One little, two little, three little Indians . . .

[Skyrider]

I have WHAT in my yard? :

A plastic container with a small amount (maybe a tsp) of tuna fish left on top of the coop for three days in July --- viola - maggots = very happy chickens

very grossed out momma!

Dear Momma!

Grossed out for sure, but I love it! I'll try it.

Thanks!

Sky~​

 

[Skyrider]

Hello again!

I dunno what's happening here, but I couldn't stand the stink and clean up of having Laxmie and her peeps in my bathroom any longer. They were moved to the hutch. Laxmie rooted the other two hens out right away, but I think another hen is starting to lay. We'll see. It's either ours or the neighbors. We cannot keep the neighbor's hen out of our yard. I think she used to lay her eggs here before we moved in and the house was abandoned. But now . . . .

We have a new problem. Before I took the peeps and Laxmie outside I heard a very loud peeping and rushed into the bathroom to find a peep on the floor dying. I have no clue why. We moved them outside and everything has been fine for four day, until ... just like that ... another one up and died in minutes. The head and neck in both cases were very, very loose. I don't know if that's normal or not. Seeing they can nearly turn their heads clear around is making me think it's normal, but no blood or other injuries discernible. The first time it happened I thought Laxmie might have stepped on it and broke its neck. I dunno. Then again today, we saw the runt just standing with her little head bowed low and barely peeping. Why? Of course, the others pecked on her, but I brought her inside in a small box and forced down some onions, a piece of Anacin, one worm chopped up, and then put antibiotics in all their water. We kept her warm in the kitchen as the monsoon makes it a bit cool outside. But remember, we're in India, so "cool" is a relative word. And we cannot keep strange chickens away from them. So, I don't know if she picked up something or not. All the others seem to be fine.

Anyway, we put her to bed with Mom and we'll see in the morning if she's still alive. But we started with eleven and are now down to eight if this one dies.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Best!

Sky~

 

[WoodlandWoman]

What have you been feeding them?

 

[miss_thenorth]

Hi, sorry I don't have time right now to real all the posts, but i found this website last night, and it decribes how to make your own chick/chicken food. Probably very helpful for someone who doesn't have a feed store close by.

http://www.lionsgrip.com/intro.html

 

[SandraMort]

Quote:
when I considered moving to Bangalore (India), I learned that most homes don't have western style ovens. You may do better with a solar oven.

 

[Skyrider]

Quote:
Mostly cracked wheat and some cracked rice. The days have been cool, and that's good for 'em. But then we supplement with lots of worms and insects. They are growing feathers and looking very healthy. Our roo and other two hens are very heavy by comparrison to our neighbor's chickens who constantly try to get our food.

But alas, the baby was dead this morning. At least she got to nestle up in her mother's wing for the night. So sad, and a tragic loss for us. ;(

Sky~

 

[Skyrider]

Quote:
when I considered moving to Bangalore (India), I learned that most homes don't have western style ovens. You may do better with a solar oven.

Hey!

Bangelore, eh? I lived there for a while when I first came to India. Then the Philippines, back to India, then Nepal, and then back to India between Bombay and Delhi, finally settling here in the Bombay region.

A solar oven might be good. But I had in mind to just nuke them (when the electricity is on) and then grind them up in a mortar pestal.

Thanks for the idea!

Sky~

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I was wondering if the chicks might be missing some nutrient, if they weren't showing any other signs of illness. If they've been eating bugs and worms, along with other food, that's pretty good for them.

I'm not sure what happened, from what you've said. Poor babies. I'm sorry you lost them. I know you've been doing everything you possibly can for them. It sounds like your adults are doing really well.

 

[Skyrider]

Quote:
Thanks for the condolences. I guess it's just nature's way.

Sky~

 

[2manyhats]

They could be getting bacteria or parasites from the insects. It sounds like you are doing a great jog under tough circumstances.