The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[SandBsmom]

Just so I can share with everyone here, Delisha rocks!!!!!! She has been holding my hand through this impacted crop thing and her wealth of knowledge is wonderful.
Thank you Delisha!!!!!!!
I'll update everyone tomorrow.

 

[delisha]

Holding someones hand..is the least I can try to do. I wish I could do more.

Good luck with your bird..

 

[jockeyeba]

I started using ff on my 3 14 week old chicks a couple of weeks ago -chick starter with a little scratch. I'm almost out of chick starter are they too young to use my Layena pellets or can I mix something with it to make it better for their age?

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

I started using ff on my 3 14 week old chicks a couple of weeks ago -chick starter with a little scratch. I'm almost out of chick starter are they too young to use my Layena pellets or can I mix something with it to make it better for their age?

14 weeks is probably ok to switch. It is real harmful when they are younger and organs are developing into adult size. I have read that some make the switch as early as 12 weeks, but I would try and hold off as long as possible.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

There have recently been more than a few emergency/health questions on this thread that sound serious. I only comment or offer advice if I have first hand knowledge of the malady. And as with the recent case of Splay leg that wasn't splay leg, I was wrong in my 'online' diagnosis. To offer serious medical advice for the treatment of a bird that is unseen and and for unknown causes seems beyond risky to me. I feel bad for our readers that are going through these difficulties but I do not feel qualified to give out remedies that may just prolong a birds suffering.
After 36 hours and there is no sign of relief, it is time to cull. The hardest decision to make. I am truly sorry to not have an answer.

I do appreciate any replies to my question, although I considered it more of just a question, and not an emergency. I realize I can post a question on the emergency/injury forum, but I am trying to keep my flock care in the natural chicken keeping frame of mind.
I did state that I didn't know which of the 3 game hens it was. I still don't. And nobody was acting injured or in pain. I was just curious if anyone else had any thoughts on this. An egg breaking inside the hen is a new one for me.
Thank you again for any input.

 

[farmerfogg]

Has anyone started a worm farm, with something other than meal worms? I bought hubby a red worm composting habitat, and am pretty excited to get that going. The worms are for two things, one buying fishing worms has gotten so expensive and two for the chickens. Just wondering if anyone else is worm farming.

My sister gave me her worm composter last summer when I went home for vacation. I purchased red worms from my local fish tackle and bait store. My worm bin is going really good! Tons of baby worms in there.

 

[aoxa]

Sorry about not commenting on Stony's article - it was awesome! Loved the pictures.

I watched my nephew this weekend. Almost every time I watch that little boy - I get sick. This time it was the stomach flu. So I was MIA yesterday.
Feeling better today though.

Definitely agree with people when they say this season is the worst for flu in a long while. Second time this year for me... and everyone is sick.

 

[aoxa]

Sunny and Georgia look real close from those pics. Love it when you get the photo bombs, mine constantly do it.

I bet anything Sunny will be the first to lay! Really close!

 

[Mumsy]

I do appreciate any replies to my question, although I considered it more of just a question, and not an emergency. I realize I can post a question on the emergency/injury forum, but I am trying to keep my flock care in the natural chicken keeping frame of mind.
I did state that I didn't know which of the 3 game hens it was. I still don't. And nobody was acting injured or in pain. I was just curious if anyone else had any thoughts on this. An egg breaking inside the hen is a new one for me.
Thank you again for any input.

It's true. There are many on this thread with a combined and vast store of knowledge. I would say most that follow this thread are also keenly interested in treating their flock with more natural methodology. It can be a real challenge.
Many times with chickens there are just no easy answers. I personally can only offer comment or give suggestions if I feel I have first hand knowledge that might help. People can take it or leave it of course. It was certainly not my intent to single any one post out. I'm truly sorry if you felt that way.
An egg breaking inside a hen is out of my realm of experience.

 

[loanwizard]

Sometimes I respond to medical problems with what I would do if it were happening with one of my birds.

I have VERY little knowledge in this arena and tell people this up front and try to give a short answer. The reason I do this is to attract attention. Not to me, but to the issue of the OP. If someone sees a response and does not like my answer or does but can expound on it then it helps the OP.

One of the places I try to go daily is to the unanswered posts. We are all friendly here but have been here for a while too, it's almost extended family. However, when you first come, it can be a lonely experience, especially if no one answers you.... even if the information is in the search or learning center, or been answered 100 million times.

Kind of a duty to pay it forward for my absorption of the wealth of free information I have found here.

Shawn