The 6th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[chickadoodles]

Quote: Aww ok. I tried the BBB and BBW last year but I prefer to raise the heritage. I know they get larger faster though. We were thinking about the White Hollands? Idk. lol

 

[Sueg4332]

Quote:

 

[vandamma72]

Chickens don't get colds, they get respiratory infections that are very contagious to other poultry.

Not actually knowing what they have if they were mine I would definitely quarantine and watch for other symptoms. It might be wise if they dont get better to send them back to where they came from (or even cull if you want to be sure the infection doesn't get passed else where) again not knowing what it actually is your chicks have the later decision is a little drastic. It could be nothing and a chick might have dust or something in its beak. I would post in the emergency/illness section and ask more questions and post some pictures to try to get to the bottom of it. Definitely be sure they are quarantined from any other chicks they didn't come with and also your own poultry. Tend to the new batch of sick chicks last every morning and last every night and wash your hands thoroughly.

I hope its nothing and I might sound crazy lol. But poultry diseases freak me out so I would take every little symptom and treat it as if it were the worst, that's just me though. You might want to message the seller of the chicks to see if they are experiencing anything similar.

Good Luck

Thank you very much! I did separate them and am hoping I see no more runny noses but will have to keep an eye on them. The seller said it was probably just dust and they are very healthy so I hope for the best! Thanks for your help!

 

[jbkirk]

I changed the feed I was using. I wasn't getting any egg to speak of . Was late working one Saturday had to go to tractor supply. Bought Purina laying pellets all the chickens started do so much better right away. egg color better too.

What were you using before?

 

[NikkiCole5]

I have used cedar with adults in the coop a few times after treating for mites and have seen no effects on them.If it was what I had on hand I would use it and keep a close eye on the chicks.
Do you have a paper shredder? I have used shredded paper in a pinch before. Not the best but it worked in a pinch. Cross cut shredded paper should be better but my shredder doesn't do that.
Pine is about half the price of cedar here so there are usually no questions as to which one I buy.

I got some pine today in town

 

[NikkiCole5]

For newly hatched chicks, I have used paper towels on the bottom of the brooder.  Sand is also a possibility.

I got some pine and they are a few weeks old already

 

[NikkiCole5]

No, I do not vaccinate my birds.  From what I have read, it does not prevent them from getting the disease, it just hides the symptoms.  The birds will still be carriers in your flock, but you won't know it because you never see the symptoms.  I've chosen to breed for resistance, and so far, I've not had any Mareks in my flocks.

Can you get ABM horse bedding pellets?  They are compacted sawdust.  It looks like wood pellets and is great for brooders.  Cedar is not good for birds, as they have sensitive respiratory systems.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/tractor-supply-coreg;-pine-pellet-stall-bedding-40-lb

Sounds fine.



Great picture!

Thank you and also I got pine

 

[Razadia]

Quote: For newly hatched chicks, I have used paper towels on the bottom of the brooder. Sand is also a possibility.
I hate brooding ducks, but when I get stuck doing it anyway I love using sand. It makes cleaning so much easier.

Quote:

I think Happy Chooks has also said she does vac her chicks, but I don't think she ever said why. I've done a lot of reading on the subject and most of the articles I've read say that it stops the tumors cause by Merak's from forming. It seems like a bad thing to me. It's one of the things that are looked for in deceased birds when determining the cause of death in a necropsy.

In the end it's a personal choice.

No, I do not vaccinate my birds. From what I have read, it does not prevent them from getting the disease, it just hides the symptoms. The birds will still be carriers in your flock, but you won't know it because you never see the symptoms. I've chosen to breed for resistance, and so far, I've not had any Mareks in my flocks.

Exactly. Better to breed against it than to never know they have it.

I don't see why they should need to be tweeked (although I know it happens). You would think the thermostats would do their job.
I was paying more attention to this hatch and just realized they feel heavier when they are close to hatch. Maybe it's just me bit they seem to have a more substantial feel to them. My patience is starting to wear on me already and I want to see these babies NOW. Ugh, now im seeing the Heinz ketchup commercial in my head!

They actually feel very light come hatch time to me.

 

[wornoutmomto3]

Ok, hatchaholic buddies, DH may have been informed of my next hatch plans. I've got my eyes on the five-year-old DS. That sweet face and innocent eyes, and honest to a fault. But, he loves his Momma and could never betray her. No, couldn't have been him. Maybe the middle boy. You have to watch out for those middle kids. Wait, it couldn't have been him. That precious boy has a one track mind and everything else gets forgotten. At the moment that brilliant mind is guitar focused. Nope, not him. That only leaves the oldest DS. Oh, but it couldn't have been him. He has a poker face that even top government agencies couldn't crack.
I just can't figure out who snitched on me. I couldn't have done it. It's not like I left an ever overflowing carton of eggs sitting out on the counter, with a sign that says "to touch these eggs risks the Wrath of Mom!" I mean really... It's not like the now 33 beautiful, pristine, marked, and labeled eggs sitting on the counter is an uncommon sight. And those two jumbo eggs from our new hen... ...

I should really find a better spot to "hide" those hatching eggs.

 

[NikkiCole5]

@Razadia
Ducks are a mess lol