The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Sally8]

First I want to comment that I appreciate the tutorial on a necropsy. The hen I mentioned, I may just cull as she has not participated in the group for a while. When I pick her up to treat her mites I notice just how light she is. If I do decide to I want to check her out. As far as the graphic warning, that does not bother me at all but what did was that I had to yell out to DH and say "WE ARE NEVER EATING A SILKIE, THEY ARE ALL DARK MEAT AND I DON'T MEAN LIKE A TURKEY" Are they all this way? Eewwww
Do you mind if I print your diagram of organ placement? That will help in the future. Thank you so much Mumsy.

(My camera came back today. Hopefully, chick pictures tomorrow.

 

[TeriO]

So sorry for your loss Mumsy. Lead poisoning sounds truly likely. Especially if the breeder isnt up on animal husbandry.

 

[Mumsy]

Could a person have a chicken tested for lead by their local or state extension agent? Is this a common occurance?

I have agnoized over this today and have come to the conclusion for me and my bird? No. I live on an island so testing would be really difficult and lead poisoning symptoms sound like lots of other things. I never would have suspected lead poisoning. I have lived on the same property raising four children and have three grand children for over 24 years. Lead and it's dangers is something I'm very aware of. It never occurred to me a bird I bought elsewhere could have been exposed. If it wasn't for that green gizzard and shrunken crop brought up by del I still wouldn't know what was wrong with this bird. I would have suspected Mareks or just plain old random tumor. In a perfect world, I would send this bird's carcass somewhere to be tested. But no other birds in my flock are presenting symptoms like hers. The roo that came with her seems normal so far. They were bought together from the same breeder and are the same age. You can bet I'll be watching him much more closely now. If I had ignored this poor pullet, she would have dropped dead in the breeding pen today or tomorrow. In the past, I would have just buried her and hoped none of the rest of my birds died. Knowledge is such a powerful thing. As hard as today was, it was also an invaluable learning experience. I wish there was a home test for lead poisoning in livestock. I'm glad I didn't process this bird and eat her. I won't be feeding her parts back to the flock either. In fact. she will be disposed of off my property.

Now for some happy news out of my barn! One of my Catdance Silkie girls laid her first egg today. Found it when I went out to close up the barn tonight. Don't know if it was Bonney or my little crippled Dumpling! Looks like they will be getting a visit from the roo tomorrow.

 

[aoxa]

First I want to comment that I appreciate the tutorial on a necropsy. The hen I mentioned, I may just cull as she has not participated in the group for a while. When I pick her up to treat her mites I notice just how light she is. If I do decide to I want to check her out. As far as the graphic warning, that does not bother me at all but what did was that I had to yell out to DH and say "WE ARE NEVER EATING A SILKIE, THEY ARE ALL DARK MEAT AND I DON'T MEAN LIKE A TURKEY" Are they all this way? Eewwww
Do you mind if I print your diagram of organ placement? That will help in the future. Thank you so much Mumsy.

(My camera came back today. Hopefully, chick pictures tomorrow.

Yes they are all black. Bones and all.

That's why many people don't eat silkies. Lots do as well. They still taste like chicken.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Quote:

Quote: Mine had green in the gizzard, but mine had access to grass.

Quote:
Mumsy, Sorry about the loss. I would encourage you to email your suspected findings to our breeder. She has her birds stored in an old barn(pre-70's) and likely has lead paint. This does explain a LOT with the issues we have been having. Now I wish I had done one on Kung Pow after I found her a couple of mornings ago.

 

[jlynnet]

I know soil can be tested for lead. Mumsy if you've never had this type of illness in your birds,I doubt it's in the soil. Some state health departments will check your soil. Our children get checked at about 1 yr old and more often if they live in a high lead risk area.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

I know soil can be tested for lead. Mumsy if you've never had this type of illness in your birds,I doubt it's in the soil. Some state health departments will check your soil. Our children get checked at about 1 yr old and more often if they live in a high lead risk area.

My soil has been tested, no lead. I do think it is the breeders barn that would be the source.

 

[aaggjg]

Now for some happy news out of my barn! One of my Catdance Silkie girls laid her first egg today. Found it when I went out to close up the barn tonight. Don't know if it was Bonney or my little crippled Dumpling! Looks like they will be getting a visit from the roo tomorrow.

YEAH GOOD NEWS!!!!!

I was going to ask about the Roo and if there are any precautions you can take to expel and lead he might have consumed too....

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Del, can lead poisoning be vertical? meaning can hatching eggs have it from birds that have been exposed to lead?

 

[chikenscratch]

Lead poisoning does transfer from mother to fetus in mammals, but it will also transfer from mother hen to eggs to human or hen to chick! This is a great reason for having your soil tested and the eggs too while you are at it.