The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[salt and pepper]

The only other thing I'd suggest is getting paid for your hard work. It's obvious the neighbour either can't or won't raise 'em properly. He may even depend on the kindness of others; whether consciously taking advantage or not.

"Probably wouldn't be treating if it wasn't for the fact that we are so close together, and I don't want it spreading."

This kinda shows you're not so much treating out of kindness as you are fear (although you are incredibly kind to offer to help anyways). Fear shouldn't be a motivating factor to get along w/ neighbours.

I'd def expect something in return, maybe a chunk of goat or lambs meat at his next cull, some of his veggies or whatever. But nothing chicken-related, he may try to repay you w/ some of his sickly chickens. >.<

We are friends, And I honestly don't think he even knows there's anything wrong with his birds. He definitely isn't the kind to take advantage of people, or depend on them, he's always worked hard for what he has, and continues to do so, The odd part are some in a different pen are perfectly healthy. I was contemplating treating them for my own birds safety, and then I saw them, and I felt so bad for them, and I didn't want him losing anymore birds, that I decided to treat them. I have the stuff on hand anyway, so it won't be much of a problem, I'm the kind that wants to fix things, and these birds need fixing! lol. I'm probably getting a rabbit out of this whole thing, because they know I take care of all my animals, and they don't want it anymore.

 

[aoxa]

When I have eggs that look the same on both ends, I candle and look for the air cell before setting in the incubator. Air cell up.

216 eggs!!! Holy Carp! Your incubator is going to be popping like a pop corn popper!

Yes candle the questionables prior to placement

That is a crap load of eggs!

We are friends, And I honestly don't think he even knows there's anything wrong with his birds. He definitely isn't the kind to take advantage of people, or depend on them, he's always worked hard for what he has, and continues to do so, The odd part are some in a different pen are perfectly healthy. I was contemplating treating them for my own birds safety, and then I saw them, and I felt so bad for them, and I didn't want him losing anymore birds, that I decided to treat them. I have the stuff on hand anyway, so it won't be much of a problem, I'm the kind that wants to fix things, and these birds need fixing! lol. I'm probably getting a rabbit out of this whole thing, because they know I take care of all my animals, and they don't want it anymore.

If I were you, I would not treat these birds.. IB looks like so many other infectious diseases.. Like ILT, and that is reportable here in Canada. The government will terminate your entire flock and give money to replace it with ILT free birds.

Is IB not chronic? It is in humans. I had Bronchitis when I was 13 and still am prone to it. I've had it 3 times since..

What are the symptoms that make you think it's IB, and not CRD, ILT or Coreyza?

 

[salt and pepper]

Yes candle the questionables prior to placement

That is a crap load of eggs!
If I were you, I would not treat these birds.. IB looks like so many other infectious diseases.. Like ILT, and that is reportable here in Canada. The government will terminate your entire flock and give money to replace it with ILT free birds.

Is IB not chronic? It is in humans. I had Bronchitis when I was 13 and still am prone to it. I've had it 3 times since..

What are the symptoms that make you think it's IB, and not CRD, ILT or Core

Their faces are swollen, their nostrils are clogged, they are gasping, and rasping for air. I feel so bad for them...

 

[aoxa]

Their faces are swollen, their nostrils are clogged, they are gasping, and rasping for air. I feel so bad for them...

Those symptoms fit ILT and CRD as well as Coryza. What does their face smell like? I know.. Gross question.. But if it smells like infection, it would most likely be Coryza.

Wet pox can also manifest similarly. Wet congested cough.. swollen face.. lethargy, etc.

I am so paranoid about this stuff. ILT has been very common here. I have just got my flock vaccinated. It is done via a drop in the eye. It's the only way we are allowed to show here.. But if they got it, I would be devastated. So I'd rather be safe than sorry..

The vet said that this year has been a record for them. Even having to exterminate an entire hatchery..

 

[salt and pepper]

Those symptoms fit ILT and CRD as well as Coryza. What does their face smell like? I know.. Gross question.. But if it smells like infection, it would most likely be Coryza.

Wet pox can also manifest similarly. Wet congested cough.. swollen face.. lethargy, etc.

I am so paranoid about this stuff. ILT has been very common here. I have just got my flock vaccinated. It is done via a drop in the eye. It's the only way we are allowed to show here.. But if they got it, I would be devastated. So I'd rather be safe than sorry..

The vet said that this year has been a record for them. Even having to exterminate an entire hatchery..

I can't really smell anything, their whole place kinda stinks... I'll try to treat them, and see what happens. Thanks for all the advice!!!

 

[mlowen]

By the wrapping, you mean the floor as well? Wouldn't it just rust within a couple years?

Yes, floor, too. It may rust out in a few years, but it's galvanized, so I'm hoping for awhile. I've got it over gravel and will be putting a good layer of loam on top and then leaves, hay, etc on top of the dirt. I'm almost 60 and may only live her for anther 10 or 12 years, so if it lasts that long--great. Then I'll see whether I do more "farming" or increase my laziness. I come from a crazy-long-lived family, so maybe I'll need to "re-floor" and keep going for another 20-30 years. lol.

 

[Bulldogma]

There is a new thing up - so peek at my signature and click on the link with a similar name to this thread to see what I'm talking about... and if you haven't been there before, please poke around and check out the Article Index page.

Welcome to all the new folks posting here!

Bill Mathews - garlic is used to keep parasites at bay. Many say that bugs like mites and lice are less likely to feed on birds that are fed plenty of garlic as they don't care for the taste of them. Garlic can also help with internal parasites, but many feed cayenne for the internal parasites. The chickens can't taste the "hot" in the cayenne. Oregano has antibiotic properties. It's a good thing to feed to sick and injured birds, or those under stress.

That's a brief run down of it, and I'm sure others will fill in anything I missed. (And there is an article on the thing about herbs and their uses. You can find it via the Index page.)

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I couldn't possibly go through every post...
I was giving my chickens Bragg's ACV in their water but now they're using chicken nipples, and I don't want ACV going through the metal nipples. So, what should I do to replace their having ACV?? They love yogurt, but chickens can't really process dairy sugar, so they shouldn't really have that either (or so I've read repeatedly). I am thinking of making LAB (Lactose Acid Bacteria) dos anyone else do this??
I've read some people put oregano oil in their water and some people put a few drops of iodine. There are so many options, it's making my head hurt. I will be using a cooler with a pump for a waterer and I just want their water to be fresh/clean and would like to use preventative methods for parasites and cocci.
I also have to decide on what to put down in the nesting boxes. We'll have sand as "litter" but I'm not sure what to use for nesting boxes. I've seen that a lot of people use straw, but is that the most sanitary option? I do know that I will add some herbs (like oregano, lavender, peppermint, lemon balm) to benefit chickens and help keep bugs away.

Wasn't it Delisha that put lavender in her nest boxes, and her chickens were allergic to it? I have multiple waterers around, both metal and plastic inside and out side the coop and run.. The ACV goes into the plastic ones. If I didn't have lots of waterers and feeders my chicks and teenagers would not get enough to eat of drink since they stay out of the way of the older ones. I like pine shavings in my nest boxes.

 

[chooks4life]

Quote: Yes, you did make sense, obviously I didn't. The quotes I underlined was what I was questioning the origin of as well as the measurements/specifics of. I've never heard of these items keeping any animal from digesting anything, nor have I heard of any potential to cause malnutrition (except in the pseudo-studies of old junk science). Just seeking specific info, that's all.
Quote: We both agree on the free feeding. I wasn't disagreeing with your statement, I was asking what you mean by 'large amounts.' That's the grey area, people can't easily judge right or wrong amounts from that statement. Also, if the info came from the old junk science it wouldn't be very useful as those incredibly flawed and biased studies were used to prove everything natural is harmful; they worked because the studies were conducted by feeding herbs in enormous quantities as a minimum of 50% of the feed or up to 95%. Those just starting out in natural care may read your statement and be frightened back into pharmaceutical usage, because it's not defined.

Garlic or anything in a majority proportion of the diet is potentially harmful as is is by definition an unbalanced diet if you overfeed anything, but some things are completely safe to feed in very large quantities, as long as you're not shoving it down the bird's throat. I have had some sick birds that insisted on ONLY eating garlic for days until they were better. Also, as another person mentioned, garlic and ACV are more effective when fed consistently rather than as a late bandaid on an already ill bird's problems. The high sulfur in garlic offers parasite and disease protection, and the probiotics and PH alkalinizing properties of ACV offers more protection of general health. If they are consumed infrequently they can't offer a fraction of the protection. I've tried 'infrequent' and I've tried only applying it in the even of sickness, and it didn't work well enough for me to bother continuing.

The question I was hoping you'd answer was what qualifies as 'large amounts,' and it would help to know what you've heard that implicates it as being dangerous, or a cause of malnutrition.

Quote: Please be sure before you treat, and if I were you I would certainly ask him first. I would call him and let him know some are sick, and ask what he wants done if anything, but recommend that he find someone else to tend them if he won't treat them. If a mistake is made and they die, as unlikely as it might seem, you will be culpable. If the right treatment is given and they die, you will also be culpable, and it will be your word against his, with no proof. Looks very bad. Doing anything to someone else's animals, even if they're your friend, can end in worlds of grief and never ending vilification; it's often those trying to help who end up in the most trouble. Please, be sure before you do anything. Best wishes.

 

[aoxa]

I'm a little late for the country shout out, but here is a few for next week possibly

Uhh.. Who invited this goat to breakfast?


Licking garbage cans: Because all the cool kids are doing it


Heritage RIR pullet 9 weeks old


HRIR Cockerel - 9 weeks


Pullet again




and again. They are groupies these 3.


Bantam Ameraucana - Nora. Checking out the barn.


Marvin lounging in the sun.


and Henry.. Being adorable.

It was so hot out today. All the birds spent a great deal of the hot part of the day in the barn or in the woods. The barn.. Oh it's amazing guys.. The insulation keeps it SO cool. I am in love. I can sit in there and cool off.. So awesome.