The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

Thanks Delisha!!!
If I might ask, what's the purpose of doing a salt substitute and regular table salt??

Salt substitute contains potassium chloride and it is the easiest way to get it.

 

[Alibabe]

Thinking of you!

x 2, my condolences.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: Thank you !! The big one is there hawk protection/shade area. The big girls spend a good portion of their day under there esp when the sun is high with all the high temps we have been having. The smaller one on the right was the tots safe house. I used to put their food and water in there.Its now in the coop since the big girls don't chase them as much. Its going to go over their pop door to keep rain and snow from it. And its moveable so I can put it on the other side of the coop for winter. The big one moves to so it will also go in their winter digs

 

[armorfirelady]

Aoxa, I have seen that video, very funny. Interesting thing is that our hen started to run like since she got bumble foot, but for him I am sure it is the feathers.

Armor, sorry you will not be able to keep your roo.

Thanks Leahsmom, I use a crate like that on occasion. I will be more aware when I use it in the future. Sorry for your loss.

Those with experience with bumble foot, could you tell me if the heat in the leg goes down the next day after treatment or does it take longer. I am trying to decide how much time to give her to heal.

Thanks

My green still has some heat in her leg. I haven't decided if its because of the high temps we are having or the bumble foot. But the redness lessened when I finally got the biopsy punch to remove the core.

 

[Bulldogma]

Love the videos!

Delisha - I'd like to share this recipe. Can you tell me where you got it?

It is given in the water. It is good for all types of stress, including heat. I put new chicks on it too. I use it in all my water stations in heat over 85-90.
I do not add ACV in waterers at this time and add it on top of feed every couple of days.

1 cup of pedialyte unflavored
1/2 teaspoon salt substitute
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon table salt
1 tablespoon sugar
add to 1 gallon water

 

[delisha]

Love the videos!

Delisha - I'd like to share this recipe. Can you tell me where you got it?

Quote: You will not find this anywhere.
My grandma used honey(since she had bees) I changed it to sugar since I do not have bees.
She did not use salt substitute, I added the salt substitute when I read on line it was important to use potassium chloride(I do not remember where)
I just add pedialyte in case I missed any important ingredient.

 

[chooks4life]

Quote: This hints they may possibly be respectful enough in future to be left mixing with the flock. The worst cockerels never even think to feed a hen, just chase and insist on mating. A male who has enough instinct to understand his duty in the flock has a chance to improve on his treatment of hens, generally speaking. You weren't rambling, don't worry about that, situations need fully explaining in detail to be properly dealt with.

Quote: That's more of a multivit than a plain old electrolyte mix! I would worry about overdosing my chooks on something or another if I fed that in their water as well as administering a supposedly nutritionally complete diet.

I'd never use Gatorade either, it's got crap mixed in with other healthier stuff... In plain but still effective and sufficient form, electrolytes can be found in salt, honey, acv, etc. Note: NOT table salt, that stuff's as bad as refined sugar... Sea salt, himalayan mountain salt, etc, any salt in natural form is acceptable.

About the vit E in the list above: if the vitamin E is named as dl tocopherol, not d tocopherol, it is the synthetic form, and is known for causing cysts in sensitive people (and presumably animals) whose bodies try to isolate and reject it that form. Many seem to cope alright though, so I do believe it is an issue primarily for the sensitive individuals.

Sugar, when white and refined, is an inflammatory attack on the immune system. It directly feeds everything from viruses to cancer. Raw sugar and natural forms are fine.

Quote:
I love feather footed boys. They are so funny with their walks.. Like they are wearing high heels! Reminds me of this galloping rooster No he's not hurt. The owner said this is just how he runs. He walks normally.

His left leg is not moving normally, which I think is the reason he is moving like that. He may have had a tendon or muscle injury at some point. But his whole left leg looks weird around the thigh and shows lack of complete movement which he overcompensates for, even by flapping his wings, and seems psychologically affected by; he feels vulnerable because he cannot run properly.

If that's inherited, I'd cull him. If he's always moved like that... I would be very suspicious. His leg looks too short boned for his body or something but it might just be the feathering, but something is definitely amiss with his left leg.

 

[Mumsy]

All the videos posted recently are wonderful to check out. So very sorry about the loss in your family Leah's Mom. Thinking of you here too.

I took a short video of the barnyard pullet with what I think is TD.

She took some nudging to move. She will go about four or five steps and rest for ten minutes then move another few feet at a time. She is laying every day now without issue and can get food and water. At the end of the video, a little BRIR came running over. This is her new buddy. Ironic that the affected pullet used to beat up on the bantam without mercy and now the bantam is her companion. Chickens are fascinating creatures.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:

This hints they may possibly be respectful enough in future to be left mixing with the flock. The worst cockerels never even think to feed a hen, just chase and insist on mating. A male who has enough instinct to understand his duty in the flock has a chance to improve on his treatment of hens, generally speaking. You weren't rambling, don't worry about that, situations need fully explaining in detail to be properly dealt with.


That's more of a multivit than a plain old electrolyte mix! I would worry about overdosing my chooks on something or another if I fed that in their water as well as administering a supposedly nutritionally complete diet.

For the longest time I was able to keep 3 roosters with 21 hens. There were a few fake fights and a bloody comb or two in the winter, but everyone got along for the most part. Then one of the roosters had a heart issue and passed. In a matter of days my remaining RIR rooster turned mean as all get out. Strangest thing. I would have thought he would be nicer since he would be able to mate more.

The vitamin statement made me laugh as just last night I was thinking my powder from the store smelled like ground up vitamins.

And for today's out of the blue question: Is there any real danger to a pregnant lady taking care of chickens and gathering eggs?

 

[aoxa]

All the videos posted recently are wonderful to check out. So very sorry about the loss in your family Leah's Mom. Thinking of you here too.

I took a short video of the barnyard pullet with what I think is TD.

She took some nudging to move. She will go about four or five steps and rest for ten minutes then move another few feet at a time. She is laying every day now without issue and can get food and water. At the end of the video, a little BRIR came running over. This is her new buddy. Ironic that the affected pullet used to beat up on the bantam without mercy and now the bantam is her companion. Chickens are fascinating creatures.

So strange. Seems really healthy despite the leg pain/weakness.

On another subject. What on earth is wrong with the suggested videos on youtube after that video finishes. LOL