Minnesota!

[Bogtown Chick]

Honestly, it may SEEM like they are growing feathers faster, but that is more of a genetic trait than dietary. What providing more protein during molt will do it help keep them in good condition. It takes as long as it takes to grow feathers though. Some are fast molting and molt during later summer/early fall, which should also indicate better layers. Early molters and those who take a longer time to grow feathers are normally the poorer layers.

Makes sense. I think I see a little more vigor though the next day in them, I swear, LOL. Maybe I'm "rat in a tin crap house" crazy.

And of course I trust what you're saying is the norm for early molters with your many chickens you've raised. But I would have to say Sylvia is the exception, for her age, she has been my longest most reliable layer for the early molting mutt she is. There's always a wild hair in the bunch I guess. Sylvia is it. Mean, tough old bitty with a sugar sweet voice.

 

[Minniechickmama]

It is part of the evaluation process described by Walter Hogan in his book "Call of the Hen" which can be downloaded, I think free, from the internet. I have never read the whole thing, but I should.

 

[Minniechickmama]

be sure, though that it is Blue Kote and not another spray that is blue and antiseptic, it is called something different. I sprayed it (not the blue kote) on a chick and it screamed. So be sure it is Blue Kote! never felt so bad in my life!

There is another brand of stuff and it comes out more magenta and it does sting. It's in a dark blue label with a white cap.

 

[Rhetts]

I do not know anything about Mareks or its vaccine. Are you sure that is not what you are dealing with Mistah?

 

[Minniechickmama]

Holy cow - missed several days and I like never got caught up.

I hope everyone faired the storms from last night okay? It looked like a light show outside up here.

I've got a question

When you get chicks from hatchery and they are vaccinated against Mercks is it true they cannot be around other poultry? Someone at the local TS told the Roomie that last night.

Theoretically, yes, they have been exposed to the virus. But like a chicken pox vaccine, they can still get Mareks. Personally I believe it is a waste of time and money to vaccinate. Which again, I approach these things as a breeder and not as a person who has just a small flock in the backyard. If they are sick or weak, I remove them. To each their own approach though.

 

[The BlanchRanch]

I have a crazy chicken addiction because I am crazy. Maybe my kids played a part in that, maybe not. All I know is there are days I would rather be in a chicken house than my own. SOME days, not every day.

That is why it is their duty to bring you wine!! The kids that is. Not the chickens. Unless you can train them to do so. Then by all means!!

Quote: What a great looking chicken!! Doesn't look a day over 2. Nice yard too!! Is that russian sage in the background?

Almost all my posts are edited due to big fingers and bad typing skills. Not to mention the love to add comments that I forgot. Like this one.

 

[The BlanchRanch]

Now to make a pork tenderloin sammie with my infamous aioli!! Some fries too.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Thank you Blanch Ranch. Sylvia--I have to admit does have a bit of hybrid vigor going on.

This picture was taken a couple years ago after she recovered from Blackhead. She's a complete mess for conformation--early molter, squirrel tailed, oddball coloring, wrong kind of comb. High pitched winey cluck. But I think the character is there in spades. And of course a few eggs here and there in her later years keeps us charmed.

Yes that's Russian Sage there. I lost it last winter though...due to lack of snow. I believe. I replaced it with a nice Japanese ornamental grass with pink Seed heads. Can't wait for that one to grow up...

Mistahbue. I'm just a bit concerned you're letting that bird go on a bit longer than it should. I worry about suffering and also if it is Mareck's ...one missed step in washing your hands or something you might have your other birds in trouble.

There's a big study in Iowa I believe with Amish Chicken raisers bringing in Mareck immunized birds into those not immunized. Just stumbled across it a couple years ago...and never really read it. But when you immunize you are introducing either a live virus vaccine or dead virus vaccine. And there is a time frame of several weeks, maybe months, seperation that is required, I believe before they can be put together.

Alright I'm saying more than I should because I didn't read it thoroughly enough

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I'm going to have to google an aioli recipe...Blanch Ranch. Unless your willing to share your chefly recipe with me. All this talk of smoking and rubbing and injecting chicken or turkey. I put some morten's tender quick on some chicken thigh/leg quarters. Then rinse off when I get home... And Am going to tuck pats of butter & thyme under the skin and slow smoke on the weber with some maple sticks. Can hardly wait!

 

[gofeedthegirls]

Its a velveeta mac and cheese night over here... ah the bach life haha