The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[lalaland]

well, I had 6 chicks hatched by a broody, obviously on ground day 1, and three chicks in a brooder who had soil plugs but weren't on ground for a couple of weeks. The two I've lost to mareks are the ones from the brooder. just saying.

 

[armorfirelady]

@Shan30
I use cayenne pepper flakes as a natural wormer along with pumpkin seeds.

 

[Lacy Blues]

armorfirelady, I was wondering what breed your birds are. They sure are pretty.

Shan30, why do you think they need worming? Is it so cold already that even your pullets aren't laying?

I would add yogurt to your mix... plain and unsweetened. For 35 birds, I'd put in a half quart. You want foods that are considered to be anti-diarrheal. I think blueberries are on that list as are some fat items... grated cheese for one. This info of mine is on another computer that I'm not privy to at the moment but off the top of my head, that is what you need.

 

[Shan30]

armorfirelady, I was wondering what breed your birds are.  They sure are pretty.

Shan30, why do you think they need worming?  Is it so cold already that even your pullets aren't laying?

I would add yogurt to your mix... plain and unsweetened. For 35 birds, I'd put in a half quart.  You want foods that are considered to be anti-diarrheal.  I think blueberries are on that list as are some fat items... grated cheese for one.  This info of mine is on another computer that I'm not privy to at the moment but off the top of my head, that is what you need.

It is definitely not too cold here yet. We have incredibly mild winters, especially this year. Hasn't even frosted yet. This time of year is just wet and mucky. The days are definitely shorter but I've never had laying drop off this much even in extremely cold snaps. We are getting 1-3 eggs a day. It also seems strange to have young new layers start up and then all stop altogether for a month. Worms was my best guess but I'm definitely open to other ideas. Any thing else that causes decreased laying and watery droppings with basically no other symptoms?

Curious on the idea of using anti-diarrheal. I can see the point but I suspect that the diarrhea is merely a symptom and not the problem itself.

Yogurt sounds good, definitely always have that on hand and they love it! Actually so do the dogs. Spoiled critters eating organic, probiotic, 0% (my requirement) expensive freakin yogurt. The dogs know the sound of the container opening. I swear its more exciting than meat.

 

[Shan30]

@Shan30
I use cayenne pepper flakes as a natural wormer along with pumpkin seeds.

I've always wondered if other types of peppers would work...and why this one works. Does it just make the gut inhospitable?

 

[ronott1]

I've always wondered if other types of peppers would work...and why this one works. Does it just make the gut inhospitable?

Other peppers would work--It is very easy to purchase bulk red pepper flakes. It is the Capsaicin that does the work.

I used cayenne pepper pills 20 years ago to cure myself of a stomach ulcer. It kills bacteria, which is what causes ulcers.

You have to be careful and start with a low dose for people though. It really hurts at first because of the damage the bacteria causes. I used it for a month and have not had ulcer symptoms since.

 

[Shan30]

Other peppers would work--It is very easy to purchase bulk red pepper flakes. It is the Capsaicin that does the work.

I used cayenne pepper pills 20 years ago to cure myself of a stomach ulcer. It kills bacteria, which is what causes ulcers.

You have to be careful and start with a low dose for people though. It really hurts at first because of the damage the bacteria causes. I used it for a month and have not had ulcer symptoms since.

Wow that's incredible! I've had an ulcer and can't imagine putting that much heat in my stomach at the time. I couldn't even think of eating spicy food for around two years. I believe that yogurt cured me in the end. Two years of boring bland food sure didn't.

Thank you, they will definitely be getting some peppers too.

 

[ronott1]

Wow that's incredible! I've had an ulcer and can't imagine putting that much heat in my stomach at the time. I couldn't even think of eating spicy food for around two years. I believe that yogurt cured me in the end. Two years of boring bland food sure didn't.

Thank you, they will definitely be getting some peppers too.

I used cayenne pepper capsules to cure my ulcer back before the AMA announced that ulcers were from bacteria. Back then, Doctors were still blaming acid and not treating ulcers correctly. I had read some studies about it, including research from an Australian Doctor that was ridiculed for his ground breaking research.

Ulcers can be cured in a couple of weeks now.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:

That's why it pays to do as much reading and "self-educating" as you possibly can. Especially regarding health issues. So many people have been taught...and believed ...that their doctor knows best and live like it's true. But just because you believe something is true doesn't mean it is.

Always think.
Always learn.
Always use common sense.

 

[Lacy Blues]

It is definitely not too cold here yet. We have incredibly mild winters, especially this year. Hasn't even frosted yet. This time of year is just wet and mucky. The days are definitely shorter but I've never had laying drop off this much even in extremely cold snaps. We are getting 1-3 eggs a day. It also seems strange to have young new layers start up and then all stop altogether for a month. Worms was my best guess but I'm definitely open to other ideas. Any thing else that causes decreased laying and watery droppings with basically no other symptoms?

Curious on the idea of using anti-diarrheal. I can see the point but I suspect that the diarrhea is merely a symptom and not the problem itself.

Yogurt sounds good, definitely always have that on hand and they love it! Actually so do the dogs. Spoiled critters eating organic, probiotic, 0% (my requirement) expensive freakin yogurt. The dogs know the sound of the container opening. I swear its more exciting than meat.

You reminded me of what happened here last year. Not the diarrhea but the young birds stopped laying after about a month. When did your pullets hatch? Mine that stopped were hatched in December. I'll never do it again. They stopped laying and went through a big molt like the 18 month olds!

I know diarrhea is not the problem, however, you want to keep them eating and you want to reduce weight/electrolyte loss through the diarrhea. Sometimes we have to treat the symptoms for the sake of the life of the flock.

My flock loves yogurt. They know what the container looks like and when they see one I can barely walk without tripping over them!