Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[thedragonlady]

I called a feed business, and we all know feed guys know everything.

He said they inspected their corn under the Black ray ultraviolet lamp for a bright greenish yellow fluorescence in broken kernels. He said it can occur on all grains, fruits and vegetables if they are stored in temperatures that permit the mold growth and if they are stored in damp places where the mold and afatoxin can form. He said it can happens in the field if the kernels are damaged, but it usually a result of with poor storage conditions. He said the danger isn't any greater here than in past years of drought. there seems to more publicity because a wider area experienced drought this year. It is dangerous, if your animals seem depressed that's one of the first signs.

He also said even small amounts are very dangerous for rats, ferrets, ducks, trout, dogs, turkeys, cattle and pigs.

Our State poultry vet warned me a month ago about aflatoxin in corn this year due to the fact that we had a very hot, wet summer. Smell your scratch particularly. Beware of any feed that is heavier than usual in molasses. Mills are adding more to mask mold.

What about using a small poultry water heater under the FF buckets with a 40 W. bulb in a sheltered place? That should keep things cooking if you stir it a couple of times a day.We used something similar in England to cook ground linseed and crushed barley for the horses' dinner. Did it ever put a shine on them!

 

[zyzzyx]

Good Morning all--

I too am a lurker here and do not yet have any animals--been lurking (learning) for over a year and will soon have some to play with. Many thanks to ALL of the OTs an all the others for the things I have learned.

I have an observation about the aflatoxin (sp) question. Are they anaerobic? It appears to me that if they are anaerobic --then the ff process would make them either dead or inactive. If they are aerobic ----then there might be a problem with improperly stored grains.

What say you all???

 

[thedragonlady]

Good Morning all--

I too am a lurker here and do not yet have any animals--been lurking (learning) for over a year and will soon have some to play with. Many thanks to ALL of the OTs an all the others for the things I have learned.

I have an observation about the aflatoxin (sp) question. Are they anaerobic? It appears to me that if they are anaerobic --then the ff process would make them either dead or inactive. If they are aerobic ----then there might be a problem with improperly stored grains.

What say you all???

They are aerobic. See many articles about MYCOTOXICOSIS on Google.

 

[Maven]

And yet ANOTHER question for our sages: Can you feed TOO much cayenne pepper to chickens? I mean, can it hurt them? I ask because my gals absolutely love the stuff, so I tend to top dress with it pretty often. The Mr. thinks I might be giving it too often and that it could have adverse effects on them. I didn't think it could as, the way I understand it, it doesn't actually worm them, it just makes their system unattractive to worms in the first place, is that correct? What say the OTs?

 

[Beekissed]

Never really used the stuff much, so I don't know. Is there any research on it? I eat black pepper or cayenne pepper flakes every thing I eat except dessert..hasn't bothered me any.

 

[Maven]

Never really used the stuff much, so I don't know. Is there any research on it? I eat black pepper or cayenne pepper flakes every thing I eat except dessert..hasn't bothered me any.

That's kinda what I told the Mr. about his hot pepper consumption!

That's funny, I thought for sure YOU were one of the ones who mentioned using the cayenne with chickens, Bee! I guess all the advice starts to blur with regards to who gave it!!

 

[Beekissed]

Nah...I'd always heard it will jumpstart laying at the end of the slow down times or during winter but I've never really had cayenne powder to try it. Sprinkled some hot pepper flakes once or twice and never saw a difference in laying at all. Could be the consistency of using it or powder vs. flakes...I don't know..but the OTs of yesteryear seem to think it worked.

 

[Gargoyle]

I just used paprika, simply because I can get it in bulk cheap (large Asian Indian population in this area, the grocery stores have Indian spice sections with bulk packages that are 1/3 the price of the same spices two aisles over in the name brand spice section). I sprinkle it on their scraps and veggies (I mentioned earlier how I try to get cheap or free bulk leftover veggies) and they seem to like it.

Paprika is much milder than cayenne, does anyone know if it is actually beneficial? I do believe the Indian paprika is stronger than the American paprika.

 

[Kansas Prairie]

I have an observation about the aflatoxin (sp) question. Are they anaerobic? It appears to me that if they are anaerobic --then the ff process would make them either dead or inactive. If they are aerobic ----then there might be a problem with improperly stored grains.

What say you all???

Excellent important question!

 

[galanie]

And yet ANOTHER question for our sages: Can you feed TOO much cayenne pepper to chickens? I mean, can it hurt them? I ask because my gals absolutely love the stuff, so I tend to top dress with it pretty often. The Mr. thinks I might be giving it too often and that it could have adverse effects on them. I didn't think it could as, the way I understand it, it doesn't actually worm them, it just makes their system unattractive to worms in the first place, is that correct? What say the OTs?

My ex husband tells a story sometimes about a chicken they had when he was a kid. His dad grew these tiny hot peppers called Chili Pequins. They are hotter than all get out. And that chicken loved them. He ate those hot peppers all he could. And when they killed him and ate him, he SWEARS the meat was so hot they couldn't eat it. And then falls out laughing.

I doubt it will do them any harm. But watch out if you butcher one!