The Old Folks Home

[Arielle]

HOw could I forget !!! the test results came back today-- all negative, for AI and Pullorum. Yeay!! I can take a few birds to the Middleboro show tomorrow to sell.

 

[Wisher1000]

Congrats! I know that you weren't expecting them to find anything, but is is always a relief to know for sure!

 

[Wisher1000]

I know a lady that has a virtual petting zoo at her house. Alpacas, horses, a cow, turkey, peafowl, geese, ducks, chickens, dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs, and goats. She has lots of birds, but one group of about twenty stay in a pen to themselves. She keeps them separated because she wanted to keep them separate for breeding. The birds in that pen are nearly naked below their wings. They have feathers on their heads, necks, upper backs (between the wings,) wings and some tail feathers. Their chests, saddle area, under wings, and butts are bare and the skin is bright red. There are no apparent wounds or peck marks and the red is consistent and not blotched. Has anyone seen this before? I have no idea if it is feather picking, lice, mites, or diet. I have to talk to her about it gently because she is rather sensitive about the care she gives (and her other animals are all healthy.)

 

[Arielle]

Yes, a relief to KNOW all is well especially after state said to not panic if anything comes back positive on the AI. I was very careful to only buy birds from inspected flocks, or had their testing tags already.

I 'm not sure about the reddened bodies. I noticed 2 of my birds had reddened abdomens ( legs to anal area. But only two out of the many that I handled for dusting that day. I was concerned also. But no firm answer on the cause. I thought mites and lice. Which the state said is normal and just treat regularly.

Certainly odd about the feather pattern-- sure to indicate something is amiss. How does the bedding look?

I would tackle the usuall things first.

Deworm
dust the birds
change the bedding and possibly dust

You can also contact the guy at first state poultry supply for a fee; He goes by "Doc" because he knows so much, but he is NOT a vet. But more knowledgeable about birds than mot vets. I've talked to him. You can also email a question to him from that site. I so purchase goods from his company so I don't know if that makes a difference.

 

[Wisher1000]

Speaking of legs, I need to take my camera out and get some pics tomorrow. I have a cockeral that was one of the last batch from the Cinco De Mayo hatch that is unusual. He has one yellow leg and one green leg! I think he is Campine/Ameracauna/BO mix. I also have to get some of my white peachick (not so small anymore) to show off, I am so proud of it. That is it in my avatar with the foster hen in the background. He/she is 3 months old now and about ready to be let out to range with the flock. I have kept it and the foster hen up in a separate room all by themselves to protect the pea from whatever it is in dirt that kills them. I lost my two poults and think it is because I let them out too soon.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

HOw could I forget !!! the test results came back today-- all negative, for AI and Pullorum. Yeay!! I can take a few birds to the Middleboro show tomorrow to sell.

Congrats!

I know a lady that has a virtual petting zoo at her house. Alpacas, horses, a cow, turkey, peafowl, geese, ducks, chickens, dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs, and goats. She has lots of birds, but one group of about twenty stay in a pen to themselves. She keeps them separated because she wanted to keep them separate for breeding. The birds in that pen are nearly naked below their wings. They have feathers on their heads, necks, upper backs (between the wings,) wings and some tail feathers. Their chests, saddle area, under wings, and butts are bare and the skin is bright red. There are no apparent wounds or peck marks and the red is consistent and not blotched. Has anyone seen this before? I have no idea if it is feather picking, lice, mites, or diet. I have to talk to her about it gently because she is rather sensitive about the care she gives (and her other animals are all healthy.)

I'd say what the others say: treat for lice, worms, mites. My turkens continually exposed skin gets red, especially the boys and worse with age/harsh weather, but the girls do too, so I think that's pretty normal, but could also be worse from irritation from lice/mites/picking.

 

[dsqard]

Well DS and I selected out one of the turkeys yesterday for the upcoming holiday. I have him in a cage so that he can't eat before the process today. DS asked if any of the other birds would notice he was gone. In the past when I have butchered or lost one to a coyote, none of the other birds seemed to notice the missing member. Even when Lurkey went missing, Tom didn't seem to notice. So I tell DS, no they won't notice the missing bird. Well I was wrong. The bird I selected is one of the "Blues Brothers" and the one still in with the flock was standing in the pen yesterday afternoon crying for his buddy. Kinda made me sad. On a good note, I was able to find an 80 quart pot yesterday and I am glad I got it. I have a 30 quart pot I have used in the past but I don't think he will fit in it. It was on half off sale too!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Is this one from the Cinco de Mayo hatch? If so, can you weigh him? I think once he's gone (and not just in jail), the other Blues Bros won't notice. They can call to each other now, that's the problem.

Ours are looking big, too, definitely much bigger than our biggest rooster, but so feathery it's hard to tell for sure what's under there.

BF is working now, and Thanksgiving day (plus on call) and I'm working the weekend after Thanksgiving (plus call). I think our turkeys got a reprieve for a bit. Maybe Christmas, though. This will be the first year at this hospital (6) that neither one of us is working Christmas Day (although we again flank it with weekends before and after).

Who writes this stupid schedule?

 

[dsqard]

SCG it is one of the ones I hatched for the cinco hatch a long. It dressed out at 16 pounds

 

[Arielle]

SCG it is one of the ones I hatched for the cinco hatch a long. It dressed out at 16 pounds

Love the thick and meaty thighs!!! Dark meat all the way here!