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

[ronnymalia]

So sorry for your sweeties. I will follow along, being new to chicken raising (7 months) and fighting mites at the moment. So much to learn and want my 8 girls and 3 chicks to have a great life in my backyard. Thanks for taking the time to post and share your knowledge.

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

I am speechless, no in shock. I find it hard to believe that there are people in this world that would treat any animal in this manner. They have a name, but that's a subject for another thread. If anyone can do this, it's you Bee. Your husbandry and management skills will see you through this. I do know how you feel. I sold 43 day old chicks to a neighbor. I don't think any of them survived. I will be one of the first people in line to buy your book.

 

[Beekissed]

I'm so sorry--- what a mess! Consider having a fecal run, or maybe worming without; maybe ivermectin to get the parasites in a few days if you're still seeing mites, etc. Sometimes drugs are good... All the best for these poor birds. Mary

You see, I am all about using the natural things and things I have in my own home when possible, when dealing with flock management. My philosophy is "there is no quick fix for poor management". A year and a half ago these birds were in optimal, shiny health....they will be returned to that, if possible, just how they got to be that way in the first place~ sunshine, fresh air, clean soils, exercise, good social structure, good food, good forage, good water, good health practices.

If you've got these things for your birds, it's likely you will never be dealing with parasites and ill health in the flock.

I'd like to avoid drugs if possible. The body has remarkable healing capabilities when given a chance to correct itself. I try to avoid using drugs for me and my family and I like to do the same with the animals we eat for food. Running fecals, buying ivermectin, etc.all cost money and won't get me as far as good flock management. If you use drugs to correct poor management, you will be buying those drugs again and again.

I like to explore how to avoid having these kinds of health crises in the first place and I've found that, truly, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Birds don't suffer when you prevent poor health, Money is not lost when you prevent poor health.

This is just gonna be one of those threads where we don't use meds.

 

[Mahonri]

So how will you get rid of the mites?

Wood ash?

 

[galefrances]

I am so very sorry to hear about your poor chickens Bee. I'm 57 yrs. old and have seen and experienced alot in my life, but quite frankly, people still shock the hell out of me. Anyway....I've been reading your OT thread long enough to know how skillful you are, and have every faith that you will heal those birds. {prayers}

 

[Nomibear]

I'm so sorry that these birds you obviously cared so much for were treated so badly.
If you don't mind me asking, why did you divide up your flock? Also, have you been without chickens this last year and a half? If some of your girls were already 7? Years old. Did any of those older girls make it through the last year and a half?
My thoughts are with you as you rescue and rehabilitate these poor dears. Thank you for sharing this experience with us. My hope is that I can be a better chicken caregiver for it.

 

[NotAFarm]

Reading......learning.........

 

[armorfirelady]

I also will be reading this thread with interest. I to believe in using no drugs and that fresh air, clean & dry areas are the best for animals.

I will be watching & learning, If anyone can get their flock back to optimum health its you Bee

 

[memechick]

I'm watching this thread closely too!

 

[off-grid hen]

I have subscribed. It will be interesting to see the results of the experiment. I would like to hope-scratch that- I have confidence that- with proper nutrition and quality of life improvements, the birds will turn around. I think some of the problem that some people have with "natural" treatments is that they aren't applied correctly or in sufficient quantities, etc. like vinegar and pumpkins. There was a backyard poultry mag issue that dealt with the natural dewormers. But as I said, I don't know if the methods have been studied well enough yet. It will be curious to see how the birds' bodies deal with worms in your care, this is what I am watching more closely than anything else.

Wood ashes are great, so useful for so many things, and not utilized much today. You might even want to put some in long shallow bins (like for wrapping paper storage) in the coop/run for dust bathing while they are still locked up. Even the opportunity for natural behaviors ( even if they don't use it) is good right now, I think.

So what are your thoughts for things like cocci overload? Proper manure management+ healthy gut flora and general improved nutrition to get the balance back over time? Are you not worryng about cocci? Are you going to use vitamin supplements to get them over the hump or not? What order are you treating things, and why? The external parasites are really something, and tax the body more than some people realize. I think you'll see a big improvement once those are cleared up.

Do you have any of the partridge rocks left? I have a soft spot in my heart for them for some reason.

Regarding nustock- I have a tube that has separated, is there a fix for that, or do i need a new tube? Lol.

Good luck! I think you have the ingenuity, patience, and empathy to get the job done. If some of the birds don't make it, at least the end will be better for them than the alternative.