On the thirteenth episode of the Root Simple Podcast we talk to chicken expert and author Terry Golson. Terry fields chicken questions from all over the world through her blog hencam.com where, as the name implies, you can watch her hens live through the interwebs.
One of the main points Terry makes during the podcast is that chickens have not really been bred to live long and that they start to get health problems after two years of age. When I solicited questions for this podcast, sure enough, most of the questions were related to health. By the way, I think I managed to ask Terry all the questions–many thanks to the listeners and blog readers who sent them in.
During the interview Terry mentions:
- Her blog post on why she does not go to a Vet to treat her chickens.
- Keeping antibiotics on hand as well as other things you should have in your chicken first aid kit.
- Terry’s “spa treatment” she uses to deal with egg binding.
- Doing a chicken necropsy.
- Why Terry doesn’t keep roosters.
- Where to source chicks and pullets.
- When and how to euthanize a sick chicken.
- I mention free necropsies provided by the University of California Extension Service for California residents.
- What Terry thinks about those rooster rings that supposedly keep roosters from crowing (hint: she doesn’t like them!).
- Terry answers Root Simple podcast listener questions.
- What to feed your chickens.
- Corn and soy in feed.
- A brief mention of Terry’s post on training animals.
If you want to leave a question for the Root Simple Podcast please call (213) 537-2591 or send an email to [email protected]. You can subscribe to our podcast in the iTunes store and on Stitcher. The theme music is by Dr. Frankenstein. Additional music by Rho. A downloadable version of this podcast is here.
Re: Vaccines… here in the south we have problems with Fowl Pox, especially if you have mosquitoes in the summer. I don’t know if it’s as big a problem in the north but I’ve seen a lot of birds around here have problems.
For the next podcast – I’ve been considering growing buckwheat both as a cover crop for soil improvement and as chicken feed. However, I’ve heard conflicting info about buckwheat being poisonous to chickens; some say it is, other say it’s not. Can you clarify?
I’ve had cause to try Terry’s chicken spa this week, but while my sick hen seems to enjoy it, the treatment doesn’t appear to be helping her health and I fear I may have cause to do my first necropsy soon. Very sad to be losing my funny feathered friend, but it helps that I recently listened to this podcast and have fresh understanding of chicken sickness.
I grew buckwheat last summer to use as chicken food but my chickens were completely disinterested. Not bothering again, as I don’t particularly like buckwheat myself and what a palaver to hull them!
I’m so sorry to hear about your sick chicken friend. Sending you and her all my best thoughts.