Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[NovaAman]

Welcome to the thread tndalexander.

 

[Stacykins]

Aw, that's why they went out of business - you guys weren't buying their feed! LOL. Just teasing. I understand. It *was* dusty but it lasted almost twice as long for me as the commercial crumbles so it was cost effective in the long run, like two and a half weeks per 50# as opposed to a week and a half on the crumbles. So now I'm back to sucking down seemingly empty calorie feed like there's no tomorrow.

Good luck Raz!

I love my local feed store's homemade layer mash, and it is dusty too. What I do, and it has eliminated 99% of waste, is I mix it with a little water. The layer mash literally becomes a wet mash. And the chickens DEVOUR it. I only make what they'll eat within a few hours, so they get some twice a day. Yes, it is higher maintenance, but the chickens eat everything.

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

SILLY CHICKEN BFM, did you report that to BYC? I have to say I either don;t have those or just did not notice them.

any suggestions on what to do if a chicken gets into mold?
He was staggering around like a drunk & I brought him in.

... Look up botulism. "Funny" how I was just checking this out yesterday! I will find the link for you...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/219553/help-what-is-wrong-droopy-wing-beak-down-pictures/20
Page 1 has pics of what the bird looks like and symptoms... Page 3 has recipies for flushes of the digestive system (Laxatives)
Good luck!!!

Do any fishermen know, do people use mealworms to ice fish?? My neighbor thought that was what they looked like, he fishes but had never heard them called mealworms before.

I think BF uses what they call mousies... they are pretty gross looking gubby things.

 

[NovaAman]

No, Bob, I do not know how he gets them to stand still. I do believe they are show birds, so, I am guessing a lot of training, and quick trigger fingers!

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

Any one in MI know where to get good feed cheap & as close to Detroit as possible?

If you google "feed stores near Detroit MI" a whole bunch of shops come up! Just call and ask how much their feed is... or if they have it!

 

[1muttsfan]

Botulism is not a mold byproduct, it is the toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Botulism grows best in oxygen-deprived surroundings, which is why it grows well in canned foods that are not processed properly. The toxin is odorless and tasteless. It causes flaccid paralysis, and kills by paralyzing the breathing muscles.

Certain molds can produce aflatoxins, which affect the nervous system leading to tremors, seizures, and other nervous system signs.

 

[Elyssia001]

For once, this ever-maddening insomnia has paid off. I am bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to play a game of chicken with the Ag commissioners in Lansing today.

There are 3 of us car-pooling there so we can chat on the way. I hope we don't get shot by the kook on I-96.

Wish us luck.

Good Luck! Fight the good fight for us! I'm sorry i missed your post last night, or I would have send you a letter along with the rest you have.

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/19/botulism
Here is a good source too.

 

[1muttsfan]

Another example of not believing everything you hear

- people do have a tendency to pass on information without verifying it. The birds sound like they were affected by aflatoxin poisoning. With botulism the birds just die, and don't go through tremors or staggering around. Aflatoxin-producing mold seem to grow especially well on spoiled food.

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

Would a system flush work to alleviate the aflatoxin?
I am interested because in the thread I posted they were talking about how compost piles can cause the chickens to get sick...It makes sense! Anyway... my chickens can get to mine on occasion (I try to bury the goodies but they dig) I would like to know if you have had experience with botulism or aflatoxin poisoning.