The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

Coopchick,

I think it is so strange that the three should have underdeveloped ovaries if they came from two different sources and were different breeds. I must be wrong in my thinking that such a problem would be genetic and unrelated to nutrition. I know poor nutrition can stunt development, but can't believe that yours were malnourished as chicks! I'm wondering if the lab guy could shed more light on that...what his opinion might be.

The rest of your flock, any chickens that came from the same age group as the 3 or 4 that are laying? Am wondering if there are more chickens who "will never lay" because of underdeveloped ovaries.

I'm sorry to be so persistent, its just that your experience was so similiar to mine that I am wondering how, despite our best efforts at providing the best for our chickens, that we find these things happening!

After hearing of your results, I went out and added another feeding station. It will have to go away after the snows come, but....And I am planning on adding another shelter area this weekend so that the 10 chicks added this spring will have a place to be out of the snow and wind. Right now the underneath of the coop is a little crowded - it has haybale windblocks and the feed and water stations.

So a hen trying to stay out of everyone's way has a hard time. I have a sheet of plywood and some cement blocks...and will get some more hay. Dang, and I had other things I wanted to do this weekend@

I use hay as wind blocks as well. Hopefully they hold up all winter because I want to use them in the spring to start veggies early by planting them in the hay

I have found that the insulation boards work well as wind blocks. I was short a hay bale and my friend suggested using the insulation board instead. I have a ton of it that I got on clearance. I put a piece in a garbage bag so the chickens can't eat it and it has worked wonderfully to keep the winds out of the coop

 

[Kassaundra]

Coopchick, I generally have around 25ish (layers and growing capons) but right now 11. I had a preditor attack that killed my entire flock except for 3 broody moms and their chicks and one smart girl who got and stayed up high.

Especially since all your flock is doing well and you had the handful not doing well I would say it was more a problem w/ those birds themselves, either genetic or temperament, or unknown illness earlier in life that was chronic or had lasting results to them.

You alone know your birds and flock dynamics and husbandry. I would consider w/ a practical eye what the Dr. told you and w/ common sense make the changes you think will help if any (more feeding stations seems very practical) However keep in mind you don't want bad genetics or unthrifty birds mucking up your genetic base to your flock. For millennia animals have survived and even thrived in harsh mother nature b/c of their ability to cull the weak.

 

[ki4got]

Coopchick,

I think it is so strange that the three should have underdeveloped ovaries if they came from two different sources and were different breeds. I must be wrong in my thinking that such a problem would be genetic and unrelated to nutrition. I know poor nutrition can stunt development, but can't believe that yours were malnourished as chicks! I'm wondering if the lab guy could shed more light on that...what his opinion might be.

The rest of your flock, any chickens that came from the same age group as the 3 or 4 that are laying? Am wondering if there are more chickens who "will never lay" because of underdeveloped ovaries.

I'm sorry to be so persistent, its just that your experience was so similiar to mine that I am wondering how, despite our best efforts at providing the best for our chickens, that we find these things happening!

After hearing of your results, I went out and added another feeding station. It will have to go away after the snows come, but....And I am planning on adding another shelter area this weekend so that the 10 chicks added this spring will have a place to be out of the snow and wind. Right now the underneath of the coop is a little crowded - it has haybale windblocks and the feed and water stations.

So a hen trying to stay out of everyone's way has a hard time. I have a sheet of plywood and some cement blocks...and will get some more hay. Dang, and I had other things I wanted to do this weekend@

another question that begs answering... what breed were they and how old? some breeds take forever to mature in the first place! my wyandottes don't start laying until between 8 and 10 months old usually.

 

[MeatMyChicken]

Del, is there anyway to hold the feed store or company responsible, at least partially?

Del - please keep records and take photos. Once things settle down and you have done what you can to save the remaining birds, you need to take action on this. In fact, you should probably at least report it right now so the feed store can warn other customers.

Either the feed store or Purina needs to help you with the vet, lab and replacement expenses. Either the feed store allowed the bagged feed to get wet and then sit, it got wet in transport or Purina put out a bad batch. It seems others have had similar issues with Purina feeds.

You have put an uncommon amount of time and effort into your breeds - far more than the average chicken keeper, and there is no way anyone should have sold a bag of feed that had not been properly handled!

 

[aoxa]

Del - please keep records and take photos. Once things settle down and you have done what you can to save the remaining birds, you need to take action on this. In fact, you should probably at least report it right now so the feed store can warn other customers.

Either the feed store or Purina needs to help you with the vet, lab and replacement expenses. Either the feed store allowed the bagged feed to get wet and then sit, it got wet in transport or Purina put out a bad batch. It seems others have had similar issues with Purina feeds.

You have put an uncommon amount of time and effort into your breeds - far more than the average chicken keeper, and there is no way anyone should have sold a bag of feed that had not been properly handled!

And all those rare imported English Orps that cost so much money.

Vicki, this is not your fault. Don't blame yourself.

 

[MeatMyChicken]

Quote:

Vicki, this is not your fault. Don't blame yourself.

X's 1000! Absolutely NOT your fault!

 

[lalaland]

The flock got mealworms and manna pro conditioner (leftover from trying to feed poor mrs murphy) for thanksgiving. Booster mated for the first time that I've seen, a sulmtaler, I think he thinks since their coloring is like his, they are his flock!

Buster was hiding out in the hay bale shelter, all nestled in with the older ladies. He has wattles that are starting to get a bit frostbit on the edges from getting wet while drinking. I'll tell you, hens are sooooo much easier than roosters.

Best wishes to everyone, and may all the coons, minks, owls, hawks, weasels, and everything else find their meals elsewhere.

 

[PheasantsFirst]

Some one may want to post a link/make a new thread about this in the Feeding and Watering section so more people hear about it.

 

[armorfirelady]

The flock got mealworms and manna pro conditioner (leftover from trying to feed poor mrs murphy) for thanksgiving. Booster mated for the first time that I've seen, a sulmtaler, I think he thinks since their coloring is like his, they are his flock!

Buster was hiding out in the hay bale shelter, all nestled in with the older ladies. He has wattles that are starting to get a bit frostbit on the edges from getting wet while drinking. I'll tell you, hens are sooooo much easier than roosters.

Best wishes to everyone, and may all the coons, minks, owls, hawks, weasels, and everything else find their meals elsewhere

Maybe he needs a waterproof hat for winter ?

Bet you could make your millions if you invented one lol

 

[lalaland]

you know how I keep saying I'm learning about new breeds all the time? Well, have you heard of showgirls? a cross between silkie and turken? OH MY!