you get in a routine of knowing when to treat and how to spot these things... but it is a learning curve so cut yourself some slack. When I talk with folks about having birds I try to remind them that they are keeping an animal and to do that well you have to pay attention to all the aspects of keeping: food, bathing, behavior, feces, environment. You have to touch them even. {Yes I know folks who never touched their birds after they lost their chick down who cringed at the idea. They also happened to have some very miserable birds that I could see had mites and had big red bare butts on and on]. Chickens are not an egg vending machine. I have been anti names at my house for a while and just recently decided its okay to name the ones we want to keep and not eat. It doesn't mean I am any less 'serious' so please allow yourself [and others] to grow and develop management tactics.

On another note: I have ducks and geese due very very soon! Oh man I am excited. And setting the last batch of chicken eggs here tonight: ALL Russian Orloffs MWAHAHAHA! sorry I think I am tired

 

[quailtrail]

Awe baby ducks!!!! Still working on DH for ducks. But one step at a time. So nervous about lock down Wed for the SLW and Ameraucanas. Hoping for a better hatch. Then lock down for bator #2 Friday. .. and my Dominique eggs will be here Wednesday! !!! I'm gonna have to figure out some musical bator spots...

 

[quailtrail]

Oh and I absolutely love everyone here. The advice, and non-judging, makes us newbies comfortable asking our questions!

♡

♡

 

[ashandvine]

Just another note... some folks are buying birds from people whereby the birds already have worms and may not have been treated or that new person didn't know to treat.
Its a good idea to learn a lot about the care of any new animal you take on before getting them but many people do not do this. Learning is good, not making the same mistakes repeatedly is good, and while we all get a little opinionated in here, me included, I can attest to having had one heck of an induction early on. I tell folks outright what I can if they will listen now. Maybe when I get perfect at it I can be preachy. Not till then.
And BTW I just played musical incubator too. I just HAD to set those Orloff eggs. All totaled it was actually near three dozen.

 

[quailtrail]

Just another note... some folks are buying birds from people whereby the birds already have worms and may not have been treated or that new person didn't know to treat.
Its a good idea to learn a lot about the care of any new animal you take on before getting them but many people do not do this.  Learning is good, not making the same mistakes repeatedly is good, and while we all get a little opinionated in here, me included, I can attest to having had one heck of an induction early on.  I tell folks outright what I can if they will listen now.  Maybe when I get perfect at it I can be preachy.  Not till then.
And BTW I just played musical incubator too.  I just HAD to set those Orloff eggs.  All totaled it was actually near three dozen.

3 dz Orloff eggs?

 

[ashandvine]

YUPPERS. They are 'my' bird Well, my chicken breed of choice anyway. I like a lot of them, Favs and Chanteclers, Sultans and Ams are all in the top, as well as Langshans, Javas, Brahmas and heritage PBR... but then there are ducks and geese in the world... oh man. I just decided to get serious serious about who to work with here this last year or so and this is where I am right now. My son has a breed to work, I have one, we share the ducks and I love the geese despite their breeding season Jekyll and Hyde routine.

 

[quailtrail]

YUPPERS.  They are 'my' bird   Well, my chicken breed of choice anyway.  I like a lot of them, Favs and Chanteclers, Sultans and Ams are all in the top, as well as Langshans, Javas, Brahmas and heritage PBR... but then there are ducks and geese in the world... oh man.  I just decided to get serious serious about who to work with here this last year or so and this is where I am right now.  My son has a breed to work, I have one, we share the ducks and I love the geese despite their breeding season Jekyll and Hyde routine. 

oh ... so just a couple!!??? Lol.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

I found this online.
www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/.../conservation-priority-list
Just wondering how accurate you guys think this is. I've decided that it want to start breeding one or two rare breeds and this is a very interesting list. I like that it shows ones that are threatened as well as some that are recovering.

 

[suzMEchicks]

Ok I am definitely just a backyarder . Just 6 chickens . I'm trying to keep up with what you all are saying about mites and worms. I don't see any sign of either one. But I do see signs of misery at my sister's . She has 12 chickens . I was over the other day to help her with a few things and most of her chickens look realy ragged. Some are missing a lot of feathers. Some to bare butts and very red . My question is could I bring that back to my little flock presuming they have a mite problem? I'm not touching them but I'm tramping around the yard with them.
The boys across the street came over today and moved my chicken coop . I am so happy. Now I can get busy on the big run I have wanted to build for them. Great weather for projects right?

 

[CoopChick719]

How old are they now??? They get so big too fast!

Quailtrail, The chicks were 3 weeks old last Friday.

Coopchick, when I had my first sick hen, she did have mites ( I don't know if that was the only thing wrong with her, but she did survive). UMaine hooked me up with a chicken vet that did phone consultations. I mentioned the possibility of worms, and she basically said all chickens get worms, especially if they go outside.
She seemed much less freaked out than I was.

It IS supposed to mean a heavy worm load if you see worms on the poop board, but I kind of wonder if this only happens with certain less-healthy hens. When this shows up in my coop, it is always in the same spot on the poop board. Some people only use natural remedies (which I'm not sure work for a heavy worm load), but they have a survival of the fittest attitude. I do treat mine, but only as necessary.

I also know people with chickens that never really learn much about them, but it is not like they abuse their animals or anything. I try to learn what I can, and take good care, but only to a point. It might be different if I were retired. I would only take people's negative comments on your management practices seriously if they had been to your house and visited your flock.

Bucka, From all the reading I've done, most have agreed that if chickens touch the ground, they can get worms. That's why some people have a worming schedule. I really don't like to have to give them a chemical twice a year if they don't actually need it but I have had a 2 birds die from mites & worms so I am being more conscientious of those warning signs. I certainly agree about caring for your flock, treating if they need treatment, learning what you can to help them. It would certainly be different if I were retired and the girls could be free all day but they can't so I try to keep the pen floor forest like and not hard packed dirt. I am learning to take some of what's posted on BYC with a grain of salt. Just like raising children--smile & nod at the adviser but then do what's best for you & your family.

CoopChick - the size between the meat birds and layers is just incredible! Are they the same age? (I have no experience with them.)

Izzybella, They ARE the same age! Isn't that amazing?! The meat birds are a sweet bird. They seem to sleep a lot but I think that's because they are growing so fast and it takes up a lot of energy. I had separated them from the layers for a few days thinking that the brooder was getting crowded. I attached my wire dog crate to the end of the brooder box to give everyone more room. I think the layers missed the bigger birds warmth. They like to sleep near and even stretched on top of them.

Coop chick, I was following that thread. Take it from whence it comes. When I saw that statement made by that person, I was not the least bit surprised, as he is one of several who is extremely abrasive, and has a "my way is the only right way" attitude. Honestly, I don't remember who it was, there are several with that kind of attitude, and I've learned to laugh at them b/c they are so pathetically opinionated. And, that's MY OPINION!!! I choose not to raise my chickens in a bubble. Nor will I let them die if they have an issue that is easily treatable. I can see both sides of the coin, tend to offer my opinion when none is asked, and sincerely hope that I do not offend anyone in the process.

Normally everyone on that thread is very helpful & supportive. His abrasive comment was just off-putting (like having a glass of cold water thrown in your face) and unlike the usual tone of the thread. I recognize he's not new to BYC but has only recently started posting there since I've been following it. I'm glad someone else was quick to point out that she & I were not knowingly causing a worm problem. I was interested in his reply on using food grade livestock salt to dry out worm eggs in the litter & run. My actually thoughts were "Ok, Mr. SmartyPants, let's hear your solution."