Minnesota Marty why not lead her into a vet helper assistant job, maybe a grooming job? I have a close friend that was born FAS(both of his siblings exude the same physical traits) he's running his father's plumbing business after flunking out of college 15 years ago If someone has an aptitude nudge them towards it
basod, Yep, she already volunteers at the Humane Society shelter and they have talked about hiring her. One of my subcontractors - girlfriend is the asst. mgr. at that shelter and they are working out details. Transportation is an issue for the Humane Society position, whereas Wendy's is walkable. I appreciate your insights.
So I think the GF has talked me off the ledge from getting chickens. I could build the tractor house/run in a day and then tend to it every day(another chore) It's time to live and enjoy life right now in this stage of my life, maybe for my mid-life crisis I'll resort to chickens
Crisis averted this AM. I had about 60 meat birds and 30 sex link pullets that got moved into the same tractor yesterday. The pullets got along fine with the last batch of meat birds, but when I went out there this morning the meat birds were darn near pecked to death. Lost one for sure and may lose a couple others. I got them separated...me and the kids had a big chicken round-up. If I didn't check them this AM I probably would have lost a lot more. Chicken ranching is a hard life, but its a good life . I like to tell my boys they are 3rd generation chicken ranchers.
Pretty bummed. I checked on the chickens this morning and found 23 that were dead and/or will be dead soon. I have no idea what happened. We had some pretty nasty storms come through early this AM is the only thing out of the ordinary. damm.
Maybe. I hope not. That's a lot to die that quick when they looked perfectly healthy 12 hours ago when I fed last night...or maybe it isn't...dunno.
I would contact the CDC. Sudden death is the first sign mentioned as a sign. http://www.in.gov/boah/2390.htm What Are the Signs? The clinical signs of birds affected with all forms of AI may show one or more of the following: Sudden death without clinical signs; Lack of energy and appetite; Decreased egg production; Soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks; Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs; Nasal discharge; Coughing, sneezing; Lack of coordination; and Diarrhea. Note: Many birds with LPAI may not show any signs of disease.
Lukem, i feel for you. that sucks. i doubt it was the bird flu, but could be. How about the coop get hit by lightning? And the ones leaning against the coop wire got nailed the others almost dead got it by touching the others? Just speculation.
After thinking about it some more, I think they basically drowned. We got 3" of rain in about 1.5 hours...and the dead birds were out from under the roof...it was dark...and they were too stupid to get under cover. 5 of the birds I thought were going to die soon...I just left them lay in the yard. They were barely breathing, but once the sun got on them they perked up and you'd never know they were swirling the drain this morning. Lost 18.
You know I was going to say that being a Mr. smarty pants and all.... But not thinking that that's actually possible... Mmmmm... Well at least you got a few that came out of it....
Well sometime last night or this morning.... Chickens were attacked (I'm thinking Dog). Thank God the fence with stood. One of my Jersey Giants looks to be a bit less feathers, but looks to be fine. It attacked from two sides. Pushed my door in, but where I slip the fence into the conduit, that was what probably kept the chicken alive. Cause he shoved the door in about a foot and a half. Attacked from another side too. Now to figure out where the attacker came from.
I have killed 8 coons in the chicken coop since I had two chicken killed a 6 weeks ago. I think I was feeding all the neighborhood coons. I may have my ninth tomorrow morning, because I know there is another. Chickens are safe on the secured side now. I'm actually tired of dealing with these coons, but they all know where the food is and keeping coming back. I will keep setting the trap until I wipe out the whole family that knows where a quick meal is.
