The Old Folks Home

[Lacy Blues]

Well...... An odd something today, can you'll give me some guesses please?

When I walked through the chicken yard today I saw one 2.5 month old pullet, all of a sudden, has a wry tail. And, it isn't just the tail, it is as if she goes crooked higher up on her back, so one wing is a bit higher than the other.

It is a significant defect, so I do NOT think she had it yesterday (but I am old...etc. etc. I guess I could have missed it if it started as something small)

They are NOT free ranging, so I do not see how a predator attack could have caused it. The only rooster is a tiny bantam, and then same age cockerels..

It is just odd....

This is NOT a new coop set-up, so if something in there is dangerous/damaging I think it would have shown up before...

Anyway, do you'll think it could be

1. Genetic, just showed up late, and suddenly (or it was always there, just suddenly got worse)

2. An injury..but how could that kind of injury happen?

I had a Delaware rooster that suddenly appeared to be misshapen. Sounds exactly like what your little rock pullet is suffering through. I think that they probably started out that way and it just wasn't obvious until they reached a certain size. If she can get around alright, let her be til she's big enough to process... assuming that's what you'd do. I certainly wouldn't suggest using her for breeding.

Funny as it may be, this guy is almost 18 months old, so he should have it all figured out by now. I think part of the problem is that he's a pure cornish and awkwardly shaped, trying to mate women "the wrong size" for him.

That could be your problem right there. They're muscle bound and from what I understand, a lot of cornish breeders use the AI system for reproduction.

They are kept in very hot conditions...........Soft boiled, maybe?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Well...... An odd something today, can you'll give me some guesses please?

When I walked through the chicken yard today I saw one 2.5 month old pullet, all of a sudden, has a wry tail. And, it isn't just the tail, it is as if she goes crooked higher up on her back, so one wing is a bit higher than the other.

It is a significant defect, so I do NOT think she had it yesterday (but I am old...etc. etc. I guess I could have missed it if it started as something small)

They are NOT free ranging, so I do not see how a predator attack could have caused it. The only rooster is a tiny bantam, and then same age cockerels..

It is just odd....

This is NOT a new coop set-up, so if something in there is dangerous/damaging I think it would have shown up before...

Anyway, do you'll think it could be

1. Genetic, just showed up late, and suddenly (or it was always there, just suddenly got worse)

2. An injury..but how could that kind of injury happen?

It's a genetic defect and is about the right age. It's weak vertebrae that hold the tail and shows up when the birds get their adult feathers and become heavy. It's caused by a recessive gene so no birds you suspect of carrying the gene should be used for breeding. Both parents of that bird carry the gene.

 

[LindaB220]

Thanks Linda, I found some at Hancocks Fabric 15' x 2" for 5.99 on sale.

So jealous. I don't have a Hancocks around me.

 

[LindaB220]

No I don't think so, the bees are doing fine. However, I did treat the birds with Frontline and I've read that it can alter fertility. However, he had bad fertility prior to treating them, and watching him "with the ladies" makes me realize his fertility problems stem from his own lack of coordination and understanding of anatomy.


Nope, they aren't this far north. Kinda too bad, I'd hit that. I may go hunting this year with BF, or without him, and give us double the chances for a deer. We both lost on the yearly moose permit, so we'll keep trying. I'd love to get a bear.

They do a lot of boar down here in La. But they are GAMEY. So I'd really soak in buttermilk for a day or two. My handyman is a hunter, year round, coon's, possum, boar. Anything that is predators for his chickens. I asked him what he does with the meat. He said he sells them. Got to taste lousy. Uncastrated boar.

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote: Linda I buy online from them. Their closest store is 1 1/2 hrs. from me.

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote: No they don't! We have gone to pig pickin parties where they smoke the whole hog and it is so good you can't stop eating it!

 

[vehve]

They do a lot of boar down here in La. But they are GAMEY. So I'd really soak in buttermilk for a day or two. My handyman is a hunter, year round, coon's, possum, boar. Anything that is predators for his chickens. I asked him what he does with the meat. He said he sells them. Got to taste lousy. Uncastrated boar.

Mmmm, boar. Delicious. Don't get much of it around here though, we have the occasional swimmers that come over from Estonia. Many people don't taste the difference between castrated and uncastrated. Eating raccoon doesn't seem that tasty though.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

No they don't! We have gone to pig pickin parties where they smoke the whole hog and it is so good you can't stop eating it!

X2

However, I do remember ordering ram in Germany to try something new. It was rough to get through. Very strong flavor. I've stuck to lamb since then.

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote:

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I was very poor at the time. I think I was making about $175 a month. I ordered it so I had to eat it. I couldn't afford to buy anything else and I was hungry.

It's definitely an acquired taste. Like lutefisk for Norwegians.