Why increase in oyster shell consumption?

For most there chickens eat a lot of Oyster Shells, I'v even seen it on here where a roosters pH is so screwed up that the rooster is eating the Oyster Shells to balance the pH out.

Learn something new every day...

Coincidentally, I just finished up the bottle of ACV last night making pickles- guess I don't need to replace it until my cucumbers are picked again ;)
 
That's why you should never follow advice blindly, but instead do research on whatever suggestions you get and make informed decisions.

Just want to address this- I read everything I could find about vent gleet when I decided to use the ACV in the water, and never, unfortunately, saw any contraindications related to change in body pH. I am a BYC "newbie" having had a small flock for about 2 years now, and I know there is so much I don't know. Unfortunately I don't have a hands-on mentor, like I did when I first got dogs or horses, and I find that the internet and reference books are really my only source of info. I often worry about following advice from online sources, and tend to take the "crowdsource" approach to trying a new strategy- if enough people on enough different kind of websites (everything from forums to extension services to vet schools) seem to say the same thing, I guess I'm willing to try if I don't know what else to do.

Hope this doesn't come across as defensive, I don't mean it to, but this thread has been particularly informative to me because I truly just would not have known that ACV messes with body pH as much as it seems to (and I will read up to be sure I understand). Just want to say that for some of us, forums and resources like this have to stand in for a hands-on mentor, and sometimes we don't always make the best decision...
 
Just want to address this- I read everything I could find about vent gleet when I decided to use the ACV in the water, and never, unfortunately, saw any contraindications related to change in body pH. I am a BYC "newbie" having had a small flock for about 2 years now, and I know there is so much I don't know. Unfortunately I don't have a hands-on mentor, like I did when I first got dogs or horses, and I find that the internet and reference books are really my only source of info. I often worry about following advice from online sources, and tend to take the "crowdsource" approach to trying a new strategy- if enough people on enough different kind of websites (everything from forums to extension services to vet schools) seem to say the same thing, I guess I'm willing to try if I don't know what else to do.

Hope this doesn't come across as defensive, I don't mean it to, but this thread has been particularly informative to me because I truly just would not have known that ACV messes with body pH as much as it seems to (and I will read up to be sure I understand). Just want to say that for some of us, forums and resources like this have to stand in for a hands-on mentor, and sometimes we don't always make the best decision...
I think with so much information overload out there....sometimes you actually have to know who to ask. That's the difficult part.

For instance, you asked ME about it and I really didn't have the specific information necessary to answer your question about that specific thing.

I never would have known to ask @Chris09
 
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I would like to expand a little on what I just posted...

I think it's also sometimes important to know WHAT question to ask.

Who would have thought that ACV would have been a problem with what information is out there?

However, it is commendable that you noticed a change and had the presence of mind to ASK about it instead of just brushing it off as nothing.
 
I think with so much information overload out there....sometimes you actually have to know who to ask. That's the difficult part.


Very true. I'm still learning when it comes to chickens (isn't everyone, really?), and sometimes I prefer to ask things in a few favorite threads where I have an idea of the sanity level on anyone who replies, rather than checking a more correct thread for my query.

*Edit* Oh, and @subhanalah is numero uno when it comes to questions about the prettyness of chicken butts :p
 
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Someone said something about Vent Gleet,

Vent Gleet is caused by a fungus. When you have one with it, be sure to check the rest of the flock as it is usually spread.
You could try this and see if it works, Cut all the feathers around the vent. Clean with Peroxide. Spray with Tinactin. Repeat every other day until it cleans up. Usually three treatments will take care of it.
 
--Black Oil Sunflower Seeds are fairly high in both Phosphorus (3205.50 mg per lb) and Indigestible Fibers (21%) both are known to interfere with Calcium intake.
--Apple Cider Vinegar is acidic (2.4 pH) and neutralizes Calcium. Over using Apple Cider Vinegar can lower both stomach and blood pH to a unhealthy level if the bird can not take in enough Calcium.

Boss should only be an occasional treat . The phosphorous /calcium ratio is important and if the phosphorous levels are too high the body will steal calcium from the bones , beak etc in order to absorb the excess.

http://hoeggerfarmyard.com/calcium-the-key-to-beautiful-eggs-and-healthy-hens/
 

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