Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[galanie]

Gosh, that sounds like a lot to go through to make vinegar. I just use two cans of apple juice concentrate for a gallon jar, mixed per the instructions, and glug in a good bit of Braggs. Cover with a paper towel or coffee filter fastened with a rubber band and wait a month. I have test strips to check the acidity and it's worked perfectly every time.

Edit: Do NOT use the apple juice with added calcium. Vitamin C added is fine but not the calcium.

Bee's method is great too, and simple. A glug or two of Braggs to the regular apple cider and wait a week. Both ways are really simple and work.

 

[HappyHenMama]

To Galanie: You have some beautiful girls in your Avatar pic. Are those BO's?

 

[WalkingWolf1]

I measured the specific gravity of just the two cans of concentrate per gallon and it only calculated out to a vinegar between 4 and 5%. I upped it with sugar to make sure I'd get it over 7%. I have experience with wine making and had the supplies so I went the whole route. The key to the hobby (as in all hobbies) is to find what works best for you and go with it.

 

[therapydoglady]

The little old man down the road from us fell and broke his hip last week...his kids came in and I assumed were taking care of his animals. A call from him from the hospital confirmed that they had not even been out there to water them. The man is a little bit of a stinker, so I had not ventured down there to check, but went immediately when he called. All chickens fine - hot and thirsty, and hungry - but ok. However, they are COVERED in fleas! I was 'till dark thirty last night dusting them with Sevin, pulling out nesting materials, dusting nests, etc.etc.etc. However, this morning, they still are working alive with the little blood sucking buggars! In 50+ years having chickens, I've never had fleas on my chickens! I'm afraid if I dust them again, I'll dust them to death! Suggestions guys?????

 

[Fred's Hens]

Change the dust, just for a curve ball to the fleas, if you wish. I really like the permithrin powder. It's pretty effect.

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

What kind of fleas are they.

 

[chickletteSarge]

Day three (or two for some) out the door and onto being a chicken

What breeds are we looking at? Or are they mixes? Either way purdy burdies!
Love momma! Hope my SLW pullet looks that beautiful!

 

[WalkingWolf1]

Darling little peeps. Love the variety. Something reassuring about a mother hen and her brood going about their business.

 

[thedragonlady]

Most fleas are now immune to Sevin. Go ahead and use Permethrin in powder or liquid form. I prefer the liquid as it gets into cracks better, and has more of a residual effect. I've never seen fleas on chickens either!

 

[therapydoglady]

Fred's Hens: Picking up Permethrin powder this afternoon. Hope that does it. Would you blow the Sevin off them before dusting w/ Permethrin? I have a blower I use to dry my horses...has a low setting...don't think it would blow the feathers off 'em. LOL I just don't wanna kill the old man's chickens. He's cantankerous enough with out that! LOL(What is it they say in Alabama? "Bless his heart!")

FuzzyButtsFarm: I'm not sure. Sand fleas, I guess. Lots of 'em runnin' around, but LOTS more of them digging in and sitting down in huge clusters. Poor chickens!