The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[chikenscratch]

It must all be an April fools joke.
Almost 70 degrees here and not even noon yet. I'm trimming the rose bushes and butterfly bush. Thinned the tomatoes and peppers for transplant in 5 or 6 weeks. I'm going to have to either put some sheep or cattle in the front yard, or fire up the lawn mower.

All of you with warm weather can go sh*ve it We keep having crappy, cold, snowy/rainy weather and I'm so over it! And jealous, of course.

 

[tjo804]

@hellbender
I don't think that is harsh. Many of us feel that our birds need to have strong enough immune systems, etc., to be able to recoup and raise them with prevention in mind. If there is injury or something similar we'll help but if it's a weakness of constitution we see that as a sign that something is out of kilter - especially if all the others are thriving.

That being said, for injuries type things that can be helped, I will help. It is possible that AFL's bird got hold of something that has gotten stuck in the crop. I kind-of see that as a potential "injury" issue so trying to treat it as a possible injury with a bit of oil or grit or some probiotics doesn't feel like too much intervention

And I do agree that with a larger flock, it is much easier. AFL has 8 birds. For one to have a problem is 1/8 of her entire flock which is a pretty good percentage. And I "think" with this kind of thing it's worth giving a little tlc to see how it turns out I guess I'm looking at this as "first aid" at this point.

This is also A Great learning experience for a small flock owner and others hearing the story. I give credit to anyone who can identify a problem and work to a solution.

Go Team without the knowledge and experience of the large long time flock owners I fear many people would not be able to enjoy their chickens.

 

[hellbender]

@hellbender
I don't think that is harsh. Many of us feel that our birds need to have strong enough immune systems, etc., to be able to recoup and raise them with prevention in mind. If there is injury or something similar we'll help but if it's a weakness of constitution we see that as a sign that something is out of kilter - especially if all the others are thriving.

That being said, for injuries type things that can be helped, I will help. It is possible that AFL's bird got hold of something that has gotten stuck in the crop. I kind-of see that as a potential "injury" issue so trying to treat it as a possible injury with a bit of oil or grit or some probiotics doesn't feel like too much intervention

And I do agree that with a larger flock, it is much easier. AFL has 8 birds. For one to have a problem is 1/8 of her entire flock which is a pretty good percentage. And I "think" with this kind of thing it's worth giving a little tlc to see how it turns out I guess I'm looking at this as "first aid" at this point.

Couldn't agree with you (and AFL more). I tried to make that clear in my post. Don't think for a second that I wasn't tempted, over and over again to try to do something to help her but I know from MY experience that little can be done to actually help and much can be done to cause more harm.

I understand a bit of oil but can't grasp what good pouring grit down an already impacted gullet can do and I also know from actual personal experience, when feel poorly, the last thing I want is a team of folks poking and prodding on me, actually making me feel much worse.

The sad moral to this story....I'd rather see one die or even be the one to kill it than to feel like I might have contributed to it's suffering.

I truly am sorry for your loss, AFL...I remember 'favorite' birds that my grand dad and dad killed because they were no longer useful to the flock and had them served to me as dinner, no regards, if they even knew that the bird in question was a 'pet' to me.


again...a very heart felt..SORRY.

 

[misbhaven]

S

All of you with warm weather can go sh*ve it We keep having crappy, cold, snowy/rainy weather and I'm so over it! And jealous, of course.

I second this I had one day that was nice..then today woke up to frozen chicken and rabbit water ..and 30 mile an hour winds.. Enough of the freezing temps!! We have new coops to build.

 

[tjo804]

Quote:

See knowledge is power! People learn at different curves and it is this kind of advice that helps to Balance the *pet * with the Chicken. It may be hard to hear when trying to save a *friend* but it will be placed in the learning folder and help to raise happier and healthier Back yard flocks.

Thank you

I have filed this away for future use!

 

[tjo804]

S
Quote: Yes you are both right as sadly Bear season has ended in the south (the time during which you wear long pants and are not so diligent about shaving)
it is time to Shave for the shorts or that could be embarrassing

stay warm if spring doesn't come maybe summer will.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@stonykill
And everyone...

I was all ready to move the 2 offenders last night and put the crate in the garage when it dawned on me that I need to have some kind of provision for a place to lay eggs. These 2 lay almost daily.

I'm trying to figure out how to make that happen while still making it predator proof. The garage eves have some gaps that I suppose it is possible a raccoon can get in. There are birds that nest up in there but I've never seen evidence of raccoon. I imagine if the raccoons could get in there the birds wouldn't still be there? But better safe than sorry. The garage is not attached - an old 1947 block building.

If anyone has any creative ideas for how to rig a nest box on such a small crate I'd love to hear them!

 

[Leahs Mom]

On the grit, it's just out there for if the birds want to take it. If she doesn't take it she doesn't take it. If the crop is impacted sometimes it will help get things moving. And if the bird chooses to fast sometimes it is a "healing fast" to give the body time to rest and recoup. At last I heard Sophie was eating and showing normal behavior other than what you could see in the video.

And....AFL's bird isn't dead...at last report she was really quite chipper and behaving pretty normal. Waiting to hear how she is this morning!

 

[stonykill]

@stonykill
And everyone...

I was all ready to move the 2 offenders last night and put the crate in the garage when it dawned on me that I need to have some kind of provision for a place to lay eggs. These 2 lay almost daily.

I'm trying to figure out how to make that happen while still making it predator proof. The garage eves have some gaps that I suppose it is possible a raccoon can get in. There are birds that nest up in there but I've never seen evidence of raccoon. I imagine if the raccoons could get in there the birds wouldn't still be there? But better safe than sorry. The garage is not attached - an old 1947 block building.

If anyone has any creative ideas for how to rig a nest box on such a small crate I'd love to hear them!

just stick a small cardboard box in there. Sides cut low. Or do nothing and they will lay where they make the nest

 

[Binababy]

I do give mine ff from day 1 - the whole flock gets the same feed.  Then I add some extra meat protein for the littles and there is calcium on the side for all others. 

There should be no alcohol concerns with Lacto-fermented feed as it is fermented to produce lactic acid rather than alcohol.  (For a quick primer on the differences in the kinds of ferments, take a look at this article.  )

That article also has links to the [COLOR=FF0000]research articles that were done feeding chicks[/COLOR] Lacto-fermented feed from day 1 and the health benefits

Thank you for the advice on the wire, we have 5 acres fenced in 4"x4" sheep wire with electric fence at the bottom. And the back half of the property is in barb & electric wire. I'm so scared he will throw some poison over like I think he did to my puppy that died(