Texas

[Teri Metcalf]

Quote: Wow! Wouldn't it be fun if all your babies hatch on the same day!

 

[hensfortherapy]

By all means, replace your lost flock  but don't expect the hens to mother the chicks.  They usually need to be broody to take on that job.  More than likely, they will try to kill the chicks.

This is quite the week for people losing birds. 

I culled a little Polish hen yesterday that had been having a lot of trouble laying eggs that were very poorly shelled.  It broke my heart.  Last summer/fall when the flock first started to lay, I felt she would have problems because her pelvic bones were too close together.  Of course, once she started laying this winter she was the one who laid the largest egg...  Her second to last egg broke as it was being laid and she started a downhill decline.  When I opened her up, she was full of egg yoke from laying internally and her uterus was a mess.  There was no noticeable infection, but there would have been soon.  I really liked that little bird.  It was really, really hard to do.  I was just sick over it.

Wow, jajeanpierre I think you are my poultry raising hero. You do what has to be done. I admire that.

 

[hensfortherapy]

I used to sub several years ago. I always hated subbing on rainy days. I hope it clears up soon for you!
I don't know much about chickens, yet, but from what I've read if they aren't broody there's a good chance that the hens would harm/kill the chicks. Your going to have to brood them and add them to your two hens later. Or, get some older pullets and start introducing them to the hens. That way they would have a flock sooner than if you got chicks.

Too cute!


It's still cold out. I need to paint!

Oh my, I needed that this morning. I wonder what the other chickens thought.

 

[Micah 808]

Anyone in or near Spring, TX?  I'll take Houston, Conroe, Kingwood, etc.  /img/smilies/wink.pngwe live in Magnolia. ...


I don't have chickens yet; I just bought my first house this summer.  We are planning on building a coop this winter and getting some egg laying hens for starters. 


I am curious to visit other folks to see their set ups and so forth.  You can contact me off-line through [email protected].


Thanks!

 

[hensfortherapy]

I meant that last post for Teri Metcalf and the gnome outfit on the hen.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Wow, jajeanpierre I think you are my poultry raising hero. You do what has to be done. I admire that.

I don't feel like a hero, believe me. It was the hardest kill I've ever done. I almost threw up, it upset me so much. It had to be done, and yesterday I knew the sooner the better. I tried a lot of things to save her, helping her get her eggs laid and keeping her in the house in a dark crate to stop egg production, but the damage had been done. I knew for sure yesterday morning she was on a downhill slide and put it off till the afternoon. Although it was emotionally my hardest kill to do, it was by far my best and cleanest. I made d*mn sure that cut was done once and deep. I still feel sick about her. I really liked that ditzy little bird.

 

[hensfortherapy]

Good Morning Everyone!

We don't have ice, just mucky mud and rain.  SIGH.....  I do have some small branches down and a big branch is barely hanging on in the pine tree. 

Opinions please:  As you know I have two hens left, Lena (australorp) and Droopy (barred rock).  Yesterday Lena and Droopy finally came out of the coop into the outer pen.  They were eating a bit better.  Lena looks like she is perking up and actually laid me an egg yesterday.  Droopy hasn't laid an egg since the first dog attack 3 years ago. Yesterday, they acted like they wanted out of the pen.  I let them out and they weren't out an hour before they went back into the coop.  I know you aren't suppose to put human emotions to them, but it really looked like they were looking for the other chickens.  Anyway Droopy is still being quiet and barely eating.  Lena was out this morning in the outer pen pecking around.  Do you think it would perk them up if I got chicks?  Do you think they would care for them?

Lisa

Well. I do not know. I have been told so many things are not possible and then I have seen them done with success. Are you up to the loss if the hens kill them? Do the hens you have left go broody? It could be one or both because of the loss of their flock would take the chicks under their wings. That would go against the norm from what I have heard and read, but if viewed from an experimental, save the flock viewpoint it might be worth a try if you are up to it. I understand it is best to add them at night after the hens have been at roost for a bit. That is how I have always added chicks under a broody. If they don't mother them in the temps we are having they will die from the temperature drop. Good luck however you decide to grow your flock back.

 

[hensfortherapy]

I don't feel like a hero, believe me.  It was the hardest kill I've ever done.  I almost threw up, it upset me so much.  It had to be done, and yesterday I knew the sooner the better.  I tried a lot of things to save her, helping her get her eggs laid and keeping her in the house in a dark crate to stop egg production, but the damage had been done.  I knew for sure yesterday morning she was on a downhill slide and put it off till the afternoon.  Although it was emotionally my hardest kill to do, it was by far my best and cleanest.  I made d*mn sure that cut was done once and deep.  I still feel sick about her.  I really liked that ditzy little bird.

Sorry you lost her. It is good that you were able to determine her ailment.

 

[hensfortherapy]

Cheers to ditzy little birds.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Good Morning Everyone!

We don't have ice, just mucky mud and rain. SIGH..... I do have some small branches down and a big branch is barely hanging on in the pine tree.

Opinions please: As you know I have two hens left, Lena (australorp) and Droopy (barred rock). Yesterday Lena and Droopy finally came out of the coop into the outer pen. They were eating a bit better. Lena looks like she is perking up and actually laid me an egg yesterday. Droopy hasn't laid an egg since the first dog attack 3 years ago. Yesterday, they acted like they wanted out of the pen. I let them out and they weren't out an hour before they went back into the coop. I know you aren't suppose to put human emotions to them, but it really looked like they were looking for the other chickens. Anyway Droopy is still being quiet and barely eating. Lena was out this morning in the outer pen pecking around. Do you think it would perk them up if I got chicks? Do you think they would care for them?

Lisa

It was sunny here, but things have clouded over. We are supposed to be ABOVE freezing the rest of the week!! With a warming trend to boot! Come on Spring!!!!!

I would get new chicks. Look into some breeds that you haven't tried yet. I have a long list I can share with you if you'd like.

Since both of them are Hens. I vote for Go get a rooster and let them create a new yard.

That could be a good idea. Maybe you can get a dog killing rooster, one that is part t-rex or something.

By all means, replace your lost flock but don't expect the hens to mother the chicks. They usually need to be broody to take on that job. More than likely, they will try to kill the chicks.

This is quite the week for people losing birds.

I culled a little Polish hen yesterday that had been having a lot of trouble laying eggs that were very poorly shelled. It broke my heart. Last summer/fall when the flock first started to lay, I felt she would have problems because her pelvic bones were too close together. Of course, once she started laying this winter she was the one who laid the largest egg... Her second to last egg broke as it was being laid and she started a downhill decline. When I opened her up, she was full of egg yoke from laying internally and her uterus was a mess. There was no noticeable infection, but there would have been soon. I really liked that little bird. It was really, really hard to do. I was just sick over it.

I'm so sorry. That would be so hard to do.

Top of the morning to y'all!

That is too funny! Poor chicken....

Wow! Wouldn't it be fun if all your babies hatch on the same day!

Wow, jajeanpierre I think you are my poultry raising hero. You do what has to be done. I admire that.

I do too.