It's good that he is eating well and enjoying his special care.
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Thank You Michael & Eggcessive for your replies yesterday. I postd the daily report on the rooster today....Just have a few other questions and answers to some of your questions;
I do not think tha all the birds are beyond 5 mths old.....that is why I thought I should keep on the starter. I will look to see what other brands we have local....we did have many years ago 2 3 local feed mills....but not any more. Did you know that Vineland ....where I live was once the Egg Capitol of the World....now all you see are run down chicken coops or land where they have all be torn down!
And I thought Petaluma, CA was the egg capital of yesteryear. Haha.
@ Backyard Chicken Zyfend....the place that sells feed told me about that and the DE....well I thought they knew something I did not!
There's bound to be feed store employees who have knowledge somewhere. I would take anything they recommend with a grain of salt. They're business is selling product,.. I've overheard some goofy recommendations at some feed stores.
Is the poultry dust 0.25% permethrin ok to dust on the chickens? You mentioned several solutions to spray in the house but said not ton birds.
Most of the Permethrin dusts are.25%, and that is fine (if you want to use dusts). Just do it in a well ventilated area. I hate dusts and prefer sprays since they don't float in the air and have a better residual. Always good to wear a vapor/dust mask and nitrile/latex gloves. All those I mentioned can be used on birds according to label directions.
Is the Probios Dispersible powder & GroZmas better to use thatn the Sav a chick probiotic? If so which would you prefer?
I've never heard of GroZmas. Maybe you mean Gromax? I've never used it and it is too expensive for the amount to be used. I prefer the composition of Probios dispersible powder. Since most poultry vitamin powders don't contain probiotics, I choose the Probios as an addition one to two times a week. Agrilabs makes one called Vitamins, Electrolytes "Plus" which does contain probiotics. I'm not sure of its availability in your area.
Will check out article on Oxine & the book you mentioned about feed /diet
You should. Lots of good information there.
Is sand box sand a good thing to put for them to dust bath themselves or shoul I use potting soil for when they do not have access to the outside?
Potting soil may not be a good idea with the mycorrhizal fungi and fertilizers often added. I use what is commonly referred to as clean river sand. It has fines and larger pebbles that keep moisture below during winter, and much of it gets worked into the dirt by chickens. Good drainage is a result, as well as drying out droppings quickly in Summer. I can take a fine rake and rake excess droppings out of the yard and most of the sand stays put. That type of sand can be found at landscape supply yards. I buy a truckload for about $25.
Is Cabbage good or bad for them....wondering if it falls into the catagory of the carrott?
I don't think cabbage is bad, but not essential. Many feed rations contain alfalfa, which is a green item. Birds aren't doing without if they can't have access to green grass everyday. I focus on a hearty ration since they find other things on range. They nibble on many green things they prefer, and that is why I always make sure they have access to grit.
I liked what you said about you cant raise birds in a lab.......you are right and this put my mind at ease ...what will be will be just do the best for them in diet and have fun with them and enjoy watching them free range when the hawks are not out!
Trees make for good coverage. Mine seem to prefer the trees and I set water on a stand under a tree when I let them out to range. Hawks like open range for their victims. I don't range birds unless I am home, and visit often when they are out. they seem to follow me most of the time anyway if they aren't in a dusting trance under trees.
Your information always helps......How long have you been raising birds....Is it a hobby or your profession....Just wondering because you have so much knowledge?
Have a good evening.....
Diane
There's plenty of folks who know things I don't and have raised them much longer. Chickens have interested me since I was a kid and my parents decided to raise them along with geese, ducks, sheep, goats, dogs, and cats. Then I went to a poultry show at age 10 in the late 70's and saw all the variety ( I was impressed by the Buttercups and others). So it has been a time of 38 years being around poultry, but chickens will always be preferred. I don't make any money doing it. It is a hobby of sorts. I'm glad your rooster is improving. Keep us posted on his condition.
He'll have to get acclimated to the cold outside after being nursed in house. Is your coop weather proof but with good ventilation? Can you keep the draft off your birds? How many birds are there? I would certainly supplement water with vitamins and probiotics 3 days a week. I'm not sure about Duramycin in the hens water unless you see symptoms. I've seen cockerels crow at 4-5 weeks but it is more like a squeak. It depends since some breeds mature quicker than others. Be careful with two cockerels. You will have to choose one and find a home for the other. Chickens can put off a good amount of heat when roosting next to each other at night. There is an expectorant that may help, but am not really sure you need it. I'll list it here and you can read the label located in the PDF below the product:Today November 15th Day 11 of antiobotis, day 3 of wroming and day 13 of onset of sickness. Everything much as yesterday except I did take him outside for a bit....still concerned about taking him from warm house to cold outside.....Is this ok? He did have about 2 tiny sneezes today.
The hens outside are still having some diarreah.....and I did hear a few sneezes from the little one of the bunch. Also one of the hens has now come out as a ROOSTER.....He just started to crow......and I guess his comb is a little bigger than the others. At what age will they start to crow? Do you think I should treat putside birds with antiobotics or still wait to see if they get more tha a few sneezes? It was our first cold night last night and tonight is goint to be the same......there do not seem to be any drafts in their house.