Arizona Chickens

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
In most of Europe and at least one of the Canadian provinces it is already necessary to get a vet to administer anthelmintics to horses because of resistance. Here's the problem: a commercial wormer, administered under perfect conditions, may eliminate 95-100% of worms. That low percentage that are not eliminated will reproduce, repopulate in the animal and then the new population is less susceptible to that medication than the earlier ones were. Here's another issue: studies regularly show that only a few individuals in a group of animals will be shedding most of the parasitic eggs. The implication is that most individuals in the group have some innate ability to fight off parasitic infection. Indeed, some poultry breeds have been shown to be more resistant to worm infection than others which suggests a genetic component to infection resistance. Indiscriminate and regular worming will eventually lead to worms that do not respond to anthelmintic treatments. The current recommendation by parasitologists is to determine which individuals in a group have the worms and target those individuals with the medication, rather than the entire group. Unfortunately, the costs with getting a fecal count on all of a flock of chickens would be cost prohibitive. If I suspected an individual bird or two of having worms, I'd have those tested before administering medication to the whole group.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Well I finally got my chicks...8 of them in a nice mix of Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpington's, Black Australorps, and Barred Rocks. It took me months of preparation but we finally got them last night. I had planned on them being close to laying age but found such a nice mix of 3 week olds that I found myself unprepared after all. I had to rig up a heat lamp last night, although I don't think they really needed it. They were from the valley and living outside already. We are up near Yarnell and its a bit cooler here so I turned on the lamp just in case.

This morning I had to run to the feed store for chick starter since I had only purchased layer food. I made them a nipple waterer bottle and they learned how to use it within minutes. Thank goodness I had the forethought to buy some chicken nipples a few weeks ago. I quickly made a waterer out of a dasani bottle.

Now I am just sitting here in the chicken run watching them checking out their new coop. Such pleasure

I was just so excited I wanted to share with all you great AZ chicken folks who I have learned so much from by reading your posts here on this forum. Thank you!!!!

I will be sharing all the details on my blog in the next few days.

Congratulations!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

A while back I was interested in doing my own fecal counts for worms and I wrote an article on what I learned. There are some links in there to interesting papers on worming and parasites in general. Seems like a good point to share it again.

 

[pollo disco]

Well, the winds suck but the ladies and the turkeys don't seem to notice. Still haven't updated the paint on the coop yet though. Too lazy. Can't wait for the wind to mellow out. Finally dusted all the ladies and turkeys in DE. Boy is that a mess. I ended getting a small bag over at Tucson OK feed. Sadly, as for feed they only had Purina products. As for side projects, I am making a large container of ACV with Mother inside. I took a large Kroger acv and added a braggs to innoculate it with. Stuff works wonders.

 

[pastrymama]

Thank you. I spoke to a nice lady (Pastrymama) and she will keep me posted about her upcoming silkies. And thank you to everyone for a great tip!

another silkie enthusiast!!!!!!

dare i tell him there are silkie ducks? i may need to get some of those. don't worry, they are bantams too. the fireman will never notice.

 

[desertmarcy]

I've been in and out of the heat and wind today giving chickens baths, getting them ready for the show on Saturday (May 18th). At least they dry fast today! The Tucson Poultry, Pigeon and Fancy Fowl Club (that is a mouthful) is having our Spring Show, to be held/hosted by the Arizona Feeds Country Store on 4743 N. Highway Dr. (just off I-10 at Ruthrauff). Judging is after 9 am Coop-In, will be over by around 2 pm. Open to members and non-members. Exhibitors may have birds for sale. Come on over and enjoy the show!

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

I have heard of the Red Man and pumpkin seeds...not 100% sure that the evidence is available (other than anecdotal) to convince me to change my method...

I was actually reading up trying to find actual evidence for it the other day and several sites said that even a large portion of commercial wormers are not properly tested because it is rather difficult to initially give the worms and parasites to the animals.  Theoretically, a healthy animal (or human for that matter), should have enough beneficial flora in their gastrointestinal tract to prevent worms.

To make matters worse, it appears that the worms are becoming increasingly resistant to the commercial wormers, just like bacteria is becoming resistant to antibiotics.  The United Kingdom is supposedly in the process of implementing stricter worming regulations, including the requirement of a prescription by a licensed veterinarian.  There's no way to become immune to diatomaceous earth, though...

There are several schools of thought on human parasites. One school is that there are parasites that are good for you because they increase your Immune System. Most do not fall into that category.

I personally like the idea of bug free living, inside and out. I used to know of a number of natural teas and foods that would de-worn humans, some if to much, it would also close down the home of the worms (you would die).

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

Desertmarcy, I just remembered, I told a friend that lives next to my mom about your turkeys, she told others. PM on how much you charge for a thanksgiving turkey. We may be coming down for a number of them. One had home raised turkeys and remember what turkey taste like, the same with similar stories, neighbors or friends that had turkeys.

 

[heidisue]

Finished the coop now just have to finish the run! Looks great!

 

[MaddBaggins]

My daughter turned on the chicken mister after school (about 3 hours before I got home). SHe turned the water full blast and never checked it. Well, the irrigation hose popped a joint and flooded the run area. When I got home, the girls were standing in about 2 inches of water and squawking about it.
We had a lesson in how to only crack the water open and check on it often.