Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

I understand that roadkill maggot farms over fish ponds to supply maggots to trout is not that uncommon...in very remote fish ponds due to the smell and increase in the fly population (they do not all fall in).

I think I would rather find other protein sources for the birds, but what they pick up free-ranging is their own risk. I would remove animal carcasses from their pasture.

Good Luck to all!

 

[X2Farm]

We'll be running most of our chickens behind cows, starting in the spring, to help with breaking things up. They've gone through the cowpies here up by the house with no ill effect either. Though the herd is strictly beef cows and completely pasture raised, doubt that makes a difference though.

Infact, Big Guy, my Delaware Roo, foraged in the farthest spot in the Mama pasture, usually over by where we put the hay bales, when he was out free ranging.

Kathy I'm so sorry to hear you've lost birds from side effects of some of these things, thats always tough to swallow.

I hope you never have to deal with it again!!!

 

[HorizonSon]

The thing is; EVERYTHING carries "diseases" of one kind or another... EVERYTHING is "bad" for you, from one point of view or another...

As mentioned before; I live in a fairly prime area to be legitimately concerned about microbes, but I'm not. At least not to the extent of preventing God's creatures from doing what is natural... Our free-range chickens (and other future livestock) will have their diet supplemented with what we grow/farm for them. They will NOT have anything processed outside the "farm"; period... I'm not there just yet, bit that is my direction..


I'm very excited about my future endeavours; and will gladly keep you all informed of my slooow progress in that direction

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
The way I look at it is that is all well and fine (what they get on their own), but it becomes a problem when they are fed these things in excess, or in addition to the ones they find free ranging.

I do worm my chickens, twice a year, spring and fall. I KNOW my chickens had worms, and I have even considered worming more often.

 

[HorizonSon]

Quote:
Ummm... I turn over soil in the yard specifically for our adult birds, lol... These people are clueless to reality! I'm sure they whole heartedly believe that highly processed, MANipulated, foods are better for us and animals, rather than whole, natural, processed foods... It would be funny; if not so sad, where the western world has gone...

Heaven forbid your chickens eat what is natural for them to eat. no, no, no; instead, pour on the chemical insecticides! Yeah; because that is sssooooo much better, lol...

Kathy; I love you. I love you all. This is a most wonderful forum; and the best thread in this forum

BUT! Perspective is very important in life. One MUST think outside the box of societal conditioning and upbringing. The industrial revolution is/was a double edged sword. There are many statistics that we cling to as a society that are very warped or down right a lie. While many truths are kept out of sight (hurried, if you will)... To think for one minute that any corporate entity has your or my best interests in mind is simply fairy tale la la naivity...

God bless you all... I hope to post some updated pics today or tomorrow

 

[Inkheart]

Quote:
The way I look at it is that is all well and fine (what they get on their own), but it becomes a problem when they are fed these things in excess, or in addition to the ones they find free ranging.

I do worm my chickens, twice a year, spring and fall. I KNOW my chickens had worms, and I have even considered worming more often.

What sort of or brand wormer do you find best? What tips you off that your dels might have worms ?

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Clinical signs of parasitism are unthriftyness, poor growth and feed conversion, decreased egg production, and even death in severe infections.

Actually, I saw worms in some poop. When you see that, you know you have a heavy infestation. I also had some roosters processed, and they had worms, as well. All this, even with twice a year worming. Our soil is just full of parasites here.

I think the best wormer is Valbazen. I used to use Ivermectin pour-on (blue, for cattle), but they do build a resistance to that. Nice thing, though, is that Ivermectin also kills mites and lice. Valbazen has shown no resistance, from what I understand.

Now, I add (as a preventative) Cayenne Pepper and pumpkin seeds to their feed a couple times a week. Some use DE in the feed. However, I have read it is ineffective when wet (and it is wet inside, right?).

 

[HorizonSon]

Chickies just had their second "mealworm mayhem" experience today!

There wasn't any hesitation this time, lol. I put quite a bit in there; but they went so quick, I think two or three chickies may have missed out

 

[rancher hicks]

To certain of our Friends, who shall remain unnamed:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.
We also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2011, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. And without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or sexual preference of the wishee.
By accepting these greetings you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher.
This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

And to the rest of our Friends:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

[ca]

Rancher Hicks,

see the smoke coming out of my ears from concentrating on your post? I am too illiterate. I think I'll just go with the short version at the bottom and wish the same right back to you!

And to everybody else who does not mind

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