This slurry is vet recommended to use when chickens have diarrhea, sour crop or impacted crop, this slurry will help to aid in digestion and clear the crop, as it is easily digested and a healthy source of nutrients. but can also be used when a chicken is ill, injured, stressed, or not eating, for unknown reasons, to keep them hydrated and to prevent weight loss. A one cup serving of unsalted pumpkin has 2 grams of Protein, 37 mg of Calcium, Iron 1.4 mg, Magnesium 22 mg, Potassium 564 mg, Zinc 1 mg, Selenium .50 mg, Vitamin C 12 mg, Niacin 1 mg, Folate 21 mcg, Vitamin A 2650 IU and Vitamin E 3 mg, so it's not just digestible, it's also loaded with healthy nutrients. It is a powerhouse vegetable that is good for chickens and humans alike. We have been recommending this slurry for several years now and will continue to make the recommendation for use as needed or as a healthy dietary supplement.
Ingredients
2 C. Pumpkin puree ( home rendered pumpkin pulp or canned pumpkin puree)
2 C. Rice (cooked-NOT instant, brown or white rice)
4 C. Chicken or meat broth or Water
Directions
Bring the water or broth to a boil. add the rice and reduce the heat to simmer, until the liquid has absorbed. Remove from the heat and stir in the pumpkin.
Note: For a smoother consistency use an immersion blender to mix ingredients.
Note: Add broth or water to make a slurry, not too thin. (The addition of meat broth will also help boost the protein). Plain yogurt can be added. Use the type that says *live* or *active* bacteria for the benefit of the probiotics. You can gradually add grains as the chicken begins recovering until they are able to be reunited with their flock and back on a regular feed ration.
Tip: This can be made ahead and frozen in smaller portions to be used as needed. This can also be used as a treat, using no more that 5% of their daily feed ration and not until they have eaten their normal ration. Adding some grains to this recipe and serving it warm during the winter months will help boost their protein to aid in keeping them warm.
Important Note:
There is no scientific evidence that pumpkin aids as a natural de-wormer, though you may read on various blogs that it prevents worms. Our recommendation is to use it as a healthy treat and digestive aid, and if perhaps it helps with internal parasites, that is the bonus, but until we see the real scientific study, we will continue to use the pumpkin because the chickens love it and because it's good for them, not because some non-expert with a lot of followers says it works. We do not endorse fanciful notions, that are not founded by anything more than opinion and because it might sound good. Our business is chickens, not a hobby, and we raise them to thrive through all seasons and all environmental conditions. Worms and internal parasites are serious and if the chickens become infested with them, they can dramatically lose weight and expire if they are not properly treated. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian, even if they do not treat fowl, they can do a fecal test to determine if there are internal parasites and make recommendations for proper treatment. There are no USDA approved holistic or *natural* treatment for worms or other internal parasites. Currently there is a study being conducted about the use of Oregano as a natural de-wormer, but nothing has been concluded. Oregano oil however is approved for Organic Poultry farms as a supplemental antibiotic, when properly used.
For instructions on how to make your own Infused Oregano Oil, refer to the link: justfowlingaround.weebly.com/chicken-blog/infused-oregano-oil
For instructions to render your own pumpkin, follow the link:
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/recipes-for-self-reliance/rendering-squash-and-pumpkin
To dehydrate pumpkin, follow the link: justfowlingaround.weebly.com/recipes-for-self-reliance/vegetable-leather
To make your own meat broth follow the link:
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/recipes-for-self-reliance/homemade-meat-broth
To make your own yogurt, follow the link: justfowlingaround.weebly.com/recipes-for-self-reliance/yogurt-good-for-you-and-chickens
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