Texas

[Brookshire11]

Our White Leghorn, Fred, had given me cause for concern a couple of weeks ago. She was extra sleepy and not as competitive as her "sisters" for bouncing grape snacks. But she was eating and drinking like normal, had no other symptoms & she was still laying daily. Now she seems completely recovered from whatever had her a little sluggish before, but she hasn't laid an egg in over a week. I'm not entirely concerned, as there are no symptoms causing me to think anything is wrong (out of my 4 hens, I've consistently gotten 2 or 3 eggs a day) I still get two a day, but none from Fred...and she has always been my most reliable layer. Could she be on an egg laying hiatus?

A couple of the other Ladies & Girls have been kind of sneezy since around the time Red had to be put down (for still unknown reasons). I've had Oxytetracycline in their water since Red was sick, as well as Apple Cider Vinegar (separate water containers, of course). Shed, one of our Easter Egger hens, has been sneezing, shaking her head & slightly raspy breathing (when she is excited). She is still laying eggs daily, and has no other symptoms. Goldie, one of our Easter Egger hens, has always had small bouts of sneezing, with no head shaking or any other symptoms...she is also laying eggs daily. Penny Peeper, one of our Blue Splash Marans/Amauracana mix pullets, has also been a bit sneezy. Lately she seems to have gotten more sneezy, but has no other symptoms. Bootsy & Barbarella, our French Black Marans pullets, have also been a little sneezy...but with no other symptoms. Is there anything else I can give them to straighten this out, or is the Oxytetracycline and ACV on par for treatment of sneezy (and in the case of Shed, a little raspy) chickens?

How old is Fred? Could she be thinking about molting? Its usually about this time of year I've heard, but I don't think it happens their first year, since they just went through juvenile molts.


And not trying to brush you off AT ALL, but have you though about also making a post on the illnesses board?
There are some really knowledgeable people over there too I don't know what to tell you :/ I've had losses, but no sickness

 

[ShadowsFIAL]

Well I let the ladies run around the yard today. BIG mistake. My little silver laced cochin squeezed under the fence to go explor the neighbors grass. Luckily she came back before I had to jump the fence. Lil toot! I need to get some more big rocks for free somewhere to line the fence with. Also, it is so hard to find turkens any more. I guess no one likes them. I want another frizzled turken. She was so cute. If anyone knows of someone in the DFW area selling turkens or frizzle turkens that are white, blue, or black please let me know! Though I will consider other colors. I am just picky with my ladies. Also, my grooming business has been super slow, it is killing me. I worked on one dog today... and I have to split that with the clinic I work with. *sigh* Hopefully business picks back up again soon!

 

[tiedyemommy]

How old is Fred? Could she be thinking about molting? Its usually about this time of year I've heard, but I don't think it happens their first year, since they just went through juvenile molts.


And not trying to brush you off AT ALL, but have you though about also making a post on the illnesses board?
There are some really knowledgeable people over there too I don't know what to tell you :/ I've had losses, but no sickness

Fred is under a year old...so I suppose molting isn't an option.

 

[Dragonfly75]

My 4 hens that have been laying everyday for 3 weeks, recently stopped laying. I went from 4 eggs everyday to maybe 2 if I'm lucky. Today they didn't lay any. We got a roo almost 2 weeks ago so I don't know if it is that, or the days getting shorter or the little cold snap we just had. (it didn't get below 40 but it is usually 90 during the day and 70 at night) Some of my younger hens (3 I think) have started laying this week.
Any thoughts?

 

[Gittx]

It's probably the shorter hours of daylight. I have added a light to compensate, perhaps an hour or two after dark. Mostly the girls like all the bugs it draws to the coup. (yep, I hang it inside for this purpose) It's worked for me, especially during the winter months.

 

[tiedyemommy]

It's probably the shorter hours of daylight. I have added a light to compensate, perhaps an hour or two after dark. Mostly the girls like all the bugs it draws to the coup. (yep, I hang it inside for this purpose) It's worked for me, especially during the winter months.

The additional light is just for egg production, right? It's not unhealthy for them to not lay during the shorter/colder days, is it? (Our first Fall/Winter with chickens)

 

[Gittx]

The additional light is just for egg production, right? It's not unhealthy for them to not lay during the shorter/colder days, is it? (Our first Fall/Winter with chickens)

It's for eggs true....but light during the fall brings in the bugs that are getting harder and harder for them to find. (My chickens are in pens, so they really appreciate any plan I can come up with to increase the bug supply) They don't really "need" the extra light. It's just more fun for them to have it.....around here anyway

 

[Starfire669]

So I attended our first dog agility demo with Dawn and Sasha yesterday. We have another scheduled for this Tuesday as a benefit for homeless animals. If anyone in San Antonio wants to attend I can give the address.

 

[TherryChicken]

So I attended our first dog agility demo with Dawn and Sasha yesterday. We have another scheduled for this Tuesday as a benefit for homeless animals. If anyone in San Antonio wants to attend I can give the address.

I would love to, but I would suffer the entire time (anxiety and ibs) and im in austin.

 

[winteree]

Im trying to sex them lol
They should be easy but theyre hatchery babies so im puzzled lol

are you trying to start them now? won't you get mostly males?