New Mexico

[Zoomie]

Hi everyone,
Yes I did (and sort of do) still have Svart Höna. However I'm a little stuck right now. My house flooded last year, but I moved onto a larger piece of property (5 acres) which I thought would be perfect for my chickens (I have quite a few Swedish breeds; Swedish Flower Hens, Svart Höna, Olandsk Dwarf, Orust, Isbar...) so I was quite excited. Not even a week into living here one of my neighbors complained to the city about my roosters (I keep one per breed). So... legally I'm allowed 250 chickens per acre, (with a permit), but the roosters were untested waters. I had to go and fight with the city over that, and ended up rehoming all my roosters except on Olandsk Dwarf. I still have hens from each breed. I'm hoping (and have plans) to be able to keep them in a different location and get some of my roos back... but for now I have eggs... but not fertile I'm afraid. So that's why the radio silence. If I'm able to move them as planned I will give an update on that. Sadly my neighbor seems to be quite vindictive about the whole thing (he lied under oath about quite a few things and has flown a drone over my property several times). So I'm not wanting to make a big deal about the chickens until I know they are safe. Happy someone remembered me though! Thanks very much, I hope I can help out in the future!

Oh dear - that sounds awful, I'm so sorry you are going through that! Yikes, first to have your house flood and then the whole thing with the city council, and your neighbor. Some people...

Here is hoping things go better in the future. Please keep us updated - you have many wonderful breeds and it would be a real shame if you can not continue.

 

[tjohnson505]

Hey everyone I have a question. I'm new to raising chickens. And I noticed 2 days ago one of my girls acting a lil off. She's lethargic, I haven't seen her scratch or dig, I have seen her eat a lil bit. I have them some garlic and ACV just a lil bit 2 days ago. Then my husband and I noticed her feeling bad, so we inspected the coop we found 1 stool with what we thought to be a few worms. So we cleaned it. I'm reading that raw garlic in their water with help sequel them. Will this help? It has been getting quite cold lately and we haven't heated the coop, could she be getting a cold? Any advice is welcomed I also have not seen her drink.

 

[Zoomie]

Hey everyone I have a question. I'm new to raising chickens. And I noticed 2 days ago one of my girls acting a lil off. She's lethargic, I haven't seen her scratch or dig, I have seen her eat a lil bit. I have them some garlic and ACV just a lil bit 2 days ago. Then my husband and I noticed her feeling bad, so we inspected the coop we found 1 stool with what we thought to be a few worms. So we cleaned it. I'm reading that raw garlic in their water with help sequel them. Will this help? It has been getting quite cold lately and we haven't heated the coop, could she be getting a cold? Any advice is welcomed I also have not seen her drink.

I think you'll get way more people reading your post, and therefore potential answers, if you post this in the part of the forum about emergencies and health. I don't have the expertise to answer your questions but I am sure there are others who do! Good luck with this issue.

 

[Zoomie]

I ended up with 3 cockerels and 1 pullet on my Svart Hona. Not the making of a peaceful group, so I need to do something about this before it's a problem. Anyone in NM looking for Svart Hona cockerels? Of course I would love to trade for a Svart Hona pullet or two. Background on them is both Ewe Crazy and Greenfire. They came from Darby Ridge Chicks. They are presently about 9 weeks old. I'd be happy to provide pics to anyone interested.

Hope everyone had nice holidays.

 

[nmflygirl]

Hi everyone. I figured I'd introduce myself in here quickly since I live in Corrales, NM. I'm a newbie chicken owner and I'll hit my year mark in April. So much to learn about my girls and how to keep them happy in this state.

Anyways, if you want to check out my set up and see a little of my current chicken story I posted it all in my "intro post" https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1146719/hello-from-new-mexico

 

[Zoomie]

Welcome!

So glad to see you here!

Your chickens are very cute and it sounds like you are learning lots and having fun.

You say your laying rate dropped to 0. This made me curious, are you seeing lots of feathers? If so, your girls might be moulting. They don't lay while that is going on because they need so much energy to grow new feathers. There might be other reasons though... I try and provide mine with (relatively) warm water in the winter and that seems to help them to keep laying (as long as they are not moulting).

Lots to read and learn here, it's a great site, and I wish you much success with your new chicken venture!

 

[nmflygirl]

Thanks zoomie. There are lots of feathers around. How long does molting last? and would they all do it at the same time?

 

[FridayYet]

Hi Fly!

Welcome to the thread.

Your girls could molt at the same time, or they can stagger - some of mine finished a month ago, others are just growing their feathers back. Depending on the age of your girls, the change in daylight will reduce laying as well. Only my spring pullets are laying right now, the older ones are taking a break.

 

[nmflygirl]

Thanks. I'm not really worried about it yet and so haven't done too much research on it. They are still fun to take care of and watch.

 

[FridayYet]

I ended up with 3 cockerels and 1 pullet on my Svart Hona. Not the making of a peaceful group, so I need to do something about this before it's a problem. Anyone in NM looking for Svart Hona cockerels? Of course I would love to trade for a Svart Hona pullet or two. Background on them is both Ewe Crazy and Greenfire. They came from Darby Ridge Chicks. They are presently about 9 weeks old. I'd be happy to provide pics to anyone interested.

Hope everyone had nice holidays.

I don't need any SH, but I may be in the same boat with my Ayam Cemani. Three of them seem a bit boyish, and only one is pullet-ish. Still early though (6 weeks) and I'm hoping I have at least one decent pair to start with.

When did your guys combs start popping out?