Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[Wishing4Wings]

No signs of illness in the coops, thank goodness, but I did cull the 3 pullets today.

Not fun, but I used dry ice and a big rubbermaid tub. They passed out from the carbon dioxide and died. It was pretty quick, no struggling, and they weren't even scared. The lab results had come back ILT (Infectious Laryngotracheitis) which is highly contagious and the birds that survive and recover are carriers for life and spread the virus to any birds they are around. They seemed to have a mild form of the virus, having recovered, but I didn't want to keep them around to be a disease reservoir, especially since wild birds can also get and transmit the virus. Poor little babies. One in particular, the Rhodebar, was so sweet and friendly. Would have liked to see them grow up.

 

[cheeka]

OK will pop on once hunting season is over hopefully... he did pop in to say that his broody died, on the nest about 2 weeks in.

W4W I'm so sorry you had to go through all that, but relieved that it didn't spread. poor babies, but you did the right thing and found a decent way to get it done.

flock here is doing great. no free range today, I had so many errands after work... I was late. but I got so much done - hustled to the chicks - I see bitty wing feathers starting to come in on the oldest 1, and even tips on a few of the newest. they are super fluffy, puffy cheeks, fluffy butts, feathered legs and feet... little balls of peeping fluff! Gossamer did a great job. it's supposed to be nice out tomorrow, we'll see if she takes them outside.

11 Eggs today, g'nite all

 

[Scrambles55]

W4W... I am sorry about your pullets, but I am glad that they were not around the others. Hopefully, the virus was isolated. Poor babies. Thanks for the idea about how to cull humanely.

 

[Scrambles55]

Ah yes... Hunting season is here. Next week, we are off to hunt elk.

 

[cheeka]

mmmmmm I love elk. with huckleberry sauce... bow season is open here, hope to get enough venison in the freezer so we don't have to hang out in the snow and bitter cold of the later season...

the flock is out so I can't stay in, but the wee family was out for a bit, so darned cute... I made a Pie with squid rings and pollack fillets.to serve in a little while, just came in to take it off the stove and pop on to say howdy! and I got my silly hat in the mail. I love it!

 

[BullChick]

 

[lularat]

Cheeka, love the hat! If you don't mind me asking...where did you get it?

 

[lindz8504]

Hi all. Crazy around here. Will try to update later. Re-homing Harley tonight before he gets his little self hurt or killed. He has small dog syndrome bad. He is picking fights with Ratchet and Zauk. The oldest DD was stuck in the middle of one of the fights on the front steps. He is going to a great home though. I just hate that he didn't work here. I tried everything I could think of but he is determined to try to rip Zauk and Ratchet apart, which is comical because of the size difference but scary because he will get the worst damage.

 

[Scrambles55]

Cheeka.... love the hat. It is soooo you!

Lindz.... sorry about Harley. He bit off more than he should have.

ONE!! and a rubber egg from Jemma.

Question.... Can a chicken go through two molts in a row?? Rumples molted about 5 weeks ago, the feathers grew back and now there are feathers everywhere again.

 

[cheeka]

precious! so snuggly - glad she made it for the visit!

Cheeka, love the hat! If you don't mind me asking...where did you get it?

from Burchfield Custom Crochet, I have her card, but I'll be darned if I can read the tiny writing... so I can't give the email but she's on Facebook as Burchfield Custom Crochet... she's really nice and makes a wide variety of stuff. the hat is a crack up. I'll wear it on my route on Halloween. maybe the day after Thanksgiving too...

I collected 9 Eggs today and while the morning and early afternoon were dismal, drizzly, grey... it brightened up and burned off all those clouds. free range was great, everyone was out, even Gossamer and the babies. the rain is good, 6th driest September on record... we haven't had any for a month. but free range is better.