The road less traveled...back to good health! They have lice, mites, scale mites, worms, anemia, gl

[Leahs Mom]

.... if the herd are all crying out the same sound, that's the sound to which they listen. It sounds like the most wise thing to do because so many people are saying it...if the majority are saying it, it must be right, mustn't it? .

Reminds me of an old "parable" about an Emperor and some new clothes....

 

[Beekissed]

Yes...and only the "smart" or "informed" can see them. Only a child, with a child's ability to call it as they see it was able to come out and speak the truth.

The truth is that all those methods stem from USDA recommendations for poultry ag businesses and there are no "recommended" husbandry practices from the USDA about backyard flocks except to follow the commercial practices....crowd them in too small of spaces, biosecurity measures to keep out the "wildlife" from whence they will get diseases and parasites, feed them medicated feeds, give them light to make them produce, disinfect all the surfaces and buildings when an outbreak of disease occurs(which it inevitably will even if the dreaded wild birds cannot gain access), give medicines to "cure" the disease, rid them of parasites, or vaccines to prevent disease, and start it all over again in the exact same way.

Mindless futility...

 

[Wax Myrtle]

Awwwwww...how sweeet!!!       But you don't want to be around come culling time......  


  If ya ain't layin', you just might get cut from the herd!  

Ruh roh! After three hatchlings, and mumble years, I have just about quit laying...!

 

[Beekissed]

I'm only an internal layer right now....

And like a true chicken, I only have one ovary.

I keep the Bat around and she stopped laying right after I was born....but she has broody and guard capabilities, so we think she is worth it. She also is pretty darn useful for cleaning out the "coop" and keeps it spotless. She is NOT a fan of "deep litter".

 

[Wax Myrtle]

I'm only an internal layer right now....     And like a true chicken, I only have one ovary.  

I keep the Bat around and she stopped laying right after I was born....but she has broody and guard capabilities, so we think she is worth it.  She also is pretty darn useful for cleaning out the "coop" and keeps it spotless.  She is NOT a fan of "deep litter". 

 

Heh heh... I use the deep litter method pretty much everywhere: coop, yarn, fabric, books, laundry, dishes...

 

[chickachee]

Hey...if you PM me, I can help you with that. Even if you don't have word, you can do it on the free software that lives on your computer.

Hi L's Mom, do you know anything about Macs? All I have is text edit (I think) and I think it's kind of cumbersome. Maybe I have to get Microsoft Office for Macs??

Sheila

 

[galanie]

Mine is in the light and uncovered. Nope, it doesn't have to be. It's a good idea to cover with cloth or something if bugs are getting in it. Mine is in my washroom so no bugs in it.

  I read somewhere in the FF thread that someone used old pairs of pantyhose.  Works great to allow plenty of air circulation and keep the bugs out.

HAHA that was me! When I had it in the garage I tied off the legs of old panty hose and slipped the "panty" over the top. Works great.

 

[galanie]

I'm only an internal layer right now....     And like a true chicken, I only have one ovary.  

I keep the Bat around and she stopped laying right after I was born....but she has broody and guard capabilities, so we think she is worth it.  She also is pretty darn useful for cleaning out the "coop" and keeps it spotless.  She is NOT a fan of "deep litter". 

 

Heh heh... I use the deep litter method pretty much everywhere: coop, yarn, fabric, books, laundry, dishes...

Me too!

 

[chickachee]

Update on the chicken with one eye closed (reminds me of "The Karate Kid" - "Close eye, Daniel-san"), puffed up and standing alone: I don't know what her deal was, but late yesterday she was looking like her "normal" self! She was running with the rest of the pack, scratching, had both of her peepers open and she looked just fine. Maybe she knew I'm kind of a "closet worrier" and couldn't help playing with me? Since I seem to have the tendency to post about a situation too soon, only to have to re-post with an update, I'll probably have the misfortune of having her drop dead off the roost! I'm kidding, I'm kidding.....

 

[Beekissed]

I'm so glad! Time takes care of a lot of things, I have found. What is that saying? "Time wounds all heels..." No, that's not it...that's the advice I give to my broken-hearted friends. Time heals all wounds..yeah, that's it! My memory is an elusive thing sometimes.....