The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Pozees]

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..

So when you took Koda to the vet was he just treated with antibiotics, or was the blade of grass removed? Hopefully the oil will help lubricate the esophagus and move any obstruction down the intestinal tract.

On another note, if Silkies eat shavings because of obstructed vision, would it help to use hair tape to keep the crest up out of their eyes? Not saying this is why they do, just saw speculation earlier that may be at least one cause.

 

[aoxa]

So when you took Koda to the vet was he just treated with antibiotics, or was the blade of grass removed? Hopefully the oil will help lubricate the esophagus and move any obstruction down the intestinal tract.

On another note, if Silkies eat shavings because of obstructed vision, would it help to use hair tape to keep the crest up out of their eyes? Not saying this is why they do, just saw speculation earlier that may be at least one cause.

No they did not remove the blade of grass, and when he gets really excited he goes into sneezing fits.

The blade of grass was probably absorbed or something I would think...

He was treated with antibiotics. Don't know what I'd do without my buddy!

I'm not suggesting treat her with antibiotics. What I'm trying to point out is I had a similar reaction in a dog to something lodged where it shouldn't have been.. Hopefully the shavings pass through and she is on the mend.. Fingers crossed.

 

[Melabella]

*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.

I hope tomorrow she will be feeling far better. Sorry you have to go through this with your pretty girl. Hang in there..
MB

 

[Loghousemom]

Mumsy, I too am wishing your little silkie well.

Completely off topic, but going WAY back to when Deep litter was being discussed, I thought I remember reading a recommendation from Bee not to clean out a coop while using deep litter, except maybe once a year? Maybe I am wrong and read that someplace else? So when you are talking about cleaning out the deep litter is that what you are doing?

I use DL too, we still have freezing temps here (a little bit of thawing every few days). And I haven't really cleaned out any all winter. The warmer days the last few weeks I have been going out and pulling out some of the straw under the roosts and tossing it out on the snow to help melt it, but that is the extent of my cleaning it so far this winter..... Am I doing it wrong? It doesn't smell....

 

[mrsamplias]

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.

Thanks!!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I only take PART of the litter out when I it gets too deep or too full. I've only had to do that during winter when they've been in close quarters. I also don't have a dirt floor which would make a difference in how it breaks down to some extent.

I try to leave it as long as possible but the point of the dl is NOT for the purpose of COMPOST. It is to create a good healthy bacteria balance. If you never take it all out it's kind of like putting a culture in milk to make yogurt. The healthy bacteria that is there will continue to innoculate the new batch. Ideally you'd leave it as long as possible then take a good amount out for garden, etc.

Take a look at this article - it may help explain better than I can: http://www.plamondon.com/faq_deep_litter.html

 

[Loghousemom]

I do have a dirt floor! So I must be doing it right...... I figured that it would smell, but so far it doesn't. I am going to clean it out a bit more in the spring.

With spring coming there are lots of changes I want to make for the chicken house. I just hope the husband is up for it.

 

[chikenscratch]

Most people utilize the warmth of spring to clean out their coops because IF they use bleach or other forms of liquid to clean the walls, steps, etc it'll dry fast. It's during this time that it's beneficial to take out the old as it does provide heat which is not needed in the summer. I recommend Small Scale Poultry Flock by Harvey Ussery. Its an eccellent book.

 

[Mumsy]

It has been a long day of vigilance and Dumpling is the same. I added the sugar to the water. I have seen her take a few beakfuls. She has barely budged all day. I hope tomorrow morning I wake to find an active hungry little girl.

I am so appreciative and thankful for the suggestions, advice, and well wishes. Truly. This is a re markedly special group of people on this thread.

I hope if something is stuck in her esophagus, it will be like the doggy Koda. That it just dissolves or goes away or heals.

Today I separated the Catdance eggs in the Genesis into basket compartments. I found them at the dollar store. Cut them apart and re-glued them into three compartments each. For hatching I want the chicks separated so I can mark them.



Baskets, sissors, and hot glue.


Sixteen eggs separated between six compartments. A tight fit but the two baskets just fit.
I broke one egg out today. A PA egg means Paint. It was a quitter between day four and day six. It had eye with pigmentation, leg and wing buds, and was stuck to the shell. There are two more that I will probably break out tomorrow too. Waiting until the last minute before lock down to be sure. Air cells look good on all the rest.

 

[jlynnet]

Mumsy,

I hope your girl turns around! The baby Johnny chick is so cute!