MJ's little flock

[BY Bob]

Oh dear. That doesn't sound good. Lavender is crash landing upwards. She was never the most athletic chook but now...

I imagine some feathers would help. She's a little low right now.

 

[Ribh]

The vet told me something today, which I'd always had a sense of but never fully understood.

Chickens with Sandy's genes are elderly at the age of 3. He estimates her age at 3.5.

Shad talks about them dying too soon, but I didn't feel alert to the "early" geriatric part of it.

So it doesn't matter how careful and cautious my husbandry is, she's in her twilight.

If she makes it to 5, she'll be an outlier.

Anyway, today she got a jab of something to rejuvenate her joints (it stimulates stem cell growth) and she'll have another next week, and the whole bunch are on lincospectin for a few days because Janet's been sneezing n wheezing lately.

Poor Sandy. That's awful! You are doing such a good job with her.

 

[MaryJanet]

Poor Sandy. That's awful! You are doing such a good job with her.

Now I realise she's old, when I think about her happiness and youngster-shepherding, I realise she's doing quite well.

 

[Ribh]

She's entitled to be a little grumpy.

 

[pspatbyc]

The vet told me something today, which I'd always had a sense of but never fully understood.

Chickens with Sandy's genes are elderly at the age of 3. He estimates her age at 3.5.

Shad talks about them dying too soon, but I didn't feel alert to the "early" geriatric part of it.

So it doesn't matter how careful and cautious my husbandry is, she's in her twilight.

If she makes it to 5, she'll be an outlier.

Anyway, today she got a jab of something to rejuvenate her joints (it stimulates stem cell growth) and she'll have another next week, and the whole bunch are on lincospectin for a few days because Janet's been sneezing n wheezing lately.

LOL - I could use a jab of "something to rejuvenate her joints (it stimulates stem cell growth) " . I hope she does well on treatment. Makes me worried for my girls as they are BSL

 

[pspatbyc]

I imagine some feathers would help. She's a little low right now.

If she's lost flight feathers shes probably out trim/balance. Poor girl.

 

[Shadrach]

Reading posts like this, and there are many of them on these forums makes me sad and angry.
How is it possible for chickens that should live to ten and twelve years old as a natural lifespan be dying at three and four.
This is a topic we often discuss at the chicken club and a topic I and a few others write to each other about.
The backyard chicken keeping movement is often unwittingly supporting the shortening of the chickens lifespan. Those who make money from the craze don't care.
I've been asked by some chicken keepers I know why I joined BYC; they would like to see the site closed down.
Getting chickens with good genetics in Australia and the USA is a major problem, particularly for heritage breeds. The cost and complications involved in importing a sufficient number of these breeds to enhance their genes is truly staggering so very few get imported and these are bred and bred to provide the thousands of heritage breeds wanted.
I can in theory travel to say Italy and go and inspect a flock of proper Leghorns; speak to the breeder, pick a breeding pair and return home with the minimum of paperwork and for not a huge amount of money. Many European enthusiasts do exactly this. If for example I wanted to keep Campines as Ribh does I could travel to Belgium and pick a pair or buy eggs and never go anywhere near a hatchery.
What I find even more angry making is on this and other forums, one gets told that hatchery stock are fine and you can buy with confidence. It's a lie. Anyone who knows anything about how the breeders and hatcheries operate must know that the chickens they stock are in general going to be genetically sub standard.
There are few areas where disinformation is perpetrated by the industry, the above is just one.

 

[Shadrach]

Now I realise she's old, when I think about her happiness and youngster-shepherding, I realise she's doing quite well.

She's not old MJ, just another unfortunate chicken that luckily has a keeper who cares.

 

[MaryJanet]

Reading posts like this, and there are many of them on these forums makes me sad and angry.
How is it possible for chickens that should live to ten and twelve years old as a natural lifespan be dying at three and four.
This is a topic we often discuss at the chicken club and a topic I and a few others write to each other about.
The backyard chicken keeping movement is often unwittingly supporting the shortening of the chickens lifespan. Those who make money from the craze don't care.
I've been asked by some chicken keepers I know why I joined BYC; they would like to see the site closed down.
Getting chickens with good genetics in Australia and the USA is a major problem, particularly for heritage breeds. The cost and complications involved in importing a sufficient number of these breeds to enhance their genes is truly staggering so very few get imported and these are bred and bred to provide the thousands of heritage breeds wanted.
I can in theory travel to say Italy and go and inspect a flock of proper Leghorns; speak to the breeder, pick a breeding pair and return home with the minimum of paperwork and for not a huge amount of money. Many European enthusiasts do exactly this. If for example I wanted to keep Campines as Ribh does I could travel to Belgium and pick a pair or buy eggs and never go anywhere near a hatchery.
What I find even more angry making is on this and other forums, one gets told that hatchery stock are fine and you can buy with confidence. It's a lie. Anyone who knows anything about how the breeders and hatcheries operate must know that the chickens they stock are in general going to be genetically sub standard.
There are few areas where disinformation is perpetrated by the industry, the above is just one.

I'm appalled too, and so is the vet. But I'm glad he explained her genetics in these terms because it helps me adapt my interpretations of her behaviour. I'll be able to do better by her.

I'm really glad I got the two youngsters because chasing them around and teaching them to respect their elders has really cheered her up.

I anticipate longer lifespans from the other four chooks, all of whom are from more long-lived stock. They might not get to double figures, but my neighbours' oldest hen is 8, so I'm hopeful.

 

[MaryJanet]

LOL - I could use a jab of "something to rejuvenate her joints (it stimulates stem cell growth) " . I hope she does well on treatment. Makes me worried for my girls as they are BSL

I may have to repeat your joke when I take her back next week!

She's been quiet today, but that's understandable after the long ride in the car.