The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Somehow I lost a couple quotes:

Pigeonguy - I think the numbers she was posting on the mealworms and corn were the GRAMS of protein in the particular portion rather than the PERCENT protein.


Is that right, Delisha?

 

[BlueMouse]

I use coconut oil in shampoo and soap making. It's so fabulous for your skin! I've got kids who get ridiculous skin crap whenever they're exposed to anything that I can't pronounce in a soap product. I've gotten sensitive to chemicals in soaps too, especially since my last baby. I used to make soap in high school and I've started up again. No more skin problems, the coconut oil is a wonderful addition, especially to the shampoo. I can't stand the smell of it cooking though. It will make me throw up. Another sensetivity aquired in pregnancy that never left.

Why do you use it on the dogs? Now I'm all kinds of curious....

Went out to check on my broody this morning. She was sitting on the WRONG NEST.

I put her back on the right nest, getting pecked in the process.

Mumsy, that's so odd about your chicken.... I'm looking forward to seeing the necropsy pictures. I really appreciate everyone who posts those here, I've learned so much from looking at them and reading what everyone has to say.

back outside. I have to move a fruit tree that I thought was dead but got leaves just to spite me so I can put in my last raised bed and plant tomatoes.....

 

[Shan30]

I fed the flock their FF this morning. We had heavy drenching down pour for the last few days. Over the weekend I moved birds around. Everyone seemed to be doing fine. But....There was this one large HRIR what I think is a cockerel that seemed to be walking with a straddle. Not paralyzed but definitely walking different than the rest.

This morning after feeding and observing everyone eat, that one bird was standing apart. It looked poofy. Not ruffled feather poofy but balloon poofy. As I watched it, it seemed to blow up even more! I picked the bird up and it felt like a balloon chicken! Never seen anything like this. The bird is gasping. It's entire body from head to thigh is swelling. It seems it will die very soon. I'm afraid it will explode! I'm not making this up and I've never seen any thing like it. Of course my camera battery was dead. I'm charging it now to get pictures soon. Any idea from anyone here what may be going on with this bird?

Haven't caught up yet so you may have figured this out but I would guess punctured lung. So sorry.

 

[Sally8]

Mummy, I am so sorry. As I was reading your story I was thinking how awful I felt when I ran over the Silkie, but he was dead. Just that fast. And I was thankful. When we have to assess and make decisions is what I don't like. I appreciate your willingness to share with us. Thank you. sue

 

[starlingdaly]

After converting, I think I prefer 18 -19 in the shade with a high of 23.  Funny because 23 F is our winter weather.

That's typical spring and autumn temperatures for us.
I agree with aoxa though on 25 bring the ideal temperature. If it's sunny you can wear shorts and if it's cloudy you can wear long pants. Definitely my favorite temperature.

Sally's favorite temps would have me wearing long sleeves (and I do like my long sleeve shirts!)

 

[countrygirl74]

I about spit out my water when I read that

X2

 

[Quailsong]

Mumsy, sorry to hear about the inflated bird. I want to link you to one of the possible causes but as it belongs to another chicken website, I'm not allowed to link it directly (I already got a warning for helping someone fix a broken link here).

I will quote these though: ""Air between the skin and flesh is caused by a germ known as Clostridium, it will have entered via a cut. The medication of choice is Bacitracin. Since you only have one infected bird, I'd advise that you fill some empty capsules with Bacitracin powder and give one morning and night until the air has gone. Its also a good idea to pierce the skin and let the air out, I'd use a large needle like the ones used for horses or cattle and just let the air escape.""

Another poster said: "True - air under the skin is either a result of trauma (causing sub-cutaneous emphysema) or from infection (fightingwith another bird, non-sterile needles being used for injections, injuries etc). You can deflate the air using a sterile needle but best to do as Sandman suggested and put the bird on some antibiotics, especially if the air pocket is returning. I've had birds get this before and the antibiotics (I've used baytril in the past for it) seem to clear it up pretty quick."

Some users are giving penicillin: "The penicillin should work, but 1 ml is a little too much, especially for an 8 week old bantam. If you dose the chick again, give 30 000 IU/kg. On the bottle of penicillin, it should say how many IU (international units) of penicillin per ml. Say there's 100 000 IU/ml. Your chick weighs around 300 grams, I would guess, which is about 1/3 of a kg. If you go to give your chick more penicillin (and the concentration is indeed 100 000 IU/ml) then give it no more than 10 units or 1/10 of a ml (0.1 ml). If the concentration is 300 000 IU/ml, then you'd give 3 units (0.03 ml)."

I know your chicken is already culled, but for future note, in case you see more with it.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Does anyone have a link to one of those cameras I could use to watch the chickens when I'm not around or to tape it while I sleep?

 

[midnightroo]

Silly chicken that is sick gave us an egg. Just when I think I have it down, it inflates again. I think I have finally gotten it pass. Fought me to go back in the crate. So now I have oil all over me and a hen sitting on the edge of the tub panting at me. How will I tell if oil went down the wrong tube. Sorry I am a worrywart. Externally so!

She did try to groom herself.

 

[mikkles]

Does anyone have a link to one of those cameras I could use to watch the chickens when I'm not around or to tape it while I sleep?

I want one for hatching eggs!