Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[chickflick]

I jusst let my egg shells dry out naturally and then crush them and either throw them in their run or add to their food.

 

[1muttsfan]

You can feed back shells, but should also have a free choice calcium source available - just the shells from the eggs they lay are unlikely to be enough.

 

[Brennigan]

You can feed back shells, but should also have a free choice calcium source available - just the shells from the eggs they lay are unlikely to be enough.

I'm very new to this, but would a free choice calcium source be the oyster shells?

 

[gladahmae]

I'm very new to this, but would a free choice calcium source be the oyster shells?

yes.

it may not be *her* pulling the feathers, if she is on the bottom of the pecking order as you say. My BIL's flock had a couple of bully hens and every other bird in that pen was missing feathers.

I completely agree with what everyone else has said though. Maybe consider switching them to a flock-raiser/higher protein feed for a little bit (month?) and offer oyster shell on the side.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

I've been thinking about the "where to find 3 chicks" question,
and i have to say that if i had a chance to do it over again i might have been better off spending the extra $$$ and going to a hatchery in person or something like "my pet chicken".

They can give vaccinations for merecks, and things like CRD and MG;
Wild birds spread those diseases and they are prevalent in MI. Feelings are mixed about those diseases, some feel the best course of action is to put the infected birds down since they will spread it themselves after infected. Others, like me have kept theirs with the thought that if it's prevalent then might as well breed for resistance. Either way if your birds catch it you will spend money, either replacing them or on meds to get them by until they are stronger. You will not get eatable eggs during this time.

Therefore for 3 hens that will likely become part of the family my advice is to get the vaccinations and spare yourself the heartache. I know a lot about how to treat disease, and speak a lot about it but sadly it is because i had to learn it as i went.

 

[chickwhispers]

X2...

I get mine vaccinated for Mareks. The first year I didn't. I wanted to go "natural." Lesson learned. I also learned this last month how to give injections. This year I plan on giving other vaccinations to my chicks that I can.

 

[mattsinger]

X2...

I get mine vaccinated for Mareks. The first year I didn't. I wanted to go "natural." Lesson learned. I also learned this last month how to give injections. This year I plan on giving other vaccinations to my chicks that I can.

so...If I hatch chicks.... where do I get the stuff to vaccinate the chicks? and what to you buy

 

[chickwhispers]

You can order them online. Just be sure to order from a reputable source. (I plan on using one of the hatcheries that offer vaccines as well.)

 

[Brennigan]

I've been thinking about the "where to find 3 chicks" question,
and i have to say that if i had a chance to do it over again i might have been better off spending the extra $$$ and going to a hatchery in person or something like "my pet chicken".

They can give vaccinations for merecks, and things like CRD and MG;
Wild birds spread those diseases and they are prevalent in MI. Feelings are mixed about those diseases, some feel the best course of action is to put the infected birds down since they will spread it themselves after infected. Others, like me have kept theirs with the thought that if it's prevalent then might as well breed for resistance. Either way if your birds catch it you will spend money, either replacing them or on meds to get them by until they are stronger. You will not get eatable eggs during this time.

Therefore for 3 hens that will likely become part of the family my advice is to get the vaccinations and spare yourself the heartache. I know a lot about how to treat disease, and speak a lot about it but sadly it is because i had to learn it as i went.

Thanks for the reassurance!
I really did like the reassurance that Townline would vaccinate for a small fee on the spot, and at least I could see the locations where they were coming from. I've only heard good things now from Townline, but I think I will be happier placing a direct order/visit from the supplier instead of finding a middle-man.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

This what i scrounged up, i work 2nd so i gotta get off the computer!! lol

http://www.merck-animal-health.com/species/poultry/inactivated-vaccines.aspx
http://www.randallburkey.com/Vaccines/products/40/
http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/store2/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29846
http://www.hilltopfeed.net/Qstore/Qstore.cgi?CMD=009&DEPT=1055738226
http://www.strombergschickens.com/prod_detail_list/Poultry-Vaccines-Blood-Tests

The biggest thing is to make sure that they are truly vaccinated for more than just coccidiosis if from a hatchery; vaccinated don't mean vaccinated against everything! the merecks and the crd/ mg are pretty big right now in MI. There is another thing but i can't think of it right now.. also if you do vacc against coccidiosis you are NOT supposed to feed mecicated chick feed. This would overdose! Best to you all.

Amie