This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Nervous System » Dementia: Depression, Excitement, Coma » Ionophores and Livestock Feed Poisoning »
  Discussion on Horses getting into the chicken feed...
Author Message
Member:
Njsparks

Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 1:07 pm:

I have a warning for all horse owners out there... Please be aware as to the dangers of chicken feed to horses, especially medicated starter. I had no idea that it was dangerous at all. There was no skull and crossbones with a horse picture on the bag... upon inspection of the bag.. in SUPER SMALL print on the bottom it said 'not for horses'. My old man Jake, a 24 yr old Appy gelding got into the chicken feed. He ate about 6 lbs. of the stuff while I was at work. This was 5 days ago. While his is still alive, he isn't eating much at all and is have a very difficult time. I rescued this guy from starvation and put 400 lbs back on him over a two year period... now it is likly I'll loose him to the chicken crumble... Please don't make the same mistake I did and ensure that chicken feed is kept safe so that if the horses get out of their pen they won't be able to chow on this stuff...

Sincerely,

Nance
Member:
Peggyr

Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 8:33 am:

Nance I am sorry to hear about your Jake. I know that some cattle feed is dangerous but I didn't know about the chicken feed until I read your other post. Thanks.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 8:40 am:

We continue to hope for the best Nance.
DrO
Member:
Njsparks

Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 10:56 am:

Hello all,

Jake is doing a bit better each day. I know it sounds silly... but he is moving his bowels again... Yippeee... and urinating with much less blood (or myglobin). He is nibbling on more food and taking water again... maybe there is hope!

Thanks to all for your kind words and support...

Nance
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 11:10 am:

Nance, I am rooting for both of you. Those old Appy gelding have more heart than any other horse I know . . .

Does anyone have the words to the song, "The heart of the Appaloosa will never die?" It's a tearjerker.
Member:
Jojo15

Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 11:15 am:

Dr. O, Nancy,
What happens when they eat the chicken feed?

my mare has in the past gotten into the goat feed, dog food, bird seed. in small amounts and never saw any serious problems.

I hope jake pulls thru.
jojo
Member:
Jojo15

Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 11:19 am:

oopps didn't think to read the article. oh geesh... rumensin. lots of that in many of the food animal feeds.
Oh poor jake...
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 11:42 am:

Hi Nance, I've been following your threads and wanted to add my get well wishes!!!
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 11:46 am:

Nancy, I wish you and Jake the best. Sounds like Jake's got a lot of heart, so here's hoping he recovers with few, if any, lasting effects. Horses are amazing in the amount of trouble they can get into in a short period of time; and in what they can sometimes survive. Hang in there - both of you.
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 12:36 pm:

Nancy, I want to add my best wishes to the others. Hope Jake pulls through.
Lilo
Member:
Njsparks

Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 2:05 pm:

Thanks to all of you... I love this old man... he was a starvation case when I got him and with a vet's help, lots of supplements, a good power float on the old teeth and ooodles of TLC... we put lots of weight back on him and he is a love bug for it... he knickers and perks up when he see me and always searches my pockets for little treats... I was sooo thrilled last night to see him holding his head up a bit higher...

If you would like to see Jake go to https://njsparks.com/v-web/gallery/ - he's such a great guy!!

Thanks again for everything.

Nance
Member:
Dyduroc

Posted on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 9:55 am:

Nance, love the pictures! Jake looks like a kind old soul.

Please keep us posted--I'm wishing you all my best for a speedy recovery.

And thank you for the warning about chicken feed--I learned something from your unfortunate experience.

dyd
Member:
Njsparks

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 12:42 pm:

Sad news to add to this post... Jake let go of life on Thursday May 26th, 2005 - Just 4 days after my 24 year old brother died in an automobile accident. The two are up there together prancing through the clouds... Jakes organs just shut down and I couldn't let him suffer... He rests eternially in the pasture...

Nance
Member:
Aannk

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 12:49 pm:

Nance,
I am so sorry for your loss. Hang in there.
Alicia
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 12:58 pm:

Oh Nance!
I am so sorry. I cried reading this post as I just recently lost my father.
My heart and many prayers to you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Susan B.
Member:
Dyduroc

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 1:04 pm:

Nance, I'm so sorry to hear about your losses. Heartfelt condolences to you and your family during this sad time.

dyd
Member:
Warwick

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 1:10 pm:

Nance, I just got back from 3 weeks vacation and read this thread this morning. I am so very sorry for your terrible loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Sue
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 1:12 pm:

Nance, I'm so very sorry, Many Many (((Hugs))) to you!!!
Member:
Dres

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 1:13 pm:

Jake and you did the best you could... so now your brother and Jake can ride together in peace and friendship...


On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS..
Member:
Terrilyn

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 2:18 pm:

I have been following your post with great hope that Jake would eventually pull through....while feeding a neighbor's baby chickens last week it was strongly on my mind. I will be sure to spread the word of this danger....many of my horse friends and horse acquaintances have chickens too....yet I had never heard of the danger of chicken starter!!

You will be in my prayers as you cope with this double and heartbreaking loss. The very best to you and your family. I'm so sorry.

Terri
Member:
Njsparks

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 2:20 pm:

Amen to that Ann... Bill - my little brother who recently passed on... was fond of Jake and I just know in my heart that they are up there together blasting through the clouds... Thanks to all of you, this is such a wonderful community to belong to...

Nance
Member:
Njsparks

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 2:55 pm:

Don’t Cry for the Horses

Don’t cry for the horses
That life has set free
A million white horses
Forever to be...

Don’t cry for the horses
Now in God’s hands
As they dance and they prance
To a heavenly band.

They were ours as a gift
But never to keep
As they close their eyes
Forever to sleep

Their spirits unbound
On silver wings they fly
A million white horses
Against the blue sky

Look up into heaven
You’ll see them above
The horses we lost
The horses we loved

Manes and tails flowing
They gallop through time
They were never yours
They were never mine

Don’t cry for the horses
They will be back someday
When our time has come
They will show us the way

Do you hear that soft nicker
Close to your ear?
Don’t cry for the horses
Love the ones that are here...

- Author Unknown

In Loving Memory of Jake
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 3:54 pm:

I love that last verse, Nance. It gives much hope. I think it can be said for friends and family as well as for our dear horse partners.

I know many of us have lost family as well as horses. I have felt deep grief in my life, but never lost a brother and a horse at the same time. Bless you, Nance.
Member:
Njsparks

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 4:12 pm:

My Aunt Patti sent the poem to me yesterday ( she is also a horse nut!!) I found such peace in the poem I just had to share it with all of you...

Thanks Aunt Patti!!

Nance
Member:
Njsparks

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 4:16 pm:

Oh Holly Wood... I found this for you...

Small Fred - Fred Small » The Heart of The Appaloosa

From Pesenki.Ru
From the land of shooting waters to the peaks of the Coeur d'Alene
Thimbleberries in the forest, elk grazing on the plain
The People of the Coyote made their camp along the streams
Of the green Wallowa Valley when fences had no name.

And they bred a strain of horses, the treasure of the tribe
Who could toe-dance on a ridge or gallop up a mountainside
Who could haul the hunter's burden, turn a buffalo stampede
The horse that wore the spotted coat was born with matchless speed.

CHORUS:
Thunder Rolling in the Mountains
Lead the People across the Great Divide
There's blood on the snow in the hills of Idaho
But the heart of the Appaloosa never died.

In the winter came the crowned ones near frozen in the cold
Bringing firearms and spyglasses and a book that saves the soul
The people gave them welcome, nursed them till their strenght returned
And studied the talking paper, its mysteries to learn.

In the shadow of the mission sprang up farms and squatter towns
The plain was lined with fences, the plow blade split the ground
In the shallows of the Clearwater gold glittered in the pan
And the word would come from Washington: remove the Indian.

CHORUS

The chief spoke to the People in his anger and his pain
"I am no more Chief Joseph. Rolling Thunder is my name.
They condemn us to a wasteland of barren soil and stone
We shall fight them if we must, but we will find another home."

They fled into the Bitterroot, an army at their heels
They fought at White Bird Canyon, they fought at Misery Hill
Till the colonel saw his strategy and sent the order down
To kill the Appaloosa wherever it be found.

CHORUS

Twelve hundred miles retreating, three times over the Divide
The horse their only safety, their only ally
Three thousand Appaloosas perishod with the tribe
The people and the horses dying side by side.

Thunder Rolling in the Mountains said, "my heart is sick and sad.
Our children now are freezing. The old chiefs are dead.
The hunger take our spirit. Our wounds are deep and sore.
From where the sun now stands I shal fight no more."

CHORUS

They were sent to Oklahoma, malaria ran rife
But more died of broken hearts far from the land that gave them life
And the man once called Joseph at death was heard to say
"We have given up our horses. They have gone away."

But sometimes without warning from a dull domestic herd
A spotted horse of spirit wonDrOus will emerge
Strong it is and fearless and nimble on a hill
Listening for thunder, the Appaloosa's living still.

CHORUS
Member:
Vickiann

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 8:12 pm:

So sorry to hear about your losses, Nance. Though the facts did not look overly encouraging for Jake to recover I, along with many others following your story I am sure, felt strongly that he would beat the odds. It was good of you to post this information so we all could circulate it to other unknowing horse owners. And as tears fall my heart aches for you about the loss of your brother in addition to the loss of Jake. Try to enjoy life's beauty on a daily basis between the inevitable moments of sadness. If only being sad could bring back the loved ones we miss . . . But we cannot change the past so we must make the most of each day we are given to enjoy those we love who are still amongst us.
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 9:44 pm:

Thank you, Nance. Thank you so much. Now if I could only remember the tune. I studied and taught American History for three years, and the stories of the American Indians and their horses really made an impression on me. I have never been particularly partial toward any ONE breed of horse, but as I get older it seems that I have more opportunities and the privilege to rescue and own several Appy geldings, and I have to say that each one makes a deep impression on me. They make me laugh with their quiet stubborness and their often homely faces . . . They are stubborn and proud, yet willing at the same time . . . sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it? but that is what I've seen in them. I just bought another old fellow (at least 30) whose hock was destroyed several years ago when his owner and a friend were drunk and hitched the horse to a cart and asked him to drive it up a very steep mountain. The shaft of the cart broke and the horse was hurt. He wears the damage for all to see -- his hock is twice the size of a normal hock and he has since been lame in that leg . . . yet he remains proud and stubborn and full of life. He is triumphant even though many folks would write him off as useless for anything but dog food. As long as a horse can give joy and hope, it is worth keeping. It's the Appy courage that I love . . . and Jake was courageous, too. I'm glad you had him in your life, and gave him extra time, and I know he is glad that you cared for him.
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 9:52 pm:

Nance,

A big ((((hug)))) from me to you. We just put our best mare down last week and I am still feeling sorrowful. I've been trying to find a fitting tribute to post but haven't found the words. I know your brother and Jake are enjoying their romp thru heaven. They'll always be in your heart until you meet again in greener pastures.
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 11:18 pm:

Nance, I am so sorry for your loss. I have not been looking at the web sight much lately, but just tonight, I was telling my husband that my old gelding knocked over the chicken food, and was nibbling at it. He only had 2 mouthfuls, and it was the laymaker kind. this was yesterday afternoon, and he is acting ok, eating, running and drinking and pooping ok. I was not in any way aware of the problems with chicken food. I immediately went out and double locked up the chicken food. I hope that the laymaker is safer than the starter or grower feed. Does anyone know? or how much they have to eat to cause a problem? I am so sorry for your loss, but hope that your sharing will keep other horses safe. I know I have learned something new. May time bring you peace and healing. Condolences, Suz
Member:
Shirl

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 - 11:20 pm:

Nance, My heart aches for you at this horrid time. I can't imagine two such losses so close, but I can assure you, your brother was up there to welcome Jake just like my niece was there to welcome Sierra and others. Love and hugs, Shirl
Member:
Canter

Posted on Thursday, Jun 2, 2005 - 8:00 am:

Nance,
Deepest condolences at such a difficult time. May time bring peace to your aching heart...

Fran
Member:
Terrilyn

Posted on Thursday, Jun 2, 2005 - 8:40 am:

Susan--
There is some basic info on feed contaminants at this link, including Rumensin (which is apparently what caused the problem with Jake).

https://www.pennwoods.com/contaminants_in_horse_feed.htm
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jun 2, 2005 - 9:12 am:

Let me add my deep condolences to those above.
DrO
Member:
Njsparks

Posted on Thursday, Jun 2, 2005 - 11:19 am:

Susan,

Even with the starter it seems to take more than a couple of mouthfuls to have a negative affect on a horse. Jake took the lid off of the container and ate six pounds of the starter while I was at work. The affects appear within 18 to 24 hours - if he is going to have issues.. at least that is what I read while trying to figure out what happened to Jake... I hope this helps and will write more soon... I need coffee first!
I do want to take a moment to thank all of you and if we were closer I would love to hug each and every one of you. Not only for you thoughts and kind words, but also for your sorrow and experiences of loss...

Nance
Member:
9193

Posted on Thursday, Jun 2, 2005 - 12:11 pm:

Dear Nance,

I wish to extend my deepest condolences to you and your family at this time..I wish I could find the words to express my sorrow at the loss of your beloved brother and your brave, sweet Jake..

Hugs and Caring,
Debra
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Thursday, Jun 2, 2005 - 3:04 pm:

I am so sorry for your loss Nance, I hope you find peace soon.

I too have a love affair with appys and also have a rescued appy gelding that is so smart I have to lock everything up, He just recently ravaged half a bag of senior, much to my dismay. I never new about the other animal feed stuffs, but thanks to your posts chicken feed is now stored where the horses can't find it.

Thanks for the posting the heart of the appaloosa.
There is a verse in there that is so true here "But sometimes without warning from a dull domestic herd A spotted horse of spirit wonDrOus will emerge Strong it is and fearless and nimble on a hill Listening for thunder, the Appaloosa's living still" our local mustang herd is for the most part dull and boring but occasional we get amazing appy's all that I have adopted have been indian shufflers, and the most amazing horses I have ever worked with.
Member:
Skeller

Posted on Thursday, Jun 2, 2005 - 4:09 pm:

Jake was really fortunate to have found you. I can't imagine how hard it is to loose both him and your brother. Be sure to take care of yourself and know we are all thinking about you.
Sandi
Member:
Frances

Posted on Friday, Jun 3, 2005 - 7:53 am:

My heartfelt sympathy to you, Nance.

Lynn
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC