The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[darkmatter]

 

[lalaland]

Well, the little cream legbar pullet is back in sickbay.

She had that full, distended crop on Monday morning and the sick chicken posture and behavior - I dosed her with oil, massaged the crop, etc. She did ok and went back to the flock the next day, but this morning found her before daylight standing on the roost and having a full hard crop again.

I am repeating the food withholding, oil dosing, and crop massaging. The difference between Monday and today, though, is that she is so alert. Cheeping, calling out, pecking at the kennel and moving around. So she feels better, but....she should not have that crop full after a night. And the standing....

I know it was posted that Delisha recommended 5 days with just water and no food? Must have been only soft food, like scambled eggs or yogurt...

 

[Sally8]

hahaha I worry about this every time I set the trap. We've been seeing a lot of fox in our area.

 

[lalaland]

am learning alot about crop impaction and gizzard impaction. found this very wonderfu link:

http://academy.fwi.co.uk/Courses/Li...ry-farm-management/Crop-and-gizzard-impaction

the pullet's (sam)ncrop started emptying within 15 minutes of administering the olive oil dose and massaging it. She is very talkative, eagerly ate yogurt, and still has not had any droppings.

So...she either has internal damage from worms (at 8 weeks?), has a bacterial thing going on from the wet environment, has vitamin deficiencies, or has been eating the danged hay.

I'm removing the hay from the run today - what a chore!
top dressing the flock's feed with cod liver oil
adding dr bronners castile soap to the waterers
flock is going to get yogurt mixed with child vitamins
changing the feed to a different source in case it is vitamin deficient - comes from a local mill and who knows? someone could have failed to add the vitamin stuff, or failed to properly mix the batches.

Sam has to stay in the kennel so I can see if she ever starts pooping.

had to take another vacation day to tend to the chickens, not making for a good work relationship with my boss.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@lalaland
I keep wondering if the straw/mold may be the issue since you originally talked about it. Can't look at your link till later. Keep us updated!

PS: Did you try some coconut oil? Solid they will eat it and it is both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Worked well for others with the same issue and may be worth a try.

 

[armorfirelady]

Well, the little cream legbar pullet is back in sickbay.

She had that full, distended crop on Monday morning and the sick chicken posture and behavior - I dosed her with oil, massaged the crop, etc. She did ok and went back to the flock the next day, but this morning found her before daylight standing on the roost and having a full hard crop again.

I am repeating the food withholding, oil dosing, and crop massaging. The difference between Monday and today, though, is that she is so alert. Cheeping, calling out, pecking at the kennel and moving around. So she feels better, but....she should not have that crop full after a night. And the standing....

I know it was posted that Delisha recommended 5 days with just water and no food? Must have been only soft food, like scambled eggs or yogurt...

It was with no food at all. Hard I know but I did 3 days with no food just water then fed her just spinach the 4th & 5th day which is suppose to aid with digestion. It did finally work for Sophie.

Good luck !!

ETA: I tried liquid olive oil and massaging her crop but she fought so much trying to get it into her crop I was afraid she would inhale it and cause more problems. So I stopped trying it and just went with withholding food.

P.S I will check out your link as well

 

[Bronson]

Does anyone have a good wormer recipe? I have never officially wormed my flock, they get ACV water daily. I have one with loose stools, so I figured it would not hurt to do everyone. I was thinking pumpkin seed, red pepper flakes, and yogurt mash? If I am on the right track, how much of each ingredient for 9 birds?

 

[PlaidBattleAxe]

http://tomatotales.com.au/chicken-worming-the-organic-and-low-cost-treatment/

Someone on BYC had posted this great link, but I can't remember who. Its a good one! I used it on my birds (I've got 7 currently) last month, and they all seemed to be the better for it.

 

[armorfirelady]

Does anyone have a good wormer recipe? I have never officially wormed my flock, they get ACV water daily. I have one with loose stools, so I figured it would not hurt to do everyone. I was thinking pumpkin seed, red pepper flakes, and yogurt mash? If I am on the right track, how much of each ingredient for 9 birds?

I use pumpkin seeds & red paper flakes for worm prevention for my flock. I mix it in yogurt or eggs depending what is on hand. But I don't measure it out. And sometimes hens have loose stools. Its very normal. Heck mine have all different kinds of stools but I don't stress about it unless its full of blood or worms (which it never has been)

 

[Leahs Mom]

Does anyone have a good wormer recipe? I have never officially wormed my flock, they get ACV water daily. I have one with loose stools, so I figured it would not hurt to do everyone. I was thinking pumpkin seed, red pepper flakes, and yogurt mash? If I am on the right track, how much of each ingredient for 9 birds?

Just my opinion...
I do not worm routinely.

Worming weakens the immune system so it's good to be sure that they really need worming in the first place. If I suspected worms I would take a stool sample to a local vet to confirm before putting them through the stress of worming. This usually costs less than $10 which isn't a lot to spend. Regular worming actually can make them more susceptible to worms due to the weakening process so I try to work on PREVENTION rather than treatment.

So far I have never wormed my flock (2.5 years). If I knew I had worms, there are a couple of good herbal wormers out there (I can post sources if you like) that have been proven to take care of the job pretty well.

Also agree regarding the poo - loose stools are not uncommon especially in summer when they are drinking more water. That would not necessarily be an indication that there are worms. Are your birds showing any symptoms or behaviors that make you think they may be "off" other than the loose stools?