Devonviolet Acres

[Devonviolet]

Wow, what does yours look like that you can snag 50 chickens at the same time????

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Yeah, I want to see that too! We're making one of those tomorrow!

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[Southern by choice]

Never had this happen, but GW said she had heard of it but couldn't remember.
I was curious....
The ALBC shows this
One or more stressors including crowding, bright light, dietary deficiencies (esp. salt), insufficient feeding or watering, lack of space, or boredom can cause feather picking and cannibalism. For turkeys the sight and smell of blood induces increased pecking. Movement of the vent during defecation, especially when swollen and bloody, attracts pecking.

https://livestockconservancy.org/images/uploads/docs/ALBCturkey-5.pdf

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Yep… I know something that can cause it but my brain isn't working right now

I'm blaming the cold meds I'm taking

 

[Baymule]

Could Edith be bored? I remember you saying that when you let her out to range, she went too far and was hard to get her to come back. Maybe she needs another turkey to keep her company.

the chickens are poor conversationalists, they just cluck all the time. They don't even to pretend to understand my gobble gobbles, we definitely have a translation problem. Then my people got these ducks! They are messy, yesterday I got ducky poo water splashed on my beautiful new feathers! It made me so upset that I tried to take them off for cleaning, but I can't put them back! Those ducks are driving me quackers!

 

[Southern by choice]

I find the salt thing interesting.
Whenever we have mineral levels done on our goats... we are always low ...

 

[Baymule]

I find the salt thing interesting.
Whenever we have mineral levels done on our goats... we are always low ...

I bought Azomite to put on the soil and the garden. It is mineral dust from an ancient lava flow in Utah. I noticed my lambs licking fresh dirt from gopher mounds, and put some Azomite out for them. The lambs lick it up with gusto, the ewes lick it too. Might want to try some to see what it does for your goats.

 

[Devonviolet]

Never had this happen, but GW said she had heard of it but couldn't remember.
I was curious....
The ALBC shows this
One or more stressors including crowding, bright light, dietary deficiencies (esp. salt), insufficient feeding or watering, lack of space, or boredom can cause feather picking and cannibalism. For turkeys the sight and smell of blood induces increased pecking. Movement of the vent during defecation, especially when swollen and bloody, attracts pecking.

https://livestockconservancy.org/images/uploads/docs/ALBCturkey-5.pdf

Thanks @Southern by choice. Most of the listed causes don't ring true. However, the salt deficiency sounds like a possibility.

I have a question about how to give more salt to Edie. We have been feeding fermented feed (which includes Texas Naturals Broiler Grower feed, steamed crimped oats, milo, BOSS, and Flax Seed), for at least 2 months. For all our birds 50 chickens, 5 Pekin ducks & Edie, we use about 3 gallons a day.

We have a 50 lb bag of granular kelp, and are planning to start adding that tomorrow. I was thinking of adding 1/4 cup morning & evening feedings. Is that sufficient? Or too much? We also have Himalayan Sea Salt. Is it safe to give salt to chickens & ducks also? I'm thinking a couple tsp with morning & evening meals. Although I would think the kelp should have enough salt without using both.

The benefit of kelp is that it is loaded with micro minerals that the birds might not get locally.

Geez Bay, you quack me up!

You just might have a point there. We have been keeping Edie in, when the girls go out to free range, so she doesn't wander off again . . . that really gave me a scare! However this afternoon, I went out to let her out, to free range, planning to sit and keep an eye on her. She never left the chicken yard. When I opened the door to the chicken run she waddled right in.

 

[Southern by choice]

Yeah, I was thinking salt not the other stuff.

If she has been ranging and now locked up that could do it.
As far as salt
We've not experienced this so I have no idea.
@Baymule I will have to look into that.
I may be adding some other minerals to the goat regimen.

 

[Baymule]

 

[Baymule]

Devonviolet said it started snowing around 1:30 she can't get online or post pics from her phone right now. Since I understand her frustration, I'm posting this for her from my phone! It started snowing here about 3:45 it's too cold for Texas!