"Holistic" Dog thread!

[chickentrains]

I've heard really good things about Darwins. If I ever switched to pre made, I would probably consider them. I might add some plant material as a supplement since I do think theres a lot of nutrition their.
We get from our dogs from a reputable breeder. We've used the same one for years. She's very responsible, gets all the vet certifications etc. I feel bad about the shelter pets, but for our purposes I think purebreds are probably a better choice. We have bird dogs.
Thats so neat! I've considered showing, but I don't think its really for me. So cool that you might pursue that, how cool!

I'd really like to have a belgian tervuran for igp, and then a showline border collie

 

[Tookie]

Is there anything I can give my dog to prevent cataracts?

 

[Weeg]

Is there anything I can give my dog to prevent cataracts?

Here's a Dogs Naturally article that may be helpful. I haven't actually read it so it may not have the info your looking for, but though I'd link it anyway. I really like this source.
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/cataracts-in-dogs/

 

[Weeg]

Bumping. Off topic, but who uses holistic methods on their chickens as well? I'm interested in growing lots of Oregano this year to hopefully get an established plant. Then harvest it and feed it to the birds in their fermented feed. It's an incredible immune booster, I've heard great things about it.

 

[Tookie]

When I have sick chickens I like treating them naturally, I never go to the vet. I also like putting garlic and ACV in my chickens water too. Garlic is very good for chickens, so I like using it. I don't vaccinate my chickens for Mareks. We also like planting things that are good for chickens, we have Comfery, and some herbs. The only thing I use that is not holistic is dewormer. I have a mite infestation (ugh, I hate mites) and am going to treat them more naturally. I know a lot of people us permethrine to treat mites, but I don't want to use that. I am going to give them baths every couple days and spray them with need oil, I also have scaly leg mites, so I will put vaseline on their legs.

 

[Weeg]

When I have sick chickens I like treating them naturally, I never go to the vet. I also like putting garlic and ACV in my chickens water too. Garlic is very good for chickens, so I like using it. I don't vaccinate my chickens for Mareks. We also like planting things that are good for chickens, we have Comfery, and some herbs. The only thing I use that is not holistic is dewormer. I have a mite infestation (ugh, I hate mites) and am going to treat them more naturally. I know a lot of people us permethrine to treat mites, but I don't want to use that. I am going to give them baths every couple days and spray them with need oil, I also have scaly leg mites, so I will put vaseline on their legs.

I want to start growing more herbs for them this year, herbs are so beneficial, you can never get enough.
I would caution against bathing though. I bathed some mite infested hens after it was suggested by a member here. It was 70 degrees out, and both of them suffered hypothermia shortly after. The issue is that sick hens can't regulate their body temperature as well, so theres a risk of hypothermia. You could try blow drying them immediately after, but I'm not sure I would risk it again.
Are they red mites which only come out at night? If so, its likely theres very little living on your birds. You could try moving them to mite free areas and treating the coop maybe?
Also, this is an interesting topic to me, natural mite treatment. What is need oil?

 

[Tookie]

I want to start growing more herbs for them this year, herbs are so beneficial, you can never get enough.
I would caution against bathing though. I bathed some mite infested hens after it was suggested by a member here. It was 70 degrees out, and both of them suffered hypothermia shortly after. The issue is that sick hens can't regulate their body temperature as well, so theres a risk of hypothermia. You could try blow drying them immediately after, but I'm not sure I would risk it again.
Are they red mites which only come out at night? If so, its likely theres very little living on your birds. You could try moving them to mite free areas and treating the coop maybe?
Also, this is an interesting topic to me, natural mite treatment. What is need oil?

My flock has northern fowl mites and scaly leg mites, I have bathed my chickens many times and they were fine. Were your hens very sick from the mites when you bathed them? Mine act perfectly fine with the mites, but because of that I procrastinate on treating them. I know I need to treat them but I just keep putting it off. I have looked at my chickens and they have a lot of mites. When I have bathed my chickens before it got rid of a lot of mites on them. It's NEEM oil, every time I type it in it automatically changes it to need instead of neem. Neem oil comes from the seeds of a neem tree, I have read that I could use it to get rid of mites.

 

[Weeg]

My flock has northern fowl mites and scaly leg mites, I have bathed my chickens many times and they were fine. Were your hens very sick from the mites when you bathed them? Mine act perfectly fine with the mites, but because of that I procrastinate on treating them. I know I need to treat them but I just keep putting it off. I have looked at my chickens and they have a lot of mites. When I have bathed my chickens before it got rid of a lot of mites on them. It's NEEM oil, every time I type it in it automatically changes it to need instead of neem. Neem oil comes from the seeds of a neem tree, I have read that I could use it to get rid of mites.

Mine acted fine, though they were young, pullets to be exact. Everyone has their own experience, just thought I'd share mine. I will admit that it did get rid of the mites very quickly. They were gone after that.
I figured it was probably neem, interesting that it can help with mites, I'll have to look into that! What about diluted essential oils? I know there are some safe ones, and I believe Lemongrass at least repels insects like fleas.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Bumping. Off topic, but who uses holistic methods on their chickens as well? I'm interested in growing lots of Oregano this year to hopefully get an established plant. Then harvest it and feed it to the birds in their fermented feed. It's an incredible immune booster, I've heard great things about it.

I add oregano oil to their water once in awhile. I also throw fresh oregano, thyme, and sage in the run during the growing season.
I also give the dogs oregano oil (cut with olive oil) once in awhile as well.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

When I have sick chickens I like treating them naturally, I never go to the vet. I also like putting garlic and ACV in my chickens water too. Garlic is very good for chickens, so I like using it. I don't vaccinate my chickens for Mareks. We also like planting things that are good for chickens, we have Comfery, and some herbs. The only thing I use that is not holistic is dewormer. I have a mite infestation (ugh, I hate mites) and am going to treat them more naturally. I know a lot of people us permethrine to treat mites, but I don't want to use that. I am going to give them baths every couple days and spray them with need oil, I also have scaly leg mites, so I will put vaseline on their legs.

Permethrin is based on a natural insecticide that comes from chrysanthemums. http://livingwithbugs.com/permethrin_pyrethrum.html
I wouldn't hesitate to use it because mites can really get bad and cause a chicken to become anemic and go downhill fast. I mix some with DE and use it as a preventative in their nest box and on the roost. They also have wood ash to dust in. They come into contact with sparrows daily, but luckily they haven't gotten mites or lice. I check monthly.
When I apply it to the chicken (because I'm paranoid about pests), I take an old nylon sock or panty hose and add the permethrin and DE, then use it like a powder puff to get close to the skin and coat the feathers well. I only do this once in awhile - like once a year or so.
Also, bathing chickens isn't something that is recommended daily. Neem oil is definitely beneficial for treating leg mites.
https://www.communitychickens.com/natural-pest-solutions-neem-oil/