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

[delisha]

Quote: Aww Pete, so many probably read what ya posted and liked it, you probably helped many, don't you worry.

 

[Beekissed]

This, the OT and the FF thread are the only threads on which I contribute. I find the people there are there for a reason...to learn. The same reason I am there. It makes for a more harmonious thread altogether if the people all have the same general goal.

On the OT we've had a few that came on for reasons other than learning...they came to argue. Or crybaby about what newbie bashers we were. They didn't last long. They never do on the serious threads...those folks are here for a social reason. They don't seem intelligent enough to realize that one can socialize and learn at the same time and not everyone has to think alike to get along. We are adults and we don't need the drama...got too much of that out in the real world.

I've enjoyed this thread so very much because it has been so pleasant and drama free...but if ever I came here and had to fight every day, I'd just request it be shut down. I have no use for people who like to fight.

 

[mrsamplias]

That is very interesting! Where would one find ginger beer? Never heard of it.

I'm glad you asked; I am such a newbie, I'm almost always thinking to myself, "I've never heard of this..."

 

[mrsamplias]

Hi There I have a story with a HAPPY ending. I gave away most of my chickies this fall to a lady that wanted "more" to keep her hen house warm this winter. Let me tell you Saskatchewan gets blinkin cold. Anyway... she is doing a good job looking after those I gave her. I did keep a few back as they were either maimed or not looking up to snuff... I always try to nurse them back to health. Well, one ISA brown hen was not doing well at all so I put her in a travel cage by herself (yes, in the house) and did the "Nightingale" thingie but she simply drooped. In desperation I gave her two full (small) syringes of straight ginger beer. Nothing... did the same the next day.... still nothing... so I was almost resolved to the worse for her..... then about three days later I noticed in her droppings a few hair worms, not moving at all.... and the same the next day. The following morning she passed a MASS of worms all dead. I can't believe the change in this little hen. She is literally ravenous now.... running around and singing. What a joy. She is starting to put a bit of weight on her emancipated frame and I am totally convinced again on the value of ginger beer. (I use it for upset stomach or travel sickness on ME) Hope this can help you too, as I do NOT like to use chemicals on my critters. TTFN Bev

 

[christyg]

Nah...not at all.  I get that reaction every time I post that and was just a little surprised to see it here.  Thought you all already knew I was a bit....different, shall we say?   I'm never going to be like the rest of BYC and heaven help the day that I am.  It either means I have converted everyone to the BEE natural idea~ or I have drank the Piperazine and am a zombie, unable to make my own decisions without the rest of BYC to confirm that it is a good idea. 

Either way, that will be the day I get out of chickens because~ either my job here in life is done~ or I have lost my everlivin' lovin' mind. 

Remember the rule, Aoxa?  If the bulk of your birds are doing great on a good method and only a few are not, those are your culls.  One simply cannot make this chicken thing easy, and for it to have any flow, when each little group needs special care or considerations. 

Now, someone who breeds different kinds~or shall we say, species~of birds, some tweaking is sure to have to happen.  But a simple working flock like mine or the usual flock people are using to produce food?  They need a simple, one stop shopping feed regimen and husbandry routine that works on them all. 

If not, you find yourself losing the joy of the chickens and it becomes more of a nerve frazzler. If ever any animal in my life becomes a bother and a chore, more than a joy, that is the day I get rid of them. 

Flock grower is great if folks want to use it and supplement calcium in the winter months...and I found myself doing this when I tried it once.  And, you are right, I can't get flock grower in a mash and I have grown to love my mash...it just has a better appearance and smell than the pellets and crumbles, though I know the only difference is the processing.  I usually trust my eyes and nose on if things are good. 

 

I do remember that rule. Silkies are not chickens though, right? 

They will be my only exception to that. I will base that rule in the silkie class. If 98% of the silkies are doing well on a system, the 2% that aren't will be culled. Though I have never lost a grown silkie before. They are hardier than the Wyandottes hands down! A little tricky to raise if mixed with standard birds though, and get trampled easily. I would love to have a completely separate coop for just the bantams. That would be very helpful. A 25 pound goose is a danger to a 1.5 pound silkie pullet. Probably a danger to many chickens as well, but the silkies move slower so are more apt to get trampled by them. Only lost silkies under 8 weeks to this issue. Only ones NOT raised by a broody. Mama always teaches them to get away from big fat geese. 


Wouldn't want to get caught under that belly fat. 

I offer calcium all the time anyway. They rarely eat it. It's there if they do need it. The ones I see eating it most are the high production girls (red sex links). 

How is it these geese above eat less than chickens, and they look so robust? I just love that their diet is almost 95% forage. 
They are not overweight. It's their breed characteristics by the way. They are supposed to look that obese (if not more so).




It's their double chin that had me sold. 

Oh my goodness what a great waddle! I don't blame you one bit! Love it!

 

[mrsamplias]

Quote: METHOD

1. Add the yeast to the bottle* (see warning below). With a funnel, pour in the sugar.
2. Mix the grated ginger with the lemon juice and honey.
3. Pour the ginger mixture through the funnel into the bottle. Now fill the bottle about ¾ full with water, put the cap on and shake the bottle until all the sugar is dissolved.
4. Top up the bottle with water, leaving a 2.5cm gap at the top, to allow for production of gas. Cap the bottle tightly, then place it somewhere warm. Leave it for about 48 hours. Once the bottle feels very hard and has no give in it, your beer should be ready.
5. Place the bottle in the fridge for several hours to stop the yeast working. Once the beer is thoroughly chilled, pass it through a fine sieve and serve.

Warning

We advise you use plastic bottles rather than glass to avoid explosions. A really active mixture can produce lots of gas if left for longer than 48 hours, so do remember to let it off regularly!

Thanks for the recipe! My husband was just asking me if my fermenting foods experiments might also include fermenting beverages....

 

[christyg]

That is very interesting!  Where would one find ginger beer?  Never heard of it. 

 

sorry I forgot to quote before putting up recipe ,didn't mean to upset anyone x being off topic big time ,got attacked when offering some advice on using wood ash on another thread - poisoning animals & it shouldn't be used on any living animal .
didn't realise  ppl could be so touchy over little things .
guess I go back to lurking and not try to contribute

ah and here I was ready to try out that recipe...will miss your aussie accent pete. .

Ps this past summer saw a white cloud in the backyard, was 6 chickens taking a dustbath in the ashes of our firepit. Good thing they didn't know it was "toxic ".

 

[aussie pete]

before everyone starts their seasonal rush ,

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all "my family" on this thread


hope u all have a good one
cheers Pete

 

[Beekissed]

Pete! I love this!!! And it's so appropo to my flock....

 

[aussie pete]

glad it tickled yr funny bone Bee