Dominique Thread!

[centrarchid]

Acclimmating birds is not bad idea but birds will be picking up cocci and bringing them back to brooder. In brooder cocci can be a real killer since chicks more likely to consume tainted feces increasing the infection rate beyond what their immune systems tolerate. Infections can be aggressive enough that usual treatments are not effective. When I write usuall, I mean inorganic (coccidiostats) and organic (probiotics). Wet conditions outdoors excacerbates this. I have lots of experince with hand raised to back this up. Some dominique strains are more resistant but that is within limits.

 

[centrarchid]

Acclimmating birds is not bad idea but birds will be picking up cocci and bringing them back to brooder. In brooder cocci can be a real killer since chicks more likely to consume tainted feces increasing the infection rate beyond what their immune systems tolerate. Infections can be aggressive enough that usual treatments are not effective. When I write usuall, I mean inorganic (coccidiostats) and organic (probiotics). Wet conditions outdoors excacerbates this. I have lots of experince with hand raised to back this up. Some dominique strains are more resistant but that is within limits.

 

[Cooptopia]

I would just make sure to feed them some plain, unsweetened yogurt. It works great at killing coccidiosis but you need to have it in their system first.

When and how much yogurt do you give them? Also have you ever tried any of the "souped" up yogurts with more or multiple strains of bactieria? Thanks for the recomendation.

 

[Lacy Blues]

When and how much yogurt do you give them? Also have you ever tried any of the "souped" up yogurts with more or multiple strains of bactieria? Thanks for the recomendation.

I think if you're taking your chicks out to a part of your yard where other birds have not been, it would be safer in regard to picking up the cocci.

Depending on how old your chicks are and how many there are, if they are just babies (6 weeks or so?) I'd start with about a teaspoon or so per bird. Mix it into their food. Some of them really like the yogurt from the start and others look at it and start shaking their heads

like they're trying to get if off their beaks, they seem to know its wet and will stick to their beaks! As they get used to it and older, you can increase the amount up to say a tablespoon per adult bird. My birds would eat much more than that if I let them and they don't care if it gets on their beaks. In fact, the sling it all over the place and get it on their faces and the faces of their pen mates. It all gets cleaned up in short order. I can't afford to feed them a lot of it or I would. I start them on it while in the brooder within the first week of their little lives.

I use Mountain High yogurt. It has 5 different strains of bacteria in it so yes, its a really good one and my birds absolutely love it! I'm not saying yogurt is a cure for cocci (I haven't had any cocci in my flock at all but I guarantee you, if I did, I would TRY to cure it with the yogurt), but definitely a preventive and its all natural!

 

[KelleyJo]

I got six Dominique chicks 2 weeks ago. They are growing fast! I'm a first time chicken owner and am so excited for this adventure!

 

[KelleyJo]

Here they are...Henrietta, Clementine, Rosemary, Beatrix, Bridget, and Agnes.

(Agnes is behind the feeder.)

 

[KelleyJo]

Here they are (five of the six in the photo)...Henrietta, Clementine, Rosemary, Beatrix, Bridget, and Agnes.

 

[tgooberbutt]

Soooo cute!!!

Here they are (five of the six in the photo)...Henrietta, Clementine, Rosemary, Beatrix, Bridget, and Agnes.

 

[ben is a terror]

I got six Dominique chicks 2 weeks ago. They are growing fast! I'm a first time chicken owner and am so excited for this adventure!

where did you get them?

 

[HillbillyHeart]

Anybody else remember these being called Dominickers?