INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

Can silkies fly? What does it look like when they try?
Lol throw a feather duster and see how far it goes. They can't get any air under those shredded wings. They sort of look like pop corn. When I let them out they bounce around for a bit. They can only get about 2 feet off the ground. They usually dont roost either. They sleep in a pile like the Croods.
 
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I have another thing that I found that is interesting about "respiratory" symptoms that I thought I'd share here.

I am one that loves the study of nutrition - and nutritional deficiencies and their results. So whenever I'm looking for the cause of something I always read about how nutrition effects things and can actually be the cause of the symptoms rather than originating in bacteria or virus.

So...when I was looking into respiratory symptoms, I found that a Vitamin A deficiency can present almost identically with symptoms such as:




Quote: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/166/vitamin-a-deficiency-nutritional-roup
Now isn't THAT interesting.....the same exact symptoms of some of the diseases that we all fear so much.....



Quote: http://www.hobbyfarms.com/media/livestock-and-pets/vitamin-a-deficiency-in-chickens.aspx.pdf
Vitamin A-deficient chickens develop a crusty material in the nostrils and eyelids, progressing to the accumulation of a
cheesy material. In the initial stages, it mimics respiratory diseases. Similar damage in the throat makes swallowing difficult.
Deficient chicks fail to grow, are severely depressed and die of organ failure. Adult hens experience a drop in egg
production, and breeding birds experience a drop in hatchability.



These are just a couple quotes that are from "easy-to-read" sources. There's plenty more that's very detailed but most folks don't like reading the kind of stuff I do
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Anyhow...all this is to say that all health begins with HUSBANDRY and observation. Often what leads to a compromised immune system or symptoms is nutritional in it's ROOT and that's what we need to look for....the root of issues so that we can PREVENT rather than treat after the damage is done :D

Fermented cod liver oil (green pastures) is an excellent, bioavailable source of NATURAL vitamin A. There are also synthetic vitamin A sources that could be used but aren't as healthy...but would be great in lack of something else. The synthetic can become toxic, however, in high doses whereas the natural sources don't.


Feeds come with a vitamin and mineral mix built in. HOWEVER... the vitamin A, D, and E are the first ones to deteriorate/oxidize and can be an issue with a feed that has been on the shelf for too long.


SO.... that was your short, nutrition lesson for the day :D
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I have another thing that I found that is interesting about "respiratory" symptoms that I thought I'd share here. I am one that loves the study of nutrition - and nutritional deficiencies and their results. So whenever I'm looking for the cause of something I always read about how nutrition effects things and can actually be the cause of the symptoms rather than originating in bacteria or virus. So...when I was looking into respiratory symptoms, [COLOR=006400]I found that a Vitamin A deficiency can present almost identically with symptoms such as:[/COLOR] Now isn't THAT interesting.....the same exact symptoms of some of the diseases that we all fear so much..... These are just a couple quotes that are from "easy-to-read" sources. There's plenty more that's very detailed but most folks don't like reading the kind of stuff I do :p Anyhow...all this is to say that all health begins with HUSBANDRY and observation. Often what leads to a compromised immune system or symptoms is nutritional in it's ROOT and that's what we need to look for....the root of issues so that we can PREVENT rather than treat :D Fermented cod liver oil (green pastures) is an excellent, bioavailable source of NATURAL vitamin A. There are also synthetic vitamin A sources that could be used but aren't as healthy...but would be great in lack of something else. The synthetic can become toxic, however, in high doses whereas the natural sources don't. Feeds come with a vitamin and mineral mix built in. HOWEVER... the vitamin A, D, and E are the first ones to deteriorate/oxidize and can be an issue with a feed that has been on the shelf for too long. SO.... that was your short, nutrition lesson for the day :D
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[COLOR=900000]Exactly why I posted before that we can only guess by what symptoms are described--no guarantees! :thumbsup I, for one, didn't realize that a vitamin deficiency could cause respiratory symptoms. Really, when you search for respiratory symptoms, that's not what usually comes up! Still, it's probably best to test the birds or contact a vet in any case with respiratory symptoms. There's just too much at risk there! As well, in this case, Coryza is known for producing foul smelling discharge, not just discharge and crusty eyes. And unfortunately, Chickiebaby was describing an unpleasant odor along with discharge and crusty eyes. At this point, I would say treat it with what you think is right, but nothing can be said with any certainty for what is wrong without testing.[/COLOR]
 
For those that have given injections to poultry. Where is the best place on the bird to give the injection?
Vaccines usually go under the skin at the back of the neck and antibiotics into the flesh on the breast, alternating sides as Pipd said. I use a 22 needle for Tylan or Baytril and insulin needles for vaccinating chicks.

Next question. Where would I get a syringe and needles for injections?
Farm stores pharmacies, etc.

I have another thing that I found that is interesting about "respiratory" symptoms that I thought I'd share here.

I am one that loves the study of nutrition - and nutritional deficiencies and their results. So whenever I'm looking for the cause of something I always read about how nutrition effects things and can actually be the cause of the symptoms rather than originating in bacteria or virus.

So...when I was looking into respiratory symptoms, I found that a Vitamin A deficiency can present almost identically with symptoms such as:





Now isn't THAT interesting.....the same exact symptoms of some of the diseases that we all fear so much.....
It's the odor that's pretty much the giveaway with coryza.
tongue.gif


After a bout with coryza a couple of years ago, I purchased the vaccine. (Fortunately mine was contained to only a few birds that were already separated just because of housing. Couldn't use those pens again for a couple of years because they could carry the virus.)
Victor Hakes at Twin City Poultry Supply is a wealth of knowledge on medicines for poultry--He'll be at Ohio National this weekend. Worth talking to for anyone who's going. Ask for one of his charts of medicines and dosages; he has converted the amounts that are usually for swine or cattle.

The coryza vaccine is rather expensive and the instructions say to use within 3 hours after the first use. This is because of contamination from reusing the needle, so a syringe that holds multiple doses and a new needle every time it's refilled (just like the addicts!
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), and keep the vaccine refrigerated.
 
@pipdzipdnreadytogo

Just wanted to clarify that when I talk about nutritional issues, I hope that folks will think in terms of good husbandry practices for PREVENTION of issues for the long- haul in their chicken keeping practices.

And also, just to hi-light again, that giving medications - especially antibiotics and antivirals - isn't necessarily the first thing we should think of since the way they're designed to work weakens the system further making it harder to regain health for the long-term.

I think that our society has been conditioned to think in terms of... symptom? go to the Dr. and get a drug... rather than looking to correct root causes that are often really simple and way more health-giving and strengthening than trying to kill something. Real health is built on nourishing and strengthening the organism (whether it is us humans or our animals or our plants) so that the particular organism is able to stand strong and be able to resist what's thrown at it.

Of course, that's not at all to say that drugs aren't appropriate in real emergency situations in which they're warranted. But...

"AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE" (Wish I had thought of that saying.... :D)
 

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