If its hot where you live, they will drink lots of water to stay cool and also practically HOSE the ground with their droppings! It's gross but its normal. It's a cooling method.
SULFUR? I have never heard of using sulfur for dusting. I would be way too concerned about them breathing it in. Also, they rake the ground with their beaks to loosen it for dusting so they would likely be ingesting it too. There are safer things to use.
It won't hurt them to ingest a little sulfur and they may get a little in their lungs when they dust but it will do no permanent damage. Sulfur is actually good for them in some ways...their own eggs contain sulfur, garlic contains sulfur, the meds that everyone keeps choking down their birds contain sulfur. A little in the gut or the lungs isn't going to harm them.
Does anyone know if fermenting feed that is higher in protein (16-18%) will cause an increase in the already existing protein ? I'm asking because after 3 week+ of feeding FF my chickens still seem to have runny stool for the most part. I've decreased the amount of moisture content in the FF and they free range from time to time so I thought this would firm up their stool but it seems they are still having runny stool more often than not. I've read that high concentrations of protein can cause more urates which in turn will cause runnier stool. So if fermenting their feed will increase the already present protein then this may explain why they are dropping runny stool so often.
If you are feeding higher than 16-18% dry feed, it is likely your birds never got the full benefit of the dry feed proteins...now that you are fermenting it, they are absorbing more of the available proteins and the percentage you are making available may be too harsh on their digestive tracts. It can and will cause runny stool.
When people give their animals calf manna and other rich feeds, it can really burn them out, especially if they give too much or for too long...the additional protein found in that kind of high protein feed causes the animals to have diarrhea. I've made that mistake before when giving calf manna to meat rabbits to fatten them up for show.
This is why I never encourage people to mix their own feeds unless they know what they are doing...really know what they are doing. Any feeds given to layers that is above 18%, I can tell you already that it is too high. No bird needs that high of a level of protein to sustain good laying and health. I never feed healthy chickens higher than 16% and when I adjust that level, I always adjust down..not up.
I know they are selling feeds out there now that contain a higher percentage of protein and it always makes me wonder why? A chicken cannot handle that level of proteins for extended periods of time and it will often lead to liver disease, renal disease and conditions like bumble foot, prolapse, egg bound, internal laying, etc.
If you are currently fermenting anything above 18%, I'd add some low protein grain by 50% to cut that protein level. Unless your birds are out running races or competing in the Olympics, none of them need anymore than 16-18% to maintain good health and good lay.
My understanding is it doesn't increase the existing protein, it increases how well the birds can absorb said protein by a few percent. So a 16% feed they really absorb only like 14%, but with FF they absorb all of it.
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Exactly! So, for years I've maintained excellent lay and health in my flocks by feeding around 14% absorption and even lower in the winter time...much lower! Now that I ferment, I'm probably getting the percentage that it says on the label and so I feed less feed and even cut that protein in the winter...actually, I'm cutting it right now by using 2/3 layer mash, 1/3 steamed barley.
If they are absorbing more protein then why would their stools be so runny ? I'm Confused as to why they continue to have loose/runny droppings if they are absorbing more protein with the FF and I have greatly reduced the amount of moisture in the FF. I was hoping by now that their stools would be back to the way they were when I had them on dry feed.
How much protein are you actually feeding right now? That could hold the answer. You realize the higher you go on protein, the more it scours out the intestines, right?
The one I drained yesterday, like I said some of it did fill back yesterday. I had noticed that when she had it full she hated to be near the heat lamp, last night I think if she could have slept on it she would have. This morning there were NO losses!
The only way I could tell who she is was because of the zip tie on her leg. Everyone that looks like that are getting treated like her. I don't know how long this will last, or if I will have to do repeat treatments. I will keep you all posted.
You live in LA? I'm curious...what are your day and night temps? That's great news about the chick!!! Good job!
I believe a big one could kill a grown chicken (because they are constrictors) but you don't hear of it very often. They usually go for eggs or smaller chicks. Sometimes they will kill a bigger chick and try to eat it then when it is too big to get down they spit it back out. You find those bigger chicks dead with a wet/slimmy head and neck. No they shouldn't be any threat to your kids. The worst that could happen would be if one bit somebody and the sight of the bite were to get infected. It is important to clean it well and maybe go to the doctor to be sure it didn't leave some of its little boney teeth in your skin. I'm sure they would want to give antibiotics but I wouldn't take them. I have been out and about around snakes all my life and have a bunch at my place now but so far I have never been bit. They are more of an asset than any danger... until they start eating all your eggs and chicks. But you can snake proof your coop/run with hardware cloth. But venomous snakes are a whole different story! They have to die at my place! It's good to learn all your local snakes so you always know what your dealing with.
