The Hard Cull: A Difficult Aspect of Chicken Keeping

Maybe It’s Marek’s...

Marek’s Disease has become the go-to diagnosis for everything online.  But is it?  Ancient Chickens Shine Light on Ancient Poultry Disease [https://www.discovermagazine.com/ancient-chickens-shine-light-on-evolution-of-major-poultry-disease-45687] Link to the study referenced in the above article [https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg2238] (GRAPHIC PHOTO) Photo comparing normal chicken iris to Marek’s infected iris [https://list.cldavis.org/hyperkitty/list/davis_members@list.cldavis.org/message/OXVSBKMUTYRQFD2IHAWYGUJN2IGXPJOF/attachment/4/DTFNewsletterFeb2024.pdf] Pathogen transmission from vaccinated hosts can cause dose-dependent reduction in virulence [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7058279/] Marek’s Disease - Biosecurity Tasmania [https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/animal-biosecurity/animal-health/poultry-and-pigeons/mareks-disease]

Breed Spotlight: Svarthöna

A quick breed spotlight on a lesser known fibromelanistic chicken: the Svarthöna.

Common Supplements Used for Parasite Control: Do They Work?

A look into some common supplements used by chicken keepers for parasite control.  Do they actually work? The Bougie Coop is sponsored by Eden Feeds [http://www.edenfeeds.com].   Links to studies referenced:  Red Pepper (capsaicin): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9495104/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9495104/] (as antibiotic activity and good for gut health) https://kkgpublications.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ijaps.5.50004-2.pdf [https://kkgpublications.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ijaps.5.50004-2.pdf] (effect on parasites) Pumpkin seeds: https://academic.oup.com/jas/article/103/Supplement_1/268/8139035 [https://academic.oup.com/jas/article/103/Supplement_1/268/8139035] (No effect) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283678017_Evaluation_of_the_anthelmintic_activity_of_pumpkin_seeds_Cucurbita_maxima_in_mice_naturall [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283678017_Evaluation_of_the_anthelmintic_activity_of_pumpkin_seeds_Cucurbita_maxima_in_mice_naturally_infected_with_Aspiculuris_tetraptera] https://cast.desu.edu/sites/cars/files/document/16/pumpkin_seeds-worms_djo.pdf [https://cast.desu.edu/sites/cars/files/document/16/pumpkin_seeds-worms_djo.pdf] No effect https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10209233/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10209233/] no effect laying hens https://meridian.allenpress.com/avian-diseases/article/69/1/74/505621/Effect-of-Supplementation-with-Artemisia [https://meridian.allenpress.com/avian-diseases/article/69/1/74/505621/Effect-of-Supplementation-with-Artemisia] No effect at doses that would be commonly given to backyard hens   Garlic: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09712119.2019.1573731#d1e2387 [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09712119.2019.1573731#d1e2387] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10854602/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10854602/] https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/22/3185 [https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/22/3185] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401721002740 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401721002740] Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8136961/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8136961/] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30450876/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30450876/] Wormwood: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7070545/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7070545/] (in sheep) https://ijvar.org/index.php/ijvar/article/view/550/464 [https://ijvar.org/index.php/ijvar/article/view/550/464] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/03079457.2024.2342882?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed#abstract [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/03079457.2024.2342882?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed#abstract] https://academicjournals.org/article/article1384248573_Seddiek%20et%20al.pdf [https://academicjournals.org/article/article1384248573_Seddiek%20et%20al.pdf] https://poultrydvm.com/supplement/wormwood [https://poultrydvm.com/supplement/wormwood] Diatomaceous Earth: https://www.wpsa-aeca.es/aeca_imgs_docs/15369_com-11.pdf [https://www.wpsa-aeca.es/aeca_imgs_docs/15369_com-11.pdf]

The Hard Cull: A Difficult Aspect of Chicken Keeping

We discuss one of the most difficult aspects of keeping chickens: euthanizing a sick or injured bird.   More information about humane euthanasia for chickens: UC Davis Poultry Euthanasia Guidelines [https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2019-03/301025.pdf] Chicken Farmers of Canada On-Farm Chicken Euthanasia Guidelines [https://www.chickenfarmers.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/CFC-Euthanasia-Guidelines.pdf]

Bonus Episode: Baby It's Cold Outside: Should Chickens Have Access to Heat?

It's that time of year again when everyone asks: "Do chickens need heat?"   The Bougie Coop proudly feeds and is sponsored by Eden Feeds: Montana grown, non-GMO ingredients. https://www.edenfeeds.com/ [https://www.edenfeeds.com/] We are edited and made to sound better by Landis Podcast Editing.  https://www.landispodcastediting.com/ [https://www.landispodcastediting.com/]  Thanks, Jared! For those who love to nerd out, here's some science: https://modernpoultry.media/cold-temperatures-can-have-severe-consequences-for-poultry-health-and-welfare/?mp=1761680868201 [https://modernpoultry.media/cold-temperatures-can-have-severe-consequences-for-poultry-health-and-welfare/?mp=1761680868201] https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/12/1769 [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10741227/] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/animal-science/articles/10.3389/fanim.2021.775311/full [https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/animal-science/articles/10.3389/fanim.2021.775311/full] https://extension.umn.edu/small-scale-poultry/caring-chickens-cold-weather [https://extension.umn.edu/small-scale-poultry/caring-chickens-cold-weather] Sweeter Heater, made in the USA and the safest way to supply heat to your livestock: https://www.sweeterheater.com [https://www.sweeterheater.com] For those who don’t want to spend as much (or who can’t) on a Sweeter Heater, Premier 1 has introduced a safety switch on their heat lamps.  It will cut the power if the lamp ends up at an unsafe angle.  I have not used it, but I do like the fact that it has this safety feature and I think this would make it a better option than other heat lamps. https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/prima-heat-lamp