Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

rowsew

Gigervamp wrote: »

Argh, I have 2 poorly girls. I think Gracie might have sour crop. She's currently in the kitchen. I've managed to get her to eat some yoghurt and drink some water with ACV, but she's not happy. Tried massaging her crop but not much came out.

And this morning, I noticed that Petal is walking like her bum's too heavy. Funnily enough we saw a video on youtube the other day of an eggbound hen that was walking exactly the same way, so I need to get Petal down to investigate. Not looking forward to sticking my finger in her vent!

I do hope you've a nice supply of disposable gloves . Best of luck with that, I hope she doesn't peck too much.

Gigervamp

My legbars lay blue eggs, but the aruacana (when she lays) lays bluey/green eggs.

Just a quick update.
Sadly Gracie didn't make it. And Petal is walking around normally now. Couldn't get her to keep still long enough to check her vent, but she's wandering around, happy as Larry, so I'll keep an eye on her.

lillibet_dripping

Gigervamp wrote: »

My legbars lay blue eggs, but the aruacana (when she lays) lays bluey/green eggs.

Just a quick update.
Sadly Gracie didn't make it. And Petal is walking around normally now. Couldn't get her to keep still long enough to check her vent, but she's wandering around, happy as Larry, so I'll keep an eye on her.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. It's always so upsetting to lose one.
Thinking of you,
Lilli

ionahenor2

So sorry about Gracie, was it sour crop?

Fruball

:hello:

Sorry to hear about losing your chook, Gigervamp

I am new to this thread and would love to join you, if I may?

I have kept chickens before but not for a couple of years... I am planning on getting some in Feb/March and am actually thinking of hatching my own this time :eek: I am looking at Cotswold Legbars (for the blue eggs) and bantams. The last chickens I had were Marans, Wyandotte, old english (terrible layers of fabulous tiny eggs!) and mix breed - all bought on impulse I want to make sure I am more choosy this time. I didn't like how my larger hens wrecked the garden and altho they will be in a pen most of the time, I would like them to have the run of the garden when i am out there so am thinking Pekin Bantams would be a good bet. I only want to keep about 5 hens this time. (well, thats the plan anyway )

Do Cream/Cotswold Legbars scratch an awful lot? I know the pekin bs don't as their feet are feathered so they can't do as much damage...

I am also thinking of keeping some Quail... I've not had them before. Do any of you have quail? Would love to hear about them if you do.

ionahenor2

Hi Frugal
There are a number of threads on Quail on the Omlet forum. Hope the link works.

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=63


My 3 had some ' kitchen scraps ' tonight. They tucked into some homemade mushy peas and leftover mash with gusto, Glad I'm not sharing their house to night. LOL

crimson.addict

I tried to convince my mum to let me keep some chickens in her back garden. She said no So, i am going to follow your board if thats ok and read all your stories

Ruth

3v3

Frugal wrote: »

...Do Cream/Cotswold Legbars scratch an awful lot? I know the pekin bs don't as their feet are feathered so they can't do as much damage...

I am also thinking of keeping some Quail... I've not had them before. Do any of you have quail? Would love to hear about them if you do.

My cream legbar does like to have a good scratch around, but I have an area in my garden where it's never going to be a problem.

I used to have quails, but once they passed away I didn't replace them. Quite noisey, very dusty but terrific eggs. If you have a hen that goes broody and you see quail eggs in the supermarket, you could try putting those under your broody to hatch.

Welcome Ruth, shame you are not able to persuade your Mum to let you keep a couple of hens. Can she not be tempted by the thought of fresh eggs? Also they can be pure entertainment on legs and great stress relievers.

Chickenopolis

Gigervamp - I am sorry to hear about Gracie xx

Re backyarders and "meat"-I have seen my little treasures scoffing frogs and slow worms - you have to be pretty quick in order to rescue them ( i.e put them safely in next doors garden) . They go mad if one of them gets an unfortunate slow worm- like Benny Hill chasing women !

Mojisola

Chickenopolis wrote: »

Re backyarders and "meat"-I have seen my little treasures scoffing frogs and slow worms - you have to be pretty quick in order to rescue them ( i.e put them safely in next doors garden) . They go mad if one of them gets an unfortunate slow worm- like Benny Hill chasing women !

And mice - ours eat them whole!