What did you do with your flock today?

[ChicksnMore]

Quite right too! I was discussing the issue of food waste just the other day with my mom. She was brought up to view waste as something of a crime. She is a war baby (almost) and very much of the 'make do and mend' generation. Values she instilled in all of us. She was just saying when we went for lunch on Sunday how they didn't have a fridge until the mid 1960's so my gran bought anything fresh she needed every few days. My grandad grew all their fruit and veg, he raised chickens, ducks and rabbits for meat and eggs. He also sea fished. They were taught to rely on their senses to see if food was spoiled or not. NOT on some date stamped on it. As a result, there was almost no food waste, as like you, what was deemed not quite good enough for the family to eat went to the various animals. When i see these news items about how much food is wasted in the average household, it makes me sick.

I loathe other waste too. DH reaction even now is to bin or send off to the dump if something's broken, mine is to try to repair or repurpose. Or donate. I know it drives him bonkers that I won't bin it. Clothes is another thing I'm reluctant to throw away. If it's really too nice to scrap, it goes to a charity shop. If I think I can refashion, I will. My gran taught me how to make rugs when I was very little so I sometimes do that. Failing that, they get cut up for cleaning rags. And don't get me started on plastic!
And here endeth today's sermon....

Chickens do indeed have tastebuds, somewhere between 240-360 on average according to the breed. Broilers also have more than layers, interestingly.

Beautiful sermon

I had one chick hatch with the yolk still out. It wasn’t very big and I kept an eye on her knowing that she could get pecked at. It started drying up and it was kinda shrinking. So I wasn’t too concerned. Before I could put them in the brooder (had it going and ready), the other Cemani, pecked at it. And it started pulling what I think is her intestines out. I honestly can’t make heads or tails out of what I’m looking at. I put triple antibiotic ointment on it and I moved the other 2 to the brooder and left her in the incubator. She is standing and chirping. Still moving around. I just don’t think she is going to make it. Breaks my heart. And there isn’t a dang thing I can do now besides try to make her comfortable as best as I can and just hope and pray that 1)she makes it and 2) it doesn’t cause problems later if she does.

On a lighter note, I sewed a puppy food bag today. Really in hopes that I could see how much work I needed to put in it and it went pretty good. A few things I will be doing differently than I did here. Also my sewing machine wasn’t working right so had to make a few tweaks but I think I finally got it.

Aw...I'm sorry for your little one. Fingers crossed she makes it

Your bag is super cute!

Serious question...did my chicken just bark like a dog at me until I gave her cabbage?

Audio to come in the morning. I was too confused to record

No idea but I can imagine it

The men are headed to Las Glorias, Mexico to refit a building into more space for orphanage.

That's wonderful . I love our church but we've never had any projects like that going. I'd sure love it if they did.

View attachment 3418440
She also laid another egg today. Lack of light is not stopping her. There is less leaking as of this afternoon. Drips off her feathers. Doesn’t seem like as much there compared to yesterday.

It really does look a lot better then the last picture! A ways to go but better.

You were asking about the weather here @TropicalBabies and it’s been pouring since Friday. Today I had to bring in 8 chickens and use the blow dryer because they were drenched and muddy 5 are still inside under the heat lamp. So I decided they could use something warm in their tummies and made them scrambled eggs with crushed egg shell, herbs, poultry cell, hemp hearts, greens, and poultry power liquid that is high in omegas and Vitamin E. That should help them warm up! Couple ladies are a bit thin, so I figured the extra treats wouldn't hurt!

No rain tomorrow supposedly, so I’ll make everyone else some tomorrow!

Happy chickens and three cheers for a dry day.

 

[TropicalBabies]

I had one chick hatch with the yolk still out. It wasn’t very big and I kept an eye on her knowing that she could get pecked at. It started drying up and it was kinda shrinking. So I wasn’t too concerned. Before I could put them in the brooder (had it going and ready), the other Cemani, pecked at it. And it started pulling what I think is her intestines out. I honestly can’t make heads or tails out of what I’m looking at. I put triple antibiotic ointment on it and I moved the other 2 to the brooder and left her in the incubator. She is standing and chirping. Still moving around. I just don’t think she is going to make it. Breaks my heart. And there isn’t a dang thing I can do now besides try to make her comfortable as best as I can and just hope and pray that 1)she makes it and 2) it doesn’t cause problems later if she does.

On a lighter note, I sewed a puppy food bag today. Really in hopes that I could see how much work I needed to put in it and it went pretty good. A few things I will be doing differently than I did here. Also my sewing machine wasn’t working right so had to make a few tweaks but I think I finally got it.

I think you did great. With the hatch under the circumstances and the bag. My first bag looked like Picasso.

Serious question...did my chicken just bark like a dog at me until I gave her cabbage?

Audio to come in the morning. I was too confused to record

Yes! I am sure if it!! Cabbage barking chooks are a thing ♡ Or it was a cough or sneeze or fart...

 

[TropicalBabies]

Hay storage area. Started with one egg the other day... nice spot

Well today after sewing, I went to the feed store down the road and picked up fresh oyster shells (the good kine that I have not seen in years) and DE. Then refilled all the chooks go-to containers with grit & oyster shells. Freshened all nestboxes and added new decoy eggs, topped off all feeders with fresh feed- smells so good!- Scrubbed waters and added vits, filled holes that were dug, collect ONLY 12 eggs, scraped boards late and bid them all a good night.
Love my babies, they are so good. Wanted to get a photo of Pukalani as she looks stunning with her new feathers ♡

I will have to try again obviously lol

Spider has been squabbling with the fighting cock roaming next door. Nothing serious but his comb is getting bruised
I have 2 feral mommas and their broods practically full time. Kind of cute. Nice families. Does not make me miss hatching. Yet.

Here is one modeling our pile of junk lol

Wind is UP. Maybe blow all of those darn mosquitos away!

 

[Shetland lover]

I had one chick hatch with the yolk still out. It wasn’t very big and I kept an eye on her knowing that she could get pecked at. It started drying up and it was kinda shrinking. So I wasn’t too concerned. Before I could put them in the brooder (had it going and ready), the other Cemani, pecked at it. And it started pulling what I think is her intestines out. I honestly can’t make heads or tails out of what I’m looking at. I put triple antibiotic ointment on it and I moved the other 2 to the brooder and left her in the incubator. She is standing and chirping. Still moving around. I just don’t think she is going to make it. Breaks my heart. And there isn’t a dang thing I can do now besides try to make her comfortable as best as I can and just hope and pray that 1)she makes it and 2) it doesn’t cause problems later if she does.

On a lighter note, I sewed a puppy food bag today. Really in hopes that I could see how much work I needed to put in it and it went pretty good. A few things I will be doing differently than I did here. Also my sewing machine wasn’t working right so had to make a few tweaks but I think I finally got it.

Aww, I'm so sorry for your little one. I hope she makes it

The bag looks great though!

 

[Shetland lover]

Serious question...did my chicken just bark like a dog at me until I gave her cabbage?

Audio to come in the morning. I was too confused to record

Gladys bellows like a bull, if that's any help?

 

[Shetland lover]

View attachment 3418440
She also laid another egg today. Lack of light is not stopping her. There is less leaking as of this afternoon. Drips off her feathers. Doesn’t seem like as much there compared to yesterday.

How does it smell? It's hard to tell from a photo but it could be ven't gleet. Have you got some anti-fungal cream you can apply? It's not going to hurt if it is urates and if it is gleet, it should sort it. You could add some apple cider vinegar to her water too.
Otherwise, things are looking a lot better. Keep going with the baths and other treatments. You and Pepper are doing an awesome job!

Restricting her diet to corn or other low nutrient food  may help with reducing the egg laying, if you're not already doing it. It's a pity the low light isn't working as well as it might, she'd heal much more quickly.

You can get an implant (deslorelin acetate) over here to stop egg-laying. It's basically birth control for hens and is often recommended after a prolapse or other reproductive issues so the reproductive tract is allowed to rest and given time to heal properly. It's inserted into the breast tissue, just under the skin and works for anything between 4 to 8 months. It can be used long term, chiefly in birds who lay internally. It can be a life-saver.
It's designed for dogs so is only available 'off label' in the U.K. and only obtained via a vet.
There are drawbacks with it. The biggest over here is cost. It has a very limited shelf-life and only available in large batches so most vets don't routinely carry it. Specialist avian vets or vets who have a large number of dog breeders as clients are more likely to carry it. You often end up buying a whole box if your vet agrees to order it for you.
There are also some side effects, namely:
Molting
Weight loss
Behavior changes
Swelling at the implant site for two weeks following the implantation. Local reaction in the form of inflammation or hardening at the site for up to 3 months after implantation.
Reduced appetite

In my opinion though, the benefits outweigh the negatives. May be worth looking into?

 

[PopoMyers]

How does it smell? It's hard to tell from a photo but it could be ven't gleet. Have you got some anti-fungal cream you can apply? It's not going to hurt if it is urates and if it is gleet, it should sort it. You could add some apple cider vinegar to her water too.
Otherwise, things are looking a lot better. Keep going with the baths and other treatments. You and Pepper are doing an awesome job!

Restricting her diet to corn or other low nutrient food  may help with reducing the egg laying, if you're not already doing it. It's a pity the low light isn't working as well as it might, she'd heal much more quickly.

You can get an implant (deslorelin acetate) over here to stop egg-laying. It's basically birth control for hens and is often recommended after a prolapse or other reproductive issues so the reproductive tract is allowed to rest and given time to heal properly. It's inserted into the breast tissue, just under the skin and works for anything between 4 to 8 months. It can be used long term, chiefly in birds who lay internally. It can be a life-saver.
It's designed for dogs so is only available 'off label' in the U.K. and only obtained via a vet.
There are drawbacks with it. The biggest over here is cost. It has a very limited shelf-life and only available in large batches so most vets don't routinely carry it. Specialist avian vets or vets who have a large number of dog breeders as clients are more likely to carry it. You often end up buying a whole box if your vet agrees to order it for you.
There are also some side effects, namely:
Molting
Weight loss
Behavior changes
Swelling at the implant site for two weeks following the implantation. Local reaction in the form of inflammation or hardening at the site for up to 3 months after implantation.
Reduced appetite

In my opinion though, the benefits outweigh the negatives. May be worth looking into?

You are a wealth of knowledge! Got miconazole cream, Greek probiotic yogurt, put acv in her water. Gave her oatmeal tonight and yogurt. Her back end is smelly, sour, like a yeast infection, so you were right. Washing 2x day. Thinking now it's her cloaca is inflamed from the gleet, and hopefully it will subside with the antifungal cream. Is it 2x day treatment?

 

[Shetland lover]

Now that you mention it, it does smell like a yeasty, sour, smelly type discharge. I'll treat for gleet. Which cream works the best?

I went and got miconazole 2% cream, Greek probiotic yogurt, witch hazel. Should I stop the meloxicam and Prep H, or continue? She had a wash, and cream put on. She ate the yogurt, and I put raw apple cider vinegar in her water. Her behavior doesn't indicate pullorum.​

Just saw this after my long reply. Does sound like gleet. Any cream containing Micronazole, Fluconazole or Clotrimazole should work well. The micronazole you have will be fine. Here's what I'd do:

Apply Canesten cream around the vent area and just inside the entrance to the vent after an Epsom salt bath. Let her soak a good 10 mins at least.​

Add Apple Cider vinegar to her drinking water and provide a probiotic daily (exactly as you're doing)​

Repeat the bath every 48 hours and re-apply the cream.​

Keep applying the Prep H every other day.​

How long has she been on the meloxicam?

 

[Shetland lover]

You are a wealth of knowledge! Got miconazole cream, Greek probiotic yogurt, put acv in her water. Gave her oatmeal tonight and yogurt. Her back end is smelly, sour, like a yeast infection, so you were right. Washing 2x day. Thinking now it's her cloaca is inflamed from the gleet, and hopefully it will subside with the antifungal cream. Is it 2x day treatment?

Once every other day. On the day you're not applying it, keep applying the Prep H.
You could apply it twice daily for the first 2 treatments.

 

[ChicksnMore]

View attachment 3418566Hay storage area. Started with one egg the other day... nice spot

Well today after sewing, I went to the feed store down the road and picked up fresh oyster shells (the good kine that I have not seen in years) and DE. Then refilled all the chooks go-to containers with grit & oyster shells. Freshened all nestboxes and added new decoy eggs, topped off all feeders with fresh feed- smells so good!- Scrubbed waters and added vits, filled holes that were dug, collect ONLY 12 eggs, scraped boards late and bid them all a good night.
Love my babies, they are so good. Wanted to get a photo of Pukalani as she looks stunning with her new feathers ♡View attachment 3418567
I will have to try again obviously lol

Spider has been squabbling with the fighting cock roaming next door. Nothing serious but his comb is getting bruised
I have 2 feral mommas and their broods practically full time. Kind of cute. Nice families. Does not make me miss hatching. Yet.View attachment 3418568View attachment 3418569
Here is one modeling our pile of junk lol

Wind is UP. Maybe blow all of those darn mosquitos away!

I love hidden nests Also love all your ferals...wish we had them here but doubt chickens could survive long in the wild here. That's a pretty little momma...reminds me of my birds so of course I'm in total love!

How does it smell? It's hard to tell from a photo but it could be ven't gleet. Have you got some anti-fungal cream you can apply? It's not going to hurt if it is urates and if it is gleet, it should sort it. You could add some apple cider vinegar to her water too.
Otherwise, things are looking a lot better. Keep going with the baths and other treatments. You and Pepper are doing an awesome job!

Restricting her diet to corn or other low nutrient food  may help with reducing the egg laying, if you're not already doing it. It's a pity the low light isn't working as well as it might, she'd heal much more quickly.

You can get an implant (deslorelin acetate) over here to stop egg-laying. It's basically birth control for hens and is often recommended after a prolapse or other reproductive issues so the reproductive tract is allowed to rest and given time to heal properly. It's inserted into the breast tissue, just under the skin and works for anything between 4 to 8 months. It can be used long term, chiefly in birds who lay internally. It can be a life-saver.
It's designed for dogs so is only available 'off label' in the U.K. and only obtained via a vet.
There are drawbacks with it. The biggest over here is cost. It has a very limited shelf-life and only available in large batches so most vets don't routinely carry it. Specialist avian vets or vets who have a large number of dog breeders as clients are more likely to carry it. You often end up buying a whole box if your vet agrees to order it for you.
There are also some side effects, namely:
Molting
Weight loss
Behavior changes
Swelling at the implant site for two weeks following the implantation. Local reaction in the form of inflammation or hardening at the site for up to 3 months after implantation.
Reduced appetite

In my opinion though, the benefits outweigh the negatives. May be worth looking into?

That's amazing! I never would have thought there'd be chicken birth control. Really love all your knowledge!