How is your flock today?

[Parront]

I know. But it is done because the grocery store has to sell those egg's.

For $1.29 -- now they are saying that the Hickman's will be "cage free" in a year or so.

 

[BlueBaby]

For $1.29 -- now they are saying that the Hickman's will be "cage free" in a year or so.

So now we will know where all of the hawk's will be hanging out?

 

[Parront]

So now we will know where all of the hawk's will be hanging out?

I wish! No, "cage free" to them means that the birds get to roam around inside that huge metal shed on the floor. They do not see the light of day. Or a hawk, blade of grass, insect or ever scratch in the dirt.

 

[BlueBaby]

I wish! No, "cage free" to them means that the birds get to roam around inside that huge metal shed on the floor. They do not see the light of day. Or a hawk, blade of grass, insect or ever scratch in the dirt.

I've seen some like that before on the internet, and they have them so packed in there like sardine's that the poor bird's hardly have any room to move in.

 

[Parront]

I've seen some like that before on the internet, and they have them so packed in there like sardine's that the poor bird's hardly have any room to move in.

Exactly, all jammed in together. According to the math, each bird gets about as much space as a sheet of typing paper, less than 1 square foot. The humane standard is to let them have a whole square foot!

 

[chickentrains]

Well that's not good, I am guessing you have someone looking after them until you return home.

yes, of course. I'll be home later

 

[416bigbore]

It is a good Idea to keep an eye on your birds: poop, activity, eating and drinking habits. Is food consumption higher or lower than normal? Are the feathers ruffled up or smooth and shiny? Eyes clear and bright or is there some goo running from eyes or nostrils? That kind of thing is better, in my experience, than an expensive vet test. What you are doing in this little thread, every day ask your question, "How is my flock today"!
Here are the 3 in Quarantine, they laid 3 eggs yesterday -- 2 light green and 1 tan. They are talking back when they hear the rooster crowing!

That was the point I was trying to make when I started this small thread. How many people actually do take the time with their flock to see changes in their daily behavior to know that something isn't right with one of their poultry?

It's my understanding from a very knowledgeable member, that birds are very good at hiding their symptoms and when they do start showing physical signs it's generally to late at that point. This is why I was curious to learn what other members do to protect their flocks against parasites etc.

I understand keeping an eye on their poop is one way to see worms, but how long will they have actually had worms before a person can spot them that way? I also understand the whole expensive Vet visit etc. and for a $5.00 bird, that isn't going to happen at our place.

We had to take one of our goats into the Vet to get a lump checked for a possible contagious bacteria and they also done a Fecal Float test to check for parasite eggs. I was very amazed at how easy and simple that test was for them to do right there for $25.00.

Since goats are highly susceptible to getting worms and it's hard to know for sure or not without a Fecal Float test, I figured it was best we start doing our own tests to know for sure. Deworming any animal that don't need it, isn't a healthy practice for the animal.

I was able to find a very nice microscope off CL for cheap and with the few other things we will need to be able to start doing our own Fecal testing with all our animals. It should pay for itself in no time while keeping everyone healthily and free of parasites.

 

[416bigbore]

yes, of course. I'll be home later

That is one thing I have been worrying about if we ever have to leave for a few days or even longer, who to find that a person can trust to care for the animals.

I need to find us an Awesome neighbor like @BlueBaby, who would gladly watch over and care for our animals in return for chicken feed! Hard to find good neighbors these days you can trust!

 

[416bigbore]

I wish! No, "cage free" to them means that the birds get to roam around inside that huge metal shed on the floor. They do not see the light of day. Or a hawk, blade of grass, insect or ever scratch in the dirt.

So how can this be public knowledge and it still continues when you have all these PETA people running around against that type of inhuman treatment of animals.

 

[Parront]

So how can this be public knowledge and it still continues when you have all these PETA people running around against that type of inhuman treatment of animals.

Hickmann = $$$$$$