The Poultry Keeper

garden_gal · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 7 Location: St Austell

Hi Guys, can you help me please. In all the stuff I've been reading, there is mention of chickens being vacinated - the breeder we bought our girls from never mentioned this but should they have been done (they're about 18 weeks old) or do we need to call the vet? The other thing is I keep reading conflicting articles about grit, namely oyster shell - should my chickens have this - and if so when do I give it and how much? Thanks for your help.

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 766 Location: Nottinghamshire

Don't know about the vaccinations, I bought hybrids already done but someone will be along who does know!

Chickens need two sorts of grit - one for digestion (the type they'll find scratching in the ground) and one for shell formation (that's where the oyster shell comes in). Mixed grit from poultry feed suppliers has both types in it. Most layers' pellets also have an oyster shell equivalent included.

If you put some mixed grit in a container for them, they'll help themselves as they need it.

Happy hen keeping!

Smile

nigel · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:30 am Post subject:

you can buy vaccines, companies like Interhatch in Chesterfield do them, but they come in batches of 1,000 [if memory serves] which makes them rather impractical for hobbyists. Some vets may do them too but I know when I lived in the UK my local vet didn't.

None of my birds have ever been vaccinated and I haven't had any problems. Keep them in good conditions and keep on top of hygiene and the hens will do just fine.

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

I agree re- vaccinations I think they are mainly for places that have a large number of birds crammed into a small space.

mojo · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject:

here in france we have to have vaccinations to show or move our birds........but locals dont bother.............put mixed grit out and they will eat what they need

Debbie · Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 113 Location: Moncoutant

Mojo,
sorry to hijack the post, but can you give me any clues how to tell whether my barnvelders are male or female? They are 13 weeks old and both look exactly the same. If they are both poules, how would I go about getting a cockerel as I would like a few more chicks.
Debbie

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

you know you can PM for things so off topic Wink

(I'm not complaining as I'm well known for going off topic - just thought it would be easier for you)

Debbie · Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 113 Location: Moncoutant

Thanks. Just having a blonde moment!

mojo · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject:

debbie see PM

tuzo2k · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 209 Location: charente sw france

Mojo - didn't know you had to have vaccinations before you can take a bird to a show - what vaccinations are required and do the ushers at the shows look at the paper-proof of this?

mojo · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:05 pm Post subject:

our aviculture club states on all entry forms ......vaccination current..........and all birds being shown must list vaccination number on entry form and no birds can be offered for sale without vacination................check with your local aviculture club as they all seem to run by their own rules and some dont seem to worry much at all

tuzo2k · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 209 Location: charente sw france

What are birds vaccinated against? Any idea?

mojo · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 3:44 pm Post subject:

i asked the club vet and he informs "hall de parrisitys,maldadeys trans fury et aussi hand influew havien"..........well i think thats what he said basically a general shot to cover yourl bird health and av vaccinne..........but suggest you check with local club to be sure .......my french is not clever at poultry health terms and they aint in the dictionary

tuzo2k · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 209 Location: charente sw france

Thanks Mojo - I guess that's Infectious Bronchitis - as its known in the UK, and any form of parasitic transference. I will have to speak to my vet for info on vaccination but I suspect even for him to buy the vaccine it will come in extremely large doses - not that I am going to show any birds in the near future - I need more info on the breeds standards which will undoubtedly be in French and UK equivalents not relevant methinks.