San Diego Chicken meetup and Chat thread

[SunValleySeramas]

Ok I am re posting this link, it will work now!! start it at one min so you doing have to hear the girl talk, for the first min. this video is about production egg chickens, how they are separated, IE sexed, the process they go through in their first hrs afte hatch. I am sooo shocked at the way that these little animals are treated. The male chickes after being separated are not needed and they are put directly in to a grinder!! It sure changes my way of thining about buying eggs!!

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Quote:
Nope, no one does anything with them at all. Plus, muscovies are domestic ducks, so wildlife officials and rehabbers usually won't touch them. Usually, it's people like me who take care of them, but I have no money at all and I think the vet would just euthanize him because of Tom's age. There is a duck rescue group that's overwhelmed and probably wouldn't do anything, either, because of the age thing.

What I think happens there is that someone thinks "hey, geese/ducks would be nice to have here, lets get some and drop them off" and then they never think that they need vet care or good nutrition.

At Chollas Lake, staff does help take care of the animals there.

I wish I could take Tom home merely because of his blindness, but he's already well adapted to the lake and knows where everything is and has his own "routine".

So the poor birds are dumped at the lake and then the lake won't let people feed them? Even though one is blind, ill and obviously can't fend for himself? I'd throw a bit of a stink down there. That's ridiculous.

 

[crazy huhn]

desert darleen: I can provide you with some more and I am not too far from LM

enzolove and luvanimals:

Sorry, I was not online yesterday. Your worms need air (leave the container open) and a container that is big enough for them.

enzolove: for the 500 you have, I would recommend a shoe box size sterlite container or a little smaller is OK, the container they came in was just for transportation but would be OK if you store them in the refrigerator.
luvanimals: you have seen the big sterlite sweater box which would be a good size for the amount you got

All worms do like wheat bran and or unmedicated chicken feed would be OK as well, so they can hide in there. Do not let the bran get moldy or wet from the carrot, potato, lettuce or apple (see airflow, mentioned above).
I do replace my worms fresh potato, carrot or lettuce before it looks dry or moldy. They get all the moisture they need out of it. So basically bran is what they eat, veggies is what they drink from.

If it is too cold they will just not wiggle around much, similar of being in the refrigerator. In the fridge they will just go dormant and it will take them some time to warm up, eat, drink and wiggle.

If the worms are all on top of the bran that might be a sign that they are all too crowded and have no air flow.

If any more questions feel free to email me, but they are really hard to kill (other than by a chicken...

) and you should be all right.

 

[enzolove]

Thanks CH! I just put them in a shoebox sterilite. Should I keep that open, or do they have enough air because of the size? Do I need to poke air holes?

Quote:

 

[desertdarlene]

Quote:
Nope, no one does anything with them at all. Plus, muscovies are domestic ducks, so wildlife officials and rehabbers usually won't touch them. Usually, it's people like me who take care of them, but I have no money at all and I think the vet would just euthanize him because of Tom's age. There is a duck rescue group that's overwhelmed and probably wouldn't do anything, either, because of the age thing.

What I think happens there is that someone thinks "hey, geese/ducks would be nice to have here, lets get some and drop them off" and then they never think that they need vet care or good nutrition.

At Chollas Lake, staff does help take care of the animals there.

I wish I could take Tom home merely because of his blindness, but he's already well adapted to the lake and knows where everything is and has his own "routine".

So the poor birds are dumped at the lake and then the lake won't let people feed them? Even though one is blind, ill and obviously can't fend for himself? I'd throw a bit of a stink down there. That's ridiculous.

Yeah, it's pretty sad and several people have made a stink about it. The feeding was getting pretty much out of control, though. What they need is to have a person appointed to make sure all the domestic animals are fed and cared for. They do have a "Friends" organization that used to provide feed, but they were told to stop. If they can't make sure the domestic animals are taken care of, then they should be removed and placed into homes if possible.

Crazy Huhn, thanks! I still have a few left right now, but I might want to get some more.

 

[tigerrrrrrrlilly]

Quote:
Nope, no one does anything with them at all. Plus, muscovies are domestic ducks, so wildlife officials and rehabbers usually won't touch them. Usually, it's people like me who take care of them, but I have no money at all and I think the vet would just euthanize him because of Tom's age. There is a duck rescue group that's overwhelmed and probably wouldn't do anything, either, because of the age thing.

What I think happens there is that someone thinks "hey, geese/ducks would be nice to have here, lets get some and drop them off" and then they never think that they need vet care or good nutrition.

At Chollas Lake, staff does help take care of the animals there.

I wish I could take Tom home merely because of his blindness, but he's already well adapted to the lake and knows where everything is and has his own "routine".

So the poor birds are dumped at the lake and then the lake won't let people feed them? Even though one is blind, ill and obviously can't fend for himself? I'd throw a bit of a stink down there. That's ridiculous.

Feeding the ducks causes many very bad problems and can actually wipe out the entire lakes flock as a result.
They do not get the natural food necessary for survival because they become dependant on people.
There is tons of articles and medical information out there that will explain how it can cause them serious health problems, overcrowding, disease from droppings in concentrated areas, death of the fish which is "natural" food for them, no migration to new areas causing "people food" to be there only source once all of their natural foods are limited, loss of fear and natural instinct and the list goes on... and it's true. There has been thousands of birds wiped out or found suffering and drowning in the lakes, where the cities only choice was to euthanize entire flocks to control outbreaks of disease caused by the overcrowding of unhealthy malnourished birds -caused by people feeding them.


Tom's issues are very likely caused from malnutrition and a weakened immune system, due to the food he is fed by people. He does not appear to be that old to me, his ratty, non-oily feathering indicated poor nutrition and his eyes are a sign of liver damage. Liver damage is a common problem with ducks fed poorly.

Also, bird seed is very bad for ducks, it can cause severe pain and cramping and does not digest easily. If you must feed them, you should be feeding things like greens, fruits, commercial duck feed, sprouts, whole grains...

I could treat Tom with antibiotics for any bacterial infection and it may clear his eyes, but it seems hopeless with him staying there as it will just be a recurring illness and he will become resistant to treatment. The best thing for him would be vitamins and a healthy diet so he can live a while longer. If you could take him home, it would be better for him and I could help you treat him. His "routine" is not a good thing.

 

[desertdarlene]

Thanks! I did not know that bird seed was bad for ducks as I *thought* I saw it listed on one of the Live Ducks pages as an alternative to bread (I just checked and it said no). I will feed the rest of my seed to the coots and try to pick up some duck food or not feed at all.

The problem with Tom is that he almost always wants bird seed or bread and nothing else. I've offered him peas, (cooked) carrots and apples (without seeds) and he won't touch them. Others have done the same, offering him leafy vegetables and other grains, but with no luck. Perhaps if I can get some duck food with the same texture as bird seed, he might eat it. Do you know where I can get that in San Diego? He doesn't seem to like cracked corn at all, either.

I can't actually take him home as I have no place for him and live in an apartment, but I would if I could (or find another home for him).

Tom is actually very old, I've known him for at least 15 years and others have said he's been there even before that. So, I know there's an age issue there.

ETA: I read on BYC that sunflower and millet seeds are OK. Luckily, the birdseed that I've been feeding him is mostly that as well as some shelled seeds (I've only been feeding them a very small amount). But, it does say to be careful with that because of what you said. Maybe I'll buy a small amount of dry dog or cat food and see if he likes that.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Tigerrrrrrrlilly, I understand what you're saying. I feel that if the lake is going to allow ducks to remain there then it's their obligation to care for them. That means offering them proper nutrition. If lake employees set out proper feed before the public was allowed in, if there were duck food vending machines so the public could feed them throughout the day, and stiff fines for those who did not follow the rules, then at least the ducks would be getting better care. To do nothing is neglect. It's a wonderful thing having the ducks there. It needs to be managed better.

I don't have ducks or a place to put one. I just adopted a blind chicken so that's my contribution to the poultry world. Perhaps the Helen Woodward center has a place for him. . .

 

[desertdarlene]

Is Kahoots a good place to buy feed? It's only a couple miles from Lake Murray, I may go visit there. The thing is, I don't want to buy 5 pounds of food so that I can bring a cup or two a few days a week. It will last me forever.

There's a store on Kiowa that sells cracked corn, but like I said, Tom and many other ducks won't touch it.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Quote:
The Kahoots stores vary in what they stock. They carry chicken feed in Ramona but not in Poway, so I think it's probably not likely that they carry duck feed in La Mesa. I'm sure Tigerrrrrrrrilly can tell you where a good source for duck feed is.