Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

How sweet. Would have been a great photo.

The best pictures are the ones that you don’t have your camera handy to take!

 

[BY Bob]

The best pictures are the ones that you don’t have your camera handy to take!

So true.

 

[Sylvester017]

I thought this was an interesting read but it's in french and it's not a scientific source. It's about garlic but it does explain part of those opposite viewpoints. Here it is through goggle translate :
https://plumage-forum--actif-net.tr...l=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=fr&_x_tr_pto=wapp

The article on DVM states 'toxic at MORE than 0.5% of a chicken's body weight.' So, if you have a 5lb. chicken, that means feeding them more than a 1/4 lb of onion! Since most sites say that a standard sized hen should eat somewhere between 1/3 & 1/2 lb of feed - that would be MORE THAN 1/2 OF THEIR FOOD INTAKE that day to be toxic. While I would never give them close to that, a smal amount that is mixed in with other foods, and is part of a 'treat' - so in addition to their balanced feed - it would be far less than that.

All I have read, Onions have more of the chemical that can be 'toxic' than garlic.

Benefits of Garlic in Livestock & Poultry

Garlic: Antibiotic Alternative in Poultry

This was known even 50 years ago: Garlic study from 1987

Of course, it took gov. legislation before the industry moved away from anti-biotics - and only AFTER there was much developed resistance due, in part, to excessive use as a preventative & growth booster in poultry and livestock. Better living conditions instead of huge crowded poultry houses and packed 'feed lots' would have greatly reduced their 'need'

EDITED: Was posting this while ManueB was posting - theirs is a much more informative and useful post!

That is exceptionally helpful. It aligns with where I had got to with my own research but I was getting bogged down and gave up!
Thanks for posting.

I don't believe garlic was an issue (although we personally choose to omit it) but onions & oranges were the issue. I liked what RoyalChick said earlier ~ use caution to make final choices. Sometimes the few risks of something can be far far greater than the many benefits. Sort of an example: read the risks of your next pharmaceutical prescription that's meant to benefit.

 

[BY Bob]

Awwww so wonderful to see this! What a grand mama.

I'm surprised and pleased.

 

[featherhead007]

The article on DVM states 'toxic at MORE than 0.5% of a chicken's body weight.' So, if you have a 5lb. chicken, that means feeding them more than a 1/4 lb of onion! Since most sites say that a standard sized hen should eat somewhere between 1/3 & 1/2 lb of feed - that would be MORE THAN 1/2 OF THEIR FOOD INTAKE that day to be toxic. While I would never give them close to that, a smal amount that is mixed in with other foods, and is part of a 'treat' - so in addition to their balanced feed - it would be far less than that.

All I have read, Onions have more of the chemical that can be 'toxic' than garlic.

Benefits of Garlic in Livestock & Poultry

Garlic: Antibiotic Alternative in Poultry

This was known even 50 years ago: Garlic study from 1987

Of course, it took gov. legislation before the industry moved away from anti-biotics - and only AFTER there was much developed resistance due, in part, to excessive use as a preventative & growth booster in poultry and livestock. Better living conditions instead of huge crowded poultry houses and packed 'feed lots' would have greatly reduced their 'need'

EDITED: Was posting this while ManueB was posting - theirs is a much more informative and useful post!

I have spent hours at the DVM only to find out that my paperwork was incorrect. Or there were too many people waiting along side me.
Oh, I was at the “DMV” my bad

 

[BY Bob]

I know that it's a Saturday, but I couldn't wait, so here's an extremely early Twofer Tuesday.

"It's going to take a lot to drag me away from you.
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do.
I bless the rains down in Africa."
View attachment 3933181

Wonderful Pic!

 

[BY Bob]

“Hi, is it too early for me to come in and watch your posts?”
Signed CeeCee View attachment 3933231

What a cutie!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

My house is being taken over. Not by kittens, dogs or even more chickens. Teenagers. It is being taken over by Teenagers. 16 to 17 year old teenagers to be exact. 2 of which can drive mind you . It's cool, it's all good, Rosie needs friends of her own age around her. She is the oldest by at least 3 years in the neighborhood. Driving though, early morning trips to McDonalds for coffee or to wal-mart just to walk around. Starting tonight there is a 2 day horse show. Of course I am working, and will be dead before the weekend is out. 4 of her friends are coming to park at the house and go to the show with her. 1 of them is Landon. Yes.....you heard it right Landon, a Boy......help. They are just friends. Friends my foot, she has had a crush on him for 5 years now and he only lives 10 minutes up the road. Friends does not equate the jumping around and acting a fool that she did when she got off the bus and told me he was coming to the show.

Again, this is good for Rosie. I repeat this is good. I love and miss grandma. Grandma beat Rosie down and she shut herself off from her friends. She used to have some of these girls here before grandma moved in. I've missed them. Of all things for this breakthrough I have the fight to thank for it. She gets hurt and her friends rallied around her and were here at the house for her. Now, the house is becoming the after school and weekend hangout. Rosie is also now taking a interest and actually studying the drivers manual. She could have gotten her permit in May when she turned 16, did not interest her.

This is a huge adjustment for me. My one and only baby is growing up. It is hard enough listening to her discuss colleges knowing in 2 years she is gone. Now lets throw in boys and driving into the mix and I want to go bury my head into the sand. She is a good kid though, keeps excellent grades, and has never been in any trouble so it could be a whole lot worse. It is time for me to start loosening the reins a bit as much as I do not want to.

Julio it is a good thing you like to be held, I need a emotional support chicken right now.

 

[Lilion]

Coop dilema!

Started installing roosts and realized the pop door will be right under the lower one. Think that'll be okay?

 

[RoyalChick]

Coop dilema!

Started installing roosts and realized the pop door will be right under the lower one. Think that'll be okay?View attachment 3933412

You worrying about drafts in the winter?
Mine is open all the time but when there is a nasty blizzard I do close it. Otherwise I don’t see an issue, but maybe I am missing your concern.