The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

You have more patience than i do. I would have done some major cutting after one week.
It looks like what ever you are doing is working..even if it is slowly.

For the first week and a half I dug at that core daily and tried to remove all that I could. It was in the 90s and every day she got more stressed from being wrapped in a towel & being so hot & my Mom who was my helper couldn't stand the heat and holding her was making her hotter so I just went to wrapping it. I really don't have that much patience usually but I don't want to just leave her be and have it get worse again.

I asked a vet about Bumblefoot she said to soak up to 3 times a day if possible!!! She also suggested picking at the edges of the scab to help loosen it and rubbing vitamin D oil on the foot.... When picking at the scab she said just lift the edges off and if you meet with too much resistance to stop as it will bleed.... then rub the oil under the edges and into the pad. My hens scabs were lifting and healing nicely with this method.

Thanks for the info I will try that next if the coconut oil doesn't seem to help. I can't do the 3 daily soakings with work. To bad I couldn't leave her a bucket to soak her feet in when I am at work and give her instructions to soak twice while I am gone

Most of the straw in the coops has begun to break down and in one run is soggy wet from the rain, so no burning it.

If it was me I would still bag all the straw and throw it away with the trash. Fingers crossed your mite problem is gone.

 

[lalaland]

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I don't wash eggs either. And I keep them on the counter. If there is a big blob of poop I push it off with my thumbnail, once in a very great while I resort to the faucet.
If I have a surplus of eggs, and don't think I will use them within say, 3 weeks, I put them in the refrig. THat doesn't happen very often because I give eggs to my neighbors (they do chicken chores when I have to travel), and to my family.
I don't think the risk of anything is very great with eggs from your chickens. Here is what I think is extremely risky: pedicures, tanning booths, make-up counters where they demo make-up on you! We are talking mrsa, fungal infections, celluitius, herpes, hpv, etc. I should know because I am in the regulatory side of things.
I have a 4 year old hatchery buff orpington that is still laying. makes me happy!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Straw makes a great fire starter

Funny you talk about having her soak herself... The water pans that I put out for the birds to stand in if they want...my bumblefoot girl is the only one who stands in them. Does it every day, several times a day.

Now too bad I couldn't just fill that pan with something that would be helpful for the soak that wouldn't affect the others if they drink!




PS: I took out the clay things and now only have water. I had tested those clay pieces for lead and they were negative, but since I don't know what else might be in there, decided against using them.

 

[lalaland]

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Marhysong, did you dust with straight sulphur or did you dilute it, and if so, with what and to what ratio? thanks!

 

[Sally8]

Marhysong, did you dust with straight sulphur or did you dilute it, and if so, with what and to what ratio? thanks!

x2

 

[armorfirelady]

Funny you talk about having her soak herself... The water pans that I put out for the birds to stand in if they want...my bumblefoot girl is the only one who stands in them. Does it every day, several times a day.

Now too bad I couldn't just fill that pan with something that would be helpful for the soak that wouldn't affect the others if they drink!

Must be because those silly girls of ours enjoy their spa days

I had a pan of water out when the temps were in the 90s and no one used it.
I wouldn't mind soaking her every day but I just don't have the patience....probably because while I am sitting there waiting while she soaks I am thinking of 16 million things I could/should be doing then

Mrs Green doesn't mind her booties. Of course she tries to see if the duct tape might come off but after a few pecks she is on her way. I find it amusing after everything I have done to her feet she is still the first to meet me at the gate & follows me around. I would of thought she would be the one to stay farthest away from me lol

 

[MumsyII]

About eggs. I never wash. Always refrigerate. I collect every day from clean nests but my husband and I don't eat as many as are getting produced. I give them to my neighbors too. I like my neighbors and when they get eggs, they don't complain about the crowing.

Just spent a couple hours catching and banding nine HRIR five month old cockerels. Handled them and got a good look at each. There are two that I can process. That gets me down to where it will be easier to choose my breeders. They are going to stay separated now from the pullets. Some of the boys feet are turning pink and they are getting rowdy. A couple that I banded early are crowing and they weigh more than the others just by the feel of them. This time of year gets me excited to start planning breeding pens for the next season.

 

[Gramma Chick]

how is your hen doing ?
The only thing more I would suggest is clipping the feathers in that area . cut with scissors as close as you can
as it heals & she poops the feathers will interfere with healing ..& poop will probably stick in this area .
As it is all red the babies are drawn to it .The blue coat will cover up the red some .

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Those are some good ideas. S8 - wondering if you could give her babies back if blue coat could camo the blood?

 

[RedRidge]

About eggs. I never wash. Always refrigerate. I collect every day from clean nests but my husband and I don't eat as many as are getting produced. I give them to my neighbors too. I like my neighbors and when they get eggs, they don't complain about the crowing.

Just spent a couple hours catching and banding nine HRIR five month old cockerels. Handled them and got a good look at each. There are two that I can process. That gets me down to where it will be easier to choose my breeders. They are going to stay separated now from the pullets. Some of the boys feet are turning pink and they are getting rowdy. A couple that I banded early are crowing and they weigh more than the others just by the feel of them. This time of year gets me excited to start planning breeding pens for the next season.

Oh I wish you were closer... you could come and help me do mine.