Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[delisha]

Congrats on the new hatches..

on a somber note:

Killing chicks and chickens is never easy. It is a decision we all have to make and a job we all have to do. You have to choose what works for you. Chickens are not like dogs or cats. They are injured more, become ill more, and do not live as long. (yes, some are going to argue they had one live 100 years). Vet care is hard to find and medical advise and experience is limited as far as *pet* care. My personal experience is only as a meat/egg source.

Having a plan is always best because it is going to happen. It takes the pressure off and timing off and does not leave chicks and chickens to suffer if you have already made decisions.

You can do what many do and let the chick live or die on its own. (if they are out with a mom I do not interfere).
You can gas it and see if that might work (sometimes they don't die).
They have a new shock tool that shocks them into unconsciousness, than you kill it.
You can cut off the head with a sharp scissors and end suffering immediately or twist the head off.

Non of the options are good ones because human emotions are involved. I personally remove the head to avoid any possibility of suffering.

 

[judge]

Well morning ya all........
Not much new here, same old cold weather is back, 87 on Tuesday, today its 37...........argggghhhhhhh grumble.........
Well had a 100% hatch rate with the new brinsea, SORTA set 11 good eggs into lockdown Friday Sunday 9 of them hatched 2 slow ones pipped but taking there ole sweet time, so left everyone in there till tuesday, 2 littles still not zipped, no progress at all, so took out the 9 and added a rag for extra humidity, and still nothing so I unzipped them very carefully, yolk sack was absorbed but they were starting to get dry in the shell was sticking to them........... well both are still alive in a box in my room with a lamp, but neither can move well, one leg on the pullet chick, is weak or something and she can't stand, so she is in a sling hoping she makes some sorta progress, the other seems not to even be able to hold its head up......... so not sure what to do? .feeling about now I should cull them..........but they are still peeping up a storm but won't eat or drink anything except when forced and that isn't going so well......... so thought maybe I could get a a few ideas from you all on what to do,? I have never had to cull a chick and it just seems wrong to do so, but I have little hope for these 2 making it longer than a a few days............and I really can't make myself do the deed, even if I knew how.......?? help guys I'm a chicken when it comes to my chickens............ Kim

Aww- sorry about the chicks. Well- I am no expert, but I have learned a few things along the way when it comes to hatching and helping chicks. My last hatch had a chick who pipped the wrong end. I waited and waited, and it wasn't zipping. I also helped it zip, and it hatched out in my hand. It was so tired and weak, I thought for sure it wouldn't make it. I even went to TSC tc get more chicks because I thought for sure it was going to die. I even told the kids that we might have to cull it because it looked so terrible. Well after about two days it perked right up. It needed help with splay leg, and after that it did great. It is 3 weeks old now, and strong as can be. Same happened with my duckling. I thought I would have to cull it, but it came around and is growing and doing great. My little bantam who was injured terribly and I thought I would have to cull this week is as feisty as can be. So- in my experience so far I would have to say not to give up on the little ones so fast. They can really surprise you!!! Hope everything turns out for you!

 

[Amyable]

Quote:

I'll keep that in mind!

 

[Amyable]

So, after Jim's coaching on the batoring, I am having great development in the eggs I set. However, lockdown is not going so well. I have a 2nd LG still air as a hatcher. My first batch of chickens last week I had 9/15 hatch; I opened 4 eggs that had fully developed chicks that didn't even pip. So far on the ducks this week it is 3/12, and 1 more is working on it. One half-zipped and died. When I moved the duck eggs into lockdown, there was movement in at least 10 of them. Temp is 99-100. Humidity is high, 70-85%. Is that too much? Even for ducks?

 

[irishrovr]

The hubs and I spent all day taking down some old fencing and I'm wiped out! We should have enough good pieces to patch the openings in the outer fence and also fence in the chicken run so it was worth it. It looks a lot better, too.

We're still looking for a two bottom plow for the Super H so we can get the sod busted up for the garden. If you know anyone with old farm implements hanging about, I'd appreciate it if you'd ask if they have such a thing they'd like to sell!

Just skimmed the day's posts - love the cute critter pics! JJ - looks like a very interesting garden project - look forward to seeing it as it progresses!

G'night all you Cheesehead Chicken People of Wisconsin!

I ve had pretty good luck finding implement in crgs list give it a look. Is it a quick hitch? 3 point hitch? I ll keep my eyes peeled 4 you,,, should be able to find somthing... what price range? roughly... lots of stuff around your area. p.m. me with what you think......zeke

It's a "pull type" - here's a picture of a tractor (not ours) with a plow like the one he's seeking. It shows more tractor than plow but if anyone happens to spot something like this, please let me know! Thanks!!

 

[Terri O]

Oh man...I had the best response typed out this morning! Did you know that re cant refresh the page to see if anyone else posted? Yup, if you do you lose your whole multi-quoted and really great and even FUNNY post! So I was depressed and went out and worked outside. We came in for lunch and now the rain has started and the kids are "resting" I told them that they CANT go to sleep....so far the reverse psychology isnt working!

I have to go downstairs and get the quail eggs out of the turner sometime today...They are due on Sunday I believe. Then the Bobs on thursday. The turkeys are not until the following week (I think) --oh gee, now I am starting to sound like Jim! THen I need to get to work on those Buckeyes for Lisa! I put the Barred Rock eggs that I had under a broody. I still have not closed her off from the other hens though so they continue to lay in that nest as soon as she gets up! I just pull them all and put back the marked ones. I am sure she will have better luck than I am going to have with the bators! They are still jumping all around on temps. Driving me nuts!

Well...guess I will see what else I can find surfing around...dont want to move until the kids are asleep (No, I didnt say that!)

Have a good afternoon--TerriO

(PS) one thing I remembered--just use a sharp scissors on that chick if need be--you dont want to make it easy for yourself after all...the object is to end it's suffering without causing more! I dont think baking soda and vinegar makes Carbon Monoxide either.(they wouldnt let kids make volcanoes in school then!) What it probably does is deplete the oxygen in the container and the chick suffocates. Yeah, just use the scissors.

 

[199787]

I think i meant carbon dioxide, but I am to lazy to google it. Didnt sleep much last night.

 

[irishrovr]

Looks like the picture of the tractor and plow didn't attach - here it is again...

 

[kjgoodman]

Going on 9 hours withou power:-( 11" of snow later...gggrrrrr. Had a chick commit suicide and jump out of the brooder, so the rest got a nice new bigger home on the basement since my new coop parts are now burried under he aforementioned 11" of snow!
Thank goodness for gas stoves, still can cook! Looks like ambiance by candle light tonight!

 

[zeke]

Judge...maybe chage your profile pic and report it?

Btw-you can grow citrus here...in a greenhouse or if you bring it in during really cold weather.

Judge

With all do respect its the picture I know,,,,,, seems stupid but theres a lot of creeps out there. I dont think being flattered is going to do any good, and saying no thanks won t stop it... I suggest you post something less intriguing. Just trying to help zeke
please feel free to ignore this post .