California - Northern

[ronott1]

I've been using river sand as grit for my chicks for years without any problems. River sand is not as fine as playground sand, the grains of sand range in size from fine to large and it is more course. I put it in my coop as bedding last year, also.
On the old timer thread, they recommend river sand for chickens as grit. So, I'm skeptical about it being dangerous in any way for chickens.

I agree. Free Range chickens don't even need grit. The rocks stay in the gizzard to grind up the grain, so they need to be sharp too.

Ron

 

[Hangtown Farms]

anyone have a line on Wheaten Ameraucana? True Wheatens
looking for 3 ( 3 to 6 week old hens) well that is the hope.

to add to my other young's and add to a spring project.
Thanks Jason

 

[chiqita]

I am sorry to hear she is still sick.

Post here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Ron

I'm not sure what to post. Now that I know what the smacking is, that's her only real symptom besides not eating and drinking and being quiet. Her crop is empty, her eyes are clear, her breathing is fine, vents are clean. Is standing up then sitting down and itching a symptom? So hard to see anything with silkies. All I can think of is either she got pecked in the head ( shes a vaulted scull) gave her vits in case that's true for brain swelling, ( but she doesn't have those symptoms either really) or she ate something off that no one else had ( everyone else is fine, i have been checking regularly. I suppose I can post anyway, I just notice things this vague don't get a lot of answers. I read the forum a fair bit so I know what to freak out over.

 

[ronott1]

Quote:
For posting there, I think the above description along with asking about how to treat her dehydration would be fine. I think there is quite a bit of information in your post and BYC'rs there are very helpful.

I think you are doing the right treatment myself. Too many jump to anti biotics too quickly.

For the itching, is she "over preening"? I had one rip her tail feathers out--wound up having mites. Those are really hard to see.

Ron

 

[chiqita]

Would mites make her not eat? i can de her again. the de outside could have been used up.

 

[ronott1]

Would mites make her not eat? i can de her again. the de outside could have been used up.

The symptoms are close to what you describe. I would dust them:

Flocks infested with lice or mites show similar general symptoms. Birds will have decreased egg production; decreased weight gain; decreased carcass-grading quality; increased disease susceptibility; and decreased food intake. If any of these generalized symptoms are observed, a visual evaluation is recommended. Inspect birds around the ventral region for signs of lice or mites since infestations usually start in this area of the bird.

Just to add, when you look at the vent for "signs" look for a red swollen vent that may even be too warm, like a feaver.

Ron

 

[ronott1]

Would mites make her not eat? i can de her again. the de outside could have been used up.

Along with the DE I would also recommend Poultry Protector. It is a Mana Pro product and I picked up a bottle at TSC. It uses enzymes to remove the mites from the chickens and the coop. The Bottle says: Non-Toxic. Safe alternative to harsh chemical treatments.

Happy Saturday!

Ron

 

[Wishing4Wings]

anyone have a line on Wheaten Ameraucana? True Wheatens
looking for 3 ( 3 to 6 week old hens) well that is the hope.

to add to my other young's and add to a spring project.
Thanks Jason

I got one from Chickee on this thread. She may have more.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

I got one from Chickee on this thread. She may have more.

thank you

 

[zooweemama]

The symptoms are close to what you describe. I would dust them:

Flocks infested with lice or mites show similar general symptoms. Birds will have decreased egg production; decreased weight gain; decreased carcass-grading quality; increased disease susceptibility; and decreased food intake. If any of these generalized symptoms are observed, a visual evaluation is recommended. Inspect birds around the ventral region for signs of lice or mites since infestations usually start in this area of the bird.

Just to add, when you look at the vent for "signs" look for a red swollen vent that may even be too warm, like a feaver.

Ron

This is what we suspected at first. I am glad we treated with Ivermectin personally. I know not everyone likes to do that. I figure I do it for my dogs and cats- why not? I am going to get some of that stuff you recommended in the next post for treating the mites in the coop too. Might as well hit it all at once since we have to scrub the coop down! LOL