Raiding the compost bin

[woodlumn]

That's certainly not true. Mycotoxins are often invisible, tasteless, chemically stable and resistant to temperature and storage. Field fungi such as Fusarium sp. produce mycotoxins much more likely to be found in composted vegetation.

Don't use antibiotics or feed with antibiotics. Encourage your birds' natural ability to defend themselves by regularly feeding them apple cider vinegar, yogurt, and raw garlic. And give the species just a little credit.

 

[triplepurpose]

And give the species just a little credit.

And to YYZ0: best of luck to you. Who knew there was such a can of worms (literally perhaps?) waiting to be opened!

It sounds like you've got a nice system already in place. It's all about what works best for every individual situation--that can't be stressed enough. Cheers!

 

[chixmaidservice]

"Food" for thought... If avian digestive systems weren't designed to handle "unusual" tidbits now and then.... why don't buzzards drop dead from eating week old road kill, or sea gulls pass on after gorging on foul fish entrails from the cleaning shack cans?

 

[Mtn Laurel]

"Food" for thought... If avian digestive systems weren't designed to handle "unusual" tidbits now and then.... why don't buzzards drop dead from eating week old road kill, or sea gulls pass on after gorging on foul fish entrails from the cleaning shack cans?

An excellent question so I looked it up.

"Nature’s Garbage Men: Turkey Vultures are able to eat carrion and contaminated meat due to specialized digestive enzymes and bacteria in their systems. These enzymes destroy hog cholera, rabies, and other contagious diseases in their digestive system that would be spread if another animal ate the contaminated carcass. For this reason, farmers will often drag an animal that died for an unknown reason (or just because he does not want to dig a hole) out into a field and allow the vultures to pick the bones clean. The extend the useful life of this unique germ-fighting enzyme, the Turkey Vulture will allow its feces to drop straight down onto it own legs and coat them with the enzyme. This prevents the bird from contracting diseases through cuts on its legs and feet while standing in a carcass. The white coating is also believed to help cool the legs of the Turkey Vulture."
http://www.raptorrehab.org/raptors/turkeyVulture.html

It would appear that all avian digestive systems are not created equal. If they were then I would think that no chicken or duck should ever come down with a case of botulism or limber neck.
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...in_poultry.html?qt=limberneck chickens&alt=sh

IMO, to compare a chicken to a buzzard and treat it accordingly would be a mistake.

 

[chixmaidservice]

Thanks for researching that for me. I will probably continue to use my small flock as a "left -over recycling" chain despite the warnings issued here. My girls have access all day long to grass, bugs and layer crumbles. They are very discerning as to what scraps they consume because they have never been hungry. What they leave, draws insects for them to gobble and eventually fades into compost. Across the board, animals usually will veer away from food that is tainted as long as it is not the only food available!

 

[triplepurpose]

Across the board, animals usually will veer away from food that is tainted as long as it is not the only food available!

That's true. Animals will also usually avoid eating poisonous plants if they have other options to choose from. Although it seems obvious if you think about it. Too many people don't give them enough credit for their profound innate abilities and unique qualities.