- Apr 27, 2009
- 15
- 0
- 22
Some of you know me as the Chicken Lady of Commack. The PO certainly knows me.........Hi.
This is my first post.
I have seen a lot in many years around fowl.
And, I have had my losses and learning experiences. But one thing I never allow, is a dirty coop or pen.
There are many good breeders around but, also there are some places that are really badly kept, have ill birds, and even dying animals.
Everyone loses a bird, Cocci, predator, or even an unknown wasting illness, but make sure wherever you buy - is as clean as can be. Be reasonable, (we can't all be out there scrubbing ) but do not accept filth.
Rule of thumb: if it smells bad - it IS bad.
Make sure you can really feel the bird you may want to buy, struggling or not, to see if it has plenty of meat on it, and no breastbone sticking out from misleading and thick feathers. Matted feathers are a sign of illness as well as a bird off by itself. A bullied bird is often a sick bird. There is no excuse for not spotting an islolated and sick animal.
Note the droppings, green is OK, and even a little mushy is OK, but beware of any orange or brown droppings.
Pools for waterfowl ...(I prefer draining pebble type ponds...with a fine spray turned on for a half hour) should be changed twice a day. Another great (and pretty) idea, is a recirculating running filtered brook, from fenceline to fenceline. All you need is a bit of an incline.
To set up your own pebble pond - take as many 4 X 4's as you need, cut them to outside shape. Miter and attach to one another to make let's say, a circle or hexagon. Make it double for height..8 inches. Line bottom with sand. Top layer with pea gravel or river rock. A good two inches of pebbles. Put the sprayer on and watch them enjoy a splash...and..you don't have to clean a algae filled mess because it drains within an hour. No bugs either.
For large geese, such as Dewlap Toulouse, a natural or filtered large pond for these heavy giants.... is the most humane. The Olde Farm pond is ideal, because it is sad to see the really big ones lumber - without being able to really swim - and take a break from gravity.
For chickens, they should be on sand, shavings or Free Ranging on Grass.
I rotate my flocks on grass a couple of times a week.
Like Swine Flu, crowds invite disease. Better to have 6 nice large fowl in a spacious area, than to crowd in 20 because you just can't resist "one more".
See how the rest of the animals are kept as well. If another animal is sick, the fowl won't get much priority.
You should insist on seeing the whole set up, even if you are only buying a baby, because it can wipe out your flock coming from parents with disease. Don't accept any excuses. The owner should be proud to show you around their flock area.
I am proud to let anyone see my birds, and their coops...from Runner Ducks to Silkies.
But remember: Sebbies (and white fowl) are Always Muddy! Magnets for muddy bottoms!!!
Be sure to read my article, coming out in Dec 2009 issue of Backyard Poultry on "How to Photograph Your Own Flock".
Kathy: ThreeFrenchHens LLC
This is my first post.
I have seen a lot in many years around fowl.
And, I have had my losses and learning experiences. But one thing I never allow, is a dirty coop or pen.
There are many good breeders around but, also there are some places that are really badly kept, have ill birds, and even dying animals.
Everyone loses a bird, Cocci, predator, or even an unknown wasting illness, but make sure wherever you buy - is as clean as can be. Be reasonable, (we can't all be out there scrubbing ) but do not accept filth.
Rule of thumb: if it smells bad - it IS bad.
Make sure you can really feel the bird you may want to buy, struggling or not, to see if it has plenty of meat on it, and no breastbone sticking out from misleading and thick feathers. Matted feathers are a sign of illness as well as a bird off by itself. A bullied bird is often a sick bird. There is no excuse for not spotting an islolated and sick animal.
Note the droppings, green is OK, and even a little mushy is OK, but beware of any orange or brown droppings.
Pools for waterfowl ...(I prefer draining pebble type ponds...with a fine spray turned on for a half hour) should be changed twice a day. Another great (and pretty) idea, is a recirculating running filtered brook, from fenceline to fenceline. All you need is a bit of an incline.
To set up your own pebble pond - take as many 4 X 4's as you need, cut them to outside shape. Miter and attach to one another to make let's say, a circle or hexagon. Make it double for height..8 inches. Line bottom with sand. Top layer with pea gravel or river rock. A good two inches of pebbles. Put the sprayer on and watch them enjoy a splash...and..you don't have to clean a algae filled mess because it drains within an hour. No bugs either.
For large geese, such as Dewlap Toulouse, a natural or filtered large pond for these heavy giants.... is the most humane. The Olde Farm pond is ideal, because it is sad to see the really big ones lumber - without being able to really swim - and take a break from gravity.
For chickens, they should be on sand, shavings or Free Ranging on Grass.
I rotate my flocks on grass a couple of times a week.
Like Swine Flu, crowds invite disease. Better to have 6 nice large fowl in a spacious area, than to crowd in 20 because you just can't resist "one more".
See how the rest of the animals are kept as well. If another animal is sick, the fowl won't get much priority.
You should insist on seeing the whole set up, even if you are only buying a baby, because it can wipe out your flock coming from parents with disease. Don't accept any excuses. The owner should be proud to show you around their flock area.
I am proud to let anyone see my birds, and their coops...from Runner Ducks to Silkies.
But remember: Sebbies (and white fowl) are Always Muddy! Magnets for muddy bottoms!!!
Be sure to read my article, coming out in Dec 2009 issue of Backyard Poultry on "How to Photograph Your Own Flock".
Kathy: ThreeFrenchHens LLC
