American serama thread!

[onafixedincome]

I hate artificial sweeteners; to me they all taste horribly bitter after the first sickeningly sweet bit, and I'm outright allergic to aspartame/NutraSweet and the others in its class. I know two people who were having some really nasty health issues that were approaching life-threatening (diabetes and lupus-like stuff)...and when they stopped drinking diet soda, the conditions disappeared (the diabetes) or moderated significantly (the lupus-like stuff). It also held true for my aunt when she was forced to lose weight to have a knee replacement--no diet soda, no fluctuating blood sugar--but she *does* still have intermittent seizures no one seems to be able to track down. I'd take bets on it...

Anyway, if you're gonna be BAD, be BAD! Enjoy it, but in moderation. The rest of the time, drink water! Want it flavored? Use juice, tea, or natural flavorings like you use in baking.

Back to chickens... Have you had a fecal done to check for coccidia? Have you treated for cocci, and if so, with what? Some coccidiostats will tie up B vitamins, *IF* I recall correctly. Check the Merck's Veterinary manual for B vitamin problems in poultry, see what it says...??

 

[Brookhavens]

I hate artificial sweeteners; to me they all taste horribly bitter after the first sickeningly sweet bit, and I'm outright allergic to aspartame/NutraSweet and the others in its class. I know two people who were having some really nasty health issues that were approaching life-threatening (diabetes and lupus-like stuff)...and when they stopped drinking diet soda, the conditions disappeared (the diabetes) or moderated significantly (the lupus-like stuff). It also held true for my aunt when she was forced to lose weight to have a knee replacement--no diet soda, no fluctuating blood sugar--but she *does* still have intermittent seizures no one seems to be able to track down. I'd take bets on it...

Anyway, if you're gonna be BAD, be BAD! Enjoy it, but in moderation. The rest of the time, drink water! Want it flavored? Use juice, tea, or natural flavorings like you use in baking.

Back to chickens... Have you had a fecal done to check for coccidia? Have you treated for cocci, and if so, with what? Some coccidiostats will tie up B vitamins, *IF* I recall correctly. Check the Merck's Veterinary manual for B vitamin problems in poultry, see what it says...??

I gave up drinking soda years ago and the difference was like night and day. Several years ago I had read an article and watch a few videos on Youtube about artificial sweetners and I was amazed at what I found. The list of side effects of all artificial sweetners was a mile long. I can not believe the FDA still allows them to be used. It is almost like they have blinders on or very fat pockets from all the kickbacks they get from the food and drug industries. A few years ago I discovered the plant stevia and now use that instead of sugar or any type of sweetner. Just a pinch of stevia powder is equal to a tsp. of sugar. It must be pure, natural stevia not what you find in the sugar isles of your grocery store. When you look at the packages of store bought stevia you will almost always see an added ingredient to the stevia. Sometimes it is dextrose, sometimes another. Those brands you have to stay away from because the added ingredient is a known carcinogen or has other harmful side effects. I had to hunt to find pure stevia but eventually I did find a source and now grow my own stevia plants to use.

 

[Herducks]

I was reading a review of the different stevia options and the Kal pure stevia was the highest recommended. I ordered some, can't wait to try it out!

 

[artsyrobin]

That's good news artsyrobin, but do see if some vitamin B12 will help like onafixedincome said. B12 and potassium kind of work in a weird way, usually at odds. That is if you start taking B12, your potassium can drop so taking both together is a good idea, but don't give too much of either since it would be kind of a "see if it helps" thing. Both affect your nervous system / brain functions. Just try adding safe amounts to water or food or something and see if he seems better, slowly increase if there doesn't seem to be any harm done. It might help?

Note: The thing about chemicals in your body, they can do so much to you, as I just found out! I've been suffering from amazing pain in my knees. It's been getting worse and worse this past year especially. I've seen the doctor, and am scheduled to get a blood test. My sister (and everyone I know) is always telling me "stop drinking diet coke, it's bad for you" and I didn't listen because my doctor said it was safe. I've looked up what's so bad about the stuff, and I don't recall anything talking about joint pain. Anyway, long story short, I stopped drinking DC first full day was yesterday. Today, tonight, I have very little joint pain! I can't believe it! If my knee pain remains so small, or even (knock on wood) gone, I will be amazed! I've been finding it almost impossible to walk, it's been so painful. Now I have to eat crow, everyone's going to give me the "I told you so" but in truth nobody ever suggested why I should stop, until the day before yesterday, when my sister suggested it was causing my joint pain, which I dismissed, but thought it wouldn't hurt to stop drinking the stuff to see.

Anyway, I've had B12 deficiency, supplements have really helped with fatigue in me. We also found out my eldest has low B12 (and high potassium) and she felt much better after starting B12 supplements. These things can actually make you very sick if you don't have the right balance

the big thing about artificial sweetners- they are foreign chemicals- i have coffee in the morning with sugar- there is just something about a chemical name i can't spell or say that creeps me out- also, i am not fond of water- but it makes quite a difference in the joints, so i force myself to drink it...LOL! I also found ice tea made with green tea does alot to help the joints..

i am adding b complex to the drinking water- so maybe that will help

 

[Brookhavens]

I was reading a review of the different stevia options and the Kal pure stevia was the highest recommended. I ordered some, can't wait to try it out!

I had to buy a micro scoop because no matter how much I tried to use just the tip of a teaspoon it was always too much. I actually buy my powdered Stevia (extract not the sweetner) from Paraguay at the Stevia-Store . A 1/2 pound usually lasts me 8-10 months. It takes a few weeks to get it and is usually stopped in customs (looks just like another white powdered substance...lol) but it's well worth the wait.

 

[Brookhavens]

the big thing about artificial sweetners- they are foreign chemicals- i have coffee in the morning with sugar- there is just something about a chemical name i can't spell or say that creeps me out- also, i am not fond of water- but it makes quite a difference in the joints, so i force myself to drink it...LOL! I also found ice tea made with green tea does alot to help the joints..

i am adding b complex to the drinking water- so maybe that will help

I started brewing/drinking Kombucha Tea a little over a year ago because the pain in my knees was getting to be unbearable. Nothing would ease the pain. Within a few months I noticed a big difference and today I can say I am almost pain free. The only time they really bother me now is if it is going to rain. I started using the Kombucha in all my chicken's feed (they get a mash every morning) and my feed bill has almost been cut in half.

 

[kukupecpec]

I think I missed why we are talking about artificial sweeteners, but I'm diverting on the soda thing hehe
DH bought me a Soda Stream machine so we can carbonate pretty much any drink we want. That's really the allure of soda for me, I love the bubbles! You can buy little soda flavoring to put in it, but I have been using crystal light instead and absolutely love it! I can use less so it's just a hint of flavor but you can do whatever you want. It's awesome!

 

[ChknObsessedANG]

Congrats!

Also - the chicken in your user picture is AWESOME! What is that???

Thanks! That is a blue splash rooster in my avatar pic. He was my baby, but died suddenly at 9 months. He was GORGEOUS!!

 

[kukupecpec]

What is Kombucha?

 

[ChristineR]

Oh wow, you don't know what a relief this is to hear! Thank you both so much! They will have a lot of room, so hopefully it will work! I have a bit more time before these chicks are big enough to introduce, I have a very large coop for 6 Seramas so maybe I can introduce them all at the same time to the new location, then hopefully they'll work it out quickly enough?!?! Least now I have hope!

Be careful and watch them closely. I've tried letting two Roos and their hens run around the yard together and it didn't work out. Even the hens from the separate groups were fighting.

I think I missed why we are talking about artificial sweeteners, but I'm diverting on the soda thing hehe DH bought me a Soda Stream machine so we can carbonate pretty much any drink we want. That's really the allure of soda for me, I love the bubbles! You can buy little soda flavoring to put in it, but I have been using crystal light instead and absolutely love it! I can use less so it's just a hint of flavor but you can do whatever you want. It's awesome!

The sodastream is awesome. I love carbonated drinks and this gives you some healthier options.

What is Kombucha?

It's a fermented drink. I recently read an article about wheat and gluten sensitivities and the effect on joint pain. Interesting. It makes sense, though, because if you react to wheat, it causes general inflammation. FYI, if anyone is in WA, I still have a few 5-6 week old Seramas that I'm selling. I have an ad posted here on BYC.