NY chicken lover!!!!

[rancher hicks]

She's not even on layer and does free range all day in their run. They're still finishing out the bag the flock raiser. She's only a year old and just recently started laying.

I thought Flock raiser was a layer feed? Am I wrong. I'd separate her for a few days. Are her eggs excessively large for a Silky? It could be a genetic thing. I don't prefer hens that lay overly large/double yolk eggs in my non- hybrid breeds. In my mind a large egg is plenty big enough for breakfast.

You might try a little vaseline on her butt or a antibiotic cream.

If she has crumbles, make them a soupy mush so she gets extra liquids.

 

[rancher hicks]

Did you know that some chickens are threatened with extinction? WOW...

Here is link for further info--

http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/conservation-priority-list#Ducks

It's my understanding that some breeds are considered endangered if there are not enough flocks of 50. Keep in mind that a flock can be wiped out completely by one predator attack. So my small flock of 12 plus Delawares is not enough to preserve the breed.

Now while the hatcheries claim to have these breeds they most likely do not have birds close enough to the SOP.

Even some breeders are producing inferior birds.

Also while some birds LOOK like a breed, they do not possess the Utility of the breed. They're not meaty enough nor lay sufficient to the breed standard. Some are meaty but don't lay well and other lay well but don't have the size.

This is why folks write, "my birds aren't laying. What is wrong?"

Many of us just want pretty birds running around our yards and that's not a bad thing. However if we hope to preserve the genetics that is used to create our hybrid Golden Comets and other sex links we need to keep flocks of these breeds.

My solution is to keep a flock of an endangered breed and a mixed flock for eye candy in the yard. Too you must avoid hatchery knock offs and buy from reputable breeders. Hatching eggs or chicks.

 

[Cass]

Oh sweety, I took no offense =)

I keep chanting that mantra in my head so I don't go too chicken crazy (or have the DH out there going crazy too). There's so many breeds and colors out there I would have some of everything if I didn't

.

The ironic part is.... I got a call from the local crop share late last night. They wanted to know if I would be willing to supply eggs for them as their current supplier is getting out of the business. So my 'fillers' may be around longer than originally intended because they want 10 doz eggs a week minimum. Time to start bribing the protesters into laying again

.

I wonder if I can get DH to build me 2 more 10x10 coops by winter.........

If you can't meet their demands, can you/do you have a chicken owning friend that might be able to pitch in for you? I don't know how many birds you have, but I do know that 10 dz eggs (min) is 120 eggs a week. That's a whole LOT of eggs for a back yard flock.

 

[Lynzi777]

I thought Flock raiser was a layer feed?  Am I wrong.  I'd separate her for a few days.  Are her eggs excessively large for a Silky?  It could be a genetic thing. I don't prefer hens that lay overly large/double yolk eggs in my non- hybrid breeds. In my mind a large egg is plenty big enough for breakfast. 

You might try a little vaseline on her butt or a  antibiotic cream.

If she has crumbles, make them a soupy mush so she gets extra liquids.   

Maybe it is...I'll have to look at what bag says. But I thought the protein in raiser was higher. Maybe I'm thinking wrong. Her eggs are the smallest of the three silkies. So they're not abnormally large or anything. I'll give her a closer look tomorrow when I let everyone out.

 

[Cass]

Can anyone tell me if there is something I can do, or if there is something wrong with my Silkie that is laying eggs covered in blood? When the first one was laid I thought ok, maybe it's normal cuz it's the first egg. Well everyone after that (about 5 or 6 now has been laid with this splash of blood on it.



I have never dealt with anything like this before. Her vent seems normal, not prolapsed or anything. Is she lacking something in her diet? Anything I can do to help her?

I had a chicken that did that (I forget the breed) Hate to tell you but she died after about 2 months of laying. I figure it was something internal and buried her cuz she was a cool chicken.

 

[hugz4all4]

Not if we have our way.  

Lol.. Cute!! Of course i do want some silkies.. Maybe I will trade my three bullies in fir three of those..

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Lynzi---thats not Blossom is it? I do have one terrorist who goes through bouts of laying eggs with blood on them. Im not sure why. I have checked vents repeatedly and find no issues. It happens for a week or so then stops, then starts then stops. Everyone is alive and well, just this anomaly from time to time. I really hope its not Blossom as there have been no issues with anyone from that pen at all.

It was a nice day today at work cause nobody gave us a hard time and were pleasant enough. Not getting yelled at or cursed at is always a good day. Came home to everyone out freeranging. Dh let them out when he got home. Checked my eggs in the bator and nothing yet. The waiting is the worst part. I was a good girl and took my doctors suggestion to take a statin and now I am paying bigtime. It dawned on my today as I was talking to my pharmacist that the extreme joint pain I am having started shortly after I started taking it. Im done. I would rather have high cholesterol (and its not really that high, around 220)) than take any more of these stupid meds. I have tried the whole gammit of classes and alternatives. Done. I know they work for many people but I seem to be the exception to every rule. Hopefully this crap will be completely out of my system in a few days and I can get back to normal.

Have a good evening all.

 

[hugz4all4]

Maybe it is...I'll have to look at what bag says. But I thought the protein in raiser was higher. Maybe I'm thinking wrong. Her eggs are the smallest of the three silkies. So they're not abnormally large or anything. I'll give her a closer look tomorrow when I let everyone out.

Flock Raiser is not a layer food, its for babies up to laying age 18 weeks.. However you can continue to give to your flock along with oyster shells for added calcium, I have a mixed aged group along with one laying hen they are all on the flock raiser.. My one laying hen gets oyster shells when needed shes been laying an egg a day fine for about a week now. I plan on keeping them on the same food instead of layer even when of laying age, just adding the oyster shells due to the higher protein.. My birds look great.
I dont advice for you, I hope you can figure something out and your bird is ok.

 

[Lynzi777]

No, no Pharm, this is the Splash I got from Danielle. I'm hoping it's just a new layer type of thing. I just came across a thread on here with pictures someone posted of eggs that looked just like mine and read this response:

I may try drizzling some veg oil in their food and see if that helps. We'll see how the rest of the week goes and if it clears up.

 

[horsekeeper]

Here is a link to an egg chart that gives a brief rundown of what egg problems look like and the probable causes. It has good pictures and some details on what the issue is.

http://www.alltech.com/blog/posts/walking-eggshells