On the Chicken Front....I have a few chicken questions and some great info on chickens

Posted on Friday, April 20, 2007 at 06:52

Well, like I have said before we are so enjoying the chicks.  They have grown about triple their original size in just 2 weeks.  It is just amazing.  We added a few new ones Wednesday and the difference in size was just incredible.  You don't notice it when you see them everyday but adding the new ones in really was amazing. 

I have done a ton of research and thought I would share a few really informative sites.....

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Posted by haflinger on Friday, April 20, 2007 at 07:31 - Link

(debeak) Usually your chicken will come that way. When we had them in the past they were debeak and had shots.. If they try picking at each other at the bum we would put some stuff called blueing on them..haflinger

Never have debeaked

Posted by UnlikelyHomesteader on Friday, April 20, 2007 at 10:40 - Link

And really wouldn't want to. The only problem we have had with cannibalism was in the meatbirds. The best way to reduce it is to give them plenty of feed and space. Also the red light is better for reducing pecking than just a white one. And if you see any sign of blood on one of your birds. Cover it with something greasy (I use chickweed salve) to keep the other birds away from it or just separate the bird until it's healed.

I agree with Nancy.

Posted by mulberrylane on Friday, April 20, 2007 at 11:38 - Link

We don't debeak our chickens, either. If we see them start to peck, we change out the white heat lamp for the brooder to a red one. That almost always eliminates any problems. If there is a really bad sore, we will separate the chicks as well. Also if the chicks are raised by the mother, we haven't seen it at all. The backyard chicken site, I have not visited, but I have read the book Backyard chickens and it was really good. Wish I had a copy. LOL.
Warmly, Melissa

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Posted by HandsNHearts on Monday, April 23, 2007 at 02:22 - Link

Never have had them debeaked either. When they pick at one another that's normal...but when one happens to draw blood, they all get in on it with the poor chick. The adults will do that as well. Anything on them will work -- you can rub them with Vick's VapoRub (they really hate that...can't say the smell entices me much either!) or even plain Vaseline.

So far we haven't had any problems with our chicks. Just moved the large batch to th coop, with a fence between them and the old ladies there. I still have one lone chick and 2 ducklings in the small brooder ready to move outside to the holding brooder tonight I hope.

Bluing? Really Haflinger? I never knew that would work on them. We always have that on hand here -- I use it instead of bleach with my whites. Great tip! Thanks for sharing it.

Deanna
oh -- our favorite book is Chicken Tractor :o) Debi has it right now -- want me to send it along when she's finished with it?

Edited by HandsNHearts on Monday, April 23, 2007 at 03:23

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