MJ's little flock

[LozzyR]

I like bitsas too. They're not always available.

Is there a zoo near you with a farmyard? I didn’t realise the one near us had a farmyard and sells chickens until hubby saw it.

I am currently standing guard so Snowy can have a bath in peace, Nyssa keeps attacking her because she’s broody. Why do higher-up hens do that? Nyssa’s perched a little way away, sulking. Although she seems to be very pleased to be out of quarantine. She’s still wheezing and sneezing though, I don’t know what else to do for her.

Quarantine has ended and we’ve extended the babies’ space. Still keeping them fenced off though.

 

[MaryJanet]

Is there a zoo near you with a farmyard? I didn’t realise the one near us had a farmyard and sells chickens until hubby saw it.

I'll check but I'm pretty sure I'd have heard about it by now.

 

[MaryJanet]

We have some integration progress.

A game of musical dinner bowls has developed, with the river chickens wanting what the hens have and the hens considering it wise to flee from the interlopers.

There's a bowl each, widely spaced.

Luckily the river chickens go to bed early, so there's time for the hens to eat in peace.

Here's Mary working on a dinner bowl while an orderly queue forms at the water dispenser.

 

[BY Bob]

We have some integration progress.

A game of musical dinner bowls has developed, with the river chickens wanting what the hens have and the hens considering it wise to flee from the interlopers.

View attachment 3351811

There's a bowl each, widely spaced.

View attachment 3351812

Luckily the river chickens go to bed early, so there's time for the hens to eat in peace.

Here's Mary working on a dinner bowl while an orderly queue forms at the water dispenser.

View attachment 3351813

Is that the first picture with everyone in it, including Blossom?

 

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks

 

[Grammy60]

Good evening MJ and everyone

 

[MaryJanet]

Is that the first picture with everyone in it, including Blossom?

Yes, except for the pullets.

I'm hoping the river chickens decide to roost with the hens soon. Maybe after Christa's EYP has cleared up.

 

[MaryJanet]

Friends, I worry about the level of bacterial problems I have. None of you seem to have similar numbers of bacterial infections. On the other hand, few of you have a vet available for diagnosis either.

I'm considering waiting until the current hens die out and then growing something in the run for a year before starting a new flock.

I'll see what Mark advises. If he says there's no point, it'll probably happen again, I'll soldier on.

It's so important to bring in healthy chickens right from the start. I have a feeling Janet wasn't entirely healthy the day I brought her here and I was too inexperienced to see the signs.

 

[RoyalChick]

Friends, I worry about the level of bacterial problems I have. None of you seem to have similar numbers of bacterial infections. On the other hand, few of you have a vet available for diagnosis either.

I'm considering waiting until the current hens die out and then growing something in the run for a year before starting a new flock.

I'll see what Mark advises.

Has Dr.Mark ever cultured the bacteria so you know what they are? That would help a lot in terms of thinking through what the issue is.
Given your climate I am strongly suspecting the misting system as your soil is I believe very dry and sandy so much less of a bacterial culture medium than the rest of us in more soggy climates have.

 

[MaryJanet]

Has Dr.Mark ever cultured the bacteria so you know what they are? That would help a lot in terms of thinking through what the issue is.
Given your climate I am strongly suspecting the misting system as your soil is I believe very dry and sandy so much less of a bacterial culture medium than the rest of us in more soggy climates have.

Maybe you're right.

Maybe I should flush it out as Bob recommended. I just can't work out how. Maybe I should sacrifice the nozzles and buy new ones after.

It's worth a try.