Michigan

[NovaAman]

I dont' think it'll work. I gave a "talk" about the pellets.. That didn't work...

 

[Olive Hill]

Quote:

 

[BobBry]

Quote:
What makes you think chickens aren't the same way? That is precisely why the responsible thing to do is to cull. With many infectious diseases they continue to shed the disease after they've "recovered" and are, therefore, a danger to all other chickens. Some diseases do not even need a host to survive long term, they can live in the soil, in your coop bedding, on the roosts, etc. So you go to your coop, fiddle around and then go to the feed store and bring the disease with you. Another chicken owner comes into the feed store behind you, unknowingly picking up infectious disease as he walks. He then goes back to his flock and the disease is spread all over again. It's not about whether or not they're "just pets", it's about understanding that each of us is not an island unto our own and the decisions we make and the actions we take with our own flocks effect everyone else. It's not about "saving" your chickens, it's about understanding that you are putting every other chicken at risk by keeping carriers around.

Olive Hill,

So what do you think? My BO had a wheeze for less than a day. Five in flock. No other symptoms since, in any of them . Been a wk or two now. Should I be quarantined? Change my name to "Mary" . I don't have experience to rely on.
Seriously, bob

 

[RaZ]

If you're not getting enough eggs, try more groping.

 

[RaZ]

Couldn't resist that last post. All in fun, ya know.

I too, was wondering why egg production was off. Only 2 on Tuesday but back up to 3 on Wednesday. Ventured out to the coop this morning and found 4! Trouble is, 2 were in a "hidden" nest. Seems someone made a nest on the floor in the pine shavings under the work bench. From the looks of the eggs, I suspect one of the BOs.

Sold 2 dozen eggs yesterday to a girl at school. I had them in baskets and got some strange looks from people on campus but a lot of attention from the pretty coeds.

At least 2 more people want to buy eggs and 1 girl wants to come by and see the chickies.

Might have to get a few more hens here...

 

[chicken grandma]

Quote:
What makes you think chickens aren't the same way? That is precisely why the responsible thing to do is to cull. With many infectious diseases they continue to shed the disease after they've "recovered" and are, therefore, a danger to all other chickens. Some diseases do not even need a host to survive long term, they can live in the soil, in your coop bedding, on the roosts, etc. So you go to your coop, fiddle around and then go to the feed store and bring the disease with you. Another chicken owner comes into the feed store behind you, unknowingly picking up infectious disease as he walks. He then goes back to his flock and the disease is spread all over again. It's not about whether or not they're "just pets", it's about understanding that each of us is not an island unto our own and the decisions we make and the actions we take with our own flocks effect everyone else. It's not about "saving" your chickens, it's about understanding that you are putting every other chicken at risk by keeping carriers around.

Olive Hill,

So what do you think? My BO had a wheeze for less than a day. Five in flock. No other symptoms since, in any of them . Been a wk or two now. Should I be quarantined? Change my name to "Mary" . I don't have experience to rely on.
Seriously, bob

Fuzzy - I think Olive is correct if it is a communicable disease. But I had a hen who got pneumonia and I could have culled her but we gave her antibiotic (Amoxicillan 0.5 ml twice/day) and she is fine now and her flock mates are fine and the vet said that my friends with chickens do not have to worry about spreading any disease.
He also said that the weather change can cause the respiratory problems and while my hen was ill, he recommended a heat lamp be available to her. I have young chickens who are 7 weeks old and they have a heat lamp in the coop that they can sit under.
So I think it is worth finding out what you have and then deciding what to do on a case by case basis.
Because something like roundworms is completely treatable. We had them here 2 years ago and treated the flock and haven't had them recur. But a parasite like Coccidia is chronic in the intestinal tract and can live in the soil and can be spread between flocks. I always wear my street shoes to visit other flocks and then I set my shoes in bleach upon returning home.
Here are two offices with Avian Veterinarians West of Grand Rapids.
Drs. Obrian and Bytwerk
1045 Fulton Ave
Grand Haven, MI 49417
616-847-7387

Dr. Jeanne Corbett
3699 Pontaluna Rd
Fruitport, MI 49415
231-865-6949

And Georgetown Animal Hospital in Hudsonville, Dr. Bader in Holland, Animal Clinic at 133 28th street in Grand Rapids (near 131 expressway and 28th st exit) and Cascade Animal Hospital in Cascade.

 

[Opa]

With regard to giving pep talks to encourage laying I'm thinking that perhaps if I purchase a white suit and trim my white beard to just a mustache and goatee it might have more effect.

 

[RaZ]

Quote:
And don't forget that black ribbon tie.

 

[Chickmate]

If anyone on this thread would like some egg cartons, please PM me. I have more than I will ever use.

 

[M.sue]

OK I'm not boasting but I'm still getting anywhere from 7-9 out of my 10 that lay. That little Bantam (which makes 11) only lays an egg when she's good & ready. She's 7 months old and I've probably only gotten 10 total maybe less from her. I don't mind....she sits on everyone elses.

So now that I've just jinxed myself production will drop drastically starting tomorrow....lol