The Buckeye Thread

[Blueface]

And your advice to her to determine which bird(s) are laying the thin-shelled eggs? Surely she shouldn't have to kill them all if only one bird is having this problem. That seems extreme.

Of course, she could build a trapnest (if she had the skills to do so) which would tell her, but in the meantime, if she can find something to assist the bird, it would be useful to know which one it was having the problem. What do you recommend to tell which one it is?

And fwiw, I would not kill a bird that was having this particular problem, as it is not necessarily a sigh of weakness or illness, it is sometimes just a side effect of molt. I do agree that sick birds are not coddled here, they are culled. But this is not always a sign of illness. A soft-shelled egg can accompany illnesses such as IB, but sometimes it's just a bird that's molting.

I don't think I would immediately begin killing birds just because I saw such a thing happening. 

I don't know how she has things set up; I can tell which hens are which in my flock and if the problem persists*; sure I had a young pullet or two have this problem with a single egg or two. But a proper diet will ensure it is taken care of. You asked my opinion and there it is. If you don't like it then don't use it. There is always more than one way to do things and my results have proven themselves. I realize that not everyone has 40 or so females at there disposal so I can understand the reluctance to cull if the numbers are limited. That is a decision one has to make for themselves.

 

[campbellorchard]

Not a buckeye by any stretch of the imagination. But he amuses me. Jase. Is a silkie production Red Cross. And his fall colors just speak to me today.

 

[Wynette]

And your advice to her to determine which bird(s) are laying the thin-shelled eggs? Surely she shouldn't have to kill them all if only one bird is having this problem. That seems extreme.

Of course, she could build a trapnest (if she had the skills to do so) which would tell her, but in the meantime, if she can find something to assist the bird, it would be useful to know which one it was having the problem. What do you recommend to tell which one it is?

And fwiw, I would not kill a bird that was having this particular problem, as it is not necessarily a sigh of weakness or illness, it is sometimes just a side effect of molt. I do agree that sick birds are not coddled here, they are culled. But this is not always a sign of illness. A soft-shelled egg can accompany illnesses such as IB, but sometimes it's just a bird that's molting.

I don't think I would immediately begin killing birds just because I saw such a thing happening.

I have to agree with Blueface on this one. I follow the same practice that Blueface does. I have personally not found a bird that CONSISTENTLY lays a thin-shelled egg to be due to molting...molting birds typically do not lay at all. However, if she thinks it could be due to molting, the only way to know for sure is trap nesting, as you indicate. I would trap nest each bird for a few days to determine who it is, then I would separate her and watch. If she was on my farm, she would be culled if she continued laying a soft shell egg consistenlty. JMO.

 

[slfarms]

I have to agree with Blueface on this one.  I follow the same practice that Blueface does.  I have personally not found a bird that CONSISTENTLY lays a thin-shelled egg to be due to molting...molting birds typically do not lay at all.  However, if she thinks it could be due to molting, the only way to know for sure is trap nesting, as you indicate.  I would trap nest each bird for a few days to determine who it is, then I would separate her and watch.  If she was on my farm, she would be culled if she continued laying a soft shell egg consistenlty.  JMO.

I agree with blueface and Wynette. We don't use any form of medication here and let nature run it's course. Only in the extreme case were one of my show Roos or pullets comes down with a particular nasty cold would I use quarantine and antibiotics as we can't afford to lose the stock we have. All babies and others take care of themselves or we cull them to contain the issue.

 

[buckeyechicken]

And your advice to her to determine which bird(s) are laying the thin-shelled eggs? Surely she shouldn't have to kill them all if only one bird is having this problem. That seems extreme.

Of course, she could build a trapnest (if she had the skills to do so) which would tell her, but in the meantime, if she can find something to assist the bird, it would be useful to know which one it was having the problem. What do you recommend to tell which one it is?

And fwiw, I would not kill a bird that was having this particular problem, as it is not necessarily a sigh of weakness or illness, it is sometimes just a side effect of molt. I do agree that sick birds are not coddled here, they are culled. But this is not always a sign of illness. A soft-shelled egg can accompany illnesses such as IB, but sometimes it's just a bird that's molting.

I don't think I would immediately begin killing birds just because I saw such a thing happening.

She could place the one she thinks it is in a dog crate to find out which bird is laying the bad egg and then use process of elimination, with the next bird,until she finds her bird. I dont think killing the whole flock is the answer, But I will agree bluface3 a weak bird has no place in my flock.

 

[campbellorchard]

Sparky
Over the last year I have gotten to know the buckeye breed a bit along with my Cornish girls. And I like both breeds for not only the egg and meat supply our family receives. ( my family would eat chicken and noodles every week)!
But these birds are easy to get along with fun to watch and the overall temperament is good. I'm not one of those women who make hen box curtains etc. but I like the chicks to have a sweet temperament and to be friendly. Makes all the chores easier. And getting my teen to help easier too.
Good luck with getting your own flock. And if I could offer a tip. Scroll past the stuff that isn't helpful. Glean the good. And you can always ask or pm someone for help. Most people here are friendly and helpful.

 

[Blueface]

Where are my manners?!?!? Congrats Laura on doing well with that pullet! So exciting to make reserve of any class! Who judged the American fowl?

 

[knittychickadee]

Not a buckeye by any stretch of the imagination. But he amuses me. Jase. Is a silkie production Red Cross. And his fall colors just speak to me today.

Bahaha! That reminds me of a photo I saw a year or two ago of a Buckeye/Silkie cross, that came from hatching eggs from a Buckeye breeder that supposedly had several different strains of Buckeyes that they kept pure. I always wondered how pure the Buckeye strains were if he couldn't even keep mutt birds out of the breeding pens lol. The silkie crosses are always cute as could be though .

 

[campbellorchard]

Yep he and his little brother Jep. Are almost identical. And Jep the big sissy yells like a girl if the bigger buckeyes pick on him. They are cute. And it was a hmm wonder what this will throw thought process behind their hatch. Gotta love the mutts

 

[campbellorchard]

It is awesome to see all the buckeye wins! Small shows and little competition aside. It's a great thing for so many people to be entering buckeyes and getting more people including the 4H and FFA clubs involved with them. I'm tired of seeing those white ugly monster birds everywhere. Dark Red Birds are my favorite. Go bucks!