Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

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Congrats Beth!!

~Aspen

 

[rancher hicks]

I have to confess I like these and may order some as soon as their coop is done. Can't order them with out their own place. They may usurp the Lavender Orpingtons I have.

Though I also like the Red Orpingtons too.

 

[daisyjack]

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There are apparently several things that can cause crooked and curled toes (two different things). Found this very interesting info on several other websites. Since we have all gotten them from other people, time will have to tell if our SFH issue is environmental or hereditary.

"Chicks usually get crooked toes when the humidity during incubation is too low but they can also get them if the floor of the rearing area / brooder is too cold and they can also inherit them from their parents. There has been some research that has linked crooked toes to rearing chicks on wire floors."

"Curled Toe Paralysis is when the toes are curled and the chick walks on the tops of his curled toes, rather than the sides of the toes as with crooked toes. It is painful for the chick so he will usually spend most of the time sat on his hocks resting or walking around on his hocks. Often chicks will die at about 3 or 4 weeks old. Curled toes are caused by a deficiency in Riboflavin. If hens have not had the correct diet (layers pellets for example without access to other foods like greens) this can sometimes occur but can also happen if the chicks starter crumbs contain insufficient Riboflavin. In the latter case, the chicks usually get curled toes after a week or two."

"1. What is the cause of crooked toes in chickens?
Most crooked toe conditions are either management or nutrition related. A lack of the vitamin riboflavin results in an inward curling of the toes and is called curled toe paralysis. Improper incubation temperatures will increase the incidence of crooked toes as will inbreeding. A few chickens with crooked toes (3-5 per 100) are not unusual. High yield meat-type birds will have more of a problem with crooked toes but this generally does not hurt the birds."

"There are many types of leg problems with chicks but the most common potential causes of leg problems are usually primarily down to one of four possibilities :
1. Incorrect settings at the incubation stage (or an unreliable incubator)
2. Slippery floor surface in the brooder once hatched
3. Nutritional deficiency when growing.
4. Hereditary

Two of the most common chick leg problems with newly hatched chicks are splayed legs and crooked toes. In both cases the issue may have been caused at the incubation stage. Chicks that hatched with splayed legs may have had insufficient moisture when incubating or too high an incubation temperature. Crooked toes can be hereditary but often is due to the incubation temperature and/or humidity being too low."

WOW thanks for the information.

 

[anniesmom]

Note to self: Get shoes without laces.

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
There are apparently several things that can cause crooked and curled toes (two different things). Found this very interesting info on several other websites. Since we have all gotten them from other people, time will have to tell if our SFH issue is environmental or hereditary.

"Chicks usually get crooked toes when the humidity during incubation is too low but they can also get them if the floor of the rearing area / brooder is too cold and they can also inherit them from their parents. There has been some research that has linked crooked toes to rearing chicks on wire floors."

"Curled Toe Paralysis is when the toes are curled and the chick walks on the tops of his curled toes, rather than the sides of the toes as with crooked toes. It is painful for the chick so he will usually spend most of the time sat on his hocks resting or walking around on his hocks. Often chicks will die at about 3 or 4 weeks old. Curled toes are caused by a deficiency in Riboflavin. If hens have not had the correct diet (layers pellets for example without access to other foods like greens) this can sometimes occur but can also happen if the chicks starter crumbs contain insufficient Riboflavin. In the latter case, the chicks usually get curled toes after a week or two."

"1. What is the cause of crooked toes in chickens?
Most crooked toe conditions are either management or nutrition related. A lack of the vitamin riboflavin results in an inward curling of the toes and is called curled toe paralysis. Improper incubation temperatures will increase the incidence of crooked toes as will inbreeding. A few chickens with crooked toes (3-5 per 100) are not unusual. High yield meat-type birds will have more of a problem with crooked toes but this generally does not hurt the birds."

"There are many types of leg problems with chicks but the most common potential causes of leg problems are usually primarily down to one of four possibilities :
1. Incorrect settings at the incubation stage (or an unreliable incubator)
2. Slippery floor surface in the brooder once hatched
3. Nutritional deficiency when growing.
4. Hereditary

Two of the most common chick leg problems with newly hatched chicks are splayed legs and crooked toes. In both cases the issue may have been caused at the incubation stage. Chicks that hatched with splayed legs may have had insufficient moisture when incubating or too high an incubation temperature. Crooked toes can be hereditary but often is due to the incubation temperature and/or humidity being too low."

WOW thanks for the information.

I was told by Don Schrider that it can happen when chicks take to long to get out the shell due to lack of oxygen to the legs and feet. Which is why he says he doesn't help chicks to hatch.

That said it might be a good idea to give chickens a dose of vitamins a few days or a week before collecting eggs to hatch. Though i try to do this on a monthly basis.

 

[BHep]

Thanks for the info anniesmom & love the pic.

Some sad news, I lost my littlest baby tonight

In the picture it is the little one on the left. She just didn't want to eat, drink etc. So sad when that happens. The rest are doing great.

 

[anniesmom]

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So sorry about your baby.

It's always tough to lose one. So glad to hear that the rest are doing great. Did you set the eggs yet?

 

[BHep]

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So sorry about your baby.

It's always tough to lose one. So glad to hear that the rest are doing great. Did you set the eggs yet?

I set them minutes after walking in the door with them on Sat.

Impatiently waiting for day 6-7 to candle. I should be able to see something by then.

 

[BHep]

Ok.. So the impatient me candles today .....

day 4 and 11/12 are developing, #12 is iffy. I will re candle in a few days.

 

[anniesmom]

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