The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[jhd9201]

How much ACV do you add per gallon of water? Sorry if asked already, too many posts to read.

 

[CherMoz]

Well, I had to put my poor little red henny out of her misery. I've had her in the house for about 3 weeks and I just couldn't get that infection in her skin under control. It kept spreading further and further out, then it started getting deeper too so I did the deed tonight. I'll miss that sweet little thing. At least I have 4 daughters from her and a bunch of sons this past year. I need to pick one or two to keep.

I'm so sorry to hear that.

 

[Lacy Blues]

My son's rhode island red bantam hen. She had some kind of infection on her back just above where her folded wing would lie. She had another spot down low in front of her folded wing that had gone deeper. Both spots had cheesy masses and I had suspected they were spider bites but not sure.

The lower one was healing up well, even though it was deeper. The one higher up had a great big lump of cheesy yuck when I started. It was only skin deep but the edges of that one kept creeping further and further outward.

After I ended her life, I cut through the open sores so I could see how deep they went or what. If I had known before hand what I know now, I might have tried to cut them off of her as they were basically above her skin though they looked like they were deeper or at least into the skin. Both of them had definite separations between them and her skin. It was kind of like something was stuck on her but they would bleed. I don't know. I kind of wonder if they were skin cancer... strange, I know.

 

[islandgirl82]

My son's rhode island red bantam hen. She had some kind of infection on her back just above where her folded wing would lie. She had another spot down low in front of her folded wing that had gone deeper. Both spots had cheesy masses and I had suspected they were spider bites but not sure.

The lower one was healing up well, even though it was deeper. The one higher up had a great big lump of cheesy yuck when I started. It was only skin deep but the edges of that one kept creeping further and further outward.

After I ended her life, I cut through the open sores so I could see how deep they went or what. If I had known before hand what I know now, I might have tried to cut them off of her as they were basically above her skin though they looked like they were deeper or at least into the skin. Both of them had definite separations between them and her skin. It was kind of like something was stuck on her but they would bleed. I don't know. I kind of wonder if they were skin cancer... strange, I know.

I'm so sorry. She was comforted and cared for as best as she could be with what you knew.

 

[mlowen]

My son's rhode island red bantam hen.  She had some kind of infection on her back just above where her folded wing would lie.  She had another spot down low in front of her folded wing that had gone deeper.  Both spots  had cheesy masses and I had suspected they were spider bites but not sure. 

The lower one was healing up well, even though it was deeper.  The one higher up had a great big lump of cheesy yuck when I started.  It was only skin deep but the edges of that one kept creeping further and further outward.

After I ended her  life, I cut through the open sores so I could see how deep they went or what.  If I had known before hand what I know now, I might have tried to cut them off of her as they were basically above her skin though they looked like they were deeper or at least into the skin.  Both of them had definite separations between them and her skin.  It was kind of like something was stuck on her but they would bleed.  I don't know.  I kind of wonder if they were skin cancer... strange, I know.

I remember the spider bite question post and was wondering if you had been able to heal her. I wonder if a spider bite would do that or if it was some kind of fungus or bacterial infection. Do you have a vet school lab nearby that might take a free look at her to teach their students and us by extebsion?

 

[lazy gardener]

So sorry you lost your little red girl. So much of animal husbandry is self taught. Your experience may help the next one of us faced with a similar experience. I can understanding not wanting to probe a wound while the animal is alive and kicking.

To PP regarding ACV: I don't think there are any hard and fast rules about how much to use. You'd be safe with a "glug" or a tablespoon or two of ACV/gal.

 

[Leahs Mom]

My son's rhode island red bantam hen. She had some kind of infection on her back just above where her folded wing would lie. She had another spot down low in front of her folded wing that had gone deeper. Both spots had cheesy masses and I had suspected they were spider bites but not sure.

The lower one was healing up well, even though it was deeper. The one higher up had a great big lump of cheesy yuck when I started. It was only skin deep but the edges of that one kept creeping further and further outward.

After I ended her life, I cut through the open sores so I could see how deep they went or what. If I had known before hand what I know now, I might have tried to cut them off of her as they were basically above her skin though they looked like they were deeper or at least into the skin. Both of them had definite separations between them and her skin. It was kind of like something was stuck on her but they would bleed. I don't know. I kind of wonder if they were skin cancer... strange, I know.

Okay. Now that you say that I remember you writing about that.

 

[vpatt]

I read that Americans have a big and growing problem:

I have known two women with NASH. Sad.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I hope I have not been premature but I put the molt girl back out today. In the 40s and supposed to stay in the 40s tonight then to 51 tomorrow with low of 45. I was hoping some of those feathers would unfurl before the Monday night low of 26.

I had to put 2 other girls in the separation area because they were harassing her. They won't come out until she has feathers but at least they're in the corner where they can see everyone else.

She just sat on the roost all day. I gave her some meat around 4 pm and then took the waterer to her and she drank a long time. I'll observe tomorrow. I just came in from outside and she was still on there okay.

 

[Lacy Blues]

I remember the spider bite question post and was wondering if you had been able to heal her. I wonder if a spider bite would do that or if it was some kind of fungus or bacterial infection. Do you have a vet school lab nearby that might take a free look at her to teach their students and us by extebsion?

I wish. There isn't any kind of poultry industry here at all. That's why I cannot afford to go NPIP as it costs $7 per bird just for the tests. The vet visits and all is more... SO!