Arizona Chickens

[Beckyhsinglsc]

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I use apple cider vinegar in the water and I don't use medicated feed. I've raised 3 batches this way and haven't had a problem. One of the reasons I raise my own is to avoid the unnecessary medication and chemicals that commercial chickens are exposed to. I think medication is warranted when necessary, though.

Won't apple cider vinegar react with galvanized metal? That's one reason that I haven't used it yet with my hens. I don't have a plastic waterer except in my grow-out brooder. I assume it's OK to use for my 6 week olds. What ratio do you use?

Yes it reacts with the metal waterers. You can use plastic or I give my hens vinegar water in a ceramic dog bowl.
I give it to the chicks as soon as they arrive and for the first 6 weeks. Then I give it to them occasionally, no method, just when I think of it.
I just put a little splash in the chick waterer. It should be about a TBSP per gallon. If it's too much they just won't drink it, otherwise they like the taste.

 

[Fuzzybird]

OK I won't use cedar. Thanks

 

[Mahonri]

Hello all. Just checking in.

Chickens are going through a molt. Must have been brought on by the cooler temps.

I only have three laying at present, the splash polish, the leghorn and the olive egger.
Some friends that I gave chickens to, are going to bring 4 of them back. I hope they will lay.

I'm too lazy to drive out to the Feed Barn for feed today.... plus I have a continuing education program downtown this evening so that's what I'll plan for.

I do miss my roos! A LOT.

Sad that I won't be running any more "hatches" but that's the way it is.

When I get new chicks, I'll order them from Jean and Kathyinmo and find homes for the little roos before they crow.

 

[pastrymama]

ok, let me back up. i use medicated feed on my chicks that are not vaccinated for cocci, so basically any chick not ordered from mcmurrary. BUT, i did a test run this summer since i had chicks coming out of my ears here since february. you cannot give medicated feed to a cocci vaccinated chick, nulls the vaccine, so i decided to go au natural. i had chicks in the brooder from ideal and from mcmurrary and a few of each got cocci. i clean my brooder, yes indeedy i do. so go figure. same thing again about a month ago in my grow out pen. mcmurrary birds vs mahonri's ameraucanas. cocci again. i am thinking it's just my house or my dumb luck. but i have been diligent and caught it early every time. knock on wood.

yes, i have done the vinegar with the mother, made no difference. seriously, come look at my clay. but i have an enormous yard, so i wonder if animals were here before we moved in. dunno.

mikeyit's a roo because it's 4 weeks and has a big ole red comb and sparse feathering! jmho. take it with a grain of salt. he'll taste mighty fine with pepper too!

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

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pastrymama: Sounds like you have good reason to use medicated feed. I'm just saying I wouldn't unless I had to. So far I haven't had to.

So are you saying the chicks were mixed, vaccinated and non-vaccinated? Can the non-vaccinated chicks catch it from the vaccinated ones?

 

[nurseshelly]

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Well, with Seramas, you can tell pretty well by 3 weeks, definitely by 4 weeks old. I would imagine with D'uccle chicks it would be similar. Bantams usually mature faster.

 

[The Critter Place]

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Well, with Seramas, you can tell pretty well by 3 weeks, definitely by 4 weeks old. I would imagine with D'uccle chicks it would be similar. Bantams usually mature faster.

Hi nurseshelly!
Thanks! They are so cute! I just got done googleing them and they sound perfect for us!
It's a small yard and no boys allowed.. lol...

I've been wanting to ask how Elvis was doing and are you still able to keep him in the house?
Is he still a little sweetie?

I have serama eggs on the way as of Monday. We are wanting to try and keep one roo in the house.
Also,
My son has been wanting something of his own.. So we are going to figure something out for him, and I was thinking maybe let him pick a serama roo.

We also have parakeets, and other small birds in the house. But he'd want something he can handle and play with.

He use to have a very tame pigeon that he hatched and raised, and misses it..

We have quail, but they're a little flighty.

So.. I'm hoping to get away with a serama roo in the house. lol...

 

[Mikey D]

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mikey, the stuff that is in medicated feed (amprolium)helps the chicks with coccidiosis when they hit the dirt. cocci is everywhere, it's a protozoa. the chicks eat the dirt, get overloaded with the protozoans and get sick. symtoms are looking chilled, ruffled feathers, head drawn in, bloody droopings(but not always), etc. then they need meds right away or they will surely not survive. meds like sulmet or corid. can be found at the feed store and put in their water.

for me, i almost always start my chicks on medicated feed until 6-8 weeks or until the bag runs out. i have terrible soil and every batch i have ever done has always gotten cocci.

antibiotics are diffrent for eggbound.....

Pastrymamma,
There are a few threads in the quail forums that suggest using Apple Cider Vinegar as a maintenance/ preventative for coccidiosis.

I just bought a bottle for my quail, all my birds actually. I can't say it works, but the one gal that suggested it, is a well respected/known quail breeder.

I did a google here on BYC and found many feel it works and has many health benefits.

Here's the thread I had started to ask questions about it for Quail.. I don't know how the amounts would be for chickens, but worth looking into.

I don't have chickens yet, due to hatch any day. but when I do, I was planning on using the Vinegar for them too.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=582597

Tammy wants to know if Rice vinegar (garlic flavored) will work...

 

[Mikey D]

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Welcome Ms. Red!

 

[Mikey D]

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Happy Birthday Fuzzy!