Homestead Chickens with Janet Garman (Podcast)
Janet Garman, of Timber Creek Farm, joins Scott M Terry to talk about homestead chickens. Janet has been raising chickens for many years and has written a book on the subject titled, “Chickens From Scratch” . Whether you are just getting started with chickens or have had them for years, this episode will have useful information that you can put to use at your place. We cover equipment needed, feeding, predator control, starting chicks, breeds and much more.
Links from the show…
Janet’s Book, Chickens From Scratch
Timber Creek Farm
Timber Creek Farm on Facebook
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Listen Here
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You can also listen to the show using this link.
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Hey Scott, we have had our baby chicks for 4 weeks and they were all thriving on the homemade mix (for food), but suddenly, they are dying off one after another. Do you have any idea why? They first start acting like they are drunk and weak, then they start putting their head down and breathing heavily, refusing to eat or drink, and then a day later, they die. We know they were getting optimal nutrition. The only thing we can think of is some sort of sickness.
Not sure as I have never had that happen. I am asking Janet for you
Its hard to say for certain with out seeing the chicks, and of course, I am not a vet. But it could be Marek’s disease. I would take one to a vet center that does necropsy to be certain. I am sorry that you had this experience with your chicks. If you choose to get new chicks from a hatchery or a broody hen, make sure you vaccinate as the virus for Mareks will continue to live in the environment, if that is what you are dealing with. It usually only costs a few cents more per chick to have them vaccinated at the hatchery before they are shipped to you.
Thank you Scott and Janet. I am reading about Marek’s right now. From what I understand from the signs of the disease, this is exactly what is happening.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
6 of the 10 chicks are still alive. One of them is very weak. Our largest chick (she is huge for her age) has trouble balancing and walking, but is doing better than the other one. We have separated these two from the rest of the chicks. The remaining 4 seem to be acting fine for now.
Unfortunately, I am not sure that we will be able to get the next round vaccinated before they arrive. We ordered them 2 months ago and they are set to arrive in the beginning of May.
Thanks for all your help.
Matthew