Ways to Improve Health?

[amyandkids]

thechickmama, I have given my chickens probiotics for a while, why do u say its bad for them?

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote: Do you have documented proof that probiotics are bad?

Probiotics are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “Living microorganisms that provide a health benefit to the host when ingested in adequate amounts.” That fairly boring description hardly does justice to these tiny organisms, though.
In fact, the word “probiotic” actually means “for life” – and that’s an excellent description of these beneficial bacteria. Without sufficient supplies, your health can suffer in both mildly annoying and very serious ways.
All this being said, these living microorganisms work the same magic in the intestines of all creatures.

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

NO DONT FEED THEM PROBIOTICS IT IS BAD FOR THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry, but this is the most ridiculous statement I have heard in awhile !

 

[katbriar]

"My coop has a permanent 3-4 inch high gap at the top of three of the walls so there is constant air flow just under the ceiling removing the warm/moist air that rises. These gaps are never closed up. Then, their run is only three sided. The fourth side is wire fencing with clear plastic tacked up during the winter to block the snow from blowing in and the worst of the wind."

Daisy8s- how far above your roost is your gap? This is my first winter with chickens, and my coop and run set up sounds very similar to yours. I have a 4-5 inch gap along the front and back (long sides) of the coop directly under the sloped tin roof. My roosts are 2 1/2-3 feet below. I've been watching for draft, but so far it seems pretty good.

You seem really satisfied with you set up so I'm hoping for the same ;-)

 

[AVintageLife]

I do all of the above, including fermented feed (which they love) but I haven't seen anyone mention greens in the winter. I have a small flock and every day I give them some greens - dandelion, cabbage, spinach, kale, collard greens, etc. I've heard of some who use alfalfa cubes in their fermented feed. I thought greens were very important? A couple of times a week they also get some yellow veg like butternut squash, carrots, sweet potato.

 

[Daisy8s]

"My coop has a permanent 3-4 inch high gap at the top of three of the walls so there is constant air flow just under the ceiling removing the warm/moist air that rises. These gaps are never closed up. Then, their run is only three sided. The fourth side is wire fencing with clear plastic tacked up during the winter to block the snow from blowing in and the worst of the wind."

Daisy8s- how far above your roost is your gap? This is my first winter with chickens, and my coop and run set up sounds very similar to yours. I have a 4-5 inch gap along the front and back (long sides) of the coop directly under the sloped tin roof. My roosts are 2 1/2-3 feet below. I've been watching for draft, but so far it seems pretty good.

You seem really satisfied with you set up so I'm hoping for the same ;-)

Yep, my ventilation gaps are just under my roof, like yours. I'd say that their top roost is a good 2 feet below the gaps. It was explained to me that ventilation is good while drafts are bad, and the difference is that drafts are "air blowing on the bird" while ventilation is "air moving above their heads".

 

[NYREDS]

I can't help you for this winter but I can offer help for the future. First let me tell you about my coops: they're uninsulated, unheated & loose enough that I get snow drifts inside. In one coop the windows aren't even covered. I have never had widespread resperitory problems I had a hard time getting under control.

Here's what I do: I breed for disease resistance. When I have had sick birds I have immediately culled them. Since I would never consider breeding from a bird that has gotten sick there's no reason for me to keep them around. Why would I want to produce more birds that are prone to illness?

At times, when I have started working with a new breed I have had instances of birds getting sick but within a couple of generations I have bred out that disease susceptibility by only breeding from healthy parent stock.

The only items in my chicken "medicine Cabinet" are louse powder, a Coccidiostat & a hatchet [also so blood stop powder for dubbing games. These items take care of all my poultry health needs.

I suggest reading a book on Chicken Diseases by Fred Jeffery.

 

[spies04]

Just wondering if you could provide some background on why not to feed them probiotics. I understand that has become a daily diet for some and wanted to get your insight on why not to feed it.

All of the information everyone has provided has been quite valuable. thanks!

 

[Fillys Flock]

Hi. just joined and read what you said about your recipe. Would you be willing to share it? Ingredients and amounts? Thanks!
Fillys flock

 

[Lacy Blues]

Just checking it out. Don't have time to read right now but I wanted to be able to find it again if they take it off the home page.