Suggestions for ISA Brown longevity

[Solanacae]

To each his or her own way of doing things. They are your chickens. And my DH would commit me if I considered spending $300 on a hormonal implant.

Part of my lack of enthusiasm for this idea, is probably based on the fact that I have had numerous of these types of birds, and found them active, inquisitive, curious and great layers and a great addition to the flock. I will admit that they do tend to be fine and die the next day around 3 -3.5 years of age, but I only have hatchery birds, and a lot of them die around that age. Chickens are not dependably long lived birds.

So for me, this would not be a good idea, I do try to give mine decent food, clean water and good shelter and bedding. I don't worry too much about a lot of things, but just take what I get handed to me and move on. I think of this as being realistic, others might think of it as heartless.

Mrs K

Growing up, I had rats as pets. I really enjoyed them - they were friendly and inquisitive. Every one of them got cancer of some sort, often tumors. The kindest thing to do once I realized they were getting sick was to put them down. There was no hope of a long life, even if they recovered, because rats just don’t live very long. My first one, though, I had a hard time making that decision. He had a tumor on his side the size of a golf ball, which is massive for a rat, by the time I realized how terrible he was feeling. Prolonging his life made me feel better, but it didn’t do the same thing for him. I think deciding when to stop trying to prolong an animal’s life is the hardest part about keeping animals.

 

[dirkandlorie]

I read one article that talked about how the author’s friend raised Great Danes, knowing that they would have a short life because that’s inherent to the breed/size of the animal. The dogs had such great personalities and she loved having them. The author then said that her red sex links were like that for her - she knew they would have a shorter life but they were such sweet, friendly birds that it was worth it to her. It definitely changed my perspective on the two little ones I have, although I think I’ll still call the local vet offices and see if they have the hormone implant just for curiosity’s sake. They will have a good life here, I try hard to make sure that my birds are healthy and happy, but not spoiled. Having chickens has been a great way to teach my kids about life cycles, including sickness and death, as hard as those topics are.

Just found this in my emails junk file, so sorry for so late replying. My 2nd oldest girl is a red sex link, she is 7 and has never had any health issues besides egg bound once. (Warm bath fixed that quick). All my girls are fed every day with oatmeal w/blueberries, mixed greens dressed with a thyme vinaigrette, and an apple or grapes diced as a treat. They have free choice feed and calcium at all times. I know there are people who say you should only give them factory processed food, but I swear by fresh fruits and greens and apple cider vinegar with thyme in it to add to their happiness and health. Not all production type birds live short lives, and I hope yours lives a good long and happy life also.

 

[Weeg]

Just found this in my emails junk file, so sorry for so late replying. My 2nd oldest girl is a red sex link, she is 7 and has never had any health issues besides egg bound once. (Warm bath fixed that quick). All my girls are fed every day with oatmeal w/blueberries, mixed greens dressed with a thyme vinaigrette, and an apple or grapes diced as a treat. They have free choice feed and calcium at all times. I know there are people who say you should only give them factory processed food, but I swear by fresh fruits and greens and apple cider vinegar with thyme in it to add to their happiness and health. Not all production type birds live short lives, and I hope yours lives a good long and happy life also.

This is really really cool. I have never had a 7 YO Sexlink, its those antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals they source from all that good stuff you give them. Plus whatever they find when you free range. So cool!

 

[Solanacae]

Just found this in my emails junk file, so sorry for so late replying. My 2nd oldest girl is a red sex link, she is 7 and has never had any health issues besides egg bound once. (Warm bath fixed that quick). All my girls are fed every day with oatmeal w/blueberries, mixed greens dressed with a thyme vinaigrette, and an apple or grapes diced as a treat. They have free choice feed and calcium at all times. I know there are people who say you should only give them factory processed food, but I swear by fresh fruits and greens and apple cider vinegar with thyme in it to add to their happiness and health. Not all production type birds live short lives, and I hope yours lives a good long and happy life also.

Sounds like they are getting less protein than they would with straight processed feed. Not saying that as a bad thing, just an observation as I think out loud. Less protein can slow a chicken’s rate of lay, which in the case of a production bird, could be beneficial. Is this the diet your red sex link has been on since she started laying? How often did she lay when she first started? Does she still?

 

[dirkandlorie]

Sounds like they are getting less protein than they would with straight processed feed. Not saying that as a bad thing, just an observation as I think out loud. Less protein can slow a chicken’s rate of lay, which in the case of a production bird, could be beneficial. Is this the diet your red sex link has been on since she started laying? How often did she lay when she first started? Does she still?

My Betty has always been a reliable layer, and up to this year has even produced for me in winter months. Have other breeds that take the winter off from laying. My 8 yr old cochin hasn't laid an egg in ages. Yes, all my chickens have been given a treat pan filled with greens, fruit, and a scoop of oatmeal w/blueberries in it every morning all their lives. They then go outside and chase down every bug they can find in the yard. Doubt that protein is reduced by much, their feed is 20% protein and I've seen the size of those worms they're digging out of my compost pile! Lol

 

[Weeg]

Doubt that protein is reduced by much, their feed is 20% protein and I've seen the size of those worms they're digging out of my compost pile! Lol

I wouldn't worry to much about it then. My birds get 20% protein, along with treats, forage, and vegetable scraps a couple times a week.

 

[Chickenmomma9099]

Just found this in my emails junk file, so sorry for so late replying. My 2nd oldest girl is a red sex link, she is 7 and has never had any health issues besides egg bound once. (Warm bath fixed that quick). All my girls are fed every day with oatmeal w/blueberries, mixed greens dressed with a thyme vinaigrette, and an apple or grapes diced as a treat. They have free choice feed and calcium at all times. I know there are people who say you should only give them factory processed food, but I swear by fresh fruits and greens and apple cider vinegar with thyme in it to add to their happiness and health. Not all production type birds live short lives, and I hope yours lives a good long and happy life also.

Hi there. Can you give me updates on your ISA brown? How long did she lived for? Did they lay everyday? Is there any advice you can give me, I have 2 left that i am very attached to. I don’t know what i do if i were to loose them. I give them Grubbly Farms and Nutrena. They get mealworms, frozen fruit and veggies as well as fresh. Do you have pics?

 

[Chickenmomma9099]

Just found this in my emails junk file, so sorry for so late replying. My 2nd oldest girl is a red sex link, she is 7 and has never had any health issues besides egg bound once. (Warm bath fixed that quick). All my girls are fed every day with oatmeal w/blueberries, mixed greens dressed with a thyme vinaigrette, and an apple or grapes diced as a treat. They have free choice feed and calcium at all times. I know there are people who say you should only give them factory processed food, but I swear by fresh fruits and greens and apple cider vinegar with thyme in it to add to their happiness and health. Not all production type birds live short lives, and I hope yours lives a good long and happy life also.

Also what kind of oatmeal do you give? And what kind of thyme vinaigrette?

 

[dirkandlorie]

Hi there. Can you give me updates on your ISA brown? How long did she lived for? Did they lay everyday? Is there any advice you can give me, I have 2 left that i am very attached to. I don’t know what i do if i were to loose them. I give them Grubbly Farms and Nutrena. They get mealworms, frozen fruit and veggies as well as fresh. Do you have pics?

Unfortunately my sex links passed away this last winter. They all lived 10-10 1/2 years, very happy years. They all layed eggs up until their death. They slowed down on laying their last year or two, but were very active up to the end. One I am positive died of a heart attack as she was chasing crickets. I do not believe feeding only processed chicken food is good for your chickens, they are omnivores and need a wide variety of healthy foods. I currently have marans and Easter eggers at 8 years of age. My Cochin is now 13, and I just added more marans and sex links to my flock. I'm hoping they all make it to an advanced age also. I also hope yours do too, and that you enjoy every moment with them!

 

[dirkandlorie]

Also what kind of oatmeal do you give? And what kind of thyme vinaigrette?

Ooops, just saw this, sorry. Regular oatmeal cooked with a splash of milk and blueberries mixed in. They liked their feed made into a mash once in a while also. Apple cider vinegar with thyme leaves soaked in it drizzled over their mixed greens that I serve every day. Their mixed greens are romaine, cabbage, mustard, kale, beet greens, radish leaves, collard, and shredded carrot. Dandelion, sweet potato leaves, amaranth leaves, nasturtium leaves, plantain and other goodies mixed in when I have them available. Obviously I grow all these things for them. Not sure I could afford such a daily diet if I had to buy it all at the grocery store.