Pasty Butt, also known as pasting, paste up, or sticky bottom, is a common condition in newly hatched chicks/poults/ducklings. It occurs when soft droppings stick to a chick’s vent, then harden and seal the vent shut. If the condition is not corrected, the affected chick may die. What I find alarming is the downright frightening […]
Pasting: What it is and What to do Read More »
Often production characteristics are overlooked in exhibition birds, which is to the detriment of the flock. Productivity, livability and fertility are all tightly coupled and when you lose one, you tend to lose them all. One measure of a good, productive bird is abdominal body capacity. Birds with good body capacity have the abdominal capacity
Body Capacity: A Trait to Remember Read More »
Many a good bird has been ruined or destroyed heading to and/or returning from a show. There are so many minor things to think about regarding transport cages to prevent a disaster. There are as many different show boxes or transport cages as there are exhibitors. Look around at the next show you attend. The
Transport Cages: Basic Tips Read More »
This is part two of Clayton Botkin’s article regarding tips for buying a new incubator. Below are another 7 incubator tips to consider when buying a new unit or your first incubator. Be aware of warranty requirements. If registration is required, follow manufacturer instructions as soon as it arrives so it is not forgotten. It
Buying an Incubator Tips – Part 2 Read More »
Bird keepers in any way, shape or form usually want to keep an incubator on hand in the event that their birds are at least one step of the way to successful reproduction in producing eggs. Here are some tips to consider if you are buying an incubator: Ask questions! The sales rep should be
Buying an Incubator Tips – Part 1 Read More »
Breeding Cochin Bantams can be accomplished through normal mating procedures (Natural pen mating) or through a process of Artificial Insemination (A.I.). The vast majority of cochin breeders today use A. I. Once learned its easy, fast and in most cases gives one 90%+ fertility. I have been asked by many and often, “how do you
Artificial Insemination in Cochin Bantams Read More »
What Are Black Flies? Black flies are tiny, blood-sucking flies in the insect family Simuliidae and are often called buffalo gnats or turkey gnats. Contrary to their name, black flies may be gray, tan, or even greenish. They usually breed in fast moving water of streams and rivers. They are tremendous pests of humans, domestic
Black Flies: What, Where, When and Why Read More »
Thought of the day is: Goals Without setting goals I have no idea if I am making progress in my breeding. I can be losing at shows but still meeting my goals for progress. I can only control the breeding and selection decisions I make. I cannot deny I dislike losing but losing forces me
Setting Goals In Your Breeding Program Read More »
As your laying hens age, how much will their egg production drop each year? Below is a handy chart that will give you an idea! Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, but this is a general guideline for production birds. And of course some families of exhibition birds don’t hold up quite
Egg Production Decrease Read More »
Lowering stress in our birds is really important when traveling and being at the show, as it is quite an abnormal experience for them. Below I have provided 10 tips on lowering stress for your birds and a couple stories on what happens when that doesn’t happen. I had a hen on Champion Row that
Lowering Stress in Poultry During Travel and Shows Read More »
