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eggcellence · Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 21 Location: France, Brittany

Hi,
This is the time of year our Free range hens slow down in their laying, so we always use this time to give them their annual treatment for internal parasites and Salmonella.
The trouble is we have to pen them for a week while we do this, they are definitely not happy bunnies being kept locked in the pen.
So today is freedom day, went to let them out, and they looked at me and said " are you mad?"
It snowed overnight,!! Laughing

they said we will stay in if its ok with you..... Laughing

Have a great day.
Sheila

http://craftworks.wordpress.com/

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Sheila Wright
http://craftworks.wordpress.com/

blowin · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:11 am Post subject:

No snow here but I don't know how they haven't blown away !
How do you treat them while they are penned ? I don't mean how nicely , but with what ? . Please . Sorry , it is very late Laughing

wayoutwest · Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 184 Location: west clare

actually yes - what does everyone use for worming, etc, for their chucks? We use garlic at the moment, but we're picking up some more worming powder soon.
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Camile · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:23 am Post subject:

My chooks are in full production right now ... laying almost an egg a day each .. and a geese are laying too ..

Plus the 10 chicks than one hen hatched between Sunday and Monday !

I just use garlic as a preventive wormer .. and so far had no problems (would have showed on the ones that are in the freezer).

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

laying almost an egg a day each .[/quote]

??? How do they do that? Laughing

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Camile · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:44 am Post subject:

Pullets from this year .. free ranging .. fed on a good diet ...

basically happy hens ...

and 100% fertility rate on 2 batch of eggs .. 6 chicks out of 6 eggs at the end of november ... 10 chicks out of 11 eggs last monday (11 died in the shell while trying to hatch, but my own faults because I moved the hen on the monday evening, with the eggs in a place were they could have water and food available, because the first chick was there Sunday morning already, so needed food and drink asap or I could have lost the whole batch).

I'll give private lessons if you can put the price ! Laughing

eggcellence · Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 21 Location: France, Brittany

[quote="eggcellence"]
This is the time of year our Free range hens slow down in their laying, so

We just use a proprietry wormer from the Vets, plus an anti Infection medicine for any things they pick up, it is Mandatory here in France to treat your birds yearly, and I have to say the general condition and laying has picked up already.
We stopped using a Cockerel because of general bad bahaviour Very Happy

, so we use our broody hens to stick our fertile Aylesbury duck eggs under, they make great duck Mums.

Have a great day.
Sheila

http://craftworks.wordpress.com
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Sheila Wright
http://craftworks.wordpress.com/

blowin · Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 2:02 am Post subject: Re: Hen Talk

eggcellence · Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 21 Location: France, Brittany

I have not had any problem at all, I always keep the hen in a small pen, I give them chick mash from day one, and I always keep some down for them, I let them out to roam after three days, they follow the hen and they find stuff them selves, they know what they want to eat naturally.
After the first week I only give them the mash morning and night.
Not lost a single duckling yet.!

Click to see full size image
The chicks in the picture, are, two Aylesbury and two Orpington crosses, all female chicks.
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Sheila Wright
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wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

I once put some duck eggs under broody hen. She was a great doting mother hen untill the ducklings found the pond. She went mad and squarked all around the pond. Like she were saying " What on earth do you think your doing"? Made us laugh it did Laughing

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