NY chicken lover!!!!

[Metella]

Whoott !!! Got my first Olive Egg today ! That means it is a daughter of Colo - my special rooster and super hardy bloodline

I have a new EE to bred with him this spring to get another olive egger layer ... so now I have green, olive, brown, dark brown and white

 

[Aria]

THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE THE PHOTOS. WE HAVE 20 TOTAL SILKIES ONLY.
3 OF THEM ROOSTERS. WE ENJOY OUR EGGS.....AND LET THE CHICKENS LIVE
OUT THEIR LIVES.

WE HAVE A SMALL COOP AND KEEP ONLY ONE BREED. DO NOT LIKE 'MIXED BREEDS'
THANKS AGAIN FOR SHARING THE OLD PHOTO. NEAT. REGARDS, Aria

 

[jennianne]

Warning: VERY wordy post, Sorry in advance!

Well thank you all who shared about their flocks. I have had a rough couple of days here. Yesterday I heard a ruckus and went out to check on the girls and found my Australorp in very bad shape. She had been pecked pretty severely and was struggling to breathe. I brought her in and tried to determine what I could do for her, but she was a mess. She passed very shortly after I brought her in. I don't know if she became fatally injured due to pecking or if she fell ill in some way and that is what brought on the pecking. I had only been out there maybe two or three hours max earlier and all were perfectly fine. I am with my girls all the time. Most of the time I am only out there with them five or ten minutes but that is 4 to 6 times a day lately and I almost every day spend a half hour or so just sitting with them. I am so shocked that this happened. I am new but I think if she was ill I would have known. The only real thing is she had been the queen bee when the roo was here but she lowered in status slowly and really was at the bottom of the pecking order at this point. She was the first to mature and I think since she was his girl, Minky had special status that she lost when he left. I attributed her shift in the flock and in her temperament to the roo being rehomed, but looking back I feel like that could have been a sign she was not feeling well.

Then, if that was not bad enough, I had another shock this morning. On my first trip out today, everyone was riled up on my way over, more than normal. I found one of the red stars with her comb in very bad shape due to pecking. One reason I go out often is to look at the girls' combs to make sure no one is having any signs of frostbite with the severe cold we have been having in my area. I know everyone's was totally normal last thing yesterday. No one has any frost bite this morning. Dis she maybe catch her comb with her toe nail accidentally and they all went for the red? Are my chickens going crazy and attacking each other? Then I went to the nest box, blood everywhere. Had to wake up my poor husband who got in at 3AM last night and had to go back in at one PM today. We put the RS in the hospital brooder and went out and did a complete once over on all the girls. I am thinking the blood in the nest area was from the RS when she was laying. No one else has any injuries or obvious issues. Gave the combs a good coat of vaseline since we had a hold of them. Cannot think of anything else I can do for them. I am keeping the RS in for a few nights to give that comb a chance to heal and give her a rest. Other than the comb she has no other injuries and is eating and drinking and pooing normal so she should be fine to go back when I am ready to let her.

I was planning on setting eggs for the 26th to do the VD HAL. Right now I am feeling less than enthusiastic. This chicken keeping is not for the faint of heart. I love all my girls, but I really loved Minky. She was great. I am glad I found her and was able to bring her in and talk to her and thank her and she passed like that instead of some other situation. She even laid an egg yesterday morning. I go out there and there are three less than there was a week before TG, it is disheartening.

I will have to take a few days and see how I feel about setting eggs after that. I lost two of my three chicks within 48 hours the first time I ordered in June, (They sat in a PO overnight twice and it was super hot out during their transit, they were very weak from the first second I opened the box.) I had a pretty hard time at first, but once the survivor had some sibs and they made it through a week, and then two, and so on, I really felt it was all worth it. I am sure I will come around again. Just gonna take a bit.

Sorry to heal about the WS being a little dominant, I was really keen on that breed. Definitely not looking for any type of personality clashes at this stage though. Likely will be EE's since they are so calm and have the peas. And maybe some Australorp's. We shall see. Thanks again for all of your anecdotes regarding your breeds. Lovely to hear from others about their experiences.

 

[Pyxis]

So sorry for your loss It's always hard to lose a favorite. If you do decide to hatch eggs, let me know. If my EEs are laying I would be happy to give you some eggs.

A lovely coworker who knows I have chickens brought me in a bag of corn grits that she didn't care for to feed to my chickens. Now I just have to decide if I want to add warm water or warm milk to them when I feed it to them. Either way, they will enjoy the treat!

 

[Glasshen]

Yes, you have had a time recently. I have one rooster in the coveted basement apartment at the moment. His comb was being pecked and there was blood and gore all over. They went for him last winter too. He also had mites, I discovered while I was holding him on my lap. So he got some Eprinex, and will have to give the rest of them some when I can. Seem to be struck by the flu, so just doing the basics seems Herculean. Earl was also very light when I picked him up to bring him in, so I think it could have ended differently if I didn't bring him in. Put some garlic and oregano in the FF, so everyone is getting that. Hope to reapply the ointment on his comb tomorrow, and wash it. His crowing is sounding stronger each day.

 

[rancher hicks]

Warning: VERY wordy post, Sorry in advance!

Well thank you all who shared about their flocks. I have had a rough couple of days here. Yesterday I heard a ruckus and went out to check on the girls and found my Australorp in very bad shape. She had been pecked pretty severely and was struggling to breathe. I brought her in and tried to determine what I could do for her, but she was a mess. She passed very shortly after I brought her in. I don't know if she became fatally injured due to pecking or if she fell ill in some way and that is what brought on the pecking. I had only been out there maybe two or three hours max earlier and all were perfectly fine. I am with my girls all the time. Most of the time I am only out there with them five or ten minutes but that is 4 to 6 times a day lately and I almost every day spend a half hour or so just sitting with them. I am so shocked that this happened. I am new but I think if she was ill I would have known. The only real thing is she had been the queen bee when the roo was here but she lowered in status slowly and really was at the bottom of the pecking order at this point. She was the first to mature and I think since she was his girl, Minky had special status that she lost when he left. I attributed her shift in the flock and in her temperament to the roo being rehomed, but looking back I feel like that could have been a sign she was not feeling well.

Then, if that was not bad enough, I had another shock this morning. On my first trip out today, everyone was riled up on my way over, more than normal. I found one of the red stars with her comb in very bad shape due to pecking. One reason I go out often is to look at the girls' combs to make sure no one is having any signs of frostbite with the severe cold we have been having in my area. I know everyone's was totally normal last thing yesterday. No one has any frost bite this morning. Dis she maybe catch her comb with her toe nail accidentally and they all went for the red? Are my chickens going crazy and attacking each other? Then I went to the nest box, blood everywhere. Had to wake up my poor husband who got in at 3AM last night and had to go back in at one PM today. We put the RS in the hospital brooder and went out and did a complete once over on all the girls. I am thinking the blood in the nest area was from the RS when she was laying. No one else has any injuries or obvious issues. Gave the combs a good coat of vaseline since we had a hold of them. Cannot think of anything else I can do for them. I am keeping the RS in for a few nights to give that comb a chance to heal and give her a rest. Other than the comb she has no other injuries and is eating and drinking and pooing normal so she should be fine to go back when I am ready to let her.

I was planning on setting eggs for the 26th to do the VD HAL. Right now I am feeling less than enthusiastic. This chicken keeping is not for the faint of heart. I love all my girls, but I really loved Minky. She was great. I am glad I found her and was able to bring her in and talk to her and thank her and she passed like that instead of some other situation. She even laid an egg yesterday morning. I go out there and there are three less than there was a week before TG, it is disheartening.

I will have to take a few days and see how I feel about setting eggs after that. I lost two of my three chicks within 48 hours the first time I ordered in June, (They sat in a PO overnight twice and it was super hot out during their transit, they were very weak from the first second I opened the box.) I had a pretty hard time at first, but once the survivor had some sibs and they made it through a week, and then two, and so on, I really felt it was all worth it. I am sure I will come around again. Just gonna take a bit.

Sorry to heal about the WS being a little dominant, I was really keen on that breed. Definitely not looking for any type of personality clashes at this stage though. Likely will be EE's since they are so calm and have the peas. And maybe some Australorp's. We shall see. Thanks again for all of your anecdotes regarding your breeds. Lovely to hear from others about their experiences.

I am sorry for your trouble and understand your concern in keeping chickens. I get that way every time I lose a bird for whatever reason.

Some questions and comments that might help.

1. How much space do you have?

2. How early are they let out?

3. What breeds do you have? This is important since I've learned some breeds just don't do well with others. I gave away three SLW's, GLW's and my Aussies since they were being picked on. Really I just didn't have coop space to separate them and they were bald on their backs. I don't keep birds if it means their welfare.

4. How much space do they have outside? Even some type of shelter out of the coop is good.

I took a long pallet and put it on two benches just tall enough for the birds to get under and laid a piece of old T-11 on top to keep the snow out. These pics are two ideas.

5. Do you use blue kote? Any sign of skin on my Dels and I spray them. So they're White/Barred and Blue.

6. Do you have a feeder in the coop? I decided to put one in mine since it will give them something to do if I'm late getting out. Lately it's been a lot. Keep them occupied if you can. Toss in heads of lettuce or cabbage whole. Some scratch when they don't see where it goes so they have to hunt and scratch. I like to toss in bread that has gotten hard. Rolls are good too.

7. Is there a reason you gave up your rooster? Roosters do more than just mate and crow. The mediate the girls and break up fights. Well some do, not all but most.

8. Some breeds tolerate other breeds better than others. Get Stories and book on breeds and study breeds that might be a better fit together. No rules are hard and fast of course but mostly they're close. My Dels are easy and so are my C.Rocks. Big Delores a light Sussex is easy too. Some breeds are too high strung for me to deal with, though I would like some Brown Leghorns. Cochins are another easy breed.

Hope some of this helps and I'm sure not all of it applies.

I wish you well and will be looking for more posts about your adventure being a chicken farmer.

Rancher

 

[Gramma Chick]

I have had a rough couple of days here.
You have had it rough Im sorry ...it will get better
found my Australorp in very bad shape. She had been pecked pretty severely and was struggling to breathe.
On my first trip out today, I found one of the red stars with her comb in very bad shape due to pecking.
Is it possble these 2 where fighting with each other , or something else was fighting with both of them (Like A Hawk or ? )
Any Predator sign ?
What is your setup ? are they all cooped ....as this nasty weather hasnt helped even peoples disposition
There may be a new one that is at the top of the pecking order ...or
They do get bored ...& sometimes & turn on each other ..hang a treat in there for distraction ( cabbage )
How many feeding dishes do you have ? For 23 chickens I have 5

well i was surprised to see this in the nest ..a well egg with blue spots ..i've seen them mostly with a red or marroon colored spots ..i started using a diffrent grit ..its a red granit i think its call .

Id say it is the red grit ..pretty cool

 

[wny egger]

jennianne, so sorry to hear of this ..its never easy to loose our best birds ..or any birds for that matter ..i think you should take the advise given by rancher ...keep blu kote on hand and treat any bleeding wounds with it ..you did everything you could ..its to bad your roo wasnt still there or you could have atleast set the eggs from your girls ..i would say its going to be a a little while before you relise you still want to keep your birds and find ways to be a stronmger flock keeper ..i think we all try to do everything we can for our birds but sometimes its just out of our hands ..things like this i bet have been happening for ever ..and if the first folks who kept birds were dealing with alot more troubles then we exsperance now ..but be strong and keep on keeping on ..your going to be one of the great flock master ..your exsperance in dealing with these kinds of things will make you stronger and smarter ..good luck and it gets easyer and better with time ..you'll see ..

Id say it is the red grit ..pretty cool

yeah that was what i was thinking as well ..i think its cool , weather the folks who buy the eggs think so , we'll see ..lol

 

[Gramma Chick]

Has anyone heard of the benefits of bone broth ?
It is supposed to be good for lots of things ..
Immune system , joints ,
Something to do with those bones instead of throwing them out ..
http://www.doctorauer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Bone-Broth.pdf

 

[Metella]

Not a chicken !!! But he helps with chicken chores every day - by running around and having fun while I work.

they just didn't want to come outside today ....
Bakin in the Rain - if you ever read our posts here - that RIR is the one I rescued from your friend and the weasel attack - doing just fine ...