The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

Ok! I will add some more shavings and some leaves. I already throw in my "scraps" to them. And now with the grass going away, we pull up what we can find and take it to them also. They love it so much that they act like a pack of dogs waiting for a bone! lol Thanks so much for the help! If I can think of anything else, I'll let you know.

And here is a picture of our Cochins...


This was when we first got them, before my husband made their coupe. I'll get better pictures later to show how much they have grown!

It is so much fun watching them grow! Pretty birds! They look very happy

 

[littlemissstang]

They are all spoiled rotten! My husband just loves these little girls the most! He is soooo protective of them. lol! He collects their eggs, feeds them, and cleans up after them. He really is a big help!

 

[delisha]

No, she doesn't have any oder. And no color, just clear like water. Not thick either. I actually thought it might be allergies. And we gave them both antibotics, because they both were doing it, but this one in the picture doesn't have it anymore. I was told in another posting that they are older birds. I'm not sure how old, but would that have anything to do with it?

No, age has nothing to do with it. As long as it does not have an odor you are pretty good. The testing will allow you to go in the correct direction. Did a vet tell you to give them antibiotics?

 

[KPenley]

Can you burn leaves to use for dusting or just wood (wood ash)?

 

[Ashdoes]

I have a question, about feeding the chickens fish. I have some trout in the freezer, that won't be eaten, can I thaw them and just throw them out for the chickens? Or should I cook them?

I think they will love you to bits!! I would not even bother with thawing to be honest. They would eat a frozen dead fish on a river bank, why not right out of there beloved owners freezer,,just for them!!
You are such a thoughtful animal lover!

No worries about bones?

 

[littlemissstang]

No. There is no vet around here that will do anything for chickens. I asked around at the Tractor Supply Store and at the local feed and seed store. And my husbands Uncle ( who has a bunch of chickens and has had them like forever) said to try using his antibotic. I was skeciptial. But, I wanted to help them. It is called duramycin and we used it for 10 days. It kept turning their water red which kinda freaked me out. It worked on the pretty one in the picture real well. And it worked on the other one too for about a week, then she was back with a runny nose. The weird thing is that it doesn't stay runny. I'll see it one day and maybe a sneeze, then poof! It's all gone and wont be back for a week or two.

 

[delisha]

Can you burn leaves to use for dusting or just wood (wood ash)?

I only burn wood for the chickens and ducks..The leaves go in the buildings and coop.

 

[delisha]

Quote: No worries about bones?

In the wild they have no problems. I have put live blue gills and Bass in the pools for the ducks and they have dragged them out alive and chickens have stolen them and eaten them.

 

[delisha]

No. There is no vet around here that will do anything for chickens. I asked around at the Tractor Supply Store and at the local feed and seed store. And my husbands Uncle ( who has a bunch of chickens and has had them like forever) said to try using his antibotic. I was skeciptial. But, I wanted to help them. It is called duramycin and we used it for 10 days. It kept turning their water red which kinda freaked me out. It worked on the pretty one in the picture real well. And it worked on the other one too for about a week, then she was back with a runny nose. The weird thing is that it doesn't stay runny. I'll see it one day and maybe a sneeze, then poof! It's all gone and wont be back for a week or two.

OK we know some very important information already.
You have two sick birds, you put them on antibiotics and one seems better, one does not.
They had clear runny noses and sneezed and does not smell.
Let me do some research on some of my information I have in my files


I want to be perfectly clear..
I do not advocate antibiotics
I advocate for survive and thrive
I advocate for good husbandry skills

You have been given ill birds and now you are trying to make them well
Good for you and your DH!!

I have suggestions that might help
You may use them or not it is up to you

First thing you need to do

In all of your waterers..add one tablespoon of UPACV
All of them, even your dogs water
Change your feed to FF
It will save you money.

 

[littlemissstang]

I am looking for the UPACV. I bought some regular apple cider vinager at the store, got it home, and was looking on here for it and realized that it wasn't the same. So, I'm looking again! And what is the FF? I have seen many posts on that, but am not sure what it is?
And not to sound stupid, but what is DH? lol