Great email, Elizabeth!  We used to simply add the oyster shell to our feed but our hen “Abbey” had developed a prolapsed cloaca – the vet decided it may have been her first try at laying & she was likely to be deficient in calcium needing to be able to free feed on the oyster shell- so we have a dish with exclusively oyster shell in the aviary at all times now & so far so good!  Because they WILL lay eggs- they need to be healthy!

From: mickacoo-bounces@mickaboo.org [mailto:mickacoo-bounces@mickaboo.org] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Young
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 5:55 PM
To: MickaCoo@mickaboo.org; Lucy & Jonathan Tolmach; Diane Rowley; Suzanne Flusche
Subject: [MickaCoo] Products (one of which is on sale right now) that I'vebegun using for my pet & foster pigeons

Hello-

I like to keep things simple and so am not big on additives and supplements but I was introduced to these two products and like them. 

One- the calcium gluconate- is to help support healthy egg-laying which may sound silly since we're pulling eggs and replacing with fakes but egg-binding and other reproductive issues can be very serious for hens. Good eggs can help them to avoid some of those risks.  It may just be a coincidence but I believe my hens have been doing better since I started adding this to the water weekly.  (I've also started adding crushed oyster shell to my birds' grit to better support hens' nutritional needs.)

The other (which is the one on sale http://vitakingproducts.com/vkspecial1.htm $37 this month, regularly $45) is a "5 in 1" treatment that I use in my birds' water once a month (for 5 days).  My coop, which sees so many new birds come through, is especially at risk of common pij ailments like worms, coccidosis, canker, etc. Using it for your flocks might be unnecessary or, perhaps, you may want to consider using it only quarterly or only for new birds that come in.  There's another product that has been recommended, Foy's 4 in 1 (http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/catalog/6014.html) but it has been out of stock for quite a while (which is why I tried the VitaKing 5 in 1.)

In any case- I just ordered mine and wanted to take a minute and share the info with you- something that has been on my To Do list for quite a while. (Note:  I'd prefer to purchase these items from Jedd's because they don't sell birds but they don't carry the calcium gluconate and charge $50 for the 5 in 1.)

	Calcium Gluconate	$7.50
		Item # VIT0033
	A water soluble product used to prevent calcium	Qty: 1
	deficiency in hens during breeding and helps in the
	development of smoother and stronger eggs.
	During breeding season:  use 1 tablespoon per gallon of
	water twice a week.                       500 ml

	5 in 1 Treatment
	Treatment for coccidiosis, canker, respiratory,	$45.00
	worms, plus Vita Pro Combo.  Combination of	Item # ANT0050
	amprolium, Ridzol S, tylosine, levamisol, Vita Pro	Qty: 1
	Combo.  Dosage:  2 level teaspoons (15 grams)
	per gallon of water for 5 days.
	200 grams

--
Elizabeth

Until they all have homes, don't buy, don't breed- adopt.
www.RescueReport.org
www.MickaCoo.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGjyooh3Yo0