The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Bulldogma]

Great job! Also, I checked out your link about your coop and it looks awesome!

Thanks!!

 

[lalaland]

I would guess the breeder has them in different pens, and perhaps not all pens have the access to the lead, whatever it is. with an old barn, and an elderly breeder, my guess is lead paint - aging makes it harder to keep things up sometimes. I am hoping this, so that there is a good chance that some of the silkies didn't have access to the lead source and will be fine. Glad you are letting the breeder know what happened. I don't know who she is, but I can imagine she will be horrified.

Such a great thread where someone can post and we all can learn, and share what we know!. Delisha, after you said lead, it sounded exactly right - and had your dad not taken the time to show you the lead poisoned organs, and had Mumsy not taken the time and emotional effort to post the necropsy pics, everyone would still be in the dark!

This weekend I am giving the hens some soapy water for a 2nd round of worming. I didn't see anything after the kerosene in the water, but think a second round would be a good effort.

I've noticed the wellies are all pretty light weight, and two have sharp keel bones. I see them eat, they eat whateveryone else eats, except they hang back. Not sure how to get more weight on them! (besides uping protein content).

and today I get to pick up a 2nd cat for a buddy to my new kitten that I got Wed. It is good to have a cat in the house again. Introduced her to the hens, she was terrified, hens curious.

 

[Mumsy]

I would guess the breeder has them in different pens, and perhaps not all pens have the access to the lead, whatever it is. with an old barn, and an elderly breeder, my guess is lead paint - aging makes it harder to keep things up sometimes. I am hoping this, so that there is a good chance that some of the silkies didn't have access to the lead source and will be fine. Glad you are letting the breeder know what happened. I don't know who she is, but I can imagine she will be horrified.

Such a great thread where someone can post and we all can learn, and share what we know!. Delisha, after you said lead, it sounded exactly right - and had your dad not taken the time to show you the lead poisoned organs, and had Mumsy not taken the time and emotional effort to post the necropsy pics, everyone would still be in the dark!

This weekend I am giving the hens some soapy water for a 2nd round of worming. I didn't see anything after the kerosene in the water, but think a second round would be a good effort.

I've noticed the wellies are all pretty light weight, and two have sharp keel bones. I see them eat, they eat whateveryone else eats, except they hang back. Not sure how to get more weight on them! (besides uping protein content).

and today I get to pick up a 2nd cat for a buddy to my new kitten that I got Wed. It is good to have a cat in the house again. Introduced her to the hens, she was terrified, hens curious.

I am holding back sending my letter until I know definitively that it is Lead poisoning or what ever. I saved and froze that second organ tissue. If the test is negative for lead tomorrow, I will be sending the second sample to a lab.

I agree. All the symptoms and the necropsy points to lead poisoning. I would never in a thousand years have suspected it if del hadn't said anything. And if it turns out to not be lead? We still have all learned an incredible amount about what to look for and how to deal with our farms and flocks to prevent it. I just don't want my poor little Binkus to have died and that I have learned nothing. That hasn't happened yet. I've learned plenty in the last 24 hours.

I hope you find the answer to your mystery soon. It can be so frustrating. The trying and not knowing I mean.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Quote: I hope something shows up in the test.

about the lead issue,
if the breeder has different pens, it is possible that some of her stock might not be located where the source is of the lead - maybe if, for example, there are some old windows with lead paint peeling, pens near that might be contaminated, but perhaps other areas would be safe?

And if the "safe" areas had breeding pens, then maybe she could figure out if any of her stock is not poisoned.

Just thinking, and wishing for the best outcome.

She has 4 pens attached to the side of an old barn, all 4 pens touch the painted wall. Her inside of said barn is her brooder area and show bird pairs storage(about 50 birds, not including chicks). I would assume her plumbing is old lead pipe in the house(no water at barn that I saw). I would guess the house was built in 40-50's. I would say ALL birds on her property have been exposed to some degree.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Mumsy, I got a PM from someone warning me if the eggs have lead in them it will leach out and contaminate your incubator.

 

[aoxa]

Justine,
yes! I got one little scrawny kitten that reeked of those horrible fake scents/air fresheners that people plug into their walls so they can add bad chemicals, and bad scents, and probably formeldyhyde to their indoor air . The poor kitten has the worst ear mites I have ever ever seen. Her ears were covered with crackling brown dead mites/blood/pus, you didn'/t even have to try to look inside to see this. She is on her second day of mite infestation treatment. Has a great purr, very friendly, has to be right there with me.

Tonight I am picking up a year old female cat that someone rescued from a pine tree. Keeping my fingers crossed that the two learn to be friends and companions.

I can't believe how happy having a cat in the house again has made me!

Well I'm glad she found a good home with you

Share pictures when you get a chance!

 

[delisha]

I am looking forward to pictures of your kitty..

Justine..thanks for posting the farm pictures


I have been a bit absent lately..I have my plate full with all of these chicks. My NYD chicks and the hatch after that, and now this hatch. My silkies are internal pipping..I am a bit nervous. The eggs look so much better this time..no weird empty egg bottoms.I will lock down when I see my first external pip.

 

[Pozees]

I am holding back sending my letter until I know definitively that it is Lead poisoning or what ever. I saved and froze that second organ tissue. If the test is negative for lead tomorrow, I will be sending the second sample to a lab.

I agree. All the symptoms and the necropsy points to lead poisoning. I would never in a thousand years have suspected it if del hadn't said anything. And if it turns out to not be lead? We still have all learned an incredible amount about what to look for and how to deal with our farms and flocks to prevent it. I just don't want my poor little Binkus to have died and that I have learned nothing. That hasn't happened yet. I've learned plenty in the last 24 hours.

I hope you find the answer to your mystery soon. It can be so frustrating. The trying and not knowing I mean.

Same here. Based on what you had reported to that point I was of a mind to chalk it up to just some internal anomaly, which it may still be, but lead poisoning certainly makes the most sense right now.

This is an important revelation not only for you, Trav, and the breeder, but for all who have older pipes and paint, automotive contamination, or lead-shot remains on our properties and in our run areas, and I would like to chime in with my thanks for the determination and strength you found to proceed with the necropsy, and the time and dedication it took to post your results. When I read of your need to go cry some, my heart about broke in empathy for your sadness in concert with admiration for your dedication to your flock and to our education.

 

[Pozees]

I am looking forward to pictures of your kitty..

Justine..thanks for posting the farm pictures


I have been a bit absent lately..I have my plate full with all of these chicks. My NYD chicks and the hatch after that, and now this hatch. My silkies are internal pipping..I am a bit nervous. The eggs look so much better this time..no weird empty egg bottoms.I will lock down when I see my first external pip.

 

[Mumsy]

Mumsy, I got a PM from someone warning me if the eggs have lead in them it will leach out and contaminate your incubator.

I believe it!
My Binkus never laid an egg. Her oviduct was so immature I don't think she ever would have. The roo I bought with her won't be used in breeding until I get him tested and he has a clean bill of health. All the rest of my Silkies are Sheryl Butler and Catdance. One of my Catdance Silkie pullets started laying yesterday and again today. My Catdance eggs in the Genesis are on day thirteen today. Candling all of them tomorrow. I will be overflowing with beautiful Silkies in a short time. That's all I ever wanted.

I never penned these two birds with any other of my flock. They were never free ranged on my property. I only had them since November 17, 2012. Never got a chance to breed them or show them. If the roo is clean, I will give him one of the Catdance or Butler pullet chicks eventually.