The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[speckledhen]

With all the talk about illnesses, I got to thinking about my experience with chickens so far. I've only had them since 2012 so my oldest are 6 yo hatchery girls. The 6 yo's continue to be the best and most consistent layers (go figure).

I've never had illness with the exception of one little BA that got in my order of chicks (private breeder) in 2013 by mistake that developed peritonitis at about a year old. We had to take her out.

Otherwise, the only time I've ever removed a bird was to re-home when one was causing trouble in the flock. (Excessive bullying.) All those are still alive with the exception of one that was killed in a dog attack.

So...
I guess I could say that I've never had a "true" illness.

If there is an injury, I would treat that accordingly. Otherwise, I don't "routinely" use antibiotics (or other chemical inputs). I don't "routinely" worm. I don't (knowingly) allow birds on my property that have been vaccinated. I don't feed any soy. Do my best to feed "species appropriate". Fresh air, water and sunshine. I focus on "preventative" husbandry (rather than treatment), within the confines of our situation, as much as possible.

So...I'd say we've been blessed here so far!

(Almost makes me afraid to write it lest something happen as soon as I do!)

Whatever you're doing is working for you so keep doing it. Everyone should focus on husbandry, no matter what, IMO. I wholeheartedly believe in fresh air, good water and sunshine as the starting point.

While peritonitis and/or internal laying are illnesses, neither are contagious, of course, and neither, as an example, is pneumonia in one bird caused by a particular situation like being soaked to the bone in a temperature drop when the bird may already be weak in some way. But, things happen and we have little control over some of them like the reproductive malfunctions or genetic weaknesses.
My first years, other than the internal laying mess, were pretty trouble free, but as they age, they get old-age problems like arthritis. If a crippled bird gets her/his shavings wet and lays in it, unbeknownst to whoever is managing her, pneumonia can develop. I haven't had a hen do that, but Zane came close once. Did not catch a small wet area around his waterer and he began breathing funny, caught it pretty quickly. When you have a larger number of birds, especially if they are older and some handicapped, it becomes easier to miss little things. We do keep on top of it pretty well, but on occasion, something or someone will slip through the cracks.

Sue, how many birds do you have? I hope your luck holds out forever, but the longer you keep chickens, sooner or later, you'll have to deal with something you wish you didn't.

 

[speckledhen]

Oh, I candled all 27 eggs. Lots of classic vein patterns and dancing embryos! I only saw one egg that I couldn't see veins in, but also, no blood ring, not sure about that one, but all others, including all six of Jill's eggs appear normal for 8 days into it.

 

[1muttsfan]

Snowed all afternoon. Snow tomorrow. And each day after that all week. Good thing we are tough up here!

 

[getaclue]

Remember that order I mentioned about ordering 2 comforter sets from zulily.com? Well, I got an email today. The vendor is out of stock on them, so they're refunding my money, and they gave me a $20.00 credit for the inconvenience. I'm not that happy about it. I had changed the entire color scheme in the master bath to match the anticipated comforter set for the master bedroom. It turned out ok. I found something I want that will go with the color scheme perfectly, and one that will go even better than what I had originally selected for the guest bedroom. It was cheaper, and with the $20.00 credit, I got it for practically nothing. I'm happy.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Still snowing here too. When I went out around 4 it was rough. Some of the snow is up to my knees. I had a rough time getting to the house. I should have taken a walking stick. It's supposed to continue to snow all night. Thankfully it's not too cold, 20-30's isn't too bad but 70's sound a lot better. My husband working a 12 hour shift because of the snow, so by myself this evening.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Oh, I candled all 27 eggs. Lots of classic vein patterns and dancing embryos! I only saw one egg that I couldn't see veins in, but also, no blood ring, not sure about that one, but all others, including all six of Jill's eggs appear normal for 8 days into it.

You are making me debate trying out my incubator this year. I don't know if I want to mess with it or with a bunch of grumpy nest jumping broody hens. I swore no hatching this year, but here I go again in a few weeks.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You're very sweet, thank you.



Poor Lisa, wanna come to GA to visit? It was in the high 70's and sunny and very windy today, but tomorrow's high will be in the 50's, going below freezing tomorrow night. Then, back up in the 60's again, but no matter what, it beats what Wisconsin is going through right about now!

We have not started anything for the garden. I think Tom wants to just buy plants this year. He's been very tired the last two months.

The ETC engineer was here today, marked lines to run the cable underground from the telephone pole on the power line easement road up to the house. Monday, DH had gone to town to make arrangements for keeping our current phone number and though no one told him, they were waiting on him to do that before they started a work order, sigh. He thought they'd run lines, then he had to go do that paperwork. But, the company coming out and spraying lines today seems to indicate it will not be long at all, but the first bill will be a doozy, a month, plus a pro-rated month, plus installation cost, typical of starting anything, I suppose. I can't wait to tell TDS to take a hike! If it was just me, I'd have skipped the television part entirely and just watched shows off my computer onto my big screen television, but DH grew up a TV addict and stays one to this day. I just want QUIET most of the time.

I hope Tom is doing okay. I was gonna buy plants too, but I had the seeds and soil, so I started a few. I would prefer to buy too, much easier.

 

[h2oratt]

Yes, I believe in feeding the best I can an afford. Keep them healthy. I haven’t had sick chickens either until this. It will be interesting to see hw many chickens I loose.

 

[1muttsfan]

We were forecast to get 4 to 8 in of snow, but so far overnight we have at least 10. Hope I can get out of the driveway to get to work today right now. Jimmy has my car cleared off, and has started on his. Guess he's back to snowmobiling, his car will never make it out today

 

[getaclue]

The high today is going to be 84, while the low will be 61 tonight. The temps will climb throughout the day, so it'll hit 84 probably around 3 pm. It's so nice out. Go ahead and mock me for living in Florida, as you keep shoveling, and freezing your butts off.