Botulism I'm dreading

[Lady of McCamley]

Maybe this one? ....... an Aspergillus bloom in a batch of fresh chippings.

Not quite as I remember reading it...but it has been several years...pretty sure it was an older post...maybe 2014???? obviously on the old board.

Can't for the life of me remember who wrote it...anyway, they were thinking it was the wood chips either from the trimmer or from leaving in a big pile and using it later.

LofMc

 

[ChiefSuperFly]

I will say we got the weeds! There is a pond right up from the creek and then up from that is where the creek merges with the spring. No berries but we get some thorny plants and horse nettle which I already know how bad that crap is!! Plus I treated everyone with cherry tomatoes on occasion so I doubt they could tell the difference.. I'll have a look tomorrow around the coop before anyone gets out. I saw the laying gen gobble down a FROG! It was unbelievable she would eat that. It wasn't very big but still I was surprised! Lots of tadpoles and frogs by the creek and pond but they never venture into the pond. Plus yellow jackets GALORE! I actually saw one of the layers get stung by one I'm starting to sound like my chickens are starring in DeathRace Farm Edition!!
I give everyone a bit of 5 way scratch in the evening and the youngsters gobble it up like they haven't eaten in days. It's good and dry too but could that be the culprit if they aren't getting to eat unless they are free ranging?

 

[azygous]

If you're going to be digging around in the deep litter in your run, you would be wise to wear a mask to filter out any aspergillus mold spores that may become air-born. If you encounter any black molds, those are likely aspergillus molds. You can kill these spore with a bleach/water solution.

It's a good plan to kick the chickens out to free range while you work on the run. Turning over the material and letting it get mixed with oxygen and dry out will neutralize botulism toxins.

You know what to look for with the rat poison. Depending on how toxic the formula is will determine how thorough you need to be trying to find it all. If you have tunneling under the surface, you've got a problem. Rats carry disease in their droppings as well as fleas.

I would be tempted to move the run and make the new one with hardware cloth barriers so the rats can't tunnel in. Or, if you want a very effective weight loss program, remove the sub-floor of the old run, taking out all the rat droppings and nesting material, spray well with a bleach solution, then install hardware cloth barriers.

 

[ChiefSuperFly]

Thank so for letting me know about oxygenating the soil and keeping them out! I'm out there a lot as I really enjoy the entertainment and I like to keep an eye on everyone, see who's getting along and if there's any trouble or funny business. I don't know if the fleas your talking about bite humans (all I can think about is Black Plague lol) but no bites on me. And I like to pet and check for any mites on everyone- I'm mama monkey and just curious by nature. Once I get turning I'll be able to see the extent of the tunneling in the runs. If need be I'll bring over the tractor and remove it as much soil needed and replace with some new soil. I wish I could just dump bucket loads but the runs are covered and it will surely tear it down. We've got a lot of clay and rocky dirt :/ really rich dirt too but still with rocks. I'm going to read up on the mold you mentioned. I haven't seen any mold anywhere but I'll be looking now. Also about the mask! You best believe I wear one when cleaning- an elderly woman got talking with me and her husband had passed due to lung issues. The doctor claimed it was decades of tending to his chickens in poorly ventilated conditions without a mask. No idea how many chickens this fellow had or any details more than that but better safe than sorry! I mean it's ammonia at the very least!

Who ever thought chickens could be a workout routine

 

[azygous]

I love your 'tude! I identify! Chickens are the most absorbing hobby I've ever had. I am busy cutting down trees, working my garden plots, stalking noxious weeds all summer, but I always manage to spend hours with my chickens. I even tuck them in at night, refereeing squabbles.

Your friend with the lung issues may well have had aspergilliosis. Once it's in the lungs, it's very hard to get rid of. That's why I reminded you to wear a mask, just in case you run into some.

The most effective way to control rats is to prevent access. When you're digging around, their entry holes will give you a clue as to how to rig up hardware cloth barriers.

I wish I was there close by. I'd come over and help!

 

[ChiefSuperFly]

My fat cat is from the shelter and she's about 7-9years old. Was already declawed and is a helluva mouser! Here lately she brings me something every day or every other. I see her in the field working and worked the garden all summer! She follows me to the coop and I swear she plays dead. I've got 5 week old chicks and keets I let out daily weather permitting and she doesn't bother them. I think if one fell over dead (possibly a full grown chicken even) that she would MAYBE eat it... but until one jumps in her mouth I trust her! I think I need a mouser in the coop- oh jeeze that will be the day

 

[azygous]

Cats only work on their own terms. Your chickens would probably be better mousers.

 

[lazy gardener]

I think I need a mouser in the coop- oh jeeze that will be the day

I love your description of your cat. She must be an excellent hunter if she can still catch prey while being declawed. You need some Buck Eyes in your flock. They have an excellent reputation as being good mousers.

 

[ChiefSuperFly]

Here's an old pic of her- she's the light colored kitty. The imposter is our now 4 year old female German shepherd- hehehe

 

[ChiefSuperFly]

She brought a live baby squirrel into the house one time...... and let it go it was climbing the walls! Luckily now it's just moles and mice but some of them are pretty big >.<