NY chicken lover!!!!

[boskelli1571]

Probably sometime in early spring. Trying to figure out if I should just get some at the local TSC or do the online mail order thing.

It depends on what you want. Local feedstores like TSC usually sell 'straight run' so you could theoretically end up with 4 roosters!
When I have ordered online I have used MyPetChicken.com - very nice to deal with and will ship small numbers of birds.
Of course, the downside to the online thing is you have to rely on the Postal Service.....which is hit and miss to say the least. You would think they would fast-track livestock, but they don't seem to care. I have had mixed luck with USPS and I'm not a big fan

 

[NNYchick]

Question- I have a sick cockerel. His bum feathers are covered in green and white poo, he is panting and holding his wings down, his crop has food in it but not firm or distended feels like a normal crop. He is 30 weeks old. All of the other chickens are fine. I noticed this tonight and moved him into a dog crate in the garage with food and water and covered the crate with a blanket. The only thing different for him is he was moved during the day the last couple weeks to my old run during the day and returned to the coop in the evening with the rest because he was harassing my pullets but has been in the regular pen the last few days since the rain started, he wasn’t harassing the pullets so I thought maybe things had gotten better. I checked around the pen today the only thing different is there are some really big dropping like the size of a quarter, green/white, and firm. Any ideas on what maybe going on and is there anything else I should be doing for him.

 

[FishMtFarm]

Question- I have a sick cockerel. His bum feathers are covered in green and white poo, he is panting and holding his wings down, his crop has food in it but not firm or distended feels like a normal crop. He is 30 weeks old. All of the other chickens are fine. I noticed this tonight and moved him into a dog crate in the garage with food and water and covered the crate with a blanket. The only thing different for him is he was moved during the day the last couple weeks to my old run during the day and returned to the coop in the evening with the rest because he was harassing my pullets but has been in the regular pen the last few days since the rain started, he wasn’t harassing the pullets so I thought maybe things had gotten better. I checked around the pen today the only thing different is there are some really big dropping like the size of a quarter, green/white, and firm. Any ideas on what maybe going on and is there anything else I should be doing for him.

Whenever I get a sick bird, first thing I do is treat for coccidiosis with corid, which you can find at runnings or tractor supply. I wouldn't start there. It won't hurt him if he doesn't have coccidiosis.

 

[rancher hicks]

Been a while but I;ll start with the sick roo. Uncover the pen. Chickens exhale a great deal of moisture. You don't want things damp. Then I'd start with some Duramycin in the water if he's eating and drinking. No food but lots of insoluble grit, on top of the food. I can't express enough that chickens do not get enough grit from the ground. Put it in a bowl or container so they have access to it 24/7. I'd do the Duramycin for a day, then some Sulmet a day or two later. See how he does. There is a "Poop page" that shows different poops so check his poops. If he's eating and drinking that's a good thing. JUST feed and water. I've wetted some bread with the medicine water if they'll eat bread and not feed. Some come around others do not but I try as best I can. I wish you well.

 

[rancher hicks]

So I've been busy. Wife still sick and going through Chemo. It's very hard.
Sold 11 hens I got as chicks from TSC. BO's and they were nice.
I"ve seven new Lavender EE/Amer that the hens hatched. Three I'm sure are roosters. Two will go. Free of course. I'll keep one for getting more, chicks next year. Hens can generally hatch enough replacements.
Sold the duck too. Come here at 4 am and I might be in the mood to sell the lot. I can't sleep if things get to much for me. Don't want to be a hoarder of chcikens you know. There are times I could use a second pair of hands. I will probably post to CL and see what I can get.
Still working at Wegmans, but training for the produce department. They are hiring you know. They hire as young as 16 so if you have a teenager who wants to work they're a good place to start. Plus they offer a scholarship program.
I like straw for my runs as it's drier than hay. CM has it for about $5.50 a bale. Cheaper than having hay delivered per bale but I don't have a truck so I've decided to pick it up one bale at a time. Not easy though.
Bought bulbs to plant and shrubs on sale. Nine barks some.
Had a hawk come round and landed in the yard. the birds were out and all took cover under raspberry bushes and in border weeds. the White silkies were easy to spot even under the rasp. bushes poor things. I came out just in time and it took off. Nine barks are pretty and droop over so they can hide under them. Plant lots of shelter plants for you birds if you free range. Berries are dual purpose you know. Grape vines too. I lost no birds this time. I rarely see hawks and what with neighbors having chickens haven't been bothered with predators.
Two neighbors have chickens now. One has black pigs running about.

So life goes on.

Oh nearly for got. Bought a copy of "Last Child in the Woods" saving our children from Nature Deficit disorder. - Richard Louv. Please folks I can't stress how important reading is for you and your kids. Keep you brain working. Did you know you retain more information from reading a paper book than reading it on you kindle?

Two for young kids? "The Ox Cart Man" and "The old ladies who liked cats. "

Two for older kids? "Because of Winn Dixie" and Dear Mr. Henshaw.

Two for Older kids? "Where are the children" - Mary Higgins Clark and "To Kill a Mocking bird" - Harper Lee.

Find them Used on Ebay. RIF - reading is fundamental. Knowledge is power. Don't worry if your not a good reader. I read at all levels as I'm not good at reading myself. Your brain is a muscle and gets better with exercise.

Love ya,
Rancher, places to go, people to annoy, Hicks.

 

[Lapeerian]

my ipod updated to the new operating system upgrade over the weekend, BYC app will not even load anymore, get a message that the app is out of date

Anybody interested in a small flock of Spitz? Tired of rafter chickens (aka they dont go in the coop and instead poop on everything from the horse barn rafters). Going to cull out some of the older mixed breed hens as well, nobody is laying right now as expected, but they are bullies that wont let the teenagers in the coop, resulting in more rafter chickens.

 

[FishMtFarm]

Hang in there Hicks.....

 

[NNYchick]

So my Yeti didn’t make it till I got home. All the others look fine eating and wondering around no dirty butts or no weird looking poos in the pen. Is there anything I should do to protect them. The only weird thing is I found this fairy egg my hen has been laying normal eggs for nearly 2 weeks is it normal for her to lay a fairy egg now or do I have a new layer?

 

[boskelli1571]

View attachment 1177755 So my Yeti didn’t make it till I got home. All the others look fine eating and wondering around no dirty butts or no weird looking poos in the pen. Is there anything I should do to protect them. The only weird thing is I found this fairy egg my hen has been laying normal eggs for nearly 2 weeks is it normal for her to lay a fairy egg now or do I have a new layer?

Sorry for Yeti Don't worry about the fairy egg. Sometimes if a speck of something like shed lining will start off an egg - it's nothing to fret about. I often hard boil them - rarely do they have yolks..

 

[rancher hicks]

Sorry about Yeti. Only thing I can recommend is good feed and clean water. Sometimes these things happen. Don't lose heart.

My chickens clearly hate me. I just sold 11 hens and I go out tonight and here is a Silkie on three eggs and a Frizzle on two. I just can not win.

Dels trying to sleep in the nest boxes. Never had that happen before. I blocked them tonight. Need to clean tomorrow. So much to do, so little time and energy.