The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

some chick pics

 

[chickiemomy]

Quote:
your pics are so good - would you share what kind of camera/lense you use??? -- know it's mostly technique - you see the birds & animals on their level, for example - but am curious about your equipment?

 

[Mumsy]

So many new folks posting today. Happy happy happy!

For the new folks, this is how I do the litter in my barn.

I use pine shavings, local grass hay, leaves, and peat moss in equal amounts in my DL. I use pine shavings exclusively now in most of my Silkie breeding pens. My LF, LF chicks and bantam RIR chicks are on DL. I have been noticing some of the Silkies eating the shavings. Impacted gizzards in Silkies is a real risk so I covered the trio pen shavings in grass hay today. I love using hay for bedding but forking litter is one of my favorite things to do in the barn so it works for me. I liked using sand in the chick house in years past but it is too heavy for me to physically handle anymore.

If I could only choose one type of litter, it would be a hard choice. Hay is a lot cheaper here than bagged shavings, but hay is too difficult to use with tiny chicks like Silkies or other feather foot breeds. So I would have to say pine shavings. My least favorite thing to do in the barn is scrape poo off of hard surfaces. I love being able to go four to five months before cleaning out the DL. And I never have to clean it all out all at once. Beauty!

 

[chickiemomy]

In another thred folks told me to use horse pellets for bedding and they say it works kinda the same as u have explained but its not white or powdery it is pellets have u used this?

I was told to use this when I first got chicks - & did -- it's ok - but as the pellets get wet, they break down to sawdust & it becomes pretty dusty if it's in your house or garage. I started with the pellets, then put pine shavings over top -- they're messy too - nothing is perfect, especially when you're living in the space,too! That's some of the issue with sand too - dusty. If you get PDZ - I'd also recommend granular to keep the dust down.

 

[jlynnet]

The local farm store has a limited selection, so we went with the Farm Innovators model 4200. It has a fan and a turner. With the turner does that take care of all turning? I will be. Setting up in the next couple of days, so I can get a feel for how well it keeps its temps and humidity.

 

[Sally8]

some chick pics

I was hoping we weren't going to have to wait...... Very cute!

 

[zinia8]

FF? I am wanting non medicated food... What does the FF stand for? And what is avc?
And corid? And if anyone uses apple cider vinegar in the water how much per gallon ?

Hi TheH Klan and all the other new people

please have a look at BDM post.
Corid is a amprolium a drug used in the treatment of coccidiosis and I really really really hope that it won't be needed.
That is why I am fermenting feed and using ACV in the water.

I saw the update with 5 out! HOORAY!!

Welcome. Here's another helpful link - there's an index tab at the top too for quick reference.

 

[AlCamus]

Hello - question on distended abdomen,

I lost my Rhode Island Red today and am trying to understand what happened.

I am new to backyard chickens and have been caring for 5 chickens for about 2 years - I got the chickens from a family that could care for them any longer - Australop, Plymouth Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, bantam Wyandotte (I think) and a Rhode Island Red.

The RIR (3 years old - molted once) started showing signs of illness about 2 days ago (Thursday 3/7), lethargic then on Friday loss of appetite, Saturday (3/9) I found the RIR on the floor of the coop with leathery shell and what appeared to be egg (color was not as yellow and very runny) and the hen had not layed since Tuesday. I watched the hen and noticed a distended abdomen - thinking the hen was egg bound I gave it a warm bath for an hour while massaging the abdomen hoping for a discharge but none came. By late afternoon, the hen was classic, head down, tail feathers down and that drowsy demeanor (what teachers see in their students during a lecture). Gave the hen a warm place for the night. Today (Sunday 3/10) the RIR was worse - immobile, difficult walking when prodded and the abdomen was noticeably swollen - I tried to feel for an egg but the swelling was spongy - I tried exploring the vent with my finger (first experience) did not detect anything like an egg but it did feel firm and I do remember thinking it might be an obstruction so I went back to the bath and the massage - no results and by this time the hen was noticeably distress - no vocalizations, the hen was gasping, shallow breathing and that was the end.

I did a necropsy and found the cavity filled (1cup+) with a urine like liquid (pale yellow) but no smell, intestines were full/impacted and I looked but could not find any sign of rupture - crop was not impacted but the gizzard was full - no egg signs - no discoloration of heart/liver and no signs of any tumors.

I was doing research and found information on Egg Yolk Peritonitis - I think this could be the cause of the illness. What I don't understand is the fluid accumulation - is that from rupture? Would the infection have smelled? Should I have drained the fluid? Am I missing something - any information would be appreciated.

The birds get Layena feed, some scratch + yogurt + ACV + Forco + kitchen scraps (carrot peels, cantalope rinds, etc) in the morning and they free range in the afternoon and eat lots of worms from the compost pile - I stopped the bread when I read about yeast infections in the crop.


Thanks

 

[CoopChick719]

If you're able to switch the way those doors swing, you could also just slip in a piece of plywood...you might be able to see it in this photo on the door back there. This was before we changed things around a bit and added another section inside. See the board slipped in there at the base of the door on the chicken side? That was a retainer for the wood chips. But that door did open out.

What a lovely coop you have! I was showing my daughter this picture, I said look, "Tile in the coop!" She says "Mum, I'm sure we have enough leftover tile from house projects to fix up your coop."

I did read a few posts later that it was vinyl flooring but seriously it looks like the tile in my breezeway. I got lucky with my coop too. I was going to refurbish an old doghouse & borrowed dog pen. Gave myself all winter to do the project and planned for chicks in the spring. Hubby found a garden shed turned coop, feeders, waterers, and brooder lamps for $450 on Craig's List. We had a friend pick it up with his ramp truck. He & hubby rolled/winched it off the truck onto cement blocks. 1 week later I had 3 white bantam cochins and 3 Silkies. Boy, does that Man move quick!!

 

[Mumsy]

Hello - question on distended abdomen,

I lost my Rhode Island Red today and am trying to understand what happened.

I am new to backyard chickens and have been caring for 5 chickens for about 2 years - I got the chickens from a family that could care for them any longer - Australop, Plymouth Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, bantam Wyandotte (I think) and a Rhode Island Red.

The RIR (3 years old - molted once) started showing signs of illness about 2 days ago (Thursday 3/7), lethargic then on Friday loss of appetite, Saturday (3/9) I found the RIR on the floor of the coop with leathery shell and what appeared to be egg (color was not as yellow and very runny) and the hen had not layed since Tuesday. I watched the hen and noticed a distended abdomen - thinking the hen was egg bound I gave it a warm bath for an hour while massaging the abdomen hoping for a discharge but none came. By late afternoon, the hen was classic, head down, tail feathers down and that drowsy demeanor (what teachers see in their students during a lecture). Gave the hen a warm place for the night. Today (Sunday 3/10) the RIR was worse - immobile, difficult walking when prodded and the abdomen was noticeably swollen - I tried to feel for an egg but the swelling was spongy - I tried exploring the vent with my finger (first experience) did not detect anything like an egg but it did feel firm and I do remember thinking it might be an obstruction so I went back to the bath and the massage - no results and by this time the hen was noticeably distress - no vocalizations, the hen was gasping, shallow breathing and that was the end.

I did a necropsy and found the cavity filled (1cup+) with a urine like liquid (pale yellow) but no smell, intestines were full/impacted and I looked but could not find any sign of rupture - crop was not impacted but the gizzard was full - no egg signs -

Do you mean no eggs in the ovum or oviduct? I'm not sure what you mean. Did you take pictures you can show us? No smell is significant. I would think a strong smell would indicate infection.

I am really sorry for the loss of your hen and wish I knew more about what her symptoms point towards. This is unfamiliar to me.

no discoloration of heart/liver and no signs of any tumors.

I was doing research and found information on Egg Yolk Peritonitis - I think this could be the cause of the illness. What I don't understand is the fluid accumulation - is that from rupture? Would the infection have smelled? Should I have drained the fluid? Am I missing something - any information would be appreciated.

The birds get Layena feed, some scratch + yogurt + ACV + Forco + kitchen scraps (carrot peels, cantalope rinds, etc) in the morning and they free range in the afternoon and eat lots of worms from the compost pile - I stopped the bread when I read about yeast infections in the crop.


Thanks