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

[bruceh]

them bird are screaming " give me boss boss boss, give me boss boss boss "

 

[Beekissed]

They do haunt me and that is an apt description of how it feels, Dragon. Sort of like seeing horrible ghosts of the animals that used to be alive and vibrant in my back yard. I feel so sorry for them and so gentle towards these pitiful birds...I just want to pat them on the back and assure them that they are safe now.

I know that sounds really mushy and like I'll be reaching for the chicken diapers any day now....but I've never had any animal of mine in such poor condition and I feel such sorrow and guilt over it. MY responsibility and I dropped the ball....I know that paths in life take one away from their normal lives now and again, and that has happened to me in the past year or so, but I never expected the animals would be the ones to suffer for it.

Now, I want to rush their recovery so that I won't be faced with their misery...but that's never how these things happen. There is no magic wand to wave over these birds to restore lusterless feathers, or change dulled eyes into brightness in a flash....but it doesn't keep me from dreaming of better days for these chickens. We had such golden days once...you should have seen them in their golden days!

I'm afraid that many will have to be culled in the spring and they had such a long run....longer than most and for that they must be applauded. It makes me wonder how long they could have run if they hadn't had this horrible fall into a hell pit.

 

[armorfirelady]

Thank you for sharing the updated pics. I couldnt imagine how you must feel after leaving healthy, happy birds & then coming back to such unhealthy birds. They look more content in the newest pics foraging around your property. Keep up the good work Bee....

 

[thedragonlady]

They do haunt me and that is an apt description of how it feels, Dragon. Sort of like seeing horrible ghosts of the animals that used to be alive and vibrant in my back yard. I feel so sorry for them and so gentle towards these pitiful birds...I just want to pat them on the back and assure them that they are safe now.

I know that sounds really mushy and like I'll be reaching for the chicken diapers any day now....but I've never had any animal of mine in such poor condition and I feel such sorrow and guilt over it. MY responsibility and I dropped the ball....I know that paths in life take one away from their normal lives now and again, and that has happened to me in the past year or so, but I never expected the animals would be the ones to suffer for it.

Now, I want to rush their recovery so that I won't be faced with their misery...but that's never how these things happen. There is no magic wand to wave over these birds to restore lusterless feathers, or change dulled eyes into brightness in a flash....but it doesn't keep me from dreaming of better days for these chickens. We had such golden days once...you should have seen them in their golden days!

I'm afraid that many will have to be culled in the spring and they had such a long run....longer than most and for that they must be applauded. It makes me wonder how long they could have run if they hadn't had this horrible fall into a hell pit.

We've all done it unknowingly Bee, just as you did, if we've had critters long enough. What seperates the sheep from the goats, is the inate feeling of RESPONSIBILITY. That is key. Seeing your range, I know those birds think they have died, and gone to heaven. That, and your TLC will give them whatever time they have as happy souls again.Many never get that.

 

[Beekissed]

Thank you, DL, for the words that make me feel better.

I'm going to try a little sumpin' sumpin' this morning. I'm going to give this flock some olive leaf extract. A great herbal antifungal that I have used for my family for years and really works. Right now I'm soaking the capsules to extract the..er..uh...the extract. Green and herbally smelling stuff. Works great for mold related allergy symptoms, internal fungal infections, external fungal rashes, etc. See if we can kick this gleet's butt....

 

[Suzierd]

Bee I really want to try the FF. I have chick starter crumbles or I have layer crumbles which would be better to use? I don't have very many chickens just want to make small amounts. I was thinking of taking about a gallon of feed in a large canning pot and filling it with water just above feed and adding ACV, don't know how much? Let it sit a least eight hours then feed. I would just put it through a strainer for excess water. Would I be doing this right? Thanks for your help. I have been following this thread from the beginning. I'm pulling for poor chickens and I love that your saving them. Thanks for sharing this story with us. I went out and bought a pumpkin yesterday can't wait to see how they all like it. I guess I'll share the seeds.

 

[Missa Chickabee]

Thank you, DL, for the words that make me feel better.

I'm going to try a little sumpin' sumpin' this morning. I'm going to give this flock some olive leaf extract. A great herbal antifungal that I have used for my family for years and really works. Right now I'm soaking the capsules to extract the..er..uh...the extract. Green and herbally smelling stuff. Works great for mold related allergy symptoms, internal fungal infections, external fungal rashes, etc. See if we can kick this gleet's butt....

I am paying attention. BK.

 

[Beekissed]

You probably won't need a strainer if you are using processed feeds of any kind. It sort of swells up and makes a mortar consistency mix that is difficult to strain. It's best just to feed it as is. I drill small holes in the bottom of my feeder to rid of excess moisture that is in the mix, which I find much easier than trying to strain it before feeding. It doesn't really matter if you use the starter or layer, they both are fine.

At first one really plays with the consistency to get the right amount of water to feed to get the right pudding/mush. It gets easier to drain and dish out if you mix 50% whole grains in it...when I use a mix of mash and whole grains, I drain off the water before serving.

You might have to wait longer than 8 hours. You'll want to be able to smell a slightly sour smell to your mix and it should show some bubbles and even a little foam when stirred. This thread is a great thread to learn about the FF...I think it should be a sticky:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds

 

[fishnet1971]

Bee, to me they already look better than when you brought them home pictures. One week and yea, i too see improvement. Look at his feathers shine!!!!! I bet you wont have to put any of them down in the spring.

I have had a bad go around with gleet as well. Hate to use the meds, but i ended up using an antifungal stuff the vet gave me for my cats ears and it REALLY worked well. Vet gave me extra knowing i had chickens and told me it would work on any fungus they may get.

Keep it up!!!!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Thank you, DL, for the words that make me feel better.

I'm going to try a little sumpin' sumpin' this morning. I'm going to give this flock some olive leaf extract. A great herbal antifungal that I have used for my family for years and really works. Right now I'm soaking the capsules to extract the..er..uh...the extract. Green and herbally smelling stuff. Works great for mold related allergy symptoms, internal fungal infections, external fungal rashes, etc. See if we can kick this gleet's butt....

Could you give us a little more info on the olive leaf extract:

For the Chickens:
I know it's in capsules...is it powder or liquid?
How will you administer? Feed or Topical or both?

For people:
Same questions!