sunlinesusie
In the Brooder
- Jan 27, 2020
- 19
- 87
- 43
When you are raising baby chickens the starter pellets will contain medicine to prevent coccidiosis, sorry about the spelling. it's important they get that, I have lost beautiful young hens to this horrible thing. However, never ever feed it to ducks or other water fowl and make sure the feeds are kept totally separate as this medication can be toxic to water fowl, something my vet made clear to me many moons ago and I have been very careful ever since. Duckling starter crumbles do not contain medication.
Regarding styrofoam, my chickens will eat it at the drop of a hat so be careful.
On the gross factor, I have had my chickens fighting over a live mouse and proudly strutting around with a beak full of large spider. They will eat their own so remove dead and sick ones promptly and don't give them BBQ chicken from the local takeway. They love it but it's gross.
I have become an expert at humanely dispatching chickens who are not going to make it, I have even had neighbours bring their chickens over to me because they can't do it. I hate it but sometimes it's the best and kindest thing. I have taken chickens to the vet, but sometimes you just know that it's their time.
My home has become the chicken retirement village over many years, not so many roosters now, too much trouble, but many an old hen no longer laying has come to live out their days here instead of facing the axe which they don't deserve just because they are seniors.
Old hens have personality and dignity and they are always welcome here.
Regarding styrofoam, my chickens will eat it at the drop of a hat so be careful.
On the gross factor, I have had my chickens fighting over a live mouse and proudly strutting around with a beak full of large spider. They will eat their own so remove dead and sick ones promptly and don't give them BBQ chicken from the local takeway. They love it but it's gross.
I have become an expert at humanely dispatching chickens who are not going to make it, I have even had neighbours bring their chickens over to me because they can't do it. I hate it but sometimes it's the best and kindest thing. I have taken chickens to the vet, but sometimes you just know that it's their time.
My home has become the chicken retirement village over many years, not so many roosters now, too much trouble, but many an old hen no longer laying has come to live out their days here instead of facing the axe which they don't deserve just because they are seniors.
Old hens have personality and dignity and they are always welcome here.
All my hens are pets . My longest living chicken lived 13 years. A recent exit lived 11 years. Many lived 8 or more years. My current oldest is about 7 or 8. I would have to research back to when I acquired her.
