The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[lalaland]

So....the the little Fav pullet didn't make it through the night, DH buried her this morning. Could not get a stool sample, and DH did not want me to cut her open. Sending stools for the rest to a friend in Vet tech work to look at, just to make sure nobody has anything (I couldn't see anything, but a second opinion is always good). The others are all eating like mad and growing like weeds though. This little one was very close to the one killed, since she kept the Fav from getting picked on too much. Thank you again to everyone who offered help.

You know, nicole, I had a somewhat similiar situation a few months ago. Had two ee pullets who had just started to lay, one went downhill fast and died. no easily identified symptoms - just noticed something wasn't right, next day she was dead. Her best buddy, who had been protected by her, started to go downhill a few days later. I had her autopsied, and the findings were that she was stressed from picking, and had a resulting overgrowth of e coli.

those two ee's were in a group of 4 pullets I added to the flock, and were smaller and less agressive than the other hens. Two of the 4 were roos, so I got rid of them, and that left the two . the biggest bully was the lowest hen on the totem pole in the original flock, another ee.

Not sure it that will shed any light on your situation, but I am truly sorry for the loss.

 

[lalaland]

I just got back after a bz trip, and came back to a slightly diff situation: roos out of control! and I can't believe how much the young flock grew in three days.

One sulmtaler pullet didn't come out of the coop when I let everyone out. I found her panting heaviliy in the coop, sitting down. She is skittish, so coming in made her get up, take a few steps to get away from me, and sit down again. She did make her way out of the coop and down the ramp. panting. somewhat unsteady on her feet, short stilted steps. eagerly ate.

I picked her up, crop empty, no visible signs of anything, and no reaction to me moving her feet and legs. She pooped, and it was small but fine. She was incredibly hungry, and ate like crazy out of my hand. I've put her in the chick brooder for now, with food and water. Not sure if she hurt herself - the 12 week old chicks are roosting above my head (no, their roost isn't that high but they are seeking the highest part of the chick side o the coop) and I'm wondering if in the jostling she was knocked off the shelf edge and came down awkwardly?

is panting a sign of pain? it def isn't heat right now.

 

[loveourbirds]

if i had to guess from here; your roosters are being overly aggressive on her. it still wouldnt hurt to look for injury or illness to be on the safe side. i had a new hampshire red rooster that picked his favorite hen, she would stay in the corner most of the day. every time she got up to eat he would try to mate with her.

its just something to watch for, im not sure this is what is going on.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
I REALLY want to try that. Did you get your original grains at Cultures for Health?

 

[Leahs Mom]

My production layers eat .25 lb/day when confined, the HRIR will eat closer to .33 lb/day.
However... when not confined they eat almost nothing... so these amounts are dry feed weights in winter months (I feed FF, so it obviously weighs more than double that when wet)

Thank you. That info is very helpful. I always wonder about amounts. I think I'm going to get a scale for other purposes (like weighing the grains instead of doing in parts...we'll see). If I do, I can check and see how what I'm feeding falls into this. I think I always put out too much.

Quote: Thanks...I'll see about that too. I always like to know who I'm getting grains from...I think I have one of those "blocks" about taking grains from someone I don't know. But I can probably get over that.

 

[armorfirelady]

Delisha- just add the raw milk to the FF? With it fermenting already with ACV with mother would it cause
Problems? Or just *** some to the FF as I feed out?

My mom was excited with the cream from from the raw milk. I am thinking I will give her the cream so she can make whipping cream. We tasted the milk today and it def has a different flavor but its good. I was thinking of looking up how to make fresh buttermilk with it so I could make my grandmas recipe buttermilk bread with it. Anyone have any suggestions?

Red ride & Leah - I am thinking I need a scale also so I don't over feed again. I don't need anything fancy just basic. Any suggestions?

 

[Leahs Mom]

I have a couple scales I'm looking at now on Amazon. One of them weighs up to 86 lbs, digital, kitchen scale. Another person recommended it for weighing chicken butcher weight too. Also looking at another. When I have a minute or 2 I'll send links to both of those. Disclaimer being I've not used them but have had other folks recommend them.

 

[Leahs Mom]

AFL - send you pms on the raw milk. I also have info on the buttermilk. PM me

 

[Leahs Mom]

Oh...and working outside most of the day so I may not answer right away but I will catch you later tonight!

 

[Sally8]

...

Thank you.  That info is very helpful.  I always wonder about amounts.  I think I'm going to get a scale for other purposes (like weighing the grains instead of doing in parts...we'll see).  If I do, I can check and see how what I'm feeding falls into this.  I think I always put out too much.


Thanks...I'll see about that too.  I always like to know who I'm getting grains from...I think I have one of those "blocks" about taking grains from someone I don't know.  But I can probably get over that. 
[/quote

I am also one that doesn't like anything edible from someone I don't know. Came from my Dad. This guy that my son works with sent us raw milk last year. I made ice cream with it. Yummy! He's going to give us some active grains. Probably one of those things where I jump in then think it through later. Ha!