In my set up, in years of having chickens, I really have only had one sick bird, she had something yellow coming out of her mouth, and I culled her. I did not want the other birds sick. None of the other birds got sick. I have had birds die, but most often, I just find them dead, with no real signs before hand.
When I first came to this sight, a person wrote that she was quite surprised when people had a lot invested in their birds. She kept her birds minimally and she got eggs. She did not treat sick birds, she did not keep extra birds. She gave them decent, but not extensive protection. She thought that if they were laying well, they were doing well, and if they were not, they were culled.
She had a thrifty flock. I try to have that too. I keep a flock, as in animal husbandry, I try to keep them safe and fed. Not a lot more, I have never treated for mites or worms. (hate to write that, in case I jinx myself). Never had evidence that my birds had them.
We are thrifty people on a ranch, our animals make us money. We do enjoy animals and keep them well to the best of our ability. A lot of veterinary work, we do ourselves, and I have paid vet bills for horses and cattle, and occasionally a dog. Even the dog is a dear friend, but in a expensive case, we would put her "down with dignity."
Amazing differences in opinions, but as my granddaughter says, "Well now we can get chicks!"
Mrs K
When I first came to this sight, a person wrote that she was quite surprised when people had a lot invested in their birds. She kept her birds minimally and she got eggs. She did not treat sick birds, she did not keep extra birds. She gave them decent, but not extensive protection. She thought that if they were laying well, they were doing well, and if they were not, they were culled.
She had a thrifty flock. I try to have that too. I keep a flock, as in animal husbandry, I try to keep them safe and fed. Not a lot more, I have never treated for mites or worms. (hate to write that, in case I jinx myself). Never had evidence that my birds had them.
We are thrifty people on a ranch, our animals make us money. We do enjoy animals and keep them well to the best of our ability. A lot of veterinary work, we do ourselves, and I have paid vet bills for horses and cattle, and occasionally a dog. Even the dog is a dear friend, but in a expensive case, we would put her "down with dignity."
Amazing differences in opinions, but as my granddaughter says, "Well now we can get chicks!"
Mrs K
