Minnesota!

[HDLMN]

Im here from mn, southwest Hennepin, orono/ long lake area

 

[LoganTW]

No greenhouse (although I'd love one) but I do grow greenery for my birds all year round in a few aquariums. I grow a couple varieties of duckweed that my hens go nuts over.

this winter I'm going to try it in my coop's AKA barn's milk room that they stored and processed milk to have a fodder system and a few plants too! but that's about it and i don't know if it will work (i will post it if it does)

 

[LoganTW]

Im here from mn, southwest Hennepin, orono/ long lake area

hi welcome to backyard chickens!!!

 

[HDLMN]

hi welcome to backyard chickens!!!:yiipchick

thanks! I already like it here!

 

[Cyrus83]

Has anyone had any experience with golden sex link? I keep reading that they are prone to health issues?

 

[FoxyChicken]

Has anyone had any experience with golden sex link? I keep reading that they are prone to health issues?

I've got two, they just turned a year old and so far so good. They were supposed to be buff orpingtons but the feed store clerk gave me sex links by mistake, and I didn't know any better either! They've got great personalities, super curious and bold. I do worry about them because I've also read about all the health issues but I have to say of my 6 birds they are two of the healthiest so far. I haven't had one issue with either of them, other than behavioral (feather picking). They're just so gregarious I think they get bored easily. They lay big eggs every day without fail so I can only assume they'll burn out quicker than the others, but I don't get double yolkers from them which I guess can be a sign that they'll eventually end up with internal laying issues.

 

[Cyrus83]

How about wyandottes?

 

[FoxyChicken]

I've got one Silver Laced and she's similar in personality to the sex links, maybe not quite as gregarious. She was very friendly towards me as a chick so she quickly became my favorite. My flock definitely segregates themselves, the 2 sex links and the wyandotte hang together and the three black australorps hang together. It seems to be a personality thing because the 3 australorps are more timid and quiet (but very sweet) while the three "chuckleheads" are into EVERYTHING. It's actually quite interesting to watch the dynamics. My wyandotte lays very well now but it took her 9 months to start laying. That may be because I got them a tad late in the year so they came in to laying age during the winter. But, she is another one who I've never had a health issue with other than behavioral (feather picking again). They can be bullies from what I've read, and I would say that mine fits that bill. My poor australorps have taken the brunt of all the bullying, that's probably why I've had some health issues with them.
SO, my thoughts are that I wouldn't mix sex links or wyandottes with breeds that are known to be timid, but maybe a flock of just wyandottes or sex links would be okay? I put a question mark there because this is my first flock and I've only had them a year so I am no expert for sure!

 

[Chickenchick11]

Has anyone had any experience with golden sex link? I keep reading that they are prone to health issues?

I've never had any experience with sex links but my neighbor only buys sex links. He says that he buys them because they lay great but only last about 2 years before they die of heart failure or other things so then he doesn't have to worry about culling them when they quit laying.

 

[Vashjir]

Anyone know how to deal with an overheated hen? My EE went and got herself caught in the rabbit live trap and was stuck there in the hot sun for at least a few hours. Once I got her out she didn't seem right. She's panting heavily, very weak and easily handled (she's normally the one I can't touch). I got her a big pan of cool water and even gave her a bit of a dunk. I had to force her beak in the water before she started drinking, but she continued drinking between panting spells thereafter.

It's been 30 min since I got her out and she really hasn't moved from the water pan. Any suggestions on how I can help her recuperate?