New Here

[SandraVG]

Welcome to BYC. I am so sorry you have Marek's disease in your flock. Are you aware this disease is for life?
Unfortunately there isn't much you can do but try to keep your flock healthy with a balanced diet and zero stress which isn't always possible.
Please do not add any new birds until you learn how this disease works.

Thanks for the warning. We are definitely researching and another reason in this group.

 

[Cynthia12]

WELCOME! Oh my goodness you've really had a tough time. Don't get any new birds until your birds now are well for a good time.

 

[Happy hen lover]

I'm so sorry you cutie is sick too. You've had it rough for sure. My first flock was vaccinated against Marek's at the hatchery since it's so nasty. Best of luck to you

 

[Blue Raptor]

We are new to chickens as of July 2023. We started with 13 chickens, down to 9, with a very sick one right now. We have 3 Buffs, Easter eggers, Columbian Wyndotte, a Rhode lsland red, are all the ones that I can think of. We love how the chickens have different personalities and we love/hate that they have become our beloved pets. I think we got a lemon batch because we've had every problem you can think of...3 died right away as chicks, 2 we nursed for 3 months because they were wobbly and lethargic, sour crop, a congenital defect that vet had not seen before, our surprise rooster died from Merrick's disease. We know because we had him necropsied to make sure it wasn't something environmental causing the issue. Our most recent sick chick had inbound eggs. She was lively Sunday, Monday wouldn't move, Tuesday laid 2 eggs for the first time, today is listless and looks like she is dying. We are so sad because she's our favorite. She looks like a roadrunner, curious, and super friendly. We've had her inside in a box of hay. We are feeding her yogurt and egg yolks with homeopathetics. Just wondering if there's anything else we can do?

A friend told me about this group and suggested I join and ask if anyone had any insight that might help our sweet hen.

Welcome to BYC!! Good luck with your chicks!

 

[Kiki]

Thanks for the warning. We are definitely researching and another reason in this group.

Another thing... You mentioned your current bird is having trouble laying eggs. Chickens need a balanced diet which includes a certain amount of calcium in order to lay eggs.

A balanced diet would be a layer type crumble or pelleted feed only. If you are feeding or have been feeding anything in the amount of a tablespoon or more per bird per day then you are over feeding treats which can cause the bird to have trouble laying.


Just keep in mind that anything besides a commercially made pelleted or crumbled feed is a treat.
Any treat no matter what it is should be less than one spoonful per day.