The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[Renie'sPeeps]

Does all calf manna have antibotics in it? My kids are getting fresh brussel sprouts and petridge farm oatmeal bread.

 

[poularde]

Quote:
I just read in Backyard Poultry magazine about adding pepper to help warm them up. It says, "Herbs that have diaphoretic actions will help stimulate blood circulation from the core to the periphery. Herbs to be considered are Cayenne pepper, Black pepper, ginger, yarrow, and some mints." Just add some pepper to there warm oatmeal!

 

[justuschickens59]

I'll have to see if I can find any of Resolutions threads about feeding tips.

Pepper?? Wow...now that is interesting.

Calf manna - tell me more???

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Quote:
We get our Calf Manna from TSC and it runs about $25 for a 50 pound bag. It is kind of costly, but you can feed it to anything. Our goats get some of it, too, especially around the time they are due to kid.

From website of manufacturer: http://www.mannapro.com/products/calf-manna/

$2 off coupon - http://www.mannapro.com/wp-content/uploads/coupons/MP_CalfManna_WebCoupon.pdf#zoom=50

Edited to correct coupon link.

 

[justuschickens59]

I actually have to go to Tractor Supply today or tomorrow, so will pick up a bag. Thanks !!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:
Joy, they have it now in 5# bags at TSC. I think that one is called Pro Manna. That's how I buy mine and just add the whole bag to the 50# bags of feed I buy. Gamebird/Showbird is also a good supplement, it comes in 5# bags too. I can tell and so does my NPIP guy the difference it makes on them.

 

[justuschickens59]

Hey Sandy - I will definitely check it out when I go into town today or tomorrow - thanks !!

What brand of feed does everyone feed?

 

[kathyinmo]

Clabbered milk is as good as yogurt, too. I buy raw milk from the Amish here. Sit it out on the counter for a couple days until it clabbers, and feed it mixed in with crumbles or other food. Spices .... lots of spices are home remedies.
wild bird suet cake loaded with nuts and antioxidant rich fruit

Up the % of fat and animal protein through the winter. A decent bird suet placed out every few weeks is a good place to start. Supplement with dry cat food every few days and cut back on the layer pellet. Increase millet. Agway sells Farmers' Helper products which are designed to increase reproductive health and increase laying, especially in older birds that have ceased laying altogether.

Almond = optimal nutrition for a bird that may not be eating adequately; slow to break down ie food that sticks to the crop
Garlic = In test tube studies garlic has been found to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity.
Cranberry Seed Oil = anti-viral: ideally balanced omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) Oleic acid (omega-9).
Paw Paw = Pawpaw (Asimina) Paw Paw extract contains (among other active ingredients) acetogenins which modulate the production of ATP** (adenosine triphosphate) in mitochondria of cancer cells. This reduces the growth of blood vessels that nourish cancer cells. It also inhibits the growth of MDR (multiple drug resistance) cells. No other alternative or conventional cancer treatment (except treatments from trees similar to Paw Paw) has shown any effectiveness against MDR cells.
Paw Paw is a cousin of the graviola, guanabana, and soursop trees. However, the acetogenins extracted from Paw Paw are more active against cancer than those extracted from these other sources.
Dried red pepper is a fantastic supplement. It helps keep parasite levels down and improves gut health. A group of chemicals called CAPSAICINOIDS are responsible for the heat in chile peppers. Birds don't have the receptors to experience the pain of capsaician like mammals do. The reason being is that the pepper plants want birds to eat their fruit as this is how the seeds get spread. Mammal's digestion ruins the seeds. The capsaician keeps most smart animals from eating the fruit. Capsaician seems to increases circulation and many people claim to have had a boost in egg production after feeding their hens cayenne pepper.

Apples are nice but are nothing more than pulp and sugar water. Unsweetened cranberry sauce is much better for them and actually helps to boost their immune functions. People eat fruit because it tastes good. Birds eat fruit because it rids their bodies of whatever is ailing them- most of the fruit they eat would not be palatable to people and is filled with seeds that border on the toxic side.
As a rule, drupes are preferable over other fruit and they should be left out before feeding to the point that they are beginning to take on bugs -spoon out the pit or mash them into an enriched finch /budgie seed -now they are rich in insect eggs/larvae as well as nutritious fatty acids and protein.

Cooked sweet potatoes are far more nutritious than just about anything affordable and be loaded up with finch seed, pepper corns, crushed red pepper- basically keep your birds on a spice and herb diet- it need not break the bank- every dollar store has whole shelves just overloaded with spices and herbs no one else is buying. And remember, birds eat bugs that are loaded with stuff that makes them untasty to most other birds. Ground birds have acquired a different set of taste bugs. They crave the pungent, the peppery, the spicy and these materials are loaded with antioxidants and calming stimulants good for the crop/gut flora and a good holistic source of preventative against parasites.

Keep a natural dust bath going at all times (see below)

I like this post, too:

Creation and maintenance of the sand bath/ dust wallow is the most important preventative health measures we can use to keep our birds healthy over the long term.


I add cold wood ashes from the fire every few days to dust baths made out of horse troughs- these are surrounded on all sides with straw bales stacked considerably higher than the dust wallow walls. A partial roof over one end is helpful as well.

Playground sand, crushed cuttle shell, oystershell, and wood ashes all make their way into the dust wallow as does small amounts of crushed lime and DE.

THe dust wallow needs to be kept as clean as water containers. Use a kitty litter box rake.

Feathers and feather fragments need to be removed as often as feasible.

The last most important ingredient(s) to add as often as possible into the dust wallow:

Head to your closest dollar store. Pick up a shopping basket. Go to the herbs and spices aisle. Buy every single tin and bottle of cinnamon, pepper, cayenne pepper, curry, turmeric, ginger, cumin, -pretty much any and all spices and herbs - pumpkin pie spice- paprika- just shop!

Mix these together in a jar and regularly sprinkle the spice mix (liberally) over the top of the dust wallow just as we might use talc on a diaper.
These spices and herbs become part of the environmental dust of the enclosure. Where the exceedingly fine spice powder makes its way into crevices and feathers- tiny hair like micro-plumes on the face- in the ears- these drive mites and lice as far away from the birds as they can get.

It also discourages rodents and predators- any mammal that uses their noses to find prey- or feed.
They basically get a brain burn ( like us getting a brain freeze from drinking a milkshake too fast) when they snort up a few nostril loads of spicy powder.

A good thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=5046088#p5046088

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I use to buy Dumor at TSC but switched to Purina pellets since my local feed store get that one in and I don't have to travel 16 miles one way now for feed! Mine don't waste the pellets like they did the crumbles.

 

[tazcat70]

Sorry it has taken me so long to post. Let me tell you that is one long trip from Julies home to mine! I drove all of Saturday and about 10 hours on Sunday. When I got home, I made the chickens comfortable, checked on my other animals, and ate something and crashed. Yesterday was spent trying to get back into the routine..

So here is the update....


Julie and her family were awesome. After I picked my jaw up off the ground from all the gorgeous Orps running around her yard, I found that she is as wonderful in person as her birds are beautiful. We had a really nice time talking. She showed me her birds, pointing out Charlie and her favorite hens, and pullets. I am telling you, I really thought about leaving my children there so that I could have the extra space to bring home more birds.

She kept telling me that they were molting, and didn't look their best. I could go on and on. I thought about taking pics of her birds, but seriously, they just don't to them justice, until you can see them in person. Charlie is such a gentleman. Regal. I am still in awe, of them. When we went in to wash our hands she showed me the 3 chicks that she had just hatched out. They were massive and so adorable!

Ok, now about the people. They were fantastic. Her grandkids helped keep and eye on Trenton, a long with Kaylee, Julie, and I. Julie has a pool, and Trenton was very interested in it. Kaylee made a friend, and she was reluctant to leave. Katy- to give you an idea...she didn't pay much attention to the chickens. In Kaylee's book that is high praise, she is a huge animal lover. Julie's grandson helped her catch the roosters, he was a real sweetie. Julie's husband was so nice. I met Imogene, and seeing these two ladies together was a real treat! I felt honored that they included me in their circle for a little while.

Dollar is doing ok. I am worried about him. He is very lethargic, and not doing much at all. He wasn't eating or drinking much, so I started feeding him canned food to tempt him. It seems to be working. I do not believe that our St. Bernard did it. Dollar is not afraid of her at all, but I am keeping an eye on her.

Ok, my new roosters are going to help my project of laced Orpingtons. I really wanted the English type and with Julies help I now have a great foundation for that.

Thanks so much Julie!!!

I believe that the Charlie roo is 7 mos old and that the Winston Roo is 6 mos old. Julie told me but I was so distracted by the beauty, I couldn't concentrate.

ETA: Both boys are 7 mos old.

These pics were taken with my cell phone, I hope to take some better ones in the next few days.

Charlie roo

Winston roo

Charlie roo to the front Winston behind

Charlie roo to the front Winston roo to the back

Charlie roo.

Again thanks Julie! It was great meeting you and your family! (I am including Imogene in your family, because it was obvious that you do as well.) If I have forgotten anything, Please forgive me, I am still playing catch up.