Sdwd

[Hillbilly Hen]

Nella, I need to clean out my coop but I was hoping for warmer weather first. Like near 30 degrees. I have never done the "deep litter method" but today I ended up putting clean shavings on top of the old and sprinkling DE on it. Forcast for the next week does not look good either. I hate winter.

 

[NellaBean]

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I never planned on doing the deep litter method, but had too much to do and not enough time and energy to do it....so I had also started just layering new stuff on top of the old. Unfortunately, I also threw a few flakes of hay in there a few different times. Note to self: hay plus shavings plus poop equals HARD TO CLEAN. I literally had a years worth of nastiness to clean out today. I would like to clean that coop out every other month or so now. That should be plenty considering they are only in there at night...maybe I will clean out under the roosts more often.

If nothing else, I should have some really nice compost soon........for my nonexistant garden

 

[PepsNick]

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Same here! The snow, Christmas and hot chocolate part ain't so bad, but THIS? Just bleh. I use the deep litter method. Makes it a lot easier.

 

[Serrin]

Nick, if it's scabbed over just let Mother Nature handle it. She usually has the best touch with these things. But do keep your eye on the bird in question. Watch for any signs of infection, such as oozing of clear or white liquid from the scab. It could be an indication of infection. Also, if the leg becomes hot to the touch, or you see an angry red coloration around the wound, these could also be signs of an infection. Monitor and let us know how she does. She should be just fine.

Good news! Good news!!! Cosette laid her very first little egg today!

It's a beautiful sight to behold. Just a shade bluer than her mother's egg. I'll take some pictures of it tomorrow. I left the camera in the house after taking some pictures of Denny working on the ceiling in the great room and lofts, and I just don't have the ompf to get off my butt and go get it!

For now though, you'll just have to take my word for it. It's a lovely little egg! I'm so happy for her. She's a BIG girl now!

Which brings me to some sad news. It has taken me since Thursday to come to grips with this enough to relay the story to y'all. Lisette has passed on to the other side, with a bit of help from Denny, cuz God knows, I couldn't do it.

When I mentioned last weekend that I thought her only problem was that of undernourishment coupled with extremely cold temperatures, I honestly believed that.

Within a few days, as her disease progressed, it became apparent that this was not the case. Between my descriptions to Kathy, and her amazing talent at finding information on the net, we determined that it was surely a case of Marek's. Lisette did not improve, despite my best efforts to help her, still hoping against all odds that it wasn't actually Marek's. But I'm 99.9% certain now that it was.

And rather than see her suffer, knowing that it was utterly hopeless, I asked Denny to end her torment. She could no longer walk, hold herself up to eat and drink, and her sense of depth perception had been compromised as well, making it nearly impossible for me to even hand feed her. She had a great deal of difficulty in connecting with her food, even when I held it right to her beak.

She is with her Aunties now. May she rest in peace. I shall forever miss that sweet little face with her inquisitive and sparkling eyes. Surely, she was too precious for this world.

So Nick, when someone like Kathy advises you to pay the little bit extra to have a chick vaccinated at the hatchery, or to do it yourself if you're hatching out your own chicks, DO IT! You don't ever want to see this wretched disease first hand. Trust me on this one. It's heart breaking. And an ounce of prevention is worth a whole world of cure, especially if you are even remotely emotionally attached to your birds. I know that as for my flock, not another chick shall walk these grounds without the protection offered by the vaccination for Marek's at the very least. NOT ONE!

OK kiddiwinks, I'm just about as exhausted as one old woman can be. I think I'm heading to bed now. Y'all have sweet dreams, stay warm and I'll catch up to y'all in the morning. Nighty night!

 

[Braclin]

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I've got room now!!

 

[PepsNick]

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AMY! I am SO sorry! I know that you loved her- that is terrible!

This must be so hard. I am speechless! Thank you for all your great advice with Pepper, we both appreciate it.

Amy, I would NEVER let a bird who has not been vaccinated get anywhere near my coop, now. Are my birds? No. But I figure they're healthy and older, and Marek's typically only shows in younger birds. I lost 3 birds to cocci last year and am NOT going down that road again... which is why I don't think I can ever get another BO, after Liz-Lemon died. My new policy is that ALL chickens will be vaccinated for Marek's and Cocci (or the medicated feed until 14 weeks). All the chicks that I hatch I will vaccinate myself, for newcastle/infectious bronchitis also. Can you do that vac to day old hatchery chicks?

Anyways, I HATE, I mean "strongly dislike" disease and will not go through that again.

Edited because I don't hate.

 

[kathyinmo]

Amy,
It is so sad to lose a chicken we become so attached to. I am so sorry.

Good news about the pretty new egg! I can hardly wait to see your picture. So, a Delawegger lays a blue egg then? That is so cool, and I know that is what you wanted.



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Is this what you are asking about? A vaccination schedule? This is from the American Poultry Association site: http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/vaccination_guide.htm

 

[kathyinmo]

The first 2 chicks from Project D-pen 2 are now 12 days old. See the barring coming in?

 

[Junior]

Kathy,

all i can say is :

i can't wait to see your new strain of Delawares.

 

[Inkheart]

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Amy!

I am so sorry - i often read thru all these posts - but i always pick up a few of peoples favorites - I know Lisette was a girl you talked about so much - that really stinks and i wish i had some really good words of comfort for you - I am very sorry

When Patsy passed a little bit ago - i was devastated - the only thing i can say is that you may never get over it - but you learn to move on and live withthe loss - jus tremember her in the good days - and those thoughts will carry you through! So sorry
At least you did not just walk outside and the minute you did so your nostril hairs froze together! LOL - 5 here today! grrrrrrrr If i have to transport anymore warm water to the barn i may scream! Heat lamps and so forth work a bit - but STILL getting ice in that big ole barn