What did you do with your flock today?

[Debbie292d]

I also do a short ferment but all year round. I also make sure I feed plenty of prebiotics as these are required for the probiotic bacteria to proliferate in the gut. The importance of prebiotics to 'feed' probiotics is often overlooked. Without prebiotics, probiotics can't do their lob effectively.

Very true, and assumed I had that covered, as one of the ingredients of what I ferment is hard red winter wheat. That comprises maybe 10-15% of the mix I make up with chicken scratch, Kalmbachs Henhouse Reserve, and a small amount of chia seeds. That should take care of the prebiotics though no?

 

[Napalm Kitty]

One of my Cornish Cross roosters went and got his head stuck in the top part of a hanging feeder. He was unharmed but I definitely got a laugh out of it because he was just sitting there with this cone of shame on his head.

 

[Shetland lover]

On a positive note, the remaining flock is back to business as usual. They have still been laying 3-4 eggs a day, only skipped one day as if there was no previous trauma. The sun is out so I let them out to range when I went to get feed for Ginger (the injured one)

Her eyes are definitely brighter, and she stays awake more.. As for her feet, her toes curl when I push up, but the grip isn't voluntary. I have Greek yogurt, perhaps some acv in her water. She drank on her own by choice this evening. Crossing my fingers that her bowels will be happier. I sure hope she doesn't have lower spine nerve injuries. What are signs of that? She seems to know when she is going to let loose, her tail moves to balance, and she kicks to adjust herself, if only to spin around from her position. Her head is not as severely wry as before, and she has been holding it up. It only occasionally flops back there when her body starts tilting somewhat backwards while I have her in my lap and she pushes too hard with her legs. Temperature wise, she doesn't feel hot on her skin.
Today is day 5. Thanks again!

This is sounding more and more like she's experiencing temporary paralysis to me but obviously,I'm not a vet. Permanent spinal injury will usually manifest as no movement below the injury or so-called 'spastic' movement, i.e. involuntary jerks and spasms.
From what you've said, Ginger's movements are deliberate. The fact she can shift her tail prior to defecating, is responsive to pressure on feet and legs etc is all very positive.

I really think she needs lots of time to heal as best she can, now.
It might be an idea to start physio on her legs in a couple of days too, as we don't want her muscles to atrophy.
I used to give Peggy hydrotherapy by placing her in a warm bath, filled to her hip height. At first I just used to flex and stretch her legs whilst she was stood in the water. Then, as she got stronger, I used to walk her round the bath using grapes as a bribe. I'd also add Epsom salts and lavender or another essential oil. Hydrotherapy could be helpful for Ginger further down the line.
Also, when you do put her in a sling, ensure her feet are in contact with the floor. We want her to be able to feel the ground beneath her.

She is probably going to experience neurological pain for some time. If she's really struggling with it, you might be able to get a vet to prescribe gabapentin but that's all further down the line. There are less effective options to try too If she needs it.

Something you can do now is give her vitamin C. Recent studies show supplementing vitamin C can actually regenerate damaged nerves.
The dose for chickens is 250 mg/kg body weight. Give it daily for 2 weeks. Any she doesn't need will be excreted, as vitamin C can't be stored in the body. Very large doses can cause diahoea and, rarely, kidney stones but should be fine in the recommeded dose. Vit C will also help her with any sress she might be experiencing.

I found the link to the poop chart I use and find helpful:
https://chat.allotment-garden.org/i...1bab29a02f762&topic=17568.msg215714#msg215714

Also, you might want to check out these stories:
"Case Study: Neurological Damage"
https://bitchinchickens.com/2022/02...dy: Neurological Damage,-BY BITCHIN' CHICKENS

"How We Lovingly Healed Our Chicken With a Broken Neck"
https://realfoodrn.com/how-we-lovin...r Chicken With a Broken Neck,-Welcome to Real
I'm not convinced the last pullet had actually broken her neck but she definitely had some kind of spinal issue. That neck collar is just genius!

 

[Shetland lover]

So, the battle with the red mites. I ordered a steam cleaner and blasted them today. Better than trying to spray some sort of insecticide in the coop cracks every 2 weeks. Will check in a few days if it was successful.

Should work a treat! They can survive high temps but not superheated water

 

[Shetland lover]

I think one of the plus points for the hoop coops like I'm using now is that mites have very few places to hide. I've been checking under the roosts and am finding none and that is only place I can see them hiding. Most every thing else is either metal of vinyl. I can't see mites hiding in pine shaving deep litter?

Unfortunately, I've found red mite in pine shavings but I think it was 'overspill' from a huge infestation I had at the time.

 

[Shetland lover]

Very true, and assumed I had that covered, as one of the ingredients of what I ferment is hard red winter wheat. That comprises maybe 10-15% of the mix I make up with chicken scratch, Kalmbachs Henhouse Reserve, and a small amount of chia seeds. That should take care of the prebiotics though no?

It should. There are lots of things we feed chickens routinely which are prebiotics.

 

[ChicksnMore]

Very true, and assumed I had that covered, as one of the ingredients of what I ferment is hard red winter wheat. That comprises maybe 10-15% of the mix I make up with chicken scratch, Kalmbachs Henhouse Reserve, and a small amount of chia seeds. That should take care of the prebiotics though no?

I don't know all the prebiotic foods, but I know green veggies carry a lot...plus if home grown and unwashed, they also have good bacteria and yeast on them.

 

[ChicksnMore]

On a positive note, the remaining flock is back to business as usual. They have still been laying 3-4 eggs a day, only skipped one day as if there was no previous trauma. The sun is out so I let them out to range when I went to get feed for Ginger (the injured one)

Her eyes are definitely brighter, and she stays awake more.. As for her feet, her toes curl when I push up, but the grip isn't voluntary. I have Greek yogurt, perhaps some acv in her water. She drank on her own by choice this evening. Crossing my fingers that her bowels will be happier. I sure hope she doesn't have lower spine nerve injuries. What are signs of that? She seems to know when she is going to let loose, her tail moves to balance, and she kicks to adjust herself, if only to spin around from her position. Her head is not as severely wry as before, and she has been holding it up. It only occasionally flops back there when her body starts tilting somewhat backwards while I have her in my lap and she pushes too hard with her legs. Temperature wise, she doesn't feel hot on her skin.
Today is day 5. Thanks again!

Hoping it's a pinched spinal nerve...that can cause those symptoms also but recovery is easier then a lot of spinal injuries.

Don't know what you have for a sling, but thought this might be helpful. Easy to make or just buy.
https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Catc...99451464&sprefix=chicken+sling,aps,169&sr=8-3

 

[PopoMyers]

This is sounding more and more like she's experiencing temporary paralysis to me but obviously,I'm not a vet. Permanent spinal injury will usually manifest as no movement below the injury or so-called 'spastic' movement, i.e. involuntary jerks and spasms.
From what you've said, Ginger's movements are deliberate. The fact she can shift her tail prior to defecating, is responsive to pressure on feet and legs etc is all very positive.

I really think she needs lots of time to heal as best she can, now.
It might be an idea to start physio on her legs in a couple of days too, as we don't want her muscles to atrophy.
I used to give Peggy hydrotherapy by placing her in a warm bath, filled to her hip height. At first I just used to flex and stretch her legs whilst she was stood in the water. Then, as she got stronger, I used to walk her round the bath using grapes as a bribe. I'd also add Epsom salts and lavender or another essential oil. Hydrotherapy could be helpful for Ginger further down the line.
Also, when you do put her in a sling, ensure her feet are in contact with the floor. We want her to be able to feel the ground beneath her.

She is probably going to experience neurological pain for some time. If she's really struggling with it, you might be able to get a vet to prescribe gabapentin but that's all further down the line. There are less effective options to try too If she needs it.

Something you can do now is give her vitamin C. Recent studies show supplementing vitamin C can actually regenerate damaged nerves.
The dose for chickens is 250 mg/kg body weight. Give it daily for 2 weeks. Any she doesn't need will be excreted, as vitamin C can't be stored in the body. Very large doses can cause diahoea and, rarely, kidney stones but should be fine in the recommeded dose. Vit C will also help her with any sress she might be experiencing.

I found the link to the poop chart I use and find helpful:
https://chat.allotment-garden.org/i...1bab29a02f762&topic=17568.msg215714#msg215714

Also, you might want to check out these stories:
"Case Study: Neurological Damage"
https://bitchinchickens.com/2022/02/28/case-study-neurological-damage/#:~:text=CONTACT-,Case Study: Neurological Damage,-BY BITCHIN' CHICKENS

"How We Lovingly Healed Our Chicken With a Broken Neck"
https://realfoodrn.com/how-we-lovingly-healed-our-chicken-with-a-broken-neck/#:~:text=How We Lovingly Healed Our Chicken With a Broken Neck,-Welcome to Real
I'm not convinced the last pullet had actually broken her neck but she definitely had some kind of spinal issue. That neck collar is just genius!

This mornings drop. Probably too hot? I did not cover her last night. It is about 65 F, 18-19 C in the house. Again, thank you. You have put a lot of time and effort into your replies. You're amazing!

 

[Nomadicus]

A friend and neighbor from a couple miles away came this morning and put out feed and water for all the coops. My wife was about to start when he rang the door bell. I've enjoyed watching some of kids scrounge for bugs and weeds to their liking for dessert after the tanked up on their main course of grains today. Heading to town for a 1000 lbs of 27% starter grower for all the coops base feed. Oyster shell is available free choice in all layer coops. A family member may get over on the weekend to move bags into metal cans being used at each camp for storage. If not we have a good neighbor for that too. Closest neighbor can't help as he is recovering from a surgery himself. I still get to sit outside and have the pets get into my lap for some healthy treats. I usually have a plastic bag of boiled eggs for them as well I toss some into other areas so most all the girls and boys don't get left out.