Hello!! Looking for eco friendly tips

[ldelorto]

Hello from Massachusetts! I am new to back yard chickens and got my first 3 chicks this weekend and getting a pullet next weekend. I'm new to this and just looking to see if anyone out there is a environmentally concousous person (as am I) and if they have any of there own tips and tricks to share to keep my girls happy and me as well. Any brand names or recycling options for bedding. We plan on composting for our garden and keeping their diet strictly organic. Any tips are appreciated.
Thanks!
Lyndsey

 

[Amiga]

Welcome to BYC!

Hope you don't mind if a duck person pops in on this thread.

We compost the bedding, I use it as mulch under trees, it's really nice. Indeed, chicken poop is a different sort of material, but it is a much sought-after addition for compost piles. There have been some discussions on feeding fermented feed and sprouts that you may want to search through.

Many of us use vinegar for cleaning, and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar as a tonic.

Vermiculture can help provide worms as part of a diet if there's not much room to roam and forage.

If you have some room, try growing hull-less oats. They can be cut near ground level and tossed whole into the pen for the chickens to peck at the oats and the straw is nice bedding.

That's what I have to offer this morning, hope all goes well!

P.S. I did have a Rhode Island Red when I was five.

 

[redsoxs]

Greeting from Kansas, Lyndsey, and

! Pleased you joined us! I think Amiga gave you some place tips!!

 

[drumstick diva]

Amiga gave you some tips, I wasn't aware of. I'm making notes

 

[ldelorto]

Thanks a lot! Good to know about the vinegar! And I will look into the hull-less oats cause I do have the room and need to do some planting in the chicken portion of the yard. I have a road island red chick now! I also have 1 Polish and 1 Plymouth Rock and 1 Silkie pullet coming next week. I couldn't make up my mind haha. Do you think shredded newspaper or shredded paper bags? I don't know if the ink could be harmfull or if they would try to eat any shredded papers.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad to have you aboard!!