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Post by herb on Sept 7, 2010 10:04:37 GMT -6
I am learning a lot more about how important a part stress and conditions plays in raising poultry. There are a lot of things that poultry have wrong with them that are not lethal or even a problem until stress becomes overwhelming and nutrition and hydration are problems that compromise the immune system.
It's important to keep our birds well fed, well watered and with as much room and air as possible.
I have begun using bleach in my watering as a preventative to many problems that can affect the immune system.
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Post by rinksgi on Sept 7, 2010 10:11:15 GMT -6
Bleach? Really? I used to routinely use apple cuder vinegar, but I have been kind of lax. I guess I need to get more. They used to sell the organic at Kroger's. I will try to get there this week. I read that the proper PH level for the crop is very important.
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8bells
Junior Member
Chickens are Revolting
Posts: 137
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Post by 8bells on Sept 7, 2010 17:52:59 GMT -6
Chickens are very easily stressed. Almost any change will cause a degree of stress. Whenever you plan to make any changes in their feed, housing, routine, etc. try to do it gradually.
For example, when switching from 'Starter' to 'Layer', begin by adding 1/4 Layer for the first day or two, then gradually add more and more, until they are at full Layer. A complete switch in one day will stress them, and easily put them "off-their-feed".
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Post by spamela on Sept 9, 2010 16:05:02 GMT -6
Herb- Do you think adding that rooster and new hen into my flock might be why they stopped laying for a few weeks? Does that stress them out?
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Post by herb on Sept 9, 2010 19:15:50 GMT -6
Adding new birds can stress but with the heat and time of year- laying just slows down/
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8bells
Junior Member
Chickens are Revolting
Posts: 137
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Post by 8bells on Sept 9, 2010 22:31:19 GMT -6
Herb mentioned stress and health. They do indeed go hand-in-hand. Chickens are pretty low on the food chain, and therefore pay close attention of all that goes on around them. Anything new or out of the ordinary can cause varying degrees of stress. Several minor incidents can be cumulative. When a chicken undergoes any level of stress, it causes chemical changes in the gut. The intestine's pH is lowered, thus providing a more suitable environment for 'gram negative' bacteria to grow and multiply. Stress opens the door for disease/illness to walk in.
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Post by spamela on Sept 10, 2010 10:41:19 GMT -6
I think I was definitely a victim of a whole lot going on at once. Heat, adding to flock, HEAT, new coop being built, HEAT, time of year, you get the idea....
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8bells
Junior Member
Chickens are Revolting
Posts: 137
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Post by 8bells on Sept 10, 2010 22:13:00 GMT -6
Heat and humidity are certainly stress causing to chickens. Despite the fact that they are all derived from the 'red jungle fowl', they now have hundreds/thousands of generations in temperate climates, and as such have adapted to more moderate climates. The summer you have experienced this year is above and beyond what their ancestors ever experienced. Chickens are extremely adaptable...I know people who raise them in old-fashioned 'Woods style Open-Front' chicken coops in areas where it gets 40 degrees below zero (over 100 degrees below what their ancestors EVER experienced) and they do just fine. Ten degrees above what their ancestors ever saw, brings up another problem...you can adapt to cold, but you cannot adapt to HOT.
An interesting point is the temperature of the water they drink. Over a century of research in Australia/North America/Europe shows that chickens like water at 50 degrees F (10 degrees C). For each degree above or below that point, their consumption will diminish proportionally. A few ice cubes a day will do wonders for flock health AND egg productivity.
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Post by rinksgi on Sept 10, 2010 22:33:46 GMT -6
t is interesting! I noticed that for a few days, my chickens did not drink much water at all. I thought that was odd,considering how hot it was. i will remember the ice next Summer. Good grief, I have to go. The boxer ate all of his food and has brought his dish to me. He is majorily spoiled!
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