She is a red sexlink. It's common that an egg factory clip their beaks so they do not peck each other to death in a crowded condition. She might be a lucky one that escaped when they process the older girls during fall. I just saw one red sexlink chicken wondering around our neightborhood two days ago, but I was not able to get her.
You have done what most of us do. You can relax now, the chicks don’t need to be so pampered. Go ahead, and put them outside this morning. Tonight they will will make noise as they settle in their new digs the first night. They probably won’t roost at night for several more weeks. That is another topic though.
She is a red sexlink. It's common that an egg factory clip their beaks so they do not peck each other to death in a crowded condition. She might be a lucky one that escaped when they process the older girls during fall. I just saw one red sexlink chicken wondering around our neightborhood two days ago, but I was not able to get her.
Thanks for the nice words for Candy. Sorry for your loss. It's hard to lose a lovely girl like her, but this is life.
All other girls seem healthy though.
That's what I told them. I don't think she is vaccinated. They said they found she had thicker nerves, so it sounds like they suspect Marek. I hope it's not Marek, or I can only order vaccinated chicks from a hachery in the future.
The problem with the Merek's vaccine is that it's a "leaky" vaccine. It protects any birds that have had the vaccine from developing any symptoms but it doesn't stop them from getting it and spreading it to others. That's why I'll never vaccinate for it.
Who called in the 29* weather?!
That's been my policy also. Some birds have a strong immunity against Marek's symptoms, but nearly all chickens carry it, according to the Merks Veterinary Manual. Vaccinated chickens are just as likely to be infected, the vaccine only greatly reduces (but doesn't totally eliminate) the chance of showing symptoms. As such, the vaccinated birds can carry more virulent strains that would otherwise die out (as it kills off all its hosts). That makes me very wary of "rescuing" factory farm birds, as they are always vaccinated and exposed to thousands of other vaccinated birds - who knows what is brewing in those facilities.I hope not too. I haven't had any losses here that resemble Merek's at all so who knows
