the sultan thread

[cluck-cluck]

I'm now reading up on this, and it seems either toe nails are lost due to injury or they were born without them. Since these birds are hatchery stock, and I think SilkiesForEver said she also had an Ideal chick arrive without a toe nail , I'm quite sure they were born this way. No sign of injury that I can see.

Thanks for all the great info though!!

 

[SilkiesForEver]

Yep, I had two D'uccle chicks missing toes. I've heard its a genetic issue with hatchery's.

The one with the nail curled, yesh! That looks painful!

 

[cluck-cluck]

Yah, it doesn't look painful yet, but now that you said that, maybe it might curl and grow into the toe! I better keep an eye on that and perhaps keep it trimmed if that starts happening! Didn't think of that, thanks for putting that in my head!

 

[cluck-cluck]

LOL, one of my Sultans croaked this moring. It was one I pegged as a roo. Mr. Right-Green, LOL. Such a funny sound!

 

[hokankai]

Those toes don't look injured, but they kind of look like very old injuries. Weird! Could be hatchery related too *shrug*.

 

[cluck-cluck]

Yah, I think I just missed it when checking them as they arrived. It is weird, but apparently not that uncommon from hatchery stock (not sure why that would make a difference but?? 'tis ok, long as they're happy. They didn't like being moved. Though I turned the light off on them, and kept my bedroom window open, I think it was still warmer in the bedroom than out in the family room last night, LOL. I put blankets over their cage which made them happier. They're pretty settled in now with lots of room

 

[hokankai]

Yikes I wouldn't want chicks in my room, haha. Waaaay too much dander floating around onto everything!

 

[cluck-cluck]

You aint kidding! They're actually in my daughter's room, who is now living abroad, and it's a MESS. I just started cleaning up again, LOL. Can't wait to get them all out in the coop! I'm worried about the Seramas going outside in the winter, but I think I'm just going to build a place for them on the patio and give them a heat lamp. I really want all these chickens out of the house! LOL

 

[hokankai]

You live in Cali right? Your seramas will be fine! I have one and it's already been down in the 30s at night and I've had no problems. They just cuddle closer together if it's really cold out.

Believe it or not, providing them with a heat lamp actually worsens the situation. It prevents them from fully feathering out for the winter and gets them used to warmer than normal temperatures. If your power went out on a cold night, it could cause your birds to get sick from not being prepared.

 

[cluck-cluck]

Yah, I know you're right, but they're only 3 weeks old, so ... can't do much now anyway.

Darn it, the feed store gave me lay crumbles! I fed them to the birds yesterday, and just realized what it was! Well, I guess they only had it one day, they'll live, but ... what a pain. Ugh! I guess I have to hope I can feed it all to my eldest, almost ready to lay birds before they integrate with a boy! Those Sultan chicks really loved the lay crumbles! They won't eat anything else, but what I don't want them to eat, they dig into! Crazy birds! LOL

Another bird I pegged as a boy started screeching today, LOL So far 2 of what I thought were boys have started trying to crow. They're really cute!