Natspringy Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Hello lovely omlet club, Hope you don't mind I have a few questions.... As some of you are aware my heart and flock has had a bit of a battering in the last few months. Just said goodbye to a girl last night, not fully sure of the cause and lost one to mareks in may. So now we are down to 3. So I'm thinking whilst there's lots of chicks about of adding to my flock.... But there are a few things I'm not sure on (sorry for all the questions): 1. Stress. I think I have mareks in the flock; we couldn't confirm as my daughter needed to bury her precious chicken. But I'm wondering if I'm taking too big a risk adding to my girls with the stress it may cause them. Am I overthinking or could I risk causing them to succumb to mareks? Would love to hear from others who have added to their mareks positive flocks. 2. With mareks do I vaccinate new comers? Are there risks to my current girls who are unvaccinated? 3. What are the best, least stressful ways to add to your flock? 4. What breeds would you recommend for hardy, friendly chickens that could be mixed with cream legbars? Thanks so much for your time. Any other thoughts or comments are much welcomed. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Also, sightly daft question but can you only get chickens in summer?? Thinking if I need to do it soon??! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 I can't recall your history, but would let them settle down before adding any new birds, they will be stressed enough with the heat anyhow. When you do get newbies, keep them in their isolation housing (read the FAQ on introductions) for a couple of weeks to ease them in. Give both flocks Vit Boost in their water - this contains B vits which will help with the stress. I have had both forms of Marek's in my flock over the past many years (just 2 birds), never had any problems with new birds. Just keep them calm and add a good tonic to their water. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 (edited) Thank you! Really appreciate your advice! Roughly how long do you think I should let them settle before adding to the flock? (Sorry annoying question. Just not sure what a good settling period is.) You are so right re the heat too good point. Any tonics you recommend, I have orego stim and ACV, although I think I read not to use ACV in this heat. Thanks for taking the time to reply, this forum is so great. Edited July 9, 2018 by Natspringy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 They have found a cool spot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Dogmother, did you vaccinate newcomers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Sorry to hear you’ve lost one too Natspringy - I don’t know for sure but suspect that both Barabara my araucana pullet and Bernadette who went last night we’re both Mareks. I’ve just started introducing the 8 week old chicks I hatched and they aren’t vaccinated so watch his space... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Good luck. Hope it all goes okay. I'd love chicks again! Xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 1 hour ago, mullethunter said: Sorry to hear you’ve lost one too Natspringy - I don’t know for sure but suspect that both Barabara my araucana pullet and Bernadette who went last night we’re both Mareks. I’ve just started introducing the 8 week old chicks I hatched and they aren’t vaccinated so watch his space... Thank you. The losses have made me a bit anxious, now worried for the rest. Not sure what usual chicken losses are like; I'm hoping this is just bad luck and will be it now as both weren't even 1! 😟 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 I would contact a local supplier and see what they have and at what time they could deliver them. I think I would aim for September, so it would be nice to know what the supplier will have at that time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 September sounds good. Thank you Cat tails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 10 hours ago, Natspringy said: Dogmother, did you vaccinate newcomers? No, there's not much point; it is always latent in a flock anyhow (like shingles or cold sores in humans), so if they are stressed they will succumb. The aim is to keep your flock happy and stress-free, so take things slowly and easy. Take about 2 weeks of isolation to introduce new birds, using the technique in the FAQ post. Add some Nettex Vit Boost to the water and pop a freezer block in or under the drinker if it is really hot. Let the others free range around them and they'll get used to each other. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 25 minutes ago, Natspringy said: September sounds good. Thank you Cat tails. Not that I’m following my own advice as I’m thinking of doing a chicken swap with the boarding place when I go on holiday... the sound that Pickwick is making is driving me insane... have even considered culling her.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 28 minutes ago, The Dogmother said: No, there's not much point; it is always latent in a flock anyhow (like shingles or cold sores in humans), so if they are stressed they will succumb. The aim is to keep your flock happy and stress-free, so take things slowly and easy. Take about 2 weeks of isolation to introduce new birds, using the technique in the FAQ post. Add some Nettex Vit Boost to the water and pop a freezer block in or under the drinker if it is really hot. Let the others free range around them and they'll get used to each other. Thank you! Interesting to know re Mareks. And useful tips. Thank you 5 minutes ago, Cat tails said: Not that I’m following my own advice as I’m thinking of doing a chicken swap with the boarding place when I go on holiday... the sound that Pickwick is making is driving me insane... have even considered culling her.... Crikey she must be loud! Egg used to be quite loud but isnt quire so bad lately! Hope piswick quietens down for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 I am considering rescuing some hens. Although I'm aware that they arent going to be as hardy. But I'm trying to work out quarantine... could they have diseases that could pass to mine? I realise you quarantine but my garden isn't that big so wouldnt wind and dander just share things around or is that not how it works?! Thanks all for all the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 It’s best to keep them in a separate coop and run for at least two weeks. If that’s in sight of the others, it helps introductions too. Rescue hens are usually vaccinated so diseases not usually a problem. I have had red mite from them though so check for that. Most are ok. They are quite vulnerable, especially if de- feathered, but they can also be quite aggressive as they’ve often had to fight for food and space, so I’ve found introductions can take time. Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 1 hour ago, Patricia W said: It’s best to keep them in a separate coop and run for at least two weeks. If that’s in sight of the others, it helps introductions too. Rescue hens are usually vaccinated so diseases not usually a problem. I have had red mite from them though so check for that. Most are ok. They are quite vulnerable, especially if de- feathered, but they can also be quite aggressive as they’ve often had to fight for food and space, so I’ve found introductions can take time. Good luck! Thank you. Oh I definitely intend to do a separate coop and run I was just wondering if that's enough when they'll be relatively close? Good to know re mites too. Just doing a red mite prevention job atm! Also good to know re introductions. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
