The Middle Tennessee Thread

[Jeff Mayfield]

I don't think that is true. It is in their genes or not. Maybe being RAISED by a broody might encourage that but just hatching them would not.

How should I go about finding the right genes? Most of the people I've talked with say to buy layers for eggs and crosses for meat but I would like to raise old school general purpose meat and egg birds. I've read about many of the breeds and like the orpingtons as they are friendly larger egg layers that tend to go broody. I would like to find some that meet the breed standard and I don't know were I should look for them. Is there a hatchery that is known for there heritage orpingtions or a breeder? I don't want to buy chickens every year so I'm hoping to find the right ones.

The chickens I got last year will not brood.

 

[RedPulletMama]

Unfortunately, one of my hens has a prolapsed vent, I'm sure. We soaked her in warm water for about 15 min. last night and it went back in on its own fine. This morning I noticed it is out again. I'm not sure about rubbing ointment on my chickens butt. I don't have that kind of stomach. She is nice and lets us catch her and seemed to rather enjoy her soak, but touching the vent would be another story. Will it eventually stay in on its own, or is my hen doomed??

 

[FeyRaine]

Unfortunately, one of my hens has a prolapsed vent, I'm sure. We soaked her in warm water for about 15 min. last night and it went back in on its own fine. This morning I noticed it is out again. I'm not sure about rubbing ointment on my chickens butt. I don't have that kind of stomach. She is nice and lets us catch her and seemed to rather enjoy her soak, but touching the vent would be another story. Will it eventually stay in on its own, or is my hen doomed??

A friend of mine had one prolapse last winter, I was skeptical but she took it indoors to cat carrier & did all the hands on soaking & ointments etc. for a full week and the hen is 100% now, laying again w/o issue for over a month. So with tons of special care at least some can recover, I would advise you get a box of disposable gloves at the pharmacy to wear while doing the soak/ointment etc. if you decide to give it a try. Best of Luck!

 

[cree57i]

Thanks. I guess I will be ripping out a wall.

 

[Searsmom]

I am in need of advice. I am building a chicken palace. I got some cedar for an interior wall. Last night I read cedar is poison for chickens to breath. Do I need to take the wall down? I'm not going to use any more of it since I read that unless it is outside. I know old barns are made of cedar around here. What is yall's experience with cedar and chickens?

Old barns have LOTS of ventilation. It most likely depends on how much ventilation you have. If you walk in and it smells like CEDAR, probably not a good idea.

 

[Penny Hen]

I am in need of advice. I am building a chicken palace. I got some cedar for an interior wall. Last night I read cedar is poison for chickens to breath. Do I need to take the wall down? I'm not going to use any more of it since I read that unless it is outside. I know old barns are made of cedar around here. What is yall's experience with cedar and chickens?

If you don' want to rip out the wall a coat of polyurethane will seal the fumes in.

 

[Penny Hen]

A friend of mine had one prolapse last winter, I was skeptical but she took it indoors to cat carrier & did all the hands on soaking & ointments etc. for a full week and the hen is 100% now, laying again w/o issue for over a month. So with tons of special care at least some can recover, I would advise you get a box of disposable gloves at the pharmacy to wear while doing the soak/ointment etc. if you decide to give it a try. Best of Luck!

Try sugar to reduce the swelling. When a ewe prolapses the uterus it will swell too big to get back inside. You have to wash it and dust it in sugar (granular or powder) and the sugar will take the swelling out so it can be stuffed back inside. In a ewe's case you sew lacing type stitches so that they cannot prolapse again. You don't pull them together but make them look like a corset or tennis shoe lacing. Probably not necessary to stitch the hen just use the sugar.

 

[McCoysOrps]

Hey people I just started my barley seed it's soaking for 24 hrs or till I get here tomorrow lol!

2 trays full! Yay

 

[cree57i]

Thank you! I had considered that, but didn't know if it would help.

 

[FeyRaine]

Try sugar to reduce the swelling. When a ewe prolapses the uterus it will swell too big to get back inside. You have to wash it and dust it in sugar (granular or powder) and the sugar will take the swelling out so it can be stuffed back inside. In a ewe's case you sew lacing type stitches so that they cannot prolapse again. You don't pull them together but make them look like a corset or tennis shoe lacing. Probably not necessary to stitch the hen just use the sugar.

Yes, the friend who saved her prolapsed hen used sugar to reduce the swelling after the cleaning soak. I believe she also used honey (which works as sugar and to prevent infection) on the areas that looked raw/torn (rather than actual stiches which were not nec. in the case of her hen). So do as Penny Hen says she is right on!