Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Shadrach]

Remember there will be sample bias - meaning those who choose to answer will be those interested in the topic, and that interest may correlate with giving chickens some free range time.

It's unfortunate that the polls reach is so limited. U_Stormcrow has done well to gather the number of votes he has so far.

 

[MaryJanet]

Remember there will be sample bias - meaning those who choose to answer will be those interested in the topic, and that interest may correlate with giving chickens some free range time.

Do you know of an effective control for sample bias? Most participant recruitment approaches create a construct in which only the interested will take the time. I read two ethics applications this week, both projects likely to carry sample bias, both carefully following policy on recruitment.

 

[Shadrach]

I don't think it is specific to chickens - I find very few people are interested in the data and even fewer know how to evaluate a scientific study and assess the validity of its findings.
In that environment 'I heard' or 'my experience' takes the place of statistically valid evidence and then all sorts of random stuff gets repeated as 'fact'.
One of my least favorite is the 'separate the chicken' edict as the first thing to do if you have one that is 'off' in some way. I get it for contageous infections, I get it if in fact they are being pecked to death. But mostly I don't get it.

I think the isolation advice comes from the medical manuals some reference.

 

[MaryJanet]

I don't think it is specific to chickens - I find very few people are interested in the data and even fewer know how to evaluate a scientific study and assess the validity of its findings.
In that environment 'I heard' or 'my experience' takes the place of statistically valid evidence and then all sorts of random stuff gets repeated as 'fact'.
One of my least favorite is the 'separate the chicken' edict as the first thing to do if you have one that is 'off' in some way. I get it for contageous infections, I get it if in fact they are being pecked to death. But mostly I don't get it.

I don't even get it for contagious infections. Surely if a chicken catches highly contagious, by the time a human notices, they've all got it.

Eta i also think existing studies on contagious infections and chickens may have been conducted on intensely farmed flocks where the cost benefit is greatest.

 

[MaryJanet]

I couldn't agree more. There's also a lot of 'never mind the quality, feel the width' type argument.

Yes! I see this all the time.

I'm shortly starting a book called re-engineering humanity which explores the ways in which technical interventions in all walks of life change human thinking and behaviour. I'm hoping it's not all negative. We refer to the invisible hand when speaking of economics and behaviour, perhaps technology is the visible hand.

 

[MaryJanet]

Thank you for taking the time to answer so thoroughly, I appreciate it. Looks like I have the same keeping method as your sister, albeit with what looks like a smaller yard, but also a smaller number of chickens.

I was seriously questioning whether I should get new pullets. I fully admit I got chickens in the first place just because I like having them around. I live in California, where battery cages have been banned and all store-bought eggs and meat are at least "cage free," but pasture raised is readily available too, so I didn't need chickens for guilt free eggs. I just like them.

As you know, I approach questions in life from my zoological Illustrator background. Science plus a bit of the artist.

Liking chickens is a good reason to keep them. Why must their existence be justified in terms of what they give?

 

[MaryJanet]

Ok i need to chip in some tax.

 

[Shadrach]

I just like them.

Yup, me to.
One of the things, and there are many, that fascinates me is how they get on with getting organsied without us really understanding the process.
It's very difficult to find another tribal species to study where you can watch how they interact with other tribes as well as study the individual tribes. Loggistics makes it almost impossible because of the scale of the ranging area and the difficulty of the terrain for any other tribal species I know of. Chickens, they don't go far, even free ranging.

 

[Shadrach]

Good morning X Batts. Think possible I have beat the cold?
at least the worst of it. Birds here.. Started with like 8 first,
so smal run as coop was more birds .. Major bird math have 20 Garden fence turned into bird run 1/4 acre.
Te other is what they have now .. My TAXView attachment 3157205View attachment 3157207View attachment 3157233

Pleased to see the cold hasn't stopped you paying tax.
Pleased to read you're feeling better as well I should add.

 

[no fly zone]

Well, the vet just called a few minutes ago. Achilles tested positive for Marek's. She said she will call the state vet's office tomorrow to see if this is supposed to be a reported incident. Hope they don't show up trying to put down my entire flock.