The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[BusyBlonde]

Wow! Take an hour's nap and surprise!

Well, guess we'll see everyone over here soon ...

Thanks, Bulldogma, for this thread.

Spifflove, Natural means a lot of different things to different people. I've been following a couple of threads that the OT's (old-timers) post on, and I've been able to improve the overall health and appearance of my flock by following as many of their methods that I can incorporate into my flock. I don't have an organic feed option right now, but I let my flock out on pasture as often as I can. I feed fermented feed, and use UP/ACV (unpasturized Apple Cider vinegar) in their water. I don't use antibiotics or de-wormers anymore, but incorporate natural preventative measures and remedies in my day-to-day flock keeping. I basically let my chickens be chickens!

 

[lalaland]

wow things move fast.

thanks bdm for starting this.
I hope we see everyone on this.

 

[Bulldogma]

So glad to see some awesome people over here!

I'll be on more later, but the hubby and I are in the process of designing a chicken run. Wavering between hoop-style and just using the cattle panels to make up a straight, boxy run. Only have 3 panels...

Be back in a while -

 

[Ashdoes]

I haven't been able to find an organic all-flock. It's pretty hard to find organic anything in the feed store, and I just can't pay shipping on a 50# bag. I have found a local group that makes an organic feed from scratch, and as soon as my husband is home I'll look into buying that.

 

[Ashdoes]

So glad to see some awesome people over here!

I'll be on more later, but the hubby and I are in the process of designing a chicken run. Wavering between hoop-style and just using the cattle panels to make up a straight, boxy run. Only have 3 panels...

Be back in a while -

If you made an arch like the hoop coop, over the top, you'd be able to walk in it.

 

[Bulldogma]

If you made an arch like the hoop coop, over the top, you'd be able to walk in it.

Considering it - wondering about center supports. Hubby wants to be able to move it about the yard, so the more wood is involved the heavier and harder to move it will be.

 

[Pullet Surprise]

Question: What about using wood ashes in the coop? Any concern for respitory irriatation? Can't be any worse than DE ?

 

[BusyBlonde]

I use wood ash in my coop - the chickens love dust-bathing in it, and I don't have any problems with mites or lice. I put it in their favorite dust-bathing areas and let them go for it. They don't seem any more bothered by the wood ash than the dust they threw around before I added the ash.

 

[maggiemo]

I haven't been able to find an organic all-flock. It's pretty hard to find organic anything in the feed store, and I just can't pay shipping on a 50# bag. I have found a local group that makes an organic feed from scratch, and as soon as my husband is home I'll look into buying that.

I need to look up where you are Ashdoes, but I can get bulk organic feed from Ferhringer's. http://fehringerfarms.com/organicpoultryfeed.html
I can also get "easy feed' from Ranchway.
I have pigs too and get Ferhringer's organic feed for them.

Thanks BDM for starting a new thread. I work at an organic farm and feed my animals organic feed and try to use 'natural' animal husbandry methods. I have learned so much from Bee and all the people on the "road traveled' thread. I am so gratful for all the time people have spent there posting.

 

[Crafty-Duck]

Anyone know of any natural/herbal antibiotics for chickens?
I don't need any but I like to be prepared just in case.