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

[getaclue]

I totally agree with you. Considering that when starting out, most people don't buy just one chick. They buy several. They're usually the same age. They may buy another small batch later on in the year, making them fairly close in age. The following year, they either hatch out, or buy another batch. As they hatch out more each year, some are kept, some are sold. By the time those in the very first group attain their maximum lifespan, of course they're going to die in a closer time frame.

Let's face it. 8 years old is a very ripe old age for a chicken. Anything past that is, living on borrowed time, as the expression goes. They're a flocking animal, so again, it's not unusual at their ages, to die within a tighter time frame. The same way it's not uncommon for a couple that's been married for a very long time, when one spouse dies, the other is not far behind.

There have been a few times that you've said your chickens longevity is a mixed blessing. Yeah, you don't want them to go, but because they hang in so long, they weren't making room for younger stock. For anyone mentioning the unusual mortality, you might want to ask them how many 11 year old chickens they have, and how much longer they think they'll live. Sheesh!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would not worry about that. I for some reason will get deaths in groups too. Usually that number 3 than they stop. Generally I see it in the spring or fall as those weather changes seem to cause some underlying stress in birds, and exacerbate anything they may have going on.

Any chickens over 6 are considered old birds by me. I wouldn't worry what some random person says. You know you take the best care, and there's no diseases in your flock. They obviously don't know you very well.

 

[speckledhen]

I feel like it's just people spouting the party line, so to speak, asking the trite questions, then they'll suggest the state vet. I'm going to upload a video to my channel today addressing all that stuff, plus the person who said to give CBD oil to my chickens...yeah, let's just dose them with something you don't know if it will help or kill them because it seems to help human beings in some cases. Avians are not mammals...seems to come as a surprise that they are just different.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Don't get me started on an unregulated product like CBD oil. . Apparently it's becoming the newest cure all, or snake oil as I call it. I guess ACV and DE are finally falling out of favour for the shotgun approach.

 

[speckledhen]

 

[seminolewind]

I had a roo flip over and die and it was the strangest thing!
Unless dx'd by a vet, Marek's should be thought of only when all else has been exhausted.
Cindy you're so right about the old age deaths in groups.
your roo sounds like he has cardiac failure. In fact I had a 3 year old hen do that. Chickens don't seem to be bred for long lives!
Great video! With your talking about your chickens by name and their lives and what you think is possibly why they died , chicken "pet" owners I think feel more at ease with their feelings about their chickens. Your videos are such a big teaching element without sounding like one.
Cindy aside from cardiac failure, Aspergillosis can invade the lungs and the spaces around a heart like it did with Valerie, Gypsy's sister. Not that roo had it, I think you're right about the cardiac failure. But since Valerie, it's always in the back of my mind. Even when she did live outside and not a coop.
But it did affect her heart.

 

[speckledhen]

Well, Bash was exhausted after a full day of almost all normal behavior. Today, he seems okay, no more green poop from him. But, as you know, he could flip over and be gone this afternoon. No one else is having issues.

 

[speckledhen]

Oh, I don't think I mentioned that the other egg I put in to replace the broken Brahma egg under Jill at 2 days turned out to be infertile as well. So, she has only two eggs, both belonging to Cora (I only knew because I was there when she laid them), on Day 12 today, Thursday. Jill, being a newbie, could crush/kill chicks as they're hatching, but I hope not. I won't have any issues selling them, no matter the sex. But I won't need a 50# bag of starter, most likely, not with a max of two chicks.

 

[seminolewind]

I'm trying to sell 9 chicks and no takers in this neck of the woods. I think it's because so many have started pullets for sale. They are still under quarantine which is a PIA! Those BR's are so friendly!

 

[seminolewind]

Get a Clue, are you getting the daily thunderstorms yet? They used to be fun to watch!