Need advice from experts

[Owenp_2]

S.O.S. I'm a new chicken farmer and we haven't yet bought our chickens. My folks live just down the lane and have chickens and have had them for many years. I'm thinking of taking some of them. Problem is, alot of them are sick as the coop is always filthy and she doesn't believe in vets. She's old fashioned (70 yrs old). I don't want to hurt her feelings as she purchased a ton of baby chicks in anticipation of me taking them. More than 1/2 died. She doesn't seem to care. Do I take her chickens or get new? If I take hers what do I treat them for? Please please help. Thank you!

I would take her chickens and get them on a free-range diet with fresh water every day. Add some apple cider vinegar to their water for their immune system to boost up.

 

[Noellereagan]

I will add a very simple note: regretfully even though you might take them, she may just get more. I find it’s so distressing that people treat animals so poorly. Is it just a question of neglect? Or is it poor hygiene? I am very much in the rescue camp, as I believe all animals, all domestic animals, deserve Attention and proper care. And a little love As well

Love this.

 

[Noellereagan]

Birds do seem to require a lot of attention and care - more than most people would think at first.

no truer words have ever. Been. Spoken! To take care of them properly (for me anyway) is literally a full time job. Of course, in addition to rare breed poultry, I also have hookbills. But still, to properly care for any avian species is work. You have to be very passionate and fully dedicated with time and resources to do it on a large scale. That’s for sure! Last week I had someone come wanting one of my budgie babies for her and her kids. She said, “we’ve had cats and dogs but I’m to the point where I don’t want all that responsibility. So I want something easy I can toss in a corner cage and forget” of course, she left without a bird. But people like this seem to go to the local pet store or feed mill anyway. Sad. I wish people were a little more selective about placing birds in the first place. But I guess people say what you want to hear too so I’m not sure how that would matter either.

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

no truer words have ever. Been. Spoken! To take care of them properly (for me anyway) is literally a full time job. Of course, in addition to rare breed poultry, I also have hookbills. But still, to properly care for any avian species is work. You have to be very passionate and fully dedicated with time and resources to do it on a large scale. That’s for sure! Last week I had someone come wanting one of my budgie babies for her and her kids. She said, “we’ve had cats and dogs but I’m to the point where I don’t want all that responsibility. So I want something easy I can toss in a corner cage and forget” of course, she left without a bird. But people like this seem to go to the local pet store or feed mill anyway. Sad. I wish people were a little more selective about placing birds in the first place. But I guess people say what you want to hear too so I’m not sure how that would matter either.

Good for you. I've done the same. When people don't have a coop for them, I don't let keets go to them. Of course they can lie, but I ask,. And explain what I think Guineas need, from my experience. Also, I used to hatch to sell but had one really bad experience that started so good - so heart-breaking, so I stopped hatching extra brids. Only when I have "accidents", I try to find homes for them now.

We have cats and dogs and horses and the Guienas and the birds are **by far** the most work to keep alive, healthy, and happy. Nature makes them dispensible and they are so small and fragile and not common, so people are not prepared for what they need. Still gotta love'em, though! If you 'catch the bug' and commit to taking care of them it can be so rewarding and simply amazing to see them every day!

 

[streetriley]

T

Huh. The title of that post was "Help! MY chickens seem to have Pneumonia! Please help!" and was three years ago. They received a reply, but never followed up. @streetriley : how was this issue resolved? Also, was this illness in your flock?

This was of course my mother's flock whom I've tried to help care for for many years. We did give many antibiotics but she continued to purchase chickens despite the illness since we ran i to several very crafty raccoons that ate several of her beauty's.

 

[streetriley]

I am ready to purchase feed for our coop. Would anyone like to comment which type of feed or brand name is the best? I could use some advice. Mom just buys from Rural King.

 

[Weeg]

I am ready to purchase feed for our coop. Would anyone like to comment which type of feed or brand name is the best? I could use some advice. Mom just buys from Rural King.

I love scratch and peck, starter feed! I know that it is a starter but it has plenty of protein, and is all natural. You can also purchase another scratch and peck feed, but make sure it has plenty of protein, preferably 20%, less then that can cause a protein deficiency. Purina is also a good brand, I feed it to my ducklings and chicks that when I have them. Ohh, and depending on where you live, to repel rodents, and keep your food dry even if the feeder is in the rain, you can purchase a feeder from the website Grandpa's feeders. They are rat proof, water proof, weather proof, and life proof. I love them! They hold a bunch of food, nothing can steal the food, rats, mice, chipmunks, ect. There great! A bit on the expensive side, for sure, and depending on where you live, they are mad win new zealand, so where I am it takes a month plus of them to arrive. But they are so worth it!

 

[black_cat]

I am ready to purchase feed for our coop. Would anyone like to comment which type of feed or brand name is the best? I could use some advice. Mom just buys from Rural King.

I would say some sort of all flock, and some oyster shell for the hens. How are you, your mom, the coop, and the birds doing?

 

[streetriley]

I would say some sort of all flock, and some oyster shell for the hens. How are you, your mom, the coop, and the birds doing?

Better than expected! I haven't yet started my own flock but have been watching her birds closely. I am going to start with around 7 hens and 1 rooster. I'm going to pick healthy ones (no diarrhea, scratchy voice, etc...). I'm going to put Apple Cider Vinegar in the water and have them free range until it gets too cold with a little chicken feed available. We have the fence to finish and our coop and everything will be ready so we are around 2-4 weeks away from beginning!!! I'm nervous and excited.

 

[black_cat]

Better than expected! I haven't yet started my own flock but have been watching her birds closely. I am going to start with around 7 hens and 1 rooster. I'm going to pick healthy ones (no diarrhea, scratchy voice, etc...). I'm going to put Apple Cider Vinegar in the water and have them free range until it gets too cold with a little chicken feed available. We have the fence to finish and our coop and everything will be ready so we are around 2-4 weeks away from beginning!!! I'm nervous and excited.

Hooray! What breeds are you going to do?