Nicbackyardchicks Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 Hi all my first post her me but I do do a lot of stalking and research through this forum!Ā Ā I feel like I am just failing at this chicken keeping malark.Ā Ā Out of 9 chickens;Ā 2 arrived with an illness,Ā turns out to be cocci and died within 4 days, 2 were cockerels and had to go, oneĀ has been unwell on and off since December and unfortunately looks on death door again and another has just turned broody!Ā Ā ImĀ a very attentive chicken owner, they have a lovely and clean coop, run and an extension we built because of the Avain Flu outbreak. TheirĀ care has been done by the book and have just been wormed, fresh water daily and fresh food (no heavy burden of treats)Ā where am I going wrong? Is it just badĀ luck or does a bad run just happenĀ in some flocks? I got every birdĀ from the same breeder and just feel so defeated. I love my girls and it's heartbreaking. My girls are my joy whilst I when spendĀ all of the pandemic shielding.Ā Ā thank you for reading x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 Sorry to hear, but it sounds like bad luck. A breeder shouldnāt sell sick chickens. Did you contact them? Also did the breeder sell your chickens as hens? I would look for a different breeder if you decide to add more chickens in future. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicbackyardchicks Posted January 22, 2021 Author Share Posted January 22, 2021 I did contact them but he is a friend of my husbands so put it down to luck of the draw!Ā Ā I will look elsewhere in future as we do intend to extend the flock when this bad run is over with. I need to throughly research how to break a brooding hen in winter, as I would hate to cause her any distress or use anything inhumane. Do you have any advice?Ā I would give her eggs to nurture, but as I am a backyard keeper I can't run the risk of cockerels.Ā Ā thanks for your reply Ā Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 Are any of the others still laying? Otherwise just lock her out of the nestbox/coop during the day. You could also try a broody cage. Here is a good video:Ā Ā 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicbackyardchicks Posted January 22, 2021 Author Share Posted January 22, 2021 Yes I have 3 others laying. She has favourite spot where she lays, so I will lock her out of the box and see if it works. If not I will have to invest in a cage like above. ThanksĀ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 Donāt give up! Ā It sounds as though your problems go back to the place you got the chickens from. Ā Wait until the Spring then restock from a reputable place. Ā If you let us know where you are in the country, then we can see if we can point you in the right direction. Ā Ā At that point too, youāll need advice on integrating new hens. Ā Clare has made some excellent videos about that too. Ā Ā Let us know how you get on with your broody. Ā Youāre among friends now so let us know how we can helpĀ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicbackyardchicks Posted January 22, 2021 Author Share Posted January 22, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Patricia W said: Donāt give up! Ā It sounds as though your problems go back to the place you got the chickens from. Ā Wait until the Spring then restock from a reputable place. Ā If you let us know where you are in the country, then we can see if we can point you in the right direction. Ā Ā At that point too, youāll need advice on integrating new hens. Ā Clare has made some excellent videos about that too. Ā Ā Let us know how you get on with your broody. Ā Youāre among friends now so let us know how we can helpĀ Thank you so much, it means a lot.Ā Ā I am based in north Manchester.Ā Esme who is at death door (again) was the thriver for a long time and she dips & thenĀ perks and it's so upsetting to see her decline. I've had to force feed her today and honestly, considering euthanising at a vets because I don't have the heart to do it myself. Problem is, my vetsĀ only do cats and dogs. She never laid and is 38 weeks so my guess is reproductive issues.Ā Ā Anyone kno of any vets north Manchester way that could help me?Ā Ā Thank you again xĀ Ā Ā Edited January 22, 2021 by Nicbackyardchicks Amendment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girly Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 So sorry to hear about your run of bad luck. Ā Youāll get lots of help here, weāre a friendly lot. Hopefully things will improve for you and your girls!Ā 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicbackyardchicks Posted January 22, 2021 Author Share Posted January 22, 2021 27 minutes ago, Girly said: So sorry to hear about your run of bad luck. Ā Youāll get lots of help here, weāre a friendly lot. Hopefully things will improve for you and your girls!Ā Thank you so much @Girly ā¤ļø Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicbackyardchicks Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 On 1/22/2021 at 7:18 PM, Patricia W said: Let us know how you get on with your broody. Ā Youāre among friends now so let us know how we can helpĀ So my broody henĀ all broken, luckily the freezing weather was on my side and I was able to quickly calm her hormones and get her out of the brood.Ā Ā she got quite aggressive and tried biting me when I was trying to move her,Ā so I opened the lid to the coop and the nesting boxes and flooded it with cold air and light. She was very disgruntled,Ā butĀ after an hour of the cold rushing around her and the constant light she left the coop for food and water and decided not to go back. She continued to make the clucking noise all weekend but hasn't been back into the nest and is a much calmer girl. Problem 1Ā solved.Ā Problem Ā 2 - sick note as my husband calls her š¢,Ā is currently living in the greenhouse. She is not eating when in the run and staying away from everyone else. She is eating when in there, albeit little and often, and drinking. She is on day 2 of amoxicillin and perks up around mid afternoon time. She has mash and yoghurt for food and vitamin water to drink. This is the last ditch attempt, if no improvement by Wednesday, then she is going to the vet for euthanasia. Poor girl is heavy breathing and looks miserable.Ā Ā At least in our hearts, we know we have tried everything for her ā¤ļø Ā Ā Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 She looks like a copper/black Marans and is clearly ill. Her neck colouring is exceptional as often, as ours, they only have a few copper feathers. All you can do is your best and unfortunately that often doesn't work. Well done with the broody. Bad luck to have one so young, as we did last year. I agree with the others. Best find another breeder and if they can't or won't show you the parents, walk away. Yes you have had some bad luck, but if it's any consolation when we started our luck was even worse. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 I would agree with everybody else.Ā You have done exactly the right things, and indeed, your care has been exemplary.Ā That hen does look very ill, its the classic hunched pose, but again, you are doing the right thing, giving her a chance, then if she doesn't perk up, culling is the best way to go.Ā Your breeder has been at fault, he is not operating at a responsible standard in my view,Ā and I would steer well clear in the future.Ā I would find a reputable breeder (ask around/look online at breeders own sites which I find useful for making a judgement/ask your local poultry club/look in some poultry mags/useFB - with caution!) and get an order in early (depending on what you want, hybrids are available all year round, but most breeders will hatch pure breeds roughly Feb - June) as I'm sure demand will be high again.Ā Hopefully 2021 will be a much better year for you and your birds! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicbackyardchicks Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 19 minutes ago, Beantree said: She looks like a copper/black Marans and is clearly ill. Her neck colouring is exceptional as often, as ours, they only have a few copper feathers.Ā She is and is such a spectacular girl. Her colouring is beautiful and it is such a shame to loose her.Ā Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mavisistheboss Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Hi, Iām based near Wigan and use Barn Lodge Vets in Ormskirk. They donāt advertise as a specialist chicken vet but the owner (Austin) has treated my girls successfully for years.Ā Ā There is also a specialist poultry vet in Chorley (Hillcrest animal hospital). I havenāt used them but they have been recommended to me.Ā Ā Good luck with your girls.Ā Ā KellyĀ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicbackyardchicks Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 1 hour ago, Beantree said: Yes you have had some bad luck, but if it's any consolation when we started our luck was even worse. I very sorry to hear that, I completely sympathiseĀ with you ā¤ļø Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicbackyardchicks Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 Thank you @DaphneĀ we are interested in rescuing some ex battery hens but if we aren't accepted on the next rescue, then we will certainly been looking at some breeders.Ā Thanks for all your support x Ā Ā Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 It was mentioned somewhere recently that ex-batts are very aggressive and don't mix with ordinary breeds?Ā Something to look into perhaps Nic? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicbackyardchicks Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 @BeantreeĀ thank you for the advice, the BHWT doesn't tell you that in the small print š¤£ tbh,Ā I've read many a success story but will keep researching. Thank youĀ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicbackyardchicks Posted January 27, 2021 Author Share Posted January 27, 2021 My sweet Esme, went to chicken heaven today. We couldn't stand by anymore and watch her decline, we took her to the vets & she will be cremated and scattered at the cemetery ā¤ļø Ā RIP EsmeĀ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Its never easy, but you did the right thing to stop her suffering.Ā RIP Esme. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Sweet dreams Esme xx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girly Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 So sorry she didnāt make it. But youāve done the right thing. Ā I recently had to send my black Maran Freda to chicken heaven, itās not easy though. Ā Sending chicken hugs.Ā 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 So sorry to hear this but well done for doing the right thing for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...