The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Interesting article on "vegetarian chickens"....

Here's a quote from the article:

Quote: from:
http://pasture2plate.blogspot.com/2013/03/chickens-are-not-vegetarians.html

 

[Ashdoes]

Good lord LM, how'd you stumble on that little gem? I'm thoroughly grossed out, and kind of laughing...but grossed out.

 

[aoxa]

OK
I think I took a few better pictures..I hope this will help with color

Black and blue?

Paint?

Buff and black?

Really good looking chicks! Nice feet!!

I think you are right about the colours

 

[Mumsy]

Mumsy- keep us posted

*Sigh* No change since my last update. The good/bad news: She is holding steady. Standing. Head up. She doesn't move around. She is still not eating. Barely drinking. She has passed poo again. Normal. Smaller though. I took del and Trav advice. More oil and molasses. Just a few drops. She vocalizes softly when I come into the room. She still coughs/chokes once in a while.

She has not gotten worse and so that is encouraging. She is not eating. That can only make her weaker. No fever means no infection. Breathing without gasping and panting is good. Not eating makes me think her esophagus is blocked or damaged. When a bird has an empty crop they are programmed to eat to fill it. A crop is like a doggy bag to go in birds. They eat all day to fill it up and go to roost to digest. If she is passing feces, her lower gastrointestinal tract is working. If she doesn't want to take in feed, something is wrong in the upper tract. That's all I can think of right now. She seems calm and comfortable. That is a relief for me at least.

 

[delisha]

Mumsy,

I would add sugar to the water for added calories. No food is good. Food could get stuck and spoil..chickens are pretty smart.

Make her food really wet tomorrow morning. Try about a tablespoon.Like the consistency of water.

 

[armorfirelady]

Mumsy-keeping a crossed for your Silkie.

Here is a link I got off another forum on here I follow. I thought it was very interesting for a newbie like me.
http://communitychickens.blogspot.c...tm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email#.UT_QVIy9KK0

And I wonder if its a coincidence I am now getting one egg that's a real pale brown almost white and I noticed Sunday a hen with a white earlobe? Hmmmmmm

 

[aoxa]

The Silkie pullet is no longer panting. Respiration seems much better. Drinking very little. Not eating. Gives a cough/choke on occassion. Not anything like yesterday though. No exudate in nostrils or mouth. I can see no obstruction in the back of the throat. Temperature in the vent is 104.5
Has defecated three times and they look normal. No identifiable anything in it. Urates look normal. Color normal. Crop is empty. She is still standing and head up. Is aware of her surroundings.

So now I am thinking this: Not sour crop. Not impacted gizzard. Possible something such as a peice of shavings caught between her esophagus and trachea.

Mumsy.. Koda...




Yes I'm picture documenting my reply. Just so you know..

Once had a blade of grass in between his esophagus and sinus and developed a wheeze/sneeze/gasp. The one and only time I ever took him to the vet for anything other than a regular check up (which I do not do often at all.. I don't like to give my dogs any boosters). But his blade of grass went on to become infected.. so he had a sinus infection because of the grass.


What I'm saying is your scenario could very well be true.

I feel like that made no sense at all..

 

[Bulldogma]

Mumsy - I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed your sweet little Silkie girl gets through this!!

Aoxa - you are so funny! Hugs!

And for everyone who may be shipping fertile hatching eggs this season, there is a new > thing < up with my method for packaging eggs to give them the best possible chance with USPS handling.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Good lord LM, how'd you stumble on that little gem? I'm thoroughly grossed out, and kind of laughing...but grossed out.

I guess we should have known that there was an ulterior motive

 

[aoxa]

Good lord LM, how'd you stumble on that little gem? I'm thoroughly grossed out, and kind of laughing...but grossed out.

Oh dear.. That is so wrong.. on so. many. levels.