I have several chickens with colds, need to know the natural cure mix for vinegar and how to use garlic-fresh or powered? Also I haven't figured out how to search properly, chicken feed prices are KILLING me!! What purchased seed/feed and what mix works for everyone out there? Also, several of my birds have eye infections, antibotics aren't curing them, any thoughts? Tamara, you out there?
Thanks!!!
Doug
Homemade feed and illness remedies
Garlic - use fresh, minced. I mix mine in with cottage cheese which they love as a treat. You could mix it in with regular food too.
The vinegar is a tablespoon per gallon of water. Make sure you get the real apple cider vinegar - usually in the health food section of the grocery store. Good brand is Bragg's. Don't use the "apple cider flavor vinegar" in the regular vinegar section - it's not the same stuff.
I have been trying that with my chickens with colds but it wasn't helping much so I have now got them on terramycin. I don't like to use antibiotics if I can help it but it's so cold here now that I didn't want to risk losing them. It seems to be reducing symptoms now.
I have 2 with eye infections.. Claire recommended terramycin ointment.. I got it here..
http://www.jefferspet.com/product/terramycin174-eye-ointment-18-oz-tube-6690.cfm
Also I like that VetRX which is natural.. gives a nice aroma in the coop and I'd think it relieves symptoms, but doesn't cure after infection has set in. I think it would be a good preventative, rather than cure. Great stuff! Also at http://www.jefferspet.com/product/vetrx-respiratory-relief-2-oz-9562.cfm
I'm a newbie.. learning from here.. and personal experience.. NOT an expert.. just adding tidbits I've learned. Good luck!
I had a rooster that had a cold in his eyes, I washed his eyes out with plain ole clean fresh water, mind you I am on well water. And I fed him the medicated chick starter feed. He is all better over night. I know when Tamara was using that eye cream on her bird it didnt work, from what I seen the bird got worse. By no means am I an expert on this I just know what I did and what I seen.
I have used the Terramycin ophthalmic ointment on eye infections and they cleared up, but if the underlying cause of the eye infection is a cold, i.e. the eye is goopy, nasal discharge, possibly sneezing, etc, then the terramycin in the eye won't fix the respiratory problem.
Claire what you would use then is the powder in the water right?
Yeah, for the colds I used the powdered terramycin at a rate of 1 teaspoon per 4 cups of water. I separate those birds from the others and that is their only source of drinking water (the medicated stuff) and I refill it several times a day. After they are finished on the terramycin, I will keep them separate for another 2 weeks so that any eggs they lay do not get mixed in with my sale eggs, because the withdrawal period seems to be 4 to 5 days, but I like to be extra sure. People can be allergic to terramycin even in tiny amounts so I would never want to have an egg customer be affected.
I will see about getting some of that this week.
This powdered terramycin, where would you get it? Feed store?
And would you use it if there was only sneezing?
I have a young pullet (not laying yet) who is sneezing. No other symptoms though.
I am concerned for her but dont want to over react either. I feel like a first time mom.
Or should I do the garlic thing or vinigar frompost above?
Doug, what are you using now as feed? I know the prices have gone up a lot.
I went to a place that is half the cost of the feed store near me, but I was told that their product was full of junk. (fillers and such)
I would start with the garlic & vinegar treatments first. I am slow to start antibiotics because I am well aware of the problems that have been created by their overuse in our society, and I choose not to perpetuate that or further contribute to the "superbug" problem. However, I do believe they have their place and I use them carefully. So, that's my philosophy. I only use them when there are other symptoms. I'm sure others will feel differently.
The powdered terramycin is available at my local TSC (Tractor Supply Company) store but you can also get it from a wide range of online vendors of chicken things, such as Randall-Burkey and probably Jefferspet which ZZ linked above. It is nice because you don't have to keep it in the fridge and it has a long shelf life. Mine expires in 2011. I suspect some feed stores would have it if they have other meds available.
Hope that helps!
Claire
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/888425/
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/889116/
2 threads where we covered a lot of this -I'm sure there are a lot more, but...
Claire, I am with you about all the drugs in society. As in medication. I have to have a splitting headache before I will even take an asprin. If i can avoid using antibiotics I try. Went and checked on Mr Bo Jangles and he is doing great.
Thanks grow for the links.
Thanks Claire, I will start that tomorrow for my sneezy girl. It wont hurt the others to have it either right. They will more than likely steal her food some and its natural anyway.
Who is Mr Bo Jangles? Is he with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band?
LOL he is my EE rooster.
ahhh yes, the Nitty Gritty Dirt roo!
Will he be making baby EE? If yes, I WANT ONE!
hehehe!
YES YES YES HE WILL, he will be paired up with my BR pullets when she comes in. And after he heals up a bit. I have a nice big pen made up for just them.
Do you sell eggs or chicks? I really want EE. They are so cool. DM me if you do.
I am willing to wait til he is all better and cockadoodledooing!
Well my pullets wont be up to par for at least another 2-4 weeks and with the stress this past week who knows when. I can when they come up. Oh yea I want to give him at least a month to feel better.
I wont be ready anyway til spring. Must be strong...waiting...
Wow, waiting stinks!
Ya, they have had a hard week as well as you.
Take time to recover! Enjoy the new arrivals!