Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[kimmie6067]

What advice on introducing new birds? Say from craigslist? Or say babies you get from a farm store (TSC)?


I have a hen sitting on 9 eggs should I candle them? Or can I? This is their second week.

I am giving away two Icelandic roo's that are almost a year old and a hen.


Kimmie

 

[RaZ]

Raz, the Tractor Supply in Howell get chicks on the 25th

You are not helping. I'm trying to avoid any trip to any place that has peepers. I like the Howell TSC though and the feed mill by the tracks.

The two Wendys who offered me salmon favs, please let me know that the offer is still good. Before I catch fluffy-butt-itis.

 

[SillyChicken]

Awesome, Silly.

I can bring them by. Either later this afternoon or tomorrow morning, which is best for you?

I'm here till 4 today and same tomorrow... when ever convenient.

 

[SillyChicken]

I didn't know that TSC (WL) had chicks yet. I was waiting until next week to go. I like that TSC better than the one in New Hudson.

I should be good and hold off though. I've been offered salmon faverolles later in Spring. Decisions, decisions.

Build the bigger coop. You will end up needing the space even if you don't fill it with chickens. You can partition it smaller a lot easier than making it bigger. Besides, plywood is 4x8 for a reason.

Raz, sorry, none of the rest of my faverolle eggs hatched.. so I won't have any spare. If that helps with your decisions...I ended up needing to order more for myself.

 

[RIRJen]

Sweet!! just silkies in the bator or show girls eggs too?

Nope, just silkies...actually only silkie eggs from the blue/splash pen. Still no eggs from the showgirls...((sigh))

What advice on introducing new birds? Say from craigslist? Or say babies you get from a farm store (TSC)?
I have a hen sitting on 9 eggs should I candle them? Or can I? This is their second week.
I am giving away two Icelandic roo's that are almost a year old and a hen.
Kimmie

Make sure to quaranteen(s?) them for a month...babies I wouldn't be too worried about but adults need to be watched for diseases.
I candled my hens eggs last summer both times she was sitting. As long as your hen doesn't mind being pushed around for a quick look I don't see a problem with it. I went out at night so she was sleeping anyways and I just pulled them out one at a time and put an X on them before I put them back. But the X was because the other girls kept trying to give her more eggs lol.

 

[gladahmae]

Make sure to quaranteen(s?) them for a month...babies I wouldn't be too worried about but adults need to be watched for diseases.
I candled my hens eggs last summer both times she was sitting. As long as your hen doesn't mind being pushed around for a quick look I don't see a problem with it. I went out at night so she was sleeping anyways and I just pulled them out one at a time and put an X on them before I put them back. But the X was because the other girls kept trying to give her more eggs

Yep. Quarantine. I also wormed my CL chickens, and slathered their legs with Vaseline (and sprayed them with veg oil the next time because the Vaseline was so darn messy and it was COLD out!) in case of leg mites. I have a 48in dog kennel set up in the coop right now too, so we can do a 'look but don't touch' period for a few days once quarantine time was over. That's probably over-kill but my wyandottes can be pretty bratty about new birds. Other than that, I just kept the blu-kote handy for any pecking-causing-blood incidents.

 

[gladahmae]

I'm glad my girls aren't going out much lately. With all the snow and wind we've gotten this week, there's a drift almost to the top of the perimeter fence, and if they chose to walk over the drift, they could just about walk right out of the run.

I'm not worried about the big fat ladies, but the new banty is very curious and I caught her hanging out half way up the drift earlier this morning. All I need is for her to turn into the ringleader....

 

[kimmie6067]

Nope, just silkies...actually only silkie eggs from the blue/splash pen. Still no eggs from the showgirls...((sigh))

Make sure to quaranteen(s?) them for a month...babies I wouldn't be too worried about but adults need to be watched for diseases.
I candled my hens eggs last summer both times she was sitting. As long as your hen doesn't mind being pushed around for a quick look I don't see a problem with it. I went out at night so she was sleeping anyways and I just pulled them out one at a time and put an X on them before I put them back. But the X was because the other girls kept trying to give her more eggs lol.

How far away do need to have the new ones away from the old ones?

 

[kimmie6067]

I'm glad my girls aren't going out much lately. With all the snow and wind we've gotten this week, there's a drift almost to the top of the perimeter fence, and if they chose to walk over the drift, they could just about walk right out of the run.

I'm not worried about the big fat ladies, but the new banty is very curious and I caught her hanging out half way up the drift earlier this morning. All I need is for her to turn into the ringleader....

Chickens are funny to watch.

 

[Opa]

When quarantining birds I've always proscribed with the policy of keeping them far enough apart that they don't breathe the same air. Also you should not work with the quarantined birds and then go to your primary flock.