|
|
Post by Amo on Feb 28, 2009 21:23:10 GMT
Have they started laying again Chuckles? Valentines Day is supposed to be the official start but I don't think they can tell when that is unless someone sends them a card.  Should be good eggs with all those bugs anyway!!!! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Feb 28, 2009 21:52:46 GMT
They haven't stopped laying Amo, it was something I was something I've been meaning to ask about. I thought they stopped when we had less daylight hours but I'm still getting between 8 and 12 eggs a week. Funny you should say " Should be good eggs with all those bugs anyway!!!!" when I see them eating slugs and stuff I think  thats gonna come out in my egg My friend who works at a farm park brought them some crickets and meal worms the other day Strange but the eggs do taste good ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Mar 6, 2009 21:15:12 GMT
Bessie and Joycey had a lovely day with me today. I've been having a tidy on the veg garden and moved 8 bags of homemade compost off the soil, loads of worms underneath and the girls were in there like lightning filling thier bellies ;D What made me laugh was after they'd eaten them all they went off to thier run and got in the part that is a section full of saw dust. They preened and clucked and dusted about like two very satisfied chickens ;D   |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Mar 17, 2009 10:21:35 GMT
Amo you've jinked the chickens ;D Over the last week eggs have slowed down and I've noticed Bessie (the black one) has started to molt (sp). Found a shelless egg in the bed area the other day, just the sack bit so I guess they've eaten the egg bit. Yesterday around 6pm I was just checking they had gone to bed and Bessie was squated in the run, couldn't believe it when she actually dropped an egg right in front of my eyes. The egg had a very thin shell on it, very thin and sort of a grainy feel to it, so thin infact the end cracked as she laid it. Now, they do get grit and a shell type mix which I know they need to digest food and it's supposed to be do something to help make the shell, I think  Can any chicken owning members help, do I have a problem or is this all normal. My chickens are coming up to 12 months old now, infact they are probaly just over 12 months old. |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Mar 23, 2009 8:26:47 GMT
Amo you've jinked the chickens ;D Over the last week eggs have slowed down and I've noticed Bessie (the black one) has started to molt (sp). Found a shelless egg in the bed area the other day, just the sack bit so I guess they've eaten the egg bit. Yesterday around 6pm I was just checking they had gone to bed and Bessie was squated in the run, couldn't believe it when she actually dropped an egg right in front of my eyes. The egg had a very thin shell on it, very thin and sort of a grainy feel to it, so thin infact the end cracked as she laid it. Now, they do get grit and a shell type mix which I know they need to digest food and it's supposed to be do something to help make the shell, I think Can any chicken owning members help, do I have a problem or is this all normal. My chickens are coming up to 12 months old now, infact they are probaly just over 12 months old. Since posting the above I've found another 3 eggs that have these thin grainy shells and she is just dropping them anywhere in the run and bed area  anyone  |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2009 19:12:13 GMT
don't know about keeping hens chuckles it is getting popular and the house across the road from me has 2 hens and they have a small hen house and run. i'd love to have some |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Apr 1, 2009 9:49:46 GMT
I'm still learning Blacky and I can't imagine not having them now  Bessie seems to have got through whatever was the matter with her now, thankfully. You should consider getting a couple Blacky they really are great to have and easy to keep, and of course theres the eggs ;D If you get a good run and coop you don't have to have them out and about in the garden. I guess the setting up is the biggest cost. |
|
|
|
Post by oldmoleskins on Apr 23, 2009 19:19:08 GMT
I've been joined to the ranks of poultryfication by the gift of this little lot:  12 hens and a cockerel, breeds and purity thereof unknown - but charming. With huge lack of imagination, this is Cocky:  and again, shamelessly posing for 'Spur of the Month':  I was expecting bantams, but there's only this one, with similar lack of imagination, Babe:  who is, as you can see, quite a bit smaller...  I only got them on Sunday, and let them out for the first time yesterday (their HQ is a roomy stable) and, so far so good - they've put themselves back in at duskish with no rounding up required at all two nights in a row. OM |
|
|
|
Post by Amo on Apr 23, 2009 20:04:33 GMT
Well there's a motley (or should that be Moley) crew if ever there was one! They all look mighty fine. How's Lulu? Least Cocky is a little more PC than our cockerel Dick. |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Apr 23, 2009 20:56:07 GMT
13 feathered friends  Doesn't Cocky look the business and that spur  hope he's not a nasty boy, you'll have to start carrying a stick OM. The girls look lovely and Babe is soooo cute. They are clever things really these chickens, too clever sometimes. That pair of mine keep an eye on me when I'm in the garden, they follow me for a while then go off exploring. If I catch them on the borders I only have to stand near them, hands on hips and give them that look and they get off and mouch off. Not sure I could cope with 13 but it's certainly made me go all broody now ;D So are the others going to get names then ;D |
|
|
|
Post by nightowl on Apr 24, 2009 10:25:49 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Apr 26, 2009 13:25:31 GMT
I thought about all you lot today whilst I was at a Fair/flea market in the next village. Had I bought some of this lot I would definitely have had an animal farm in my garden. Apart from the first lot which is a Wyandotten with 14 chicks and each chick was 10 Euro, I only have the names of some other chicks. A very patient Mum as the chicks loved to ride on her back.   then Maran, red layers and Araucana, green layers - chicks for 3 Euro. The chicks all look the same to me.  Then some other varieties - perhaps some of you will know what they are - I haven't the faintest.      and the claws on these two...they looked more like fighting hens to me!!  and even ducks and pidgeons were to be had   loads of rabbits, and you could even buy a pony, horse and sheep plus some rather gorgeous looking hunting dog pups - I was pulled away before I could take a picture of those.  and this sheep - he was a big brute and didn't want to be there at all...he tried to get over the fence all the time.  RF |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on May 26, 2009 7:59:54 GMT
Lots of feathered friends there RF, you should have had a couple  you could have had a little small holding going on in the garden. Wouldn't one of those little shetland ponies have been great for the neighbours garden ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on May 26, 2009 8:15:15 GMT
Got a poorly chuck Yesterday I noticed Bessie (Black Hen) wasn't her usual self, didn't peck about on the lawn when let out first thing in the morning. I kept an eye on her during the day and noticed she was just mouching about and sort of trying to keep out of the way, under benches and such like. A sprinkling of corn didn't even tempt her. At lunch time I found her in the nesting box, not unusual as she could have been laying but several hours later she was still there. Inspection time I thought, picked her up and had a check over, thought maybe egg bound but couldn't feel anything. However, her crop was absolutely solid and as far as I'd seen she had not eaten all day. I made her have a drink by tipping a dish of water to her beak, she did take a bit. You can seringe it down there throat but have to be careful as you can end up getting it in thier lungs I've read a bit on the internet about chickens getting a compacted crop but wondered if anyone on here had any ideas or suggestions. I massaged her crop several times yesterday and it became a little softer as the day went on, also gave her water. This morning she is still not a happy chicken, she was at the door waiting to come out though, had a quick feel and her crop is 2/3rds full and I noticed she had sloppy poo on her bottom, also some inthe nest box where she had slept. Hope this means it is shifting naturally. She has wandered on to the lawn but is not interested in pecking about at all. Any suggestions |
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on May 26, 2009 8:19:37 GMT
Have you considered asking your local vet? Maybe they can give suggestions over the phone?
Good luck with her hope she recovers soon.
|
|
|
|
Post by oldmoleskins on May 26, 2009 9:40:30 GMT
Got a poorly chuck Yesterday I noticed Bessie (Black Hen) wasn't her usual self, didn't peck about on the lawn... Did it she have access to lawn clippings Chuck? They've been known to have a go at those and bung themselves up. I'm told by an old chicken rancher you can try to alleviate the compaction (whatever it is) by holding them head down and massaging the crop - be prepared for it to bring it up all over your feet... OM. |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on May 27, 2009 8:49:23 GMT
The vets was a consideration Dutchy, I've since spoken to a friend who is one and he has said pretty much the same as I've found on the internet. Thanks OM I'd seen that mentioned too on my surfing frenzie. Tried to do it too poor thing looked so stressed and her eyes kept rollingand closing, I didn't manage to get anything up. Have read that you can flush the crop by filling it with liquid and then doing like you suggested. Can be tricky though and you can get fluid into thier lungs, and then they die. I've seen this happen with pheasants when administering drugs and I don't fancy doing it tbo. She pootled about a little yesterday, you can tell she's not happy though. I continued to massage crop and try and get her to drink a little. Tried sugared water and she did manage to eat about a teaspoon of mashed spud. This morning she clucked a little when I went to the coop and slowly made her way out, looked about a bit and then mouched a little further. I'm going to leave her be until later today and then check her over again and do the massage and water bit. Oh the joys of having animals |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on May 27, 2009 8:51:16 GMT
BTW RF I forgot to say yesterday....don't those baby chicks look soooo cute on mummies back, bless um ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by carolann on May 27, 2009 20:53:21 GMT
I only just decided to have a read at this thread after not looking at it for a while, sorry to hear about Bessie Chuckles I hope she picks up soon. I have an oldish (3yrs) hen who mouches about and seems not to bother eating much at times but she seems to come around then goes back down again, another thing she does is falls asleep anywhere and I mean anywhere, the other day she was just walking at the bottom of the steps when she stops and closes her eyes and no matter how loud I shouted she just stayed there till I poked her then she just opened one eye then went back to sleep I thought that she may have gone deaf but she can hear the tractor or motor coming, I have never noticed if her crop is full, next time I shall have a look and see if its like Bessie. I have noticed that if I don't give them their vitamin drink regularly then she does the dozy thing more often. What a fine band of chucks you have there Moley are they still behaving themselves and going to bed on time? Mine all seem to arrive back at about 7pm but I count them all everynight just to make sure that they are all there. Today we have had 7 chicks hatch out, they have been under a broody hen a Warren and they dont go broody? ?? I also have 50 eggs in the incubator, Wellsummers and Silkie, not sure what colour the Silkie's are but I will keep some pullets for brooding eggs as they are very good for that. I will take some pic's tomorrow. |
|
|
|
Post by oldmoleskins on May 28, 2009 7:35:48 GMT
Years ago, I had a favourite hen that I found collapsed and apparently near The End. It was winter. I brought it indoors and put it in a box near the Rayburn where it seemed to rally a little, then subside again. Casting around for a pick-me-up (for the hen, Chuckles, for the hen) My eyes lit on the the bottle of Bell's nearby, so I took the cap and trickled half a capful into her beak.
Well, her eyes blazed, she cackled, shook her feathers - and promptly died.
While replacing the cap, I noticed the slogan on the bottle: "Afore ye go"
OM.
|
|
|
|
Post by Barbara on May 28, 2009 7:41:18 GMT
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D We had a budgie that was grabbed by the dog, it had a heart attack or similar, we gave it brandy and the bu**er joshed it, Hubby said we should have given it mouth to beak and saved the brandy for ourselves. |
|
|
|
Post by carolann on May 28, 2009 10:41:23 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on May 28, 2009 19:19:26 GMT
;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on May 30, 2009 12:46:22 GMT
What a fine band of chucks you have there Moley are they still behaving themselves and going to bed on time? Mine all seem to arrive back at about 7pm but I count them all everynight just to make sure that they are all there. Today we have had 7 chicks hatch out, they have been under a broody hen a Warren and they dont go broody? ?? I also have 50 eggs in the incubator, Wellsummers and Silkie, not sure what colour the Silkie's are but I will keep some pullets for brooding eggs as they are very good for that. I will take some pic's tomorrow. I do so envy you being able to hatch Carolann, I'm all broody ;D Where getting to be a right little clutch ;D of chicken owners on here aren't we. You, me Mr G and OM, Oh and theres 4P and Amo too. Bessie seems to have picked up a little over the last couple of days, still not herself though but her crop is not compacting. I'm still on the hard stuff though to keep my chicken owning nerves steady ;D I picked up a recipe that I was told would help her digestion and to help build her up a bit. “” This amount feeds one bird””
Feed the birds once a day for 3 to 21 days or until you feel the bird is looking and acting better
I like to feed this to my sick birds for at least 3 weeks
Start feeding your birds this formula please: First thing in the morning.. also have their ordinary feed and fresh clean water available at all times: if it has not been fully eaten with in 12 hours throw it out... make another one the next morning.. don't add to it.. clean out the dish it was in also before adding the new mixture
Each serving consists of
1 x boiled egg yolk… crumbled into mixture….. give the whites to the other hens mixed into their seed or pellets (depends a lot on the size of the egg yolk)
1 small drizzle of honey…. .given for energy, only a small drizzle .. not a teaspoon
2 x tablespoons yoghurt…. Given for calcium and also to make the intestine go back into normal production – the one with no sugar or fruit in it .. it must that has not been heat treated .. or you are just giving pudding .. must be active bacillus
2 to 4 tablespoons rolled oats or Rice Baby Cereal (easily digestible)…. To give substance to the feed, and they are easily digested by the bird also putting less stress on its system, when your birds become sick they find it difficult to digest grains
1 dessertspoon of beef tin cat food…… Not dog food …… the bird needs extra protein not carbs, and dog food is carbs.. cat food is a high protein food. I substitued with tinned Tuna
A few grains of multi vitamin powder (only if you are not already giving it to them in their drinking water, don’t overdose) it is very strong.. so only a few grains into the mixture is needed – do not put a large pinch or a teaspoon you will overdose the bird and make it sick I didn't use this
2 tablespoons of grated apple and grated carrot…. .. do not just cut it up .. it must be grated for easy digestion…. Grated Apple is really good for any ailing bird
Mix to make a crumble mixture not runny, if you have to roll into pellets and force feed, then gently massage the neck in a downward motion to get it down into the crop, then do it, the bird may be too weak to eat or have lost the desire to eat….
|
|
|
|
Post by carolann on May 31, 2009 14:15:20 GMT
I'm glad she is picking up now its such a worry having a sick friend. Nearly forgot here is a pic of the latest chicks.  this morning they have been put outside in the nightark in the paddock. |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Jun 1, 2009 8:07:44 GMT
Aren't they just soooooo cute, looks like mother has her beady eye on you Carolann ;D
Bessie seems to be slowly improving, comes to me now when I shout so she is definately on the mend, well she trots and Joycey gallops because they think FOOD. Bessie tucks into that recipe I posted like she's been starved, so does Joycey. I'm going to cut down the amount over the next few days because I don't them to expect me to be faffing about grating carrot and apple etc for ever ;D Suppose that means I'll have to knock the hard stuff on the head too ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by carolann on Jun 1, 2009 20:38:07 GMT
Naaaaaaaa just cut it down bit by bit then you wont get withdrawal symptoms ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Jun 1, 2009 23:12:37 GMT
I'm sooo glad shes perked up a bit Chuckles! My Dad kept hens for years (from before I was born so that is tantamount to forever!), I have known him slit the crop, flush it and then stitch it back up again He kept the birds isolated until it healed - I have no idea who showed him how to do it, but I know I couldn't attempt such a procedure! I would so love some chucks though, maybe bantams, 'cos I was allowed to keep them as a kid. x Tig |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Jun 5, 2009 19:32:16 GMT
Well we managed 2 goodish days Tig before Bessie went really down hill again not eating or coming out of the coop. I'm back on the hard stuff and she is back on the recipe but this time I'm having to force feed her and make her drink 3 times a day. Things ain't looking good I'd read about folk slitting the crop Tig, it's not so hard to do by all accounts. Saying that I wouldn't fancy trying either. |
|
|
|
Post by carolann on Jun 5, 2009 21:32:55 GMT
Oh Chuckles I'm sorry to hear Bessie has gone down again, you don't think she may have picked something up in the garden do you? my lot have been eating a polystyrene fish box which I have some young trees growing in they have almost eaten the 2 long sides even though I have covered it with planks, house bricks and a large piece of plastic sheeting they still seem to get in and have another meal. I do hope she does pick up again with her recipe.
|
|
Should be good eggs with all those bugs anyway!!!! ;D
Bessie seems to have got through whatever was the matter with her now, thankfully.
Doesn't Cocky look the business and that spur 
hope he's not a nasty boy, you'll have to start carrying a stick OM. The girls look lovely and Babe is soooo cute. 
you could have had a little small holding going on in the garden. Wouldn't one of those little shetland ponies have been great for the neighbours garden ;D
