- May 6, 2013
- 125
- 10
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Hi all.
I have 4 y/o golden comets.
I started with six.
Lost one to predator.
Last year lost one to who was prone to internal laying I believe.
A couple months back lost another due to multiple health including I believe being egg bound as well as crop issues.
Shortly after she passed, another starting showing signs of being egg bound. She was always a little prone to becoming bound but would eventually pass the egg including in recent months. She is also showing signs of sour crop. She is ill now but this time I do not expect her to live much longer and think I will probably be down to 2 of the original 6. I have read from others, with this breed be prepared to lose 50% of flock within the first couple of years.
I have been researching both health issues of crop and egg laying problems extensively. I follow advice I have read online from the experienced and Avian vets.
It seems as though the Golden Comet is prone to egg laying issues simply due to the breed. My comets, like most, are amazing layers. Frequent layers HUGE eggs. Even at the age of four still lay XL to jumbo eggs. I had hoped that during the winter months they would slow down more than they do to help with health ... but they only slow down a little. I have never used light.
RE the crop issues. I have read that the GCs are prone to this as well.
We will be getting a new flock this spring. I had been trying to decide which breed to get. Knowing the Golden Comet is prone to these health issues ... it does not seem like a good idea to get them again. Others have posted the ethics of this breed. I too have questioned that. BUT .... I am going to get them again and try one more time.
Here is why.
We love our animals. Our chickens are not just for eggs .... they are pets as much as our cats and dogs are. I do not expect them to just "earn" their keep. Especially this breed. Their personalities are so HUGE we just love them to pieces. They have amazed other more experienced chicken owners with their personalities and super friendliness. They remind me of puppies. We have one hen (the one who is sick now) who would often try to jump into the car with you. She was frequently sneaking into the house ... she knew exactly where the cat food was. One time I was closing the girls up for the night and did not see her. I walked the yard many times fearing a predator got her. She had at one point got in the house and went down into the basement hanging out! Silly bird.
I will get this breed again keeping the potential/probable health issues in mind and plan accordingly just as I would with any breed of animal prone to specific health issues.
I will try to have a better plan to prevent crop issues, egg laying issues etc.
I would love to know if their is any healthful way to SLOW down egg production.
I have 4 y/o golden comets.
I started with six.
Lost one to predator.
Last year lost one to who was prone to internal laying I believe.
A couple months back lost another due to multiple health including I believe being egg bound as well as crop issues.
Shortly after she passed, another starting showing signs of being egg bound. She was always a little prone to becoming bound but would eventually pass the egg including in recent months. She is also showing signs of sour crop. She is ill now but this time I do not expect her to live much longer and think I will probably be down to 2 of the original 6. I have read from others, with this breed be prepared to lose 50% of flock within the first couple of years.
I have been researching both health issues of crop and egg laying problems extensively. I follow advice I have read online from the experienced and Avian vets.
It seems as though the Golden Comet is prone to egg laying issues simply due to the breed. My comets, like most, are amazing layers. Frequent layers HUGE eggs. Even at the age of four still lay XL to jumbo eggs. I had hoped that during the winter months they would slow down more than they do to help with health ... but they only slow down a little. I have never used light.
RE the crop issues. I have read that the GCs are prone to this as well.
We will be getting a new flock this spring. I had been trying to decide which breed to get. Knowing the Golden Comet is prone to these health issues ... it does not seem like a good idea to get them again. Others have posted the ethics of this breed. I too have questioned that. BUT .... I am going to get them again and try one more time.
Here is why.
We love our animals. Our chickens are not just for eggs .... they are pets as much as our cats and dogs are. I do not expect them to just "earn" their keep. Especially this breed. Their personalities are so HUGE we just love them to pieces. They have amazed other more experienced chicken owners with their personalities and super friendliness. They remind me of puppies. We have one hen (the one who is sick now) who would often try to jump into the car with you. She was frequently sneaking into the house ... she knew exactly where the cat food was. One time I was closing the girls up for the night and did not see her. I walked the yard many times fearing a predator got her. She had at one point got in the house and went down into the basement hanging out! Silly bird.
I will get this breed again keeping the potential/probable health issues in mind and plan accordingly just as I would with any breed of animal prone to specific health issues.
I will try to have a better plan to prevent crop issues, egg laying issues etc.
I would love to know if their is any healthful way to SLOW down egg production.
