The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote: I too have lost birds to moldy feed. There are lots that die all of a sudden over a period of days. I didn't know about flushing with molasses and so hopefully yours can make it!!

I am sorry for your losses. It is horrible to see- and feeling so helpless as one watches.

 

[lazy gardener]

Delisha: I am so very sorry. This is so very upsetting.

 

[taylynnp]

My hens are out in thunderstorms, rain, snow,etc. I've never dried them off and never will they have heat. They will be just fine. They are meant to be outdoors and their feathers protect them. Mine have looked like drowned rats on cold days and they roost, preen and back out the next day.

The only animals I dry off are my dogs because I don't want wet footprints all over me house

Ha! They were a lot drier than I thought they would be which goes to show how nice their feather coats are. It was only the one dumb bunny cockerel that still had soaked sickle feathers. Everyone else felt warm.

I did find a draft that I was able to close up!

 

[armorfirelady]

I wish I was closer Delisha I would come help as well and with buckets of ff in hopes it would help them get better hugs & prayers being sent your way.

 

[taylynnp]

Oh no, delisha. I hope you are able to save some if not most of your birds. Don't beat yourself up too much, accidents happen. It's not like you knowingly gave them bad feed.
I know you must be sick yourself. Hugs!

 

[Leahs Mom]

X2 AFL.

I told Chuck (my hubby) and he wanted to pray for you and your birds right away, Del - and we did.

 

[armorfirelady]

I've been searching the web also. This link gives different kinds of mold but last one was the one that caught my attention. If you read the treatment it says LABs are good. I'm not good at LAB info but I was thinking the one made naturally by FF or the one made by rice wash? Leah's mom would be better at it than me.......
http://birdhealth.com.au/flockbirds/poultry/diseases/mould_infections.html
Another tx option:
http://www.aflatoxins.info

 

[Allysha1990]

Squirrels are clean and they eat nuts, acorns and other seeds including Dogwood. Rats live in sewers dumps and other places filled with vermin. So yes they are both rodents as are rabbit. I have eaten squirrels and rabbits and enjoyed them. Rats are another story.

I have seen squirrels eating rotten dead birds :S I seen a little one at my university and walked up like "oh hi little gu.... oh"

 

[Allysha1990]

I never knew that birds reacted that bad to moldy food! Very sorry to hear about that. I hope they are OK

 

[Shan30]

So sorry Delisha, wish I could add something helpful but I just have no idea. Sending positive thoughts your way.