Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[gladahmae]

I want to hatch my own eggs but i only want to hatch a couple at a time what incubator should i use?

if you don't want to fiddle around, get something digital...brinsea mini eco (or advance) holds something like 7 or 8 eggs. I have a hovabator genesis.....holds close to 40 in the turner. I highly recommend something with a fan, but a LOT of people have good luck with the still air incubators as well. I had lousy luck with my first incubator and it involved a lot of fiddling around, and the humidity was all over the place. I'm much happier with my genesis. BIL built his and it works well also. There is a BIG section on building your own if you are so inclined.....it can be a lot cheaper, if you don't factor in the cost of your time.

Or get a silkie hen.

 

[naglady]

lady r i agree its never easy to process. sounds like you got some good eats though..

 

[Amy PT]

The Dawn is mostly just to help dissolve any yuck off them more easily, not for the feet specifically. I think the Epsom salts would be great. My birds actually seemed to enjoy a foot massage in the warm water. Pick a shady spot or indoors if you are going to do it today though, yuck.

Oh! Chicken baths?

 

[Stacykins]

The public is welcome to speak. You actually have 2 opportunities to speak, 1 regarding the agenda items and later for any any topic you think is applicable to MDARD scope, ie backyard chickens for small farm rights!

I'm starting to plan for the 8 hour drive up to the UP. I will probably have to make it a 2 day trip and come up the night before the meeting.

I am more looking to listen, rather than doing any speaking!

 

[ladyrsanti]

There, both chicks. I'm keeping an eye on Custard though because she seems a little weak to me. Trying to make sure she eats and drinks. I don't think she's left the nest at all and did her massive poo in it this morning.

Worried that the chicks were going to get all messy, I scooped it out. Mothers, I tell you! With chickens, as in life, always the little ones and never themselves.

 

[tjbeckman]

Whew its been awhile everyone, I have been without my chickens for a month since I moved. Tonight I am going to attempt to move them to my new house! Cross your fingers!

 

[Opa]

Bumblefoot isn't very common and scale mite infestation is often mistaken for bumblefoot. The swollen appearance can often start at the toes before the pronounced scale popping appears. With bumblefoot a very obvious entry wound will be present on the bottom of the foot.
Scale mites can be treated quite easily and effectively by spraying legs and feet with any skin safe oil. Mineral oil is an excellent choice and once rather than make a special trip to get it I use Avon Skin So Soft with excellent results. Plus my chickens smelled nice for a few days.

 

[Amy PT]

Bumblefoot isn't very common and scale mite infestation is often mistaken for bumblefoot. The swollen appearance can often start at the toes before the pronounced scale popping appears. With bumblefoot a very obvious entry wound will be present on the bottom of the foot.
Scale mites can be treated quite easily and effectively by spraying legs and feet with any skin safe oil. Mineral oil is an excellent choice and once rather than make a special trip to get it I use Avon Skin So Soft with excellent results. Plus my chickens smelled nice for a few days.

They have a black round scab on the pads of their feet. Everything I'm reading points to only bumblefoot.

 

[NovaAman]

Another really easy way to treat the scale mite is pick up redkote, either the oil with the dauber, or the spray. Works like a dream as well. It's right next to the bluekote... or coat... however it's spelled. I have the bottle with the dauber as I have used it for more than just feet. Have used it for injuries too, and really was a GOD SEND for keeping Little Pretty free of flies and infection after the raccoon got her.

She is on the mend BTW. Will post an updated pic of her tonight. She hasn't lost any mobility or use of her wing, as she's able to fly up to roost. I don't let her roost yet with the birds as she still has several open areas. She's on 2 weeks now and has scabbed up nicely, and the skin is knitting back together slow but sure. Her eggs sadly, didn't survive, and I do believe that is my fault. In trying to find the easier way to keep her wounds free of parasite and infection, I did use the redkote. I didn't think about the eggs. Some of the oil smeared over to the eggs and I do believe they suffocated. They should have hatched today. I thought that she'd be easier to keep still to heal if I kept her on her eggs. Bad mistake on my part, but she kept still, rejected the eggs about 5 days ago... but I kept putting them back under her and she was resigned to the task. Live and learn.

Juise, I posted on your other thread. I need to get your number. We need to hang for a few hours just to hang. I think I told you my cell that your number was in took a total poop and since it is a sim card free phone, I couldn't retrieve your number. Willing to help you get the fence up if you need. Just supply an endless cup of cold tea with sugar... or honey... something. LOL I am game for lemonaide too.

Bumble foot... Had only one hen ever get it. I left it alone, kept an eye on it. Her's was more to the side of a toe, not the bottom, so never got the classic kernal/scab with her. She healed up on her own. Maybe there is something to running around vs the confinement.

 

[NovaAman]

Updated phoenix pics. Just a few...

This is Mr. Ed... Named after Decoyman. He was the first one out of his shell, the first one to escape the brooder, made it all the way through my house to my bedroom, with out getting killed by any of the 3 cats and 2 dogs! He's a beauty.

By far the prettiest pullet. Lemon is her name.

This hole they are bathing in started as a raccoon digging hole. I have fence on the floor of their little run and it couldn't get in. HA! Anyway, they decided it was the perfect bathing hole after i filled the soil back in.

His barring on his neck is a bit dizzy. LOL He's got a great attitude. Takes my picking him up very well.

Mr. Ed from the side. He's got such nice color. I hope my boy will be able to show him next year. So far I am so pleased with how pretty he is looking. He also has a nice personality at this time. Hope it doesn't change. I know, the pics are over a half a month old... but, hey... give me a bit, and i'll post pics from today.