What did you do with your flock today?

[ChicksnMore]

From what I was told, she was one of a bunch purchased at a feed store. Here's top view. No black barring on front of neck. Such a mystery. By golly, @Shetland lover, she could be a gold legbar. Just her earflaps aren't white, or does that develop later? Check link picture from a search. https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODk4WDEwMjQ=/z/7Z8AAOSwdfZa-AUL/$_86.JPG

She just might be. Shes a pretty girl and I'll keep my fingers crossed for some blue eggs for you

 

[ChicksnMore]

GREEN FABWOOD Wooden Fake Eggs-6Piece https://a.co/d/1NKYuJ3

They are cheap and worth it.

Yes, blackberries gone wild up here. It is a real nuisance plant.

Such a yummy nuisance though

 

[kurby22]

My first thought would be Mycoplasma Synoviae. It primarily manifests as hot, swollen legs and joints which later blister. This would account for the scabs on her legs and comb - basically the blisters healing. Tylan soluble is the preferred treatment but only seems effective in younger birds at the acute stage of the disease i.e. if given when the symptoms first show. So probably too late to treat her with this. The enrofolaxin should work but if it is m.synoviae, it's unlikely to completely clear - whatever you treat with - as it becomes too entrenched in the air sacs and hollow bones. Blossom will be a carrier for life and could infect other birds in your flock. I'd continue with what you're using and give good supportive care. A splash of cider vinegar in her water has been found to be useful too.
Denagard has had good results as a treatment but should not be given to birds being treated with coccidiosats as it is toxic combined with these.
Is it possible your soil has a heavy burden of e.coli? E.coli is often a factor in reducing immunity in birds and allowing other diseases in. E.coli thrives in poorly drained environments. Just thinking about your old death coop here.

Yeah, MS was definitely something I wondered about, but really thought there would be more signs of illness besides the swelling. I should definitely look into testing the soil for E. coli...maybe a couple other things. It's weird she would have MS though since no one else shows any signs at all of illness...she is showing increasing signs of improvement with the Uriva oil and All in one pill. I also gave her some chinese skullcap in some eggs two days ago and again this morning. I have read that it has anti-viral properties against Mycoplasma and Marek's...so I thought I would give it a shot! If anything it will give her an immunity boost. I also added a good solid layer of Barn Lime to the run in hopes of drying out the soil of any bacteria that is thriving. Thanks for your thoughts!! I hope it's not MS...sadly I would rather it be gout or kidney problems...chicken specific...not contagious. That is where I'm at now with my birds...hoping they have individual issues Blossom is just the sweetest bird and soooo pretty, so I am hopeful she can bounce back.

 

[kurby22]

Such a yummy nuisance though

They so are!!

 

[kurby22]

I had to share a couple pictures I took last night. I’ve slowly been naming the new babies I’m keeping.

It struck me last night that my frizzled Satin looks a lot like a pine cone So after much discussion we settled on Brillo as her name

A couple of my more creative names—
Leggy, is for my bantam blue Ameraucana rooster. He’s all legs right now, almost looks like a game chicken in this teen stage!

And Leaky, is for my black bantam Ameraucana rooster who has a LOT of gold leakage.

And last, I have mentioned her before, but Peggy “Peg leg” is doing amazing. Youd never know she has no toes on one foot. She has the most inquisitive and friendly personality and the very best little beard I just love her spunky spirit!

 

[Smokerbill]

I have a question.

As I was dumping the last third of a bag of feed into the feeder this morning I wondered if feeding containers get invaded with bugs of some kind, even with the food being completely dry. Maybe some kind of grain weevils or something?

Should feeders be totally emptied and cleaned every so often?

Thanks

 

[Smokerbill]

Oh yeah, I pulled all the weeds out of a little tulip bed out front and gave them to my birds. They definitely miss picking tiny seeds off of the grass stems. That's what they went for first. But they liked the big, juicy green leaves too.

 

[TropicalBabies]

My chickens were just too cute this morning not to share.

Had to head down the mountain to do flower business- plus lots of other stuff.
I got my cameras all set up so can spy the gang. Forest is on guard duty but if my bike has less gas in it when i get back, he is going to be grounded for at least a little while.

 

[TropicalBabies]

I have a question.

As I was dumping the last third of a bag of feed into the feeder this morning I wondered if feeding containers get invaded with bugs of some kind, even with the food being completely dry. Maybe some kind of grain weevils or something?

Should feeders be totally emptied and cleaned every so often?

Thanks

Yes, grain mites etc. Nothing horrible and probably just extra protein -haha!- I clean mine out every so many months. Probably just good animal husbandry to

 

[Goose Girl]

Today I sat with my baby duckling Darcy! I am so amitten!