I received the Chanteclers in the mail today. All look good except for one. It looks like it got squished in a machine or something. Missing one toe, the hip looks wrong and it cannot stand. Have to cull. I am so sad. Wonder where this happened? Did not happen in the box, too severe of damage to be done by other chicks and the rest look fine. The hatchery also sent exactly 25, no extras. Take pics later I need to go to work.
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My experiance last year is that its the reverse, I put out Jr birds with my adults and I lost some of those (I figured poor immune systems) and I lost everything that I put in with the Cochins. (Who were visually healthy and excellent typed show birds, but alas, terminally stupid)
I guess some people only buy eggs? But then you still have to keep stuff seperate and thats just a logistics nightmare here. One of the main reasons I decided to switch over to waterfowl. I'm going to keep the Ameraucana flock because they have been excellent hardy birds, I may try just *once* more with these Silkies, but I dunno, my new Roo does not appear to be very smart, he could not figure out the mason jar waterer!
I am going to put the week olds in a bin with heat....I am stealing the heat from my 9 in my double brooder box. They are in an ENCLOSED porch with my dryer running any night I have to do wash, so they "old" ones will be ok. (yes, dryer is vented outside or I wouldn't be able to see out the windows that enclose it)
I have bribed my SO (ray) to build me *another* brooder box that is 18" tall for the new ones I am getting tomorrow. They may have to sleep in a cardboard box overnight, but in the AM they will get their own brooder box. (Look for my fire sale on custom built brooder boxes. LOL) He will build it, however, I am in charge of finding space in the back (enclosed) porch for the TWO additional boxes. There is only ONE outlet in the area (it is a *porch* after all) So 2 boxes get heat, 2 learn to snuggle up close. Best I can do.
On a lighter note I went to TSC and they had put their "chick starter kits" on sale for 10 bucks. These are 10 inch tall boxes with holes in them to bring your chicks home in. But the cutest part is/are the feeder and waterer. They are only 8 inches tall.
I am tickled pink at these miniature items. Since it would have cost me a MINIMUM of 10 bucks for each new brooder set up, I feel I got a good deal. (there is a small amount of food, a roll of cardboard for an enclosure
and coupons on full size waterers and feeders and food too)
Thank you. I tell everyone how wonderful BYC folks are. I will quarentine my new birds for 30 days, regardless of how I feel about the trustworthiness of the breeder I am getting them from.
Some day I will get a camera to work and I will post pics of these critters driving me crazy. (In a good way)
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Well I will weigh in on this. This is Sooooo true, an otherwise healthy bird can come down with bad stuff if stressed enough. Even in your own coop. This is why I have a sign on the coop do to open it slowly.. Never, never chase chickens unless absolutely necessary. Keep them calm.
Even changes in feed should be gradual.
If you need to dust, worm or anything else to them do it at night so you don't spook the rest and have casualties. Some chickens are like my ex-wife , here today, gone tomorrow.
Chickens can recognize people and don't like strangers. Especially ugly ones. That's why my mother in law is not allowed around my chickens. Lord have mercy they started dropping like flies. One rooster even got the ax and chopped off his own head.
Take care
Rancher
Rancher, I was soooo hoping you would weigh in on this problem. You crack me up sooo much. Thank you for the much needed stress relief contained in your post.
It was you that told me that any change in the coop can affect the laying patterns of my hens. Well, these hens keep laying (at least 2 a day from 4 hens, most days 3. Good thing too, cuz it takes 3 of their eggs to equal one large egg
) I have made changes and changes and more changes. Pounded nails in the walls to put up shelves, added a table, opened windows, closed windows, changed the feeder totally and they keep laying. They miss the nest box tho, when I do make changes. Silly ladies.
I am listening to you and I won't allow ugly people in my coop. What do I do about the fact they have a run they can see the ugly people from?
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I have Chanteclers coming in the mail hopefully tomorrow. And 2 incubators full, 1 has Quail and 1 has Runners. Oh, and a broody with 12 eggs. Also a broody with 3 chicks that hatched a couple days ago. Oh and I almost forgot the chicks in the grow-out houses, 1st set hatched in March and the 2nd set hatched 2 weeks ago.
Yes, I know I have the poultry addiction.
Sounds eggsiting around your house!
Post pics of your Chanteclers please (when you get a chance). Would love to see them.
Mlward: Yes, then empty incubater calls to you, doesn't it?
Happy Country Hens
Annie,
What kind of chanteclers and where did you order them? Last year I was considering them, but got buckeyes instead.
Ginny
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Well I will weigh in on this. This is Sooooo true, an otherwise healthy bird can come down with bad stuff if stressed enough. Even in your own coop. This is why I have a sign on the coop do to open it slowly.. Never, never chase chickens unless absolutely necessary. Keep them calm.
Even changes in feed should be gradual.
If you need to dust, worm or anything else to them do it at night so you don't spook the rest and have casualties. Some chickens are like my ex-wife , here today, gone tomorrow.
Chickens can recognize people and don't like strangers. Especially ugly ones. That's why my mother in law is not allowed around my chickens. Lord have mercy they started dropping like flies. One rooster even got the ax and chopped off his own head.
Take care
Rancher
I agree the the mother in law comment, but be careful with the ex wife stuff.....the gone tomorrow is probably a good thing....unless she took all the $$$ w/her!!
Post pics of your Chanteclers please (when you get a chance). Would love to see them.
Mlward: Yes, then empty incubater calls to you, doesn't it?
Happy Country Hens
Annie,
What kind of chanteclers and where did you order them? Last year I was considering them, but got buckeyes instead.
Ginny
Yes, indeed! I found myself looking at egg auctions that had ending dates that would have them delivered to me right at the "empty" time. Had to stop myself!
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Annie,
What kind of chanteclers and where did you order them? Last year I was considering them, but got buckeyes instead.
Ginny
I actually orderd the Partridge Chanteclers from Welp over the weekend of 5/14 because their site DID NOT say they were out, just short on supply. Then I was worried that there were going to charge me now and I wouldn't get the chicks till who knows when so I called them on Monday the 9th. The rep said she would check into when they would be available and call me back. About an hour later she called and said they would be ready to ship on Wed 5/18 shipping out of New Mexico (Privett Hatchery?). I got them this morning, 1 was injured and had to be culled.
It looked like it had been squished by something. Missing a toe on one foot, cut off, and a hip was out of joint and it could not stand. Otherwise the rest are great.
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Annie,
What kind of chanteclers and where did you order them? Last year I was considering them, but got buckeyes instead.
Ginny
I actually orderd the Partridge Chanteclers from Welp over the weekend of 5/14 because their site DID NOT say they were out, just short on supply. Then I was worried that there were going to charge me now and I wouldn't get the chicks till who knows when so I called them on Monday the 9th. The rep said she would check into when they would be available and call me back. About an hour later she called and said they would be ready to ship on Wed 5/18 shipping out of New Mexico (Privett Hatchery?). I got them this morning, 1 was injured and had to be culled.
It looked like it had been squished by something. Missing a toe on one foot, cut off, and a hip was out of joint and it could not stand. Otherwise the rest are great.
I'll keep you updated as they grow.
Ok ... you guys aren't playing fair. Now there is ANOTHER breed I just have to have. Good thing I don't have any more room in my coop, unless all these chicks turn out to be roos.
Annie, let me know when you have Chantecler eggs for sale....I know it's way in the future, but so is my silkies going broody, since they don't have all their feathers yet.