Michigan

[uchytil]

A few friends of mine do maple syrup... He was telling my that it takes 42 gallons to make 1 gallon... For real?

It depends on sugar content and how long it boils. I boil at the standard 219 degF stop point and average 40:1. I know some people that make alot of syrup but they stop sooner and end up with thinner stuff. I think they give it to their kids who don't really care, ha ha!

 

[Juise]

Thank you, that is what it sounded like to me. And I do wish to take all reasonable measures to ensure the safety of our chickens, although I am sure many of my ideas of what constitutes "reasonable" and "safe" probably differ drastically than that of the speakers.

Our chickens are all very much loved pets, and it will be devastating when we lose one. While we have escaped that tragedy thus far, I realize that because of our decision to free range, that day is all but inevitable. It terrifies me, but I know in my heart that I really believe the quality of life they are leading is worth it. I know that if / when something happens, I will still believe that they had a better life this way than if they'd been "cooped up" all the time, and "safe". It only takes watching them for a few moments out there, running around the property in their little flock, getting into things, getting up speed and flapping away to cross larger distances, wandering off in pairs, and calling each other back to reunite to remind me of this.

Things like taking care of where you get new birds, quarantining, and taking care with bio-security between the flocks are definitely within my bounds of reasonable. And their coop and run are so crazily secure, in almost humorous contrast to their daytime free-ranging, they are super safe at night in "Fort Clucks"

I do sometimes shut them in when we are going to be gone all day, or if I am not positive that we will be back before the sun hits the sack. Normally, though, I am home all day and that gives me some comfort, even if I do have a panic attack every time the crows make a fuss.

Speaking of which, anyone know why the quarantine time the speakers gave was 21 days? I have been told all over the place that some diseases take up to a month to show up. Is that just a general estimation compared to the 21 days?

 

[babigyrl22]

Wow! He's fast. I sent off an email to Dr. Fulton a few minutes ago and he has already responded. Very nice! Here's the exchange for those sitting on the edge of their seats in suspense. LOL!

My email:





And his response:
Quote: I too am not aware of an exception for Amprolium use in organic poultry. I think she must have been mistaken. I merely stated that Amprolium is not an antibiotic. I also stated that people that want to raise organic products have to use coccidia vaccine to control that disease.

Sorry if there was any misunderstanding,

R. M. Fulton, D.V.M., Ph.D.

wait...so vaccinating is ok (vs medicated feed) and you can still call your chickens "organic"?

 

[Farmerboy16]

Hillbilly Hen- I have not check the chicks for gender yet. I will when I get back home from work tonight.

 

[Olive Hill]

wait...so vaccinating is ok (vs medicated feed) and you can still call your chickens "organic"?

Yes, vaccines are on the NOP accepted substances list.

 

[Juise]

So, yesterday I took my girls (the human ones

) on a little hike. When we arrived back home, it was to find that the strong wind had blown the front door open, and all the chickens were inside, poking around into everything! Normally they let me walk over and pick them up, but this time, they did not want to be caught, and I had to run around like a mad woman trying to catch them and toss them out while my little children laughed their butts off!

Crazy chickens!

So this morning, I am sitting there, trying to pull myself together and drink my first cup of coffee, (I am not terribly good with mornings...) when there is a tapping at the door. I panic! I am not properly dressed yet, my hair is still in its night time braid, (looking really lovely, you know?) and, most importantly, I have not yet finished a cup of coffee!

I cautiously crack the door open, and there are all five chickens gathered on the front step. They are all looking up at me with, "Oh, hello, yes, may we come in? We quite enjoyed our visit yesterday!" painted all over their expectant little faces.

I felt bad shutting the door on their cute, fluffy little butts, so I threw them the breakfast scraps first.

Crazy chickens!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Crazy chickens!

 

[RBahmer]

Oh, and about the medicated, the bag I got, I think it said till time to switch to layer... I am going to check it out, take my trusty laugh pad with me so I can type it word for word...

I use Purina medicated chick starter and I just read the bag and it says to feed until laying age then switch to layer.

 

[RaZ]

So, yesterday I took my girls (the human ones

) on a little hike. When we arrived back home, it was to find that the strong wind had blown the front door open, and all the chickens were inside, poking around into everything! Normally they let me walk over and pick them up, but this time, they did not want to be caught, and I had to run around like a mad woman trying to catch them and toss them out while my little children laughed their butts off!

Hmm, I find that behaviour to be unacceptable. I would consider culling or re-homing.


Not the chickens, the children.

 

[chicken grandma]

I forgot to say that the "weaning off" of the medicated feed does sound like a good idea, and I don't see as how it could be harmful, anyway.

Yes, I agree. I have always just stopped the medicated feed and gone to the non medicated feed. What I learned was that by gradually switching them over it allows them to create antibodies slowly to the coccidia. Just stopping the medicated might give the cocci a chance to grow before the chick has an opportunity to develop some resistance. So I will use the medicated chick starter next time until 6 weeks and then add 1/4th non medicated the 7th week, 1/2 non medicated the 8th week and 3/4 non medicated the 9th week. I always hesitated to use the medicated chick feed because I thought it was an antibiotic and I am glad to hear it is an enzyme. Sounds better. I would definitely use the coccidia vaccine (thank you Olive for clarifying) if that would keep my chickens and eggs organic.