Okies in the BYC The Original

[pepper48_98]

Quote:
Pepper,
If you have a bunch of chickens you need to butcher, you might consider taking them to the new processor located West of Tahlequah in Gideon. They will process them for $1.50 per bird. Let me know if you want a phone number for them.

I think I saw something on the Oklahoma Sustainability listserve about getting "Fresh, the Movie" for private showings. I will look for it - unless Buster has the information handy

I only have about 10 that are ready now so I will do it myself. I am building a plucker but haven't got it together yet... I have had the parts for a while but just haven't taken the time to put them together.

That is a good price though and thanks. It is good to know tat there is a processor close by. If you would PM me the info.

 

[nnbreeder]

Here is some info on Botulism.



Botulism

Botulism is a disease caused by the ingestion of a toxin produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. All domestic fowl and most wild birds are susceptible to the toxin's effects. Many human deaths have also been attributed to the consumption of food or water containing the toxin.

Botulism is not a bacterial infection, but a condition produced by a byproduct of the bacteria's growth. The organism is common in nature and is widely dispersed in soils. Ingestion of the organism is not harmful. It becomes dangerous only when conditions are favorable for its growth and subsequent toxin formation.

The organism grows best under high humidity and relatively high temperature and in an environment containing decaying organic material (plant or animal). The organism requires an environment in which all atmospheric oxygen is eliminated. The organism cannot multiply in the presence of air. Stagnant pools or damp areas with buried decaying matter are danger areas for toxin development.

Botulism results after the decaying animal or plant material containing the toxin is consumed. Decaying carcasses are a frequent source of the toxin, as are many insects feeding in the same tissue. The insects may contain enough toxin to cause the disease in any bird that ingests it. Since the toxin is water soluble, water sources may become contaminated and provide a reservoir for the disease.

The toxin is one of the most potent discovered by scientists. The toxin is relatively heat stable but may be destroyed by boiling. There are different types of the toxin; types A and C cause the disease in birds while type B frequently produces the disease in man.

Weakness is generally the first sign of the illness and is followed by progressive flaccid paralysis of the legs, wings and neck. When neck muscles are affected the head hangs limp, thus causing a condition referred to as "limberneck". Affected birds may have a peculiar trembling, loose feathers that are pulled out easily and dull partly closed eyes. Some birds (turkey) do not develop loose feathers or limberneck symptoms.

Because of the paralysis, birds are unable to swallow and mucous accumulates in the mouth. Fatally affected birds may lie in a profound coma appearing lifeless for several hours before death. Significant lesions are not usually observed in affected birds. Examining digestive contents may reveal insects, decomposed animal or vegetable material or other matter suggesting that the birds have consumed the toxin.

A tentative diagnosis can be made from the history, symptoms and post-mortem findings. As an aid to diagnosis, sick birds may be given water into the crop, kept in a cool environment and treated intravenously with antitoxin. Recovery of a large percentage of the affected birds would substantiate diagnosis.

Prevention should be aimed at eliminating sources of toxin production and preventing access of birds to such materials. These practices include prompt removal of all dead animals from houses and pens, debeaking the birds, controlling fly and insect populations and avoiding access to decaying organic material.

Contaminated water supplies are particularly dangerous.
If the disease strikes, locate and remove the source of the toxin and separate all visibly affected birds from the flock for treatment. Place sick birds in a cool shaded area and give fresh water into the crop, twice daily. Mild laxatives may be used for birds that have been exposed but do not show disease symptoms.

Epsom salts (one pound per 100 birds) may be mixed into feed. Adding a level teaspoonful of Epsom salts in one ounce of water and placing in the crops of sick birds has been beneficial in many instances. Antitoxin therapy is indicated only in birds that have high individual value since the antitoxin is difficult to obtain and is expensive.

 

[Buckguy20]

Thanks Les for the info.
He was in a pen with some younger birds and not with my regular flock. No that that makes any difference since all of the birds are on the same feed and all the pens are muddy.

While I got you on the line so to speak. Can you tell me again what the long legged buff cockeral you sold at POOPS is. Shamo or Saipan? I like him but he tries to flee the pen everytime the door is open.

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
No, I figure they have about 4 to 6 weeks to go. They are looking good, though. They are short and stocky. You pick up one of those and you know you are holding some bird! Not like those White Rocks I butchered this weekend who look big with all those feathers on but not so much nekked.

You can get on the notification list for when the film is available for personal purchase. Right now the only way to get one is to agree to screen it somewhere.

Yes, when you serve up some of that home grown free range chicken I think some attitudes are going to change around there.

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
I think it was an editorial comment.

ETA
And Blanchard is about an hour drive for me, so probably 45 minutes for you. It's up between Chickasha and Norman.

 

[nnbreeder]

Quote:
Well he was free-range here.... He came out of the eggs from Troy so he is supposed to be a blue Saipan. LOL

 

[Brick243]

Hi Okies, we have something on the place that we haven't had in a long time. A litter of pups. Our pyrenees female had 9 pups out of our mountain cur male.

Some are all white, 2 are dark, and some are white with a liitle bit of black or brown around the eyes. Both parents are great at guarding the chickens. Should be interesting to see what this cross produces.

 

[poultryand bees]

Quote:
YOU feel old! We have a grandson who just turned 12 and his dad was 11 years old when I became his second mom 26 years ago. (I never called my husband's sons my step sons. My husband had custody of them and they are MINE! )

 

[al6517]

Ok it appears that everybody has been talking rudely behind my back today, and I just wanted you to know that it truly and utterly offends me that you think of me that way. I have been trying to fit in here and it looks like I don't by some of the comments made today. So I think that I will just take a long break from this thread for a long time, and perhaps re-evaluate my minor contribution to this thread.

Later


I can't beleive nobody fell for that, I thought it was pretty good, Dang I guess I need more practice. Oh well I am sure there are more people disappointed in my staying LOL.

AL

Chickens

 

[poultryand bees]

Quote:
What is a "mountain cur" and do the pups have the extra dew claw?
I love Great Pyr puppies - they remind me of the Coca Cola polar bear.