It can cause reduced egg production. Layers infected at an early age with H. meleagridis had slower bodyweight gain, more size variability, higher weight loss and started laying eggs later compared to birds not affected by blackhead disease. In a commercial flock, early infection with H. meleagridis would also result in a higher number of culls compared to an uninfected flock.
I love my big dinosaurs.
Their trills, "binks," bald heads, and soft snoods warm the coldest of hearts.
Yes! emus count! Do you like them? I am considering getting some.Do emus count?
But more seriously, I second brahmas. I have light brahmas and also some other colors I'm using to work on a color project, and they are great. Big, gentle giants. Very docile and friendly. The hens are great mothers.
Quick edit to add, if you want to show whatever breed you choose, bantams are easier for showing. Brahmas come in bantam size, too. I keep Ko Shamo bantams and love them and show them, but they are a game breed, so they take some finagling to house and prevent fighting, and also people tend to either love how they look or hate how they look, lol. So they aren't a breed for everyone.
While chickens are obviously my very favorite poultry, turkeys come in close second. I absolutely adored my Bourbon Red and Royal Palm hens.
Sadly, both had to be given to a close family member, due to the fact they were severely injuring the bantams (possibly killed a few....these died mysteriously). We simply aren't equipped to keep species separately right now.
As far as chickens go, I favor Marans, d'Uccles, Old English Game bantams, and Sussex.
~Alex
Sorry you had to give them away
