Michigan

[vjwilmoth]

Channel 9&10 news said that it could get into the high 20's here

I have to cover everything tonight to, take down my hanging baskets etc....Got to love Michigan.

Question: My two old chicks act like they are trying to take a dust bath can I put something in the brooder for them to roll around in? They are running around the brooder, jumping up in the air hitting the chicken wired lid just acting crazy. I don't know I can contain them for another four weeks.

I had wood shavings in my brooder and my chicks would "dust bathe" in the shavings. Lol

 

[kimmie6067]

I had wood shavings in my brooder and my chicks would "dust bathe" in the shavings. Lol

Thats what I have and thats what they do to, lol

Oh and by the way it two week old chicks not two old chicks, hey wait a minute thats my sister and I hahahaha

 

[EeyoreD]

Well, I don't know if any of your read my vomiting chicken story the other day but I think it was more than just an odd occurrence.

Oh sorry. I did read it but I had no advice. That sucks that it wasn't just a one-off ate something bad thing.

 

[vjwilmoth]

Thats what I have and thats what they do to, lol

Oh and by the way it two week old chicks not two old chicks, hey wait a minute thats my sister and I hahahaha

 

[Olive Hill]

Well it's my coffee time now! How I hate working nights. "Almost done...Almost done"


Well, I don't know if any of your read my vomiting chicken story the other day but I think it was more than just an odd occurrence. I'm beginning to wonder if this silkie may have sour crop? It's really fluid filled feeling and even if I pick it up "wrong" it will start to regurgitate. It's sitting all hunkered down like but will run like hell if it sees me coming. So I brought it in the house and put it in the brooder and my DH is bringing home some organic yogurt. I've been trying to read about what to do so any other advice or experience would be awesome. It appears to be pooping although not very big amounts at a time. Just tiny little things, not normal sized.

Drain the crop, keep her penned up separate and feed grit and a garlic mash.

To drain, you want to turn the bird completely upside down and hold the head in that position until the draining slows considerably. When you turn the bird back upright keep a grasp on the head and do it in one, quick, fluid motion to avoid getting any of the fluid in the lungs.

 

[vjwilmoth]

Drain the crop, keep her penned up separate and feed grit and a garlic mash.

To drain, you want to turn the bird completely upside down and hold the head in that position until the draining slows considerably. When you turn the bird back upright keep a grasp on the head and do it in one, quick, fluid motion to avoid getting any of the fluid in the lungs.

Okay, how do I make garlic mash?

 

[Olive Hill]

Step One: Get some garlic.

Step Two: Mash it.

If you have issues getting a smooth consistency you can add a little olive oil. Don't feed anything but this and grit.

 

[vjwilmoth]

Step One:  Get some garlic. 

Step Two:  Mash it. 

If you have issues getting a smooth consistency you can add a little olive oil.  Don't feed anything but this and grit.  

I'm laughing because I was thinking that's what you'd do but thought, "It can't be that simple". I have fresh garlic and olive oil so I'm on it! Thanks. I know they say to separate the chicken but its seriously distressed alone so I brought another silkie in with itnand it calmed right down. I'm assuming they will both be fine eating the garlic mash?

 

[Olive Hill]

It's fine. With sour crop you mostly just want to separate them so you know they're getting the grit and garlic and to prevent them from eating more of anything else that could make it worse.

 

[vjwilmoth]

Thank you Olive. It's chowing down on the garlic now and my DH is on his way home with grit. I really had no idea they should have that. They are outside and peck at the dirt all the time so I thought that would be enough.

Dumb question probably but do I still offer water or strictly garlic and grit?