Quandry about hatching Khaki Campbell eggs
Q- We have a (young) sitting Khaki Campbell, and a big rat problem. We’d really like to pinch the eggs to incubate at home (in our new secondhand Polyhatch incubator), but don’t know how long she’s been sitting, and, therefore, when to stop turning the eggs once they are in the incubator. Also, I'm worried she's sitting on too many and the bottom ones are chilling. Any eggs we hatch out at our plot get attacked by rats, so I don’t much fancy the ducklings’ chances au naturel. Do you have any suggestions?
Alistair Abbott, via emailRead More ›
My hen laid a strange egg
Q - One of my older hens produced a strange 'capsule shaped' egg. It had a complete circular band and, to all appearances, looked like two half eggs joined together. The egg was 8.5 cm long; it contained two yolks, one in each end, and they appeared to be two 'separate' eggs. Is there a reason for this? I have never seen such an egg before! My hens are all freerange and very good layers; they get good food and are wormed regularly, etc. I would be very interested to hear your views on this strange egg.
Judy Wright, via email
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Why would hens open their eggs?
Q- Why would hens open their eggs? I read that hens may open eggs they are sitting on for hatching before the due time. Why would they do this?
Ellen Cooper, via emailRead More ›
Saddle can help hens
Q- I have a lovely trio of Brahmas and one of the hens has started to lose a lot of feathers on her back. She is almost bare, and I am worried that she has a disease or mites.
Carl Hendy, KentRead More ›
What is wrong with my cow?
Q - I have a Highland cow, who is breathing heavily. She is currently feeding a calf. She is eating well, with no other signs or symptoms, although she is perhaps a bit listless. My cattle are inside, but the shed has two full open sides, so there is plently of fresh air. She has ad lib silage and water and has feed once a day. Do you have any idea why she should be breathing heavily? All other cows are fine. Read More ›
My Polands get pecked
Q- I have two small (fullgrown) Polish, White crested black (Pricilla) and and a Pure White (Dotty). Although we love their eggs, they are really small. Is there a breed that will be happy to live with them that lays larger eggs? Before our White Sussex (Blanch) was eaten by Mr Fox. She almost pecked Pricilla to death!
Hayden Gardener-Haig, aged 5, from BrightonRead More ›
Best time to disbud kid
Q- When is the best time to disbud goat kids? Can I do it myself?Read More ›
Bunny back from the brink
Q- We recently lost a bunny, with another poorly. Advice from the Web is mostly directed at pets, often advising rushing bunny to the vet, not economically viable for a
meat rabbit on a marginal smallholding. Read More ›
Chickens for the garden: which shall we choose?
Q - I have two young daughters, Jamie, 5, and Cameron, 2, and they are crazy about animals. We have a black Labrador and a pony, but I think it’s time for some chickens for the garden. What would be a good breed for us? Sarah, by telephoneRead More ›
Can I collect weaners like this?
Q- I am buying some weaner pigs to fatten. Can I collect them in the back of an estate car within a dog crate that can be cleaned and disinfected afterwards? I’m planning to contain them with electric fence, but the breeder doesn’t use it – I’ve been told I must train them to respect the fence before turning them out. Is that correct, and how is it done?Read More ›
Are these deformities common?
Q- I’ve recently seen an article about ‘Jake the peg’, the five-legged lamb born on a farm in Northamptonshire, and was wondering if deformities like this are common?Read More ›
Which drinkers for cold weather?
I find that defrosting galvanised drinkers is very hard work and can damage the metal. Some of the commercial plastic drinkers seem to go brittle in the frost and are quite expensive. Are there alternatives?Read More ›
How long will battery hens live?
I am thinking of taking on some ex-battery hens. How old are they when they come out of the battery cages and how long will they live after that, on average? I would love to see them grow their feathers and enjoy a free-range life.Read More ›
Commercial indoor systems can cause confusion
We have some free-range hens, but I am a bit confused about the difference between barn, perchery and deep litter systems. Are deep litter and perchery systems types of barn systems or are they different?Read More ›
What are rules on selling eggs?
Do you need a licence/permit to sell chicken eggs to local people? Read More ›
Why does my drake show no interest in mating?
I bought a trio (two female and one male) of Abacot Rangers. Apart from two eggs when they first arrived, I have had no other eggs. After talking to other duck owners, I gather this is quite normal. But it is Nigel, my male, I wonder about. I have never seen him trying to mate with either of the girls. Read More ›
Toxins and poisons that are dangerous to poultry
Poultry are affected by many toxins and poisons. Prevention is, as always, best as there are few antidotes available. Keeping birds away from potential toxic materials is sensible, but better still not to use anything toxic in the garden, such as slug pellets or pesticides.Read More ›
Poultry - winter moults
Q - We bought some Wyandotte bantams in early August last year at six-seven weeks old. We started them off on chick crumbs (they also have a source of grit), as that was what they had been used to. After about a month, we gradually introduced rearing pellets. We are about to change to layers pellets, and they get a little mixed grain. They started to lay about a month ago, and things went well. Then my partner noticed the Gold Laced and one of the Silver Laced were missing feathers on their necks, right below their beaks. They have a dust bath made up of fine wood ash and sand, and fresh water is always there for them. I would appreciate any advice you can offer.
Gareth Jones
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Separation anxiety in dogs
Q- My dog tends to get destructive when left alone, and damage the furniture. I am told this is because of ‘separation anxiety’. What can I do to reassure my dog and stop this happening?Read More ›
A rabbit loo; what to do?
Q - Our ‘free range’ garden rabbit has decided that the best place for her toilet is right outside the back door! OK, I can sweep the poo up, but it is a bit unpleasant, especially after rain. The real problem is the wee. I never knew that rabbit wee was so stinky! I’ve tried discouraging her, but don’t want to frighten her too much as she is a sensitive soul. I’ve also tried one of those deterrent sprays they sell at pet shops for cats and dogs - but she seems to like it! I’d be very grateful for any suggestions please. Read More ›
Solving the mystery of blood spots on Maran eggs
Q - I bought four Marans point of lay that have just started to lay. The eggs of certain birds have red blood spots all over them, and when you inspect the yolk it always has two white bits attached to the yolk, one on each sideRead More ›
Problem of penile prolapse in waterfowl
Q - I have six Call Ducks, two males and four females. I keep them in a large aviary with a pond. About three months ago one of the males started prolapsing his penis intermittently, but then would self-resolve. Read More ›
Is this a case of egg-binding?
Q - One of my hens showed signs of what I thought was egg-binding. She spent a lot of time on the nest and, when outside, she sat with lowered tail and rear end yet she had a bright eye and red comb. Read More ›
Importing eggs from abroad
Q - Do you know the regulations with regard to importing (fertile) chicken eggs from Italy for breeding purposes? I would like to import a ‘fresh’ line of Leghorns.
James Sessions, via emailRead More ›
Chickens: dealing with the problem of bullying
Q - I had five Sussex Stars and two ISA Browns that I put together on the same day at the start of May. All was well until August, when one afternoon I let them out into the garden and I noticed that one of my ISA browns had feathers missing from her bottom. Read More ›
Red mite infestation
My chickens have an infestation of red mite and in their house, but I cannot seem to eradicate them. What course of action should I take now? And what I should apply to the chickens themselves? Barbara Hudson via emailRead More ›
Duck suffered prolapse
A while ago, I purchased a young female Indian Runner and at around a year old she developed a prolapse. The whole experience was very distressing and eventually she passed away. I am very anxious to avoid this happening to my other girls and would like any advice you could give me on preventative measures.
Bob Jones via emailRead More ›
Advice on keeping quail
My family and I wish to keep quail. We’ve got a rabbit hutch which fits over a one metre square run and wondered whether that would be suitable (after a thorough clean, disinfect and dry) to house a few quail. I could easily extend the run to twice that size, or have a second run to transfer them to during the day. However, would I need to fit a light-bulb or similar for heating? If you think it’s workable, which type of quail would you recommend? We’ve found a few suppliers on the internet, but I’d rather have your advice before purchasing.
Frederick Snape via emailRead More ›
Chicks suffering from neurological problems
Over the past six months my Silkies have had sporadic cases of neurological problems in some of the six to eight week old chicks. I have a new brooder unit but I am having problems with significant numbers of two-week-old chicks dying. What am I doing wrong? Someone said they should be vaccinated but I haven’t done this.
Jane Brotherton
via emailRead More ›
Cockerel has no feathers under wings
I have a cockerel of four months old, an Araucana. He has no feathers at all under his wings and back half. They just never grew. The skin is smooth with no stubbs and no mites. He was the smallest of four hatched, the other three are well-feathered. Do I breed from him? He already tries to tread his mother, she is five times his size! I have kept chickens all my life and never seen this before. Mrs J McKeown IrelandRead More ›
Solving scaly leg
Q- I entered my cockerel in a show but the judge said he had scaly leg. What do I do about this please? James Farrow via emailRead More ›
Old English Game bantams
Q- What can you recommend for depluming mite? I am plagued by it every year on my Old English Game bantams. Do I need a spray, or something orally, or indeed something to inject?
William Martley via emailRead More ›
Goats milk and antibiotics
Q - Could anyone tell me how long I have to wait after a goat has had antibiotics before we can drink the milk again? Read More ›
Goats and St John's Wort
My sheep have developed what looks like sunburn on their ears. I understand animals can become sensitive to light after eating St John's Wort. Is this something you have come across?Read More ›
Rabbits and chickens?
Q- Can rabbits and chickens be mixed together? We would like to give our rabbit some outdoor exercise, and since the area where the chickens are kept is well fenced, it seems an ideal area for the bunny too. Not sure, though, what the cockerel will do! Might there be a worm risk to the rabbit? Read More ›
Magpies pecking pigs
Q - I have three mini pot-bellied pigs, and local magpies have learnt to sit on their backs and peck away at the flesh, creating large wounds. Do you have any suggestions on how to deal with this? (apart from shooting!)Read More ›
Asthma
My cat has developed asthma this year. She’s eight years old and helps keep our smallholding free from rats, mice and rabbits. My vet says that asthma is an allergic reaction to something breathed in.
I’ve thought about it since and the only thing that has changed is that my daughter likes to use scented plug-ins. Could this be the problem?
Sharon Davies,
via emailRead More ›
Stone the crows
My young poultry are growing nicely in the warm weather, but I’m plagued by black birds. Are these crows? Someone said they might be rooks. Some of them are smaller and have grey heads.
How can I protect the eggs, birds, food and water from them? Magpies don’t seem as numerous around here.
Benjamin Woodley,
via emailRead More ›
Bald patches
We acquired three Leghorns and three Warrens a couple of weeks ago and noticed yesterday that the gang leader, the older Leghorn, has a couple of bald patches on the back of her head. She’s eating well, bright and healthy looking, and laying, but naturally, this is causing us some concern. Read More ›
Vets Forum - Scouring
I remember a case of a hen with watery green/white scouring for which you recommended an antibiotic,but I can’t find the back number. My hen is about three years old. She’s been a little scoury for about a week and this is clogging her feathers at the vent. She is still eating and preening and usually has access to the garden and orchard. Read More ›
Vets Forum - Bad leg
I have a four week old chick with a bad leg and wondered if anything can be done to help it. The hock joint is slightly larger than on the other leg (I don’t think this is swelling) and there’s a hard lump on the side of the joint. It does put weight on the leg but has a limp and tends to walk on the area between the foot and joint. Any suggestions?
Murray Hatton,
via emailRead More ›
Mismatched couple?
One of my ducks was quite badly injured recently by the old gander they live with. The injuries are around her head and beak. The vet put her on Terramycin powder in her water and gave her some Metacam. She also had some Arnica to reduce the bruising. She doesn’t seem too bothered by it all at the moment, but I’m worried about infection and keeping her in the house at present.Read More ›
Safe eggs?
I wonder if you can help me please – I’ve three bantam chicks, living with their mother and two other hens in an Eglu. We leave out chick crumbs for the chicks and layers’ pellets and maize for the hens, but the hens seem to be rather partial to the chick crumbs, and it’s difficult to separate the feed.
Is it safe to eat the eggs that our hens are laying when they’re eating chick crumbs or should we disregard them?
Steven Kingston,
via emailRead More ›
Broody, or what?
I have four hens that live together in my garden. One of the bantams will do anything to find a particular plastic box and sit in it for hours on end. We presume she’s broody so we keep getting her out of the box and shutting the hen house so she will eat and drink, but as soon as the door is open, she’s back in there. Read More ›
Vets Forum - Unsuccessful hatching
I’ve had two appalling hatches of chicks so far this year, quite the worst ever but I’m not sure why. On both occasions I’ve used youngish but mature (two to three year old hens) cocks of the same age for one of my rare breeds but last year’s cockerels for the other. Read More ›
Which predator?
I’m having a problem with my Pekins and mixed race small chickens and some cockerels who live in a shed at night. There don’t seem to be any holes for rats to enter, but every few days, in the morning when I let them out, I’ve been finding dead chickens which have been partly eaten. Read More ›
Avoiding sour ground
I have three hens which are in an ark attached to a pen which is 7’ 7”. The hens are let out every day and are in the pen/ark at night and the odd afternoon or day. I have limited room and can move the pen into three different areas in my vegetable garden. Do you know how long it takes for the ground to become ‘sour’ and what is best to do with the area when they aren’t on it? Read More ›
Cyst
I am writing to you in the hope that you can offer some advice about a two-year old Sussex Utility hen which appears to have developed a cyst. In September 2005, I noticed a small bare red patch of skin about a couple of inches below her vent. I examined her and discovered a round, soft, fluid-filled lump approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. The surrounding skin and feathers were clean and free of parasites. Read More ›
Avian leukemia
I’ve just been told by my vet that one of my birds (now destroyed) had avian leukemia. Can anyone tell me if my other six birds are likely to contract this? I’ve just purchased three new birds, a Buff Orpington, a Cream Crested Legbar and a Rhode Island Red. The other three remaining birds are hybrids which I’ve had for two years. Any advice would be most welcome.
Jill Jones,
via emailRead More ›
Losing feathers
I write in the hope you can shed some light on a feather loss problem I have with my Pekin bantam (frizzled). I purchased Millie at about 12 weeks old in June 2004, and she was in very good health with good plumage. In March 2005, I arrived home to find that during that day, she’d had some loss of feather on the back of her neck. Over the next few days she had quite a drastic loss of feather from the top of her head behind her comb right the way through to her shoulders. There was absolutely no obvious reason for this loss.
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Cider vinegar
You have previously mentioned putting cider vinegar in the water to keep down bacteria, but I’ve found that my galvanised drinkers are reacting to this. Is this harmful to the hens?
John Lloyd,
via emailRead More ›
Bark chippings
I have a chicken run which isn’t very well drained. I’ve heard that bark chippings drain well but aren’t a good idea for poultry. I don’t understand why – can you enlighten me please?
Sarah Blackdown,
via emailRead More ›