Mystery Chicken

[Mah1Mah1]

He is very beautiful! I'm glad no one has complained and I hope it stays that way, I'm going to check the local animal shelters for chickens now too!

 

[Gold Coaster]

I have some experience with Suprelorin implants myself Tricoglossus. I used them to save some of my hens that suffered from egg peritonitis and contributed to a thread on BYC about the same topic. Many were unfamiliar with the implant and the pros and cons about it a few years back and that it basically saves hens who suffer from egg peritonitis, other laying difficulties and prolapse. It even has the ability to suppress internal tumours (from growing larger) but only in the short term and not against Marek's. I've also heard about its effects on roos and that it inhibits testosterone therefore making some breeds less likely to crow or be aggressive when used after sexual maturity. If you use it earlier, before sexual maturity, then it will make your roo turn into a large hen with thick legs that may never crow, mate or act aggressively. It's definitely the better approach then neutering and an option for some to explore who want to apply for a permit with their local council to keep a rooster or two.

You have a lovely breed selection in your flock. I've been looking through your photos album and your Silkies are gorgeous. My neighbour chose to keep only Silkies because she loves their feathering and how good they are with children. I also noticed the photos you posted in another thread about the red markings on your Indian Game. My Wyandottes have the exact same red pigmentation on their legs, as does Phoenix. I've had the Wyandottes for 2 years now with no health problems and Phoenix is nearly 1 year old and going strong. If you look at the photos of him in this thread you will see that the red pigmentation is quite visible but his is on the outer part of his legs while my Wyandottes have it in different places, outer, inner, or their toes.

It's so lovely to hear that you went the extra mile to keep your roosters. It's not easy forking out the money to go to the vet and pay for Superlorin implants, so it's obvious you love them! I'm curious, did you only need to use one Suprelorin implant in Pancake and your Houdan roo (you didn't mention his name) before sexual maturity and was it a 6 month implant or a 1 year implant? I consider myself blessed that I found a dog/cat vet (not Avian Vet) who lives in my area who mentioned that he had many customers bring their chooks in. When I asked him if he wouldn't mind inserting a Suprelorin implant into one of my hens to save me a one and half hour trip to my Avian Vet, he was so happy to learn about the procedure. He told me that he had no idea that it would stop hens laying and that he would finally have a treatment to offer to other customers. Also, after some communication with my Avian Vet, he found out the correct dose of antibiotics and metacam to prescribe chickens in emergency cases. Another plus!

So nice to meet another fellow Aussie in this forum and congratulations on the two little hatchlings. If you believe in star signs, they're both Cancers and born in the year of the Wood Horse. I hear that this sign combination desires true love and adventure. So when they're not snuggling on your lap and receiving cuddles, I'm guessing they'll be exploring the full extent of the boundaries of their yard. Please keep me updated with their progress and feel free to share some photos with me when you can!

Cheers,
Gold Coaster

 

[Gold Coaster]

Thanks MahMah1! Another Aussie, how lovely to meet you!

Yes it was a surprise for me to learn that some animal shelters have chooks, goats and even pigs for adoption. The shelter I have nearby where I got some of my chooks from is the Animal Welfare League of QLD. It doesn't matter the breed or age of the chook, they're all up for $10.00 each. They put up profiles of their animals with photos when they have the chance and they have a live kitty cam so that people can see all the kittens and cats they have playing together and encourage people to adopt. What I simply adore about the AWL QLD is that they do not put down any animal, no matter how long it might stay with them. For this reason, they even have a section on their website dedicated to Golden Oldies, which are some animals that might have been with them for quite some time before they were finally adopted.

If you have an RSPCA shelter nearby, I've heard that they will rehome hens but I'm not sure about roosters and I don't know if they put them down if they're not adopted after a period of time. Either way, you can't really blame them, because at least they tried to find them a new forever home. I admire animal charities, because I feel that they are sometimes overlooked in favour of others.

MahMah your chooks are gorgeous. I looked through your album and your three little 'Muskateers' are beautiful, as is Chloe. If you don't mind me asking, who is the one on its back asking to get its tummy tickled? Chook or Storm? How long have you had them for? They look very happy indeed and the photo of the three of them walking side by side is a real gem!

Cheers,
Gold Coaster