The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Sally8]

My problem seems so minor compared to the previous, I really hope you get her sorted Sally8, poor thing!

I've already posted this in Raising baby Chicks but thought maybe someone could help here when it comes to raising chickens naturally with a mum rather than a heat lamp!

I'm hoping someone can offer us some advice. Our Partridge Orpington went broody so we got 10 hatching eggs for her, she kicked 2 out in the week they were due to hatch and we found one dead chick a few days before they were due (assuming she stood on it) 2 chicks hatched on Sunday and she abandoned the other eggs (She's in a converted rabbit hutch with 2 separate nest boxes attached) Last night (Monday) we added 5 more 3 day old chicks at night and she seemed to accept them quite happily. Then, this afternoon we heard a bit of commotion in the coop and went to investigate, she was in the main area of the coop scratching around as if she was looking for food (there's plenty of food and water available to her and the chicks) there was one dead chick, still warm, poor thing, another looking a bit weak and the others getting thrown around by her scratching.

So... We collected all the chicks, popped them in a box under a heat lamp, in the mean time screwed a narrow piece of wood in front of the opening to the next box so she is essentially trapped but can get her head out for food and waters and the chicks can get away from her if they need to, we popped the chicks back in with her and she seemed to settle. we did this in about 10/15mins so they weren't away from her for too long. Can anyone tell me if we've done the right/wrong thing? or can you suggest what we should do. At what point should we let them all back together? I very much feel like we've done something wrong and we've been a bit naive about how easy it would be to just let her do her thing and raise them, she seems as confused as us to be honest.

Thanks in advance, hoping someone can help

Rach
x

Not sure old the mama is but I had 2 BCM that were about 1 yr old. I'm assuming that they just weren't old enough as they killed live chicks after they hatched. This summer they actually hatched some and didn't kill them. In my case, I think it was immaturity. Hopefully someone else has a better suggestion.

 

[armorfirelady]

I need a little help. I came home from work early today because I'm sick. Opening the car door, I heard a chicken screaming. This is Cecilia's behind. I had already poured water/peroxide over her before I remembered to take a picture. What can I do now? I know this is a Natural thread but my gut feeling says to start an antibiotic. I have 2 but never used them. Tylan 50 and Duramycin 10. I have homemade NuStock and farm salve. I gave her yogurt. She has 5 baby chicks and they stayed hiding until I got her back in a cat carrier and then she started calling to them. they came out of hiding from under a huge bush. She has several bleeding areas and her tail looks a little ripped, mostly she's missing feathers. I called the neighbors to get their dog and they are as sick as I am over it. I had told them that Ginger chased the chickens and they didn't believe me. It's only because I came home early that I happened to see her here. I know they let her out to free roam when I'm not home. No bad feelings between us, unless it continues. My chickens sometimes roam on their way back yard but she was on mine when I caught her. Hopefully, I can heal her. BYW, my mother is still in the hospital and hopefully she can come home in 2 weeks. But today, I had to put her 15 yr old dog to sleep. He's been sick for some time now and was vetted. But now he's just suffering. (Cushing's Disease) When it rains it pours.

I see the pic. I'd clean her up with an Epsom salt bath soak & lather her with Nustock or coconut oil. And put her in a dog crate with the babies so she can heal but still mother them. And every day clean and reapply. If its in a spot the Nustock or coconut oil won't stay use blue kote. And probably give her electolytes in her water as well. And some eggs with garlic and some basil in them. Both will boost her immune system and I don't think hurt the chicks. Poor momma but amazing she was able to get her chicks to hide. That's a very good momma Wish I was a little closer I'd come help :/

 

[Sally8]

I see the pic. I'd clean her up with an Epsom salt bath soak & lather her with Nustock or coconut oil. And put her in a dog crate with the babies so she can heal but still mother them. And every day clean and reapply. If its in a spot the Nustock or coconut oil won't stay use blue kote. And probably give her electolytes in her water as well.
And some eggs with garlic and some basil in them. Both will boost her immune system and I don't think hurt the chicks.

Poor momma but amazing she was able to get her chicks to hide. That's a very good momma
Wish I was a little closer I'd come help :/

I wish you were closer. Won't the Epsom salt sting? I can't leave the babies with her as I let them be together right after I cleaned her up and some acted like little cannibals. I put her in a rabbits cage that I had bought a few of earlier this spring after disinfecting it and placed it in the little coop where the babies and the few Silkie mixes I have. Nothing is on the floor except a little food she's spilled. It's still oozing in places but most is dried. I doubt if she'll ever have tail feathers again. I didn't think about soaking her but am worried about the salt. Will have to think on it a minute. Do you think Blu Coat would be the best as I gave her a tiny shot of Tylan 50?
Unbelievably, just now while I was getting everyone situated, the dog came back up. This time DH took her home. Starting tomorrow, everyone will be fenced in, as they should. We were going to do it last week end and didn't. I have 7 girls almost big enough to start laying.

 

[aoxa]

I wish you were closer. Won't the Epsom salt sting? I can't leave the babies with her as I let them be together right after I cleaned her up and some acted like little cannibals. I put her in a rabbits cage that I had bought a few of earlier this spring after disinfecting it and placed it in the little coop where the babies and the few Silkie mixes I have. Nothing is on the floor except a little food she's spilled. It's still oozing in places but most is dried. I doubt if she'll ever have tail feathers again. I didn't think about soaking her but am worried about the salt. Will have to think on it a minute. Do you think Blu Coat would be the best as I gave her a tiny shot of Tylan 50?
Unbelievably, just now while I was getting everyone situated, the dog came back up. This time DH took her home. Starting tomorrow, everyone will be fenced in, as they should. We were going to do it last week end and didn't. I have 7 girls almost big enough to start laying.

I wouldn't take the dog back next time. Call the dog catcher. Make them pay a fine. If it comes back after that, take it to the furthest shelter you are willing to drive.

That is if you can't kill it.

A dog on it's owner's property is a pet, a dog on someone else's property is a predator. Shoot it if you can (legally and mentally).

 

[MEMama3]

I wouldn't take the dog back next time. Call the dog catcher. Make them pay a fine. If it comes back after that, take it to the furthest shelter you are willing to drive.

That is if you can't kill it. 

A dog on it's owner's property is a pet, a dog on someone else's property is a predator. Shoot it if you can (legally and mentally).

I get what both of you are saying. On one hand you want to keep good relations with your neighbors and on the other hand you want your flock to be safe. I have one neighbor who I'd talk to about keeping their dog in control if it were to come here. I have another neighbor whose dog I would shoot in a heartbeat because I've tried being nice. It's a balancing act. Hope it works out and your hen recuperates.

 

[Sally8]

I wouldn't take the dog back next time. Call the dog catcher. Make them pay a fine. If it comes back after that, take it to the furthest shelter you are willing to drive.

That is if you can't kill it. 

A dog on it's owner's property is a pet, a dog on someone else's property is a predator. Shoot it if you can (legally and mentally).

I'd have no troubles shooting it but we like the dog too. She stays with us when they go away but she never used to come up without being allowed to. They used to have a shock collar on her and she stayed home. They said they'd put it back on. Plus, I'll keep my chickens confined too. As I said, they would roam over in their far back yard. We only own 1 acre. I believe that having good neighbors is being a good neighbor. But 3 times and you're out.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: Epsom salt baths are soothing, not like normal salt on a wound. They are highly recommended for moms who have given birth recently even if they have tears. I'm thinking there is no way a medical person would have a new mom do anything that stings.

 

[AletaG]

Hi All, I just started keeping chickens and got my first egg today and was wondering if I need to clean it? It was not "dirty" or anything and Im really am not into chemicals so any pointers would be much appreciated.
Thanks

Nope! there is a 'bloom' on the surface that helps keep the egg longer. If it's somewhat poopy, wash just before use. If it's really bad, some people just feed to their dogs (great treat) or, if you must wash it, coat it with mineral oil. Has a similar effect to the 'bloom', but shuts down almost all air exchange, so for eating, will last even longer. An egg treated this way will suffocate a developing bird though, so not for hatching eggs.

Epsom salt baths are soothing, not like normal salt on a wound. They are highly recommended for moms who have given birth recently even if they have tears. I'm thinking there is no way a medical person would have a new mom do anything that stings.

Also, boiling ginger root was recommended to my by my doula for tearing... esp when there's a risk of infection. The salts/ginger combo seems a good start. Good luck.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: I soaked Mrs Green feet after doing bumble foot surgery & she seemed ok with it. Even a soak in warm water with some soap in it will help it get cleaner. The blue kote is an anitfungal/bateria spray. I would probably use the Nustock and lather it on thick. It will stop others from pecking as well. I wouldnt use an antibiotic but thats me. Honey has healing properties, corn starch will stop bleeding, oregano is a natural antibiotic, lemon balm is natural antibiotic & relaxes, coconut oil has been used by others here with great healing results.

I would think after cleaning her up better & lathering her up with nustock the babies would be fine. Unless they are old enough to be on their own?

 

[RedRidge]

I need a little help. ...

Sally8... so sorry... what a day.
You and yours are in our prayers...