***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[mjgigax]

I am having such a bad time at work I can't wait to get home to my chickens!!!! State Testing has turned some of these teachers into monsters and it is difficult to deal with them.

Same here! But kids acting shockingly out of control, even some of the well-behaved ones are wild.

At this school, teachers aren't so bad. I am so lucky to be with such a group of dedicated and tireless folks. My last school was so demoralizing that I quit at the end of 5 years and was never going to teach again. I missed the kids so much I somehow got talked into taking anouther teaching job.

Some parents are behaving poorly too, freaking out about the fact that their kids may not pass this year.
While teaching, I have seen the best and the worst in people.

Thank goodness for some true heros and for chickens.

 

[mjgigax]

This is very long, but thought it might be of interest to some, and encouraging to some who might experience something similar.

About two months ago, my best young paint rooster horrifically injured my best paint female--a pullet I'd fairly recently shown. The pen they were in is segmented into four sections that are divided by a 2' wall that he'd learned to get over. He originally had four hens in the first section, but regularly visited the other three sections. He'd enticed three of the other young hens into his domain, leaving the next door pen empty, two hens in the third, and a paint showgirl cockerel, a buff/paint showgirl pullet, and the paint silkie pullet in question in the fourth section.

Vashi had told me he was chasing her, and I was keeping somewhat of an eye on things, 'though there didn't appear to be a real problem until that day. I guess it was sort of a "Don't resist me, you know you want it" sort of thing. This rooster has never injured another hen in any way before or since, and his harem that now numbers seven + the one lone hen in section three (I sold the other one) appear to adore him. He follows Vashi and me from section to section, usually excepting section four where he has so far allowed the paint showgirl cockerel to keep his mate, but doesn't attack either of us.

Vashi forgot to tell me he was chasing her relentlessly early that morning, so it was several hours before I went out to feed and discovered her injuries. He had peeled a large flap of skin--about 3" long and 5" wide from her back and right side, that was only stuck to her by a thread, and was pretty well dry, precluding trying to reattach it. She was able to move around and could use both wings and legs, and was not in shock, but was a very shocking sight! He'd also made a deep gouge in her right side. I rushed her into the house and slathered her with Neosporin, filling the gouge with it. I put her in a cage isolated from the other chickens, but where she could see and hear some of them, I've only had one other incident where a rooster has injured a pullet/hen, and it was nothing like this--but I've read of others who've had severe injuries. Not knowing what else to do, I put Duramycin-10 (Tetracycline Hydrochloride powder) in her water for a couple of weeks and force-fed her Polyvisol vitamins daily for most of that time. From the beginning, she was alert, ate and drank well, and acted almost completely normally. I had no idea how this would turn out. We really cannot afford drastic veterinary treatment for even a favorite chicken (which she now is), even if we had access to an avian vet who would know what to do. The only thing I could think of was debridement and massive skin grafts, which certainly she couldn't provide, having so much skin missing, so I decided to let nature take its course.

I'd previously had one OEGB chick whose mother peeled the skin backwards off her head, and I was able to isolate the chick, medicate it, and pull most of the skin back onto her head. She survived, but never grew feathers back on her head.

I'v'e kept close watch on her, but only cleaned or treated the massive wound the one time, fearing introducing contaminants. I did pick her up often, examining and smelling the wound. There were no signs of infection or gangrene, and the entire wound scabbed over. In a couple of weeks, I was sure I was seeing skin slowly growing around the edges of the entire huge wound, but I never expected feathers. At this point, it appears that the skin that is growing back is producing feathers, and there is only about a quarter size patch in the middle of her back that isn't covered--but it still looks pretty rough. I haven't checked her side in a few days, but I could see the skin was also growing back there. I do know the human body is capable of absorbing dried blood and such from its own wounds.

She continues to eat well and act completely normally, including preening! I am absolutely amazed at their regenerative abilities, especially since in other instances they seem to be so vulnerable and frail!

Fortunately this happened before the flies were out, or I feel sure the outcome would have been different. She'll always have a special place in our hearts, and if she's ever exposed to any male again, she'll have a lovely apron!

So glad she is healing!
I have had a lot of great results with Vetrisin

 

[NanaKat]

Got home from the funeral and decided to take time with the chickens to filter my thoughts.

I've been collecting eggs for the next hatch schedules. There are 6 hens that are seriously broody so I set up brood cages and gave them 50 eggs to hatch. All of them raked their eggs under and settled in right away hen purring. And still had 48 eggs to go in the incubator. There are Bantam eggs that will go in the incubator when the next batch moves to the hatcher on the 19th.

NanaKat,
What are your brooder cages? Do you move the hens or put the cages over then? Can the hens get out, chicks stay in?

I have several 18 x 24 cages that I have on shelves in the brooder room and hanging on the wall. I put clean hay inside and form a nest depression. Add the eggs , food and water for the hen and then move the broody hen to her cage. When you have a really determined hen, she goes right to work. The cages have tray bottoms and I remove soiled hay and refresh it during the brooding. The chicks remain in the cage with the hen for a week and then I move them to floor pens. Since all of these will hatch at the same time, I will remove the floor pen walls and let all of them run the brood room floor...letting the hens choose their roost sections.

 

[Kyzmette]

Are American/Standards the accepted color varieties? Sorry i don't know many things, I am fairly new to chickens.
If they are, i actually prefer the english imports! I like their plumpness and shape.

If cost is a factor you don't want the English. If it's not, you definitely want the English.

 

[little-hen]

If cost is a factor you don't want the English. If it's not, you definitely want the English.

Cost is not a factor!
That's good, I have always liked the English.
Do you know of any breeders?

 

[muesky]

Dusti, Coweta is this Saturday at 3, right? I've been toying with the idea of going.....is Coral going? If so I can just pick up the Fav boy and the Brahma boys from you 2 ladies there. If we do it that way please keep the boys in your car, I don't want them anywhere near all those auction birds.
I'lll PM Coral right now in case she's busy and doesn't see this.

I believe the auction is Coweta starts at 2. MJGigax and I are going.. I am just taking some turkey eggs to sell and hoping to find some nice laying hens, or maybe some white ameraucanas like last time...

The Facebook post said it is starting at 2 PM. Don't be late or you might miss all the awesome junk at the beginning!

Yes maybe 3 would be a better time if you want to avoid watching them sell belts and work jumpers...

I'm going to jump in and say hello! I'm in Noble and just starting to get into raising chickens. So I don't have any yet. I'm still in the research phase on breeds and coops and the laws in my town (of which I can't find anything). I'm hoping to start my flock next spring. The house I just bought needs a lot of work in the backyard before I can have any. Any advice would be great!

Okie edition!!! Actually you are not that far from me I live in the Little Axe area south of HWY 9 and off 180th..

It's been one of those days that make you wonder why you have chickens. I came home to find Lord Dingwald had gotten out of his pen and got attacked by a dog. He's alive, but not well. Poor, sweet boy. He's beak-down in his bedding, and that's really bad.

I got him inside and settled, and went to take care of the big pen. While I was watering, I found Flower, my Buttercup with the vision problems and possible past stroke, laying next to the water dish. Her breathing was shallow, and when I examined her she was limp and had a bloody vent. I was carrying her inside and telling her what a beautiful and wonderful chickie she is, when she chirped once to me, seized, and died in my arms. Poor, poor girl.

And then I came inside to take care of the chicks and my Isbar hatchling with mushy chick syndrome was dead. Sigh.

I am sorry for your loss. It is hard to lose them.. I think everyone on here totally understands your pain..

This is great! I feel this starting to happen in my house. We actually had a family meeting about selling our house and moving out to the country this morning!
Nigerian dwarfs are next on our must have list! Plus were getting pretty attached to our little d'uccle (Mille fleur) rooster. He's adorable and still young enough that having him is no big deal. But in a few months it will be a problem

what is it about roosters? When they're great they're the greatest.

That's what made me buy a place out in the country...

I don't have a rooster, just half a dozen chicks... maybe one of them is a rooster-in-training. I thought one of the people just starting their flock might want a good dual-purpose bird.

Now, in the category of "Something-I-Never-Would-Have-Expected", my mother got me an Easter present. I came home to seven Indian Red Jungle Fowl day old chicks. Not exactly a bird I ever would have picked for myself, but I was amazingly touched anyway. She actually figured out how to order them online and bought them from Purely Poultry.

That is like that greatest present. Very interesting breed she picked and like everyone else I would be interested in knowing why she picked them. That deserves a big "THANKS MOM!!"

Watch the video, I promise it won't cause any anxiety lol

Unless you need to go to the restroom or have just taken a drink then you may become anxious about what might accidentally come out...

Oh come on. Don't you have a doghouse? LOL.

Heck I have used a dog crate in the house...

I am having such a bad time at work I can't wait to get home to my chickens!!!! State Testing has turned some of these teachers into monsters and it is difficult to deal with them.

State Testing turns everyone involved into monsters. If people could see what we are forced to make teachers and students do for these tests they would be outraged and if they are not they should be because it is horrible!!!

This is very long, but thought it might be of interest to some, and encouraging to some who might experience something similar.

About two months ago, my best young paint rooster horrifically injured my best paint female--a pullet I'd fairly recently shown. The pen they were in is segmented into four sections that are divided by a 2' wall that he'd learned to get over. He originally had four hens in the first section, but regularly visited the other three sections. He'd enticed three of the other young hens into his domain, leaving the next door pen empty, two hens in the third, and a paint showgirl cockerel, a buff/paint showgirl pullet, and the paint silkie pullet in question in the fourth section.

Vashi had told me he was chasing her, and I was keeping somewhat of an eye on things, 'though there didn't appear to be a real problem until that day. I guess it was sort of a "Don't resist me, you know you want it" sort of thing. This rooster has never injured another hen in any way before or since, and his harem that now numbers seven + the one lone hen in section three (I sold the other one) appear to adore him. He follows Vashi and me from section to section, usually excepting section four where he has so far allowed the paint showgirl cockerel to keep his mate, but doesn't attack either of us.

Vashi forgot to tell me he was chasing her relentlessly early that morning, so it was several hours before I went out to feed and discovered her injuries. He had peeled a large flap of skin--about 3" long and 5" wide from her back and right side, that was only stuck to her by a thread, and was pretty well dry, precluding trying to reattach it. She was able to move around and could use both wings and legs, and was not in shock, but was a very shocking sight! He'd also made a deep gouge in her right side. I rushed her into the house and slathered her with Neosporin, filling the gouge with it. I put her in a cage isolated from the other chickens, but where she could see and hear some of them, I've only had one other incident where a rooster has injured a pullet/hen, and it was nothing like this--but I've read of others who've had severe injuries. Not knowing what else to do, I put Duramycin-10 (Tetracycline Hydrochloride powder) in her water for a couple of weeks and force-fed her Polyvisol vitamins daily for most of that time. From the beginning, she was alert, ate and drank well, and acted almost completely normally. I had no idea how this would turn out. We really cannot afford drastic veterinary treatment for even a favorite chicken (which she now is), even if we had access to an avian vet who would know what to do. The only thing I could think of was debridement and massive skin grafts, which certainly she couldn't provide, having so much skin missing, so I decided to let nature take its course.

I'd previously had one OEGB chick whose mother peeled the skin backwards off her head, and I was able to isolate the chick, medicate it, and pull most of the skin back onto her head. She survived, but never grew feathers back on her head.

I'v'e kept close watch on her, but only cleaned or treated the massive wound the one time, fearing introducing contaminants. I did pick her up often, examining and smelling the wound. There were no signs of infection or gangrene, and the entire wound scabbed over. In a couple of weeks, I was sure I was seeing skin slowly growing around the edges of the entire huge wound, but I never expected feathers. At this point, it appears that the skin that is growing back is producing feathers, and there is only about a quarter size patch in the middle of her back that isn't covered--but it still looks pretty rough. I haven't checked her side in a few days, but I could see the skin was also growing back there. I do know the human body is capable of absorbing dried blood and such from its own wounds.

She continues to eat well and act completely normally, including preening! I am absolutely amazed at their regenerative abilities, especially since in other instances they seem to be so vulnerable and frail!

Fortunately this happened before the flies were out, or I feel sure the outcome would have been different. She'll always have a special place in our hearts, and if she's ever exposed to any male again, she'll have a lovely apron!

I had the same think happen to one of my hens and what I was told to do is pack the wound with granulated sugar and let me tell you it works. In less then two weeks skin had grown over the flesh.. Now before breeding season I de-spur all my roosters. Quick twist of the pliers and some white floor to stop the bleeding. Very happy hens!!

Same here! But kids acting shockingly out of control, even some of the well-behaved ones are wild.

At this school, teachers aren't so bad. I am so lucky to be with such a group of dedicated and tireless folks. My last school was so demoralizing that I quit at the end of 5 years and was never going to teach again. I missed the kids so much I somehow got talked into taking anouther teaching job.

Some parents are behaving poorly too, freaking out about the fact that their kids may not pass this year.
While teaching, I have seen the best and the worst in people.

Thank goodness for some true heros and for chickens.

I love teaching, I love my students but things like the testing makes me want to not do this anymore... Just saying!!

 

[nnbreeder]

We met Ksane today and picked up a beautiful Malay rooster. Tame and as gentle as a dog. Deep, loud crow that really made our other roosters sit up and take notice. So funny, every time he crowed the other roosters tried bribing their hens with treats. Guess they were afraid that they were going to lose their harems. LOL

 

[Kyzmette]

Oh, and in other news... this morning I awoke to the sound of Lord Dingwald crowing from his tub at the foot of my bed! When I brought him in the other night his big beautiful comb was black all the way to just above the hase, but tonight only the tips are blue. He's missing some small patches of skin, a lot of feathers, and has some punctures, but it looks like there was nothing dire. I think he's ready to go back outside in the morning. I am SO thankful. Not that I don't appreciate his crowing...

Thank you guys for the concern and encouragement.

The same day as my bad, bad chicken day, I got some other news, some about me, some about my daughter, so I apologize for not being here for others who were in need.

Nana, I was thinking of you. I hope your family is finding some peace with their grief.

 

[Ksane]

We met Ksane today and picked up a beautiful Malay rooster. Tame and as gentle as a dog. Deep, loud crow that really made our other roosters sit up and take notice. So funny, every time he crowed the other roosters tried bribing their hens with treats. Guess they were afraid that they were going to lose their harems.  LOL

I'm glad he's got you 2 and girls to live with. He's so beautiful and I really care about that guy. But I'm trying so hard to be logical and he needs more than the 1 hen and with all the roosters I've got I just can't give that to him.
That's hilarious about the other roosters lol All they have to give is food, they just gotta hope it's enough for the girls :-D Tell Tiva to hug him for me, I know she will.

Oh, and in other news... this morning I awoke to the sound of Lord Dingwald crowing from his tub at the foot of my bed! When I brought him in the other night his big beautiful comb was black all the way to just above the hase, but tonight only the tips are blue. He's missing some small patches of skin, a lot of feathers, and has some punctures, but it looks like there was nothing dire. I think he's ready to go back outside in the morning. I am SO thankful. Not that I don't appreciate his crowing...

Thank you guys for the concern and encouragement.

The same day as my bad, bad chicken day, I got some other news, some about me, some about my daughter, so I apologize for not being here for others who were in need.

Nana, I was thinking of you. I hope your family is finding some peace with their grief.

GO Lordy D!! Very glad to hear he's on the mend.

Rebecca, we're going also to the auction, I'll look for you and MJ to say hi.

 

[CindyMichelle3]

Welp, ya'll were probably right about my Silkie hen laying on the ground because somebody is in the box. They've only been in their new coop for a few weeks, and only been laying for about 2 months and I think I already have a broody girl. Is this possible? I know silkies are known for going broody but this seems soon. Can't wait till we move to more land (where my girls are not outlaws) so we can utilize this awesomeness!

Also... we're incubating eggs in my classroom. This is the first time ever and my Prekinders are PUMPED! Honestly, I don't know who is more excited, me or them. Tomorrow is the first day we can candle them (Day 9)... any advice?