Consolidated Kansas

[HEChicken]

I looked the VetRX up, and it doesn't look like it's an antibiotic. It looks like it's a home remedy whose base is corn syrup... I also called around to the local farm supply store and the vet, and they don't have any in stock. It is EXPENSIVE stuff online.

VetRx is kind of like Vicks Vaporub for chickens. It has a strong menthol/camphor odor to it and is supposed to help clear nasal passages when they have a cold. To be honest, I haven't been too impressed with it. I've tried rubbing it on their beaks per the instructions but didn't notice any difference in the breathing of the affected birds as a result. I also tried their other administration method which is to put it in the water. It is an oily mixture so the globs of oil just settled on the top. I talked to someone who said she heats it and mixes it in but when I tried that, once it was cold, it again settled into oily patches on the top. In any case, it has such a strong odor the birds refused to drink the water. I tried dunking their beaks in it like you do for newly hatched chicks and left them with nothing but that water for hours, but they didn't touch it. In the end I became fearful that they would end up dehydrated as well, so I put in another waterer with just plain water and they went gaga over it. I think they really were thirsty but would rather go thirsty than drink the water with the VetRx in it. So - that was my experience. Probably if all they have is a little congestion, it would be okay to use it but if they have anything that requires antibiotics, its not going to help. Kind of like treating pneumonia by rubbing Vicks on your chest....

Now, if I can remember how to load the photo's

If you look at the little icons in the top of a reply window, there is one that looks like a picture in a frame. Click on that, then click on "My Computer", which will allow you to browse to find the photos you've downloaded to your computer, and once you've selected them, just click on submit and it will upload them to the reply box.

 

[checoukan]

I got some of them loaded they are in the default

 

[Hawkeye95]

I just went out to check on my birds. Not a single runny nose in any of the ducks (the goose wasn't cooperating to tell on her). I'm really beginning to think I'm losing my sanity.

Wish I could help, but I just am not a waterfowl person!

hawkeye, you have got to make that show, wish i could but, I will stay on going to Columbia. I am headed out now to take pictures of the silkie kids.
I am also going to take some pictures of my rosecombs.
Oh trish and hawk, they do have a 5k run/walk here with Columbus days too.
Ive had a lot of interest on the poultry swap that Saturday, so should turn out to be a fun day!

I emailed my DH the date/time for the Eastern Nationals and I already talked to the person running it and she is sending me a show catalog so I can register. She also warned me to get a motel room ASAP because she said it's a big show and rooms go fast! How exciting!!! I can't wait to see what pictures you come up with. I love your Rosecombs-- so beautiful! What is the date again for the Columbus days? I should go back and look, but I'll just ask again. I wonder if I can get my mom to make a mini vacay out of it.

 

[HEChicken]

I got some of them loaded they are in the default

Oh, I see them - looks like you really jumped in - that is a lot of silkies! I must investigate this. I've always just uploaded to a post but haven't uploaded to albums - will have to figure out how to do that, and then once they are there, how to put them into a post.

 

[averytds]

Have just a few minutes, so missing a bunch.

I told the kids they could do Sedalia, but I haven't finalized anything yet. Really don't know now with our fair fiasco. No idea what they are medicating with, water looked pinkish. I was told all were being medicated. I spoke with KAHD and they were planning a talk with the super or supers about birds and bio security. Hopefully they follow through. Frost was from Betsy in OK. We had thought a very henny boy, but nope.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Checoukan-- LOVE your new silkies! Your whites are really cute! The others look like they have some good type going on. Your rosecombs, as always are just stunning! You do a fantastic job breeding those! They are so tiny and so cute! The black rosecombs are beautiful, but so are those reds! What do you plan on doing with the silkies? Those look to be pretty good quality. The thing with silkies though, is that they can look good starting out and then go south pretty quickly. I thought I was going to end up with more better quality birds than I did this year. I'm obviously going to have to hatch bigger numbers next year than I did this year. I am getting rid of a LOT of silkies this year. I've ended up with some split wing issues, a couple developed wry tail right about 3.5 months, and some of them just aren't looking as nice, but don't have any obvious faults, like toes or wings, but aren't show quality either. I think I know who contributed the split wing-- so he won't be bred again. Hoping next year I only have minor faults. And actually my split wing is not technically split-- since all the feather follices are there-- but more of a slipped wing that stacks wrong. Sigh. I'm learning!

 

[Hawkeye95]

Have just a few minutes, so missing a bunch.

I told the kids they could do Sedalia, but I haven't finalized anything yet. Really don't know now with our fair fiasco. No idea what they are medicating with, water looked pinkish. I was told all were being medicated. I spoke with KAHD and they were planning a talk with the super or supers about birds and bio security. Hopefully they follow through. Frost was from Betsy in OK. We had thought a very henny boy, but nope.

oh wow-- I hope you do get to go to Sedalia! I'm sure crossing my fingers we can swing that. We have to double check with our plans that month. We have some big family stuff going on at the end of the month. Anyway, are you worried that their show will be handled poorly, too? I would think that they would be a bit more on their game? Do you think I should be concerned? I don't want to bring birds and have them get sick. eek! I need to get a new 90 day certificate too... oh wait! What do we do about birds that cross State lines? I better get on this, I'm going to run out of time if I'm not careful. Did you get the show catalog?? Do they say if you need a flock NPIP or a 90 day cert for each bird? I would have used the same 90 cert I got from my last show in August--- but I'm going to be bringing entirely different birds this time, I think. I may try to re-show one of them... but doubtful. I have some better birds that are finally filling in now.

 

[Chickies-duckies-etc]

lizzy - In my experience, anything that goes into a goose or ducks mouth comes out its nose at some point. I don't worry about water seeping, or being blown, out of their nose unless there is some other indication of a problem. I have even marveled how they can spatter water all over long after they have taken a drink. Where do they store it?

The goose shaking her head - I think that is what you said and I am not going back through all these posts, You might make sure her nostrils or whatever they are called, are clear and don't have anything stuck up there. I found one of my geese with a piece of dried grass suck up there. You can also feel along her neck to again, make sure there is nothing stuck. Remember it takes a bit for anything they have eaten to go down that long neck. I have a slighty daffy goose that will eat the finer type feed so fast she stuffs her neck tight. One night she did that, acted like she couldnt breath and it took me several minutes of squeezing that mass to get it brocken up enough she could blow some out and finish swallowing some. She is the only one that does that though.

If they are eating and generally acting ok, they are probably ok. Not eating and isolating themselves from the others are the things to watch for. And any problems with walking or balance. A goose sitting by itself when the others are moving around is to be checked out.

 

[lizzyGSR]

lizzy - In my experience, anything that goes into a goose or ducks mouth comes out its nose at some point. I don't worry about water seeping, or being blown, out of their nose unless there is some other indication of a problem. I have even marveled how they can spatter water all over long after they have taken a drink. Where do they store it?

The goose shaking her head - I think that is what you said and I am not going back through all these posts, You might make sure her nostrils or whatever they are called, are clear and don't have anything stuck up there. I found one of my geese with a piece of dried grass suck up there. You can also feel along her neck to again, make sure there is nothing stuck. Remember it takes a bit for anything they have eaten to go down that long neck. I have a slighty daffy goose that will eat the finer type feed so fast she stuffs her neck tight. One night she did that, acted like she couldnt breath and it took me several minutes of squeezing that mass to get it brocken up enough she could blow some out and finish swallowing some. She is the only one that does that though.

If they are eating and generally acting ok, they are probably ok. Not eating and isolating themselves from the others are the things to watch for. And any problems with walking or balance. A goose sitting by itself when the others are moving around is to be checked out.

Thank you so much for the reassurance!!! I really appreciate it! I guess I'll stop worry now, for the time being anyway.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Thank you so much for the reassurance!!! I really appreciate it! I guess I'll stop worry now, for the time being anyway.

I think you're being a great duck/goose mama. Hopefully nothing is wrong with them, but it doesn't hurt to be on the look out.