The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[flyladyrocks]

I have never had just one new bird but seeing he a a Cockrel 12 + weeks he probably won't care for a mirror too much, might try to attack it and injury himself...
Have any extra pullets barnyard mixes etc that you could spare in case he is sick so you could put 1 in with him?

 

[Shan30]

Hello everyone!

Haven't posted in a while as things have been super crazy around here. Husband injured and home for what looks like a long haul...well pump packed it in, made me really respect running water for the week that I was packing water everywhere... Poor settlers lol

Oh well water running now, husband able to walk so he can help a bit more, all is well.

Love seeing all the chick pics between the Incubator and my broodies we are at 38 chicks and counting plus the 14 we had shipped

So glad to hear from you Mumsy! I was a bit worried when you hadn't been on in so long.

My question... We are in the midst of a hatch and have this one little silkie that had a hard time and then was stuck to the shell. I managed to get most of the shell off his back but his wing is glued to his side with what I am assuming is unabsorbed albumen. Any ideas as to how to free it? I don't really want to soak a new chick.

 

[MumsyII]

Hello everyone!

Haven't posted in a while as things have been super crazy around here. Husband injured and home for what looks like a long haul...well pump packed it in, made me really respect running water for the week that I was packing water everywhere... Poor settlers lol

Oh well water running now, husband able to walk so he can help a bit more, all is well.

Love seeing all the chick pics

between the Incubator and my broodies we are at 38 chicks and counting plus the 14 we had shipped

So glad to hear from you Mumsy! I was a bit worried when you hadn't been on in so long.

My question... We are in the midst of a hatch and have this one little silkie that had a hard time and then was stuck to the shell. I managed to get most of the shell off his back but his wing is glued to his side with what I am assuming is unabsorbed albumen. Any ideas as to how to free it? I don't really want to soak a new chick.

I'm so sorry for you problems. I know exactly how you feel.

If the chick is dry, this is what I do. I keep a couple old soft tooth brushes in my emergency supplies next to the incubator. When the chick is able to stand on it's feet with no worries, I gently brush it's down. Hold the chick firmly and gently and start at the head and work your way back. I sometimes brush against the grain of down. If the chick becomes too stressed. I do it in stages. This has worked for me for many years. Never lost a chick due to brushing the down in this way.

 

[Shan30]

I'm so sorry for you problems. I know exactly how you feel. 

If the chick is dry, this is what I do. I keep a couple old soft tooth brushes in my emergency supplies next to the incubator. When the chick is able to stand on it's feet with no worries, I gently brush it's down. Hold the chick firmly and gently and start at the head and work your way back. I sometimes brush against the grain of down. If the chick becomes too stressed. I do it in stages. This has worked for me for many years. Never lost a chick due to brushing the down in this way.

Oh I hadn't thought of this. Wish I kept old tooth brushes, guess I'll buy DH a new one of my way home and steal his Thanks Mumsy!

I actually left him in the incubator all day while I am at work. I don't usually leave them for 24 hrs (hatched last night) but thought he would be better off with the newer hatchlings than the rowdy crowd in the brooder.

The wing is really tight to his side it's like super glue. Hopefully I can work it off!

 

[lazy gardener]

I had one chick that was so stuck up that she looked like her leg was screwed on backwards. I took her into a steaming bathroom, filled the sink up with warm water, and cradled her in my hand while i worked the albumen and membrane off her leg and neck. During that time, she went from nearly comatose to having a lot of tremors, to pulling the leg into position, and the tremors stopped. I dried her off, put her back in the bator, and left her till she was good and dry. Her toes were quite curled when I inspected her the next morning. I planned to splint her when the morning craziness settled down, but by the time I got back to tend to her needs, I couldn't figure out which foot had a problem, and several hours later, other than a bit of spiky down, she couldn't be distinguished from her siblings. Long story short, if water is the easiest action, don't be afraid to use it.

 

[subhanalah]

does the person have a pullet they could send with him?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
That's a good idea if she has room

 

[Leahs Mom]

@armorfirelady and others that have dealt with mites:

I know you have a dirt floor w/deep litter. What did you to do on your floor when you had the mites? Detailed, please. Is there a way for folks that have mites to not have to clean all the litter out of the chicken house?

 

[flyladyrocks]

does the person have a pullet they could send with him?

 

[flyladyrocks]

@armorfirelady and others that have dealt with mites:

I know you have a dirt floor w/deep litter. What did you to do on your floor when you had the mites? Detailed, please. Is there a way for folks that have mites to not have to clean all the litter out of the chicken house?