Poll: Are you free-ranging or not due to Avian Flu?

[Suzz]

I did not change my chicken routine at all during avian flu they free ranged when I was there to keep an eye on them right now there is way too much snow but when spring comes along they will be right back out there

 

[Mugwumpgame]

I have all different types of game chickens from American gamefowl, to Sumatra gamefowl, from Indian Rampuri Asil gamefowl, to Belgian Game (Brugse type). I keep all of them confined during the late fall through the winter just for piece of mind, and because most of the free range goodies are gone come the cold parts of the year. Never had a problem with predation in the past (EVER!) do to my chickens being smarter, and more anti predator then most standard farm type breed because they are gamefowl chickens, that still retained their wild game instincts. During the spring, summer, and early-mid fall they have free rain of multiple acres in the country. I also have been a strong believer of preventative measures when it comes to keeping my chickens immune systems strong, and healthy by putting organic apple cider vinegar in their waterers (use plastic waterers not metal waterers when using ACV). I put 2 tsp ACV per gallon of water. I do it every water change. ACV has antibiotic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties which keeps their system strong so not to catch these sicknesses that are going around. While everyone elses chickens are getting sick, and or dying from these sicknesses, and or running to get all different types of vet recommended chemical medications to treat them, my chickens have stayed heathy, and disease free for 30 years. Never had to worry like most do. I also put rosemary, oregano, and marigolds (more natural antibiotics) in their food. I also use organic coconut oil which I feed them (along with the organic ACV they drink in their water) to keep the internal, and external parasites away from them do to the acidity of the ACV they drink, and the luric acid in the raw organic coconut oil which rids the chickens of said parasites. Parisites don't like the raised acidic blood of the chicken and stay away, and out of them which also helps keep them healthy, and their immune systems strong (disease free). And your not going to find a lot of information on how well these holistic measures work except from holistic people who have studied these measures, and applied them with great success. Most vets, and farm supply store will tell you holistic measures won't work because they have to sell, or push the pharma chemical meds which in the long run are more harmful then good to the chickens. These chemical meds might work at curing the sickness, but its hard on their system, and you have a chance that a resistance can happen. And you have to throw away their eggs for 2-3 weeks (a waste), and it taints the chickens meat to eat. You might as well buy your unhealthy tainted meat, and eggs in the store because thats what your doing with your backyard Chickens, which in turns is not heathy for you, or your family.

 

[Audi0]

I have all different types of game chickens from American gamefowl, to Sumatra gamefowl, from Indian Rampuri Asil gamefowl, to Belgian Game (Brugse type). I keep all of them confined during the late fall through the winter just for piece of mind, and because most of the free range goodies are gone come the cold parts of the year. Never had a problem with predation in the past (EVER!) do to my chickens being smarter, and more anti predator then most standard farm type breed because they are gamefowl chickens, that still retained their wild game instincts. During the spring, summer, and early-mid fall they have free rain of multiple acres in the country. I also have been a strong believer of preventative measures when it comes to keeping my chickens immune systems strong, and healthy by putting organic apple cider vinegar in their waterers (use plastic waterers not metal waterers when using ACV). I put 2 tsp ACV per gallon of water. I do it every water change. ACV has antibiotic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties which keeps their system strong so not to catch these sicknesses that are going around. While everyone elses chickens are getting sick, and or dying from these sicknesses, and or running to get all different types of vet recommended chemical medications to treat them, my chickens have stayed heathy, and disease free for 30 years. Never had to worry like most do. I also put rosemary, oregano, and marigolds (more natural antibiotics) in their food. I also use organic coconut oil which I feed them (along with the organic ACV they drink in their water) to keep the internal, and external parasites away from them do to the acidity of the ACV they drink, and the luric acid in the raw organic coconut oil which rids the chickens of said parasites. Parisites don't like the raised acidic blood of the chicken and stay away, and out of them which also helps keep them healthy, and their immune systems strong (disease free). And your not going to find a lot of information on how well these holistic measures work except from holistic people who have studied these measures, and applied them with great success. Most vets, and farm supply store will tell you holistic measures won't work because they have to sell, or push the pharma chemical meds which in the long run are more harmful then good to the chickens. These chemical meds might work at curing the sickness, but its hard on their system, and you have a chance that a resistance can happen. And you have to throw away their eggs for 2-3 weeks (a waste), and it taints the chickens meat to eat. You might as well buy your unhealthy tainted meat, and eggs in the store because thats what your doing with your backyard Chickens, which in turns is not heathy for you, or your family.

How do you add the coconut oil??

 

[SmiYa0126]

@SmiYa0126 In SWMO we have fat lard hawks too. They feasted on chicken before COVID & grew to the size of eagles. Now I’m WFH all day & my girls [Pyrador & Pyredane] get so excited when mommy says “let’s go to the chicken yard & chase off the nasty hawks”.

Haha! I say the same to my Fifi, a scary looking and sounding mutt. She runs out.of.the house with both "guns" blazing. I tell her she sounds like a man

 

[DuckDuckSook]

I had been keeping them in the run earlier this year. We have migrating ducks and geese all over where I live. But the way my runs are set up I can't possibly keep wild chickadees out of them so I gave up. The chickens hated it and I hated it and the way my neighbors feed wild birds and squirrels it was just a losing battle. I have been at war with the chickadees for ages.

I can't keep out little wild birds either. I haven't seen many in there with the chickens. But I'm sure they might go in there.

 

[laboroflove]

My bird are up most of the day due to predators. I do let them out in the late afternoon/evening.

 

[LizzzyJo]

My birds free range whenever anyone is home. That’s a good majority of every day.

I will follow all rules and guidelines that are put in place for my area if it comes to that. My run has darn house sparrows in it all the time so confining them won’t stop ai.