Chickin Fairy
Songster
Well, here we are. This seemed as good of a place as any to tell my story and ask some questions to those of you who have rescued birds before.
I caught wind of a wild flock of (mostly roosters) Ayam Cemani/Australorp mixes up in the UP of Michigan. I connected with someone Saturday who helped me to catch some to bring home. There are about 15 roosters and maybe 3 hens left. It breaks my heart but with AI and the distance to the place, a lot of rescues aren't getting back to me.
The original owner purchased two Ayam Cemani roosters and actually kept them inside the house with her. She also acquired an Australorp hen. She was an alcoholic, so sometimes she didn't get around to managing her flock and when eggs were laid and not collected, the population grew. She passed away about a year ago and the birds haven't had much watching-over. Just filling feeders and waterers. There are only a few hens left, but at least 15 roosters.
I brought home 2 hens and 2 roosters. They are gorgeous. I have them in my isolation coop/run but I have never rescued adult birds before. I treated them all for Scaley Leg Mites (soaked them in an Epsom salt bath and then dipped them in veg oil) and sprayed the coop down with a peremethian-based spray. There is also some DE in their bedding and in the run (I don't particularly like DE, but I decided to use it this time).
My question is how often do I repeat the SLM treatment. They are pretty wild and don't come to me for treats, although I've been working with them. I had to net them to treat them before and I really don't want to traumatize them like that again. I will try plucking them off the roost to dip them in oil, but wondered if anyone had any advice on best ways to build trust with them?
Also, when I introduce them to my flock in a month or so, how do I do that? My run is set up as one long run, but split in the middle. Half is my isolation run, half is my regular run. I plan on extending the run out the side to add a lot of room this spring. They can see each other right now through their separate runs, but I can also free range a little here. Do I let them all out a little later in the day and let them choose where to roost? I could add them to my existing flock at night, but the only roost I have access to there is the lowest rung and I've heard it's best to add birds to the highest rung.
Pics for tax! There are a few here of what I suspect is SLM, but if anyone can confirm, I would be grateful!
I caught wind of a wild flock of (mostly roosters) Ayam Cemani/Australorp mixes up in the UP of Michigan. I connected with someone Saturday who helped me to catch some to bring home. There are about 15 roosters and maybe 3 hens left. It breaks my heart but with AI and the distance to the place, a lot of rescues aren't getting back to me.
The original owner purchased two Ayam Cemani roosters and actually kept them inside the house with her. She also acquired an Australorp hen. She was an alcoholic, so sometimes she didn't get around to managing her flock and when eggs were laid and not collected, the population grew. She passed away about a year ago and the birds haven't had much watching-over. Just filling feeders and waterers. There are only a few hens left, but at least 15 roosters.
I brought home 2 hens and 2 roosters. They are gorgeous. I have them in my isolation coop/run but I have never rescued adult birds before. I treated them all for Scaley Leg Mites (soaked them in an Epsom salt bath and then dipped them in veg oil) and sprayed the coop down with a peremethian-based spray. There is also some DE in their bedding and in the run (I don't particularly like DE, but I decided to use it this time).
My question is how often do I repeat the SLM treatment. They are pretty wild and don't come to me for treats, although I've been working with them. I had to net them to treat them before and I really don't want to traumatize them like that again. I will try plucking them off the roost to dip them in oil, but wondered if anyone had any advice on best ways to build trust with them?
Also, when I introduce them to my flock in a month or so, how do I do that? My run is set up as one long run, but split in the middle. Half is my isolation run, half is my regular run. I plan on extending the run out the side to add a lot of room this spring. They can see each other right now through their separate runs, but I can also free range a little here. Do I let them all out a little later in the day and let them choose where to roost? I could add them to my existing flock at night, but the only roost I have access to there is the lowest rung and I've heard it's best to add birds to the highest rung.
Pics for tax! There are a few here of what I suspect is SLM, but if anyone can confirm, I would be grateful!
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