Peeps in Europe!

[AnnaWolf]

Yes, the choices are hard... like a kid in a candy store! I know! I would love to have so many more! Just don't have the space! Oh well...

Yep have to make another list with pros and cons

 

[chickengr]

unsexed chicks usually are all boys.

 

[BDutch]

There are some pullets for sell here but you're right in chicks i have more choice but i don't have a booder or heatplate the choices

Welcome back Anna. How is you’re flock from last year? Is that why you need vaccinated chicks?

A brooder is not hard to make by yourself. But I believe vaccinations are quite expensive.
If you don’t want to make these costs and buy a heat plate or heat lamp, you can buy unsexed chicks from > 6 weeks old in a month or three too.
From medio may on it’s warm enough to have a group of chicks without extra warming. But you still need a separate coop/run for younger chicks bc the older ones would peck them too hard. They have to get used to each other for a couple of weeks before you can put them all together in one space.

 

[AnnaWolf]

Welcome back Anna. How is you’re flock from last year? Is that why you need vaccinated chicks?

A brooder is not hard to make by yourself. But I believe vaccinations are quite expensive.
If you don’t want to make these costs and buy a heat plate or heat lamp, you can buy unsexed chicks from > 6 weeks old in a month or three too.
From medio may on it’s warm enough to have a group of chicks without extra warming. But you still need a separate coop/run for younger chicks bc the older ones would peck them too hard. They have to get used to each other for a couple of weeks before you can put them all together in one space.

Good to be back! Unfortunately i don't have a flock anymore, mareks killed or paralyzid my birds so I culled. So my coop ( it's been cleaned twice) is ready for new birds. Vaccinated birds are more expensive, but i don't want to be heartbroken again. Featherd chicks more to considder

 

[abpatchy]

Good to be back! Unfortunately i don't have a flock anymore, mareks killed or paralyzid my birds so I culled. So my coop ( it's been cleaned twice) is ready for new birds. Vaccinated birds are more expensive, but i don't want to be heartbroken again. Featherd chicks more to considder

If you have an incubator (and are willing to incubate and raise chicks) you can us an desinfectant for the eggs. It would kill all Marek virus. In Germany we have Röhnfried pro that you can use for that. Or Oregano oil (Dosto liquid from amazon or other places). I just found a video that talks about the oregano oil. If German is no problem for you I can post the link here.

 

[BDutch]

If you buy chicks from one owner who has just a few birds and claims he has no Marek you are quit safe without vaccination.
Just never add new chicks/chickens (only eggs) and choose a breed thats willing to go broody, if you dont want to hustle with an incubator and a setup for chicks.
Works great for me!

You could even come over to my place to buy a few older Dutch bantams for a bottle of wine. They are great in hatching and raising chicks. In spring if they get broody you can give then some fertilised eggs.

I will do this in april/may. If I can find a good place for 2 elderly Dutch, it will give me the opportunity to keep more chicks.

 

[AnnaWolf]

If you have an incubator (and are willing to incubate and raise chicks) you can us an desinfectant for the eggs. It would kill all Marek virus. In Germany we have Röhnfried pro that you can use for that. Or Oregano oil (Dosto liquid from amazon or other places). I just found a video that talks about the oregano oil. If German is no problem for you I can post the link here.

I don't want to incubate chicks. I think it is a bit of a hassle. But that's good to know for when I want to incubate or let a hen do it. I'll look into it. No I speak tourist german

 

[AnnaWolf]

If you buy chicks from one owner who has just a few birds and claims he has no Marek you are quit safe without vaccination.
Just never add new chicks/chickens (only eggs) and choose a breed thats willing to go broody, if you dont want to hustle with an incubator and a setup for chicks.
Works great for me!

You could even come over to my place to buy a few older Dutch bantams for a bottle of wine. They are great in hatching and raising chicks. In spring if they get broody you can give then some fertilised eggs.

I will do this in april/may. If I can find a good place for 2 elderly Dutch, it will give me the opportunity to keep more chicks.

I find contradicting info about mareks surving in the soil, that's why i want vaccinated birds.
But your so sweet to offer yours

 

[abpatchy]

I find contradicting info about mareks surving in the soil, that's why i want vaccinated birds.
But your so sweet to offer yours

I think in your case getting vaccinated birds is a wise choice. Just like coccidia it stays in the ground. It's hard to get rid of. Hope you'll find your dream birds.

 

[abpatchy]

I replaced a rooster last week. The new guy is younger and a lot more what I was hoping for. Really nice rooster... and also not at all flighty. I like him! Unfortunately he caught a cold in this nasty weather. Added some meds in the water... and put some mint oil on the perch for inhaling. He can't feel too bad since he tried to mate with one or two hens today... not sure if it was the same hen or not.
So today I put 26 eggs into my incubator to see if I need to worry about the other rooster having fertilized any of the hens. I hope not!
I'll be butchering that rooster as well as my back up rooster as he has developed white tail feathers (like his father). So I'll have to keep an eye out when I select in the future.