What were your worst mistakes when you first started?

[Anna Ranieri]

I was thinking I might try and hatch some more.
I'm not sure.

Personally I hope you do, as I really believe it will do you and their mother good if you can. Whatever you decide I wish you all the best

 

[Clubber1234]

Personally I hope you do, as I really believe it will do you and their mother good if you can. Whatever you decide I wish you all the best

Thankyou you are so kind and understanding

 

[Pokka]

Not vacinating well.

Could you please share with us, what you consider to be 'vaccinating well'?

Here I only vaccinate against ND (obliged by law to do so) and IB (since in the same combination-vaccine). When I had a hen brooding eggs, I looked into the possibility of having the chicks vaccinated against Marek within the first 24 hours. I, unfortunately, couldn't find a clinic close enough that offered that at the right time...

 

[Folly's place]

Most 'backyard poultry' flock in the USA only use the Marek's vaccine, given to day old chicks. For the other products, it depends on risk factors, which may be due to a local problem, or for show birds. So, there's no one answer.
Mary

 

[aart]

Here I only vaccinate against ND (obliged by law to do so) and IB (since in the same combination-vaccine).

Where is 'here'?

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[feathermaid]

Thanks to BYC, I haven't done much of anything wrong until now. I installed a new perch in the run...above the ramp into the coop. Instant piles of poop on the ramp!

Perch placement inside a run takes more thought than you'd think! I put a perch in the run that was higher than the roosts inside the coop... then they decided to roost at night on the high perch outside instead of inside where they belong. I had to carry them in every night before lockup. So I lowered the run perch and now they're back to roosting inside on their own at night.

I already did lose one to a freak accident. I have a run that extends under the coop. My Polish was under the coop when they all got spooked, she flew up and smashed her head on the coop, died instantly. Poor thing couldn't see upwards and was scared to boot. I was out with them at the time. So sad.

That is truly an unfortunate accident, nothing you could have done. I am so sorry for your loss. Something similar happened to one of my friends and her horse. He was being led around the corner of a building and something spooked him. He reared up and cracked his head on the roof overhang and fell to the ground where he died almost instantly. It was quite a shock to everyone. Some freak accidents are just unavoidable, but it doesn't make them any less sad.

I'm from the UK and it is illegal to feed chickens kitchen/table scraps over here

I wonder if that law only pertains to commercial poultry houses or those who plan to sell their birds or raise them for meat or eggs to sell to the public.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Perch placement inside a run takes more thought than you'd think! I put a perch in the run that was higher than the roosts inside the coop... then they decided to roost at night on the high perch outside instead of inside where they belong. I had to carry them in every night before lockup. So I lowered the run perch and now they're back to roosting inside on their own at night.


That is truly an unfortunate accident, nothing you could have done. I am so sorry for your loss. Something similar happened to one of my friends and her horse. He was being led around the corner of a building and something spooked him. He reared up and cracked his head on the roof overhang and fell to the ground where he died almost instantly. It was quite a shock to everyone. Some freak accidents are just unavoidable, but it doesn't make them any less sad.


I wonder if that law only pertains to commercial poultry houses or those who plan to sell their birds or raise them for meat or eggs to sell to the public.

No, it applies to all, same in rest of Europe too, however I can understand their reasons. The foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 resulted in over 6 million animals culled and burned and cost the UK eight billion pounds. Investigations found the outbreak started at a farm where the farmer had fed his animals catering scraps from restaurant and kitchen scraps which contained contaminated meat. Farmers are working on trying to get the law changed but I have no idea how it's going.

 

[Pokka]

Where is 'here'?

Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1641516

Thank you for the tip, aart! I have just added the location, Northern Europe, to my profile.

As far as I know the lawful obligation that exist here to vaccinate against ND is related to the fact that Newcastle Disease can kill chicken as massivly and unspecificly as Avian Influenza does. Avian Influenza is on the list of reportable diseases, that are to be controlled and eradicated. By making everybody vaccinate their chicken and turkeys against ND, it would become easier to recognize Avian Influenza as a cause in case of massive deaths. (hoping I have explained this correctly...)

Vaccinating against ND is done by adding vaccine to the drinking water. The frequency with which this needs to be done depends on the vaccine; in my case once every six weeks. This is organised by the local poultry club, of which I am a member and it doesn't cost much.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Wow! I've looked into that law and it is truly ridiculous! And the study that was done on the 2 flocks... with the one being fed kitchen scraps had 37% incidence of salmonella compared to .05% in the other. Wouldn't that mean all humans in the UK who eat meat are at risk? When was that study performed? So the law is only willing to look out for the chickens but not the people! Unbelievable.
I guess we have similar stupid laws in the US. Funny how it seems so easy to make a foolish or poorly-written law, but nearly impossible to retract it.

I don't know when the study was performed, I only know it was conducted by a university and as far as I am aware is the only study been done. I believe you have misunderstood, this isn't about looking out for chickens at all, its about protecting people, their livelihood and business'. Its to stop the spread of disease, and to prevent bacteria, disease etc entering the food chain and this law isn't exclusive to chickens, it applies to all livestock, pigs, sheep, cattle, poultry, waterfowl etc.
I believe it is to do with meat, because this law does not apply to vegans providing they are 100% vegan.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

My biggest mistake was buying straight-run chicks thinking that there was a way to tell the difference. There was not and I got 4 roos and 2 hens. ALWAYS BUY PULLETS!!!! (unless you want a rooster)