How to become self-sufficient (kinda) with chickens.

[Ladyhawke1]

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We had a super wet spring a couple of years ago and everything was getting blossom end rot...All the nutrients were being leached out of the soil. I dug down around the roots of the squash plants and worked in a bunch of bone meal since I didn't have any egg shells. I think I like the idea of the powdered milk too. It seemed to work because I started getting squash and they continued fairly well on into summer. By mid July here, gardens are pretty much finished because of the intense heat. Good luck with whatever you decide to try.

Regarding Bone Meal. Please be advised. I read this book ten years ago. All findings are scientific.
I know that no one here will believe what I have to say and of course manufacturers will not tell you.
I say use something else. Please read for your own sake.

http://books.google.com/books?id=ch...8KnKDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1

 

[tulie13]

Quote:
We had a super wet spring a couple of years ago and everything was getting blossom end rot...All the nutrients were being leached out of the soil. I dug down around the roots of the squash plants and worked in a bunch of bone meal since I didn't have any egg shells. I think I like the idea of the powdered milk too. It seemed to work because I started getting squash and they continued fairly well on into summer. By mid July here, gardens are pretty much finished because of the intense heat. Good luck with whatever you decide to try.

Regarding Bone Meal. Please be advised. I read this book ten years ago. All findings are scientific.
I know that no one here will believe what I have to say and of course manufacturers will not tell you.
I say use something else. Please read for your own sake.

http://books.google.com/books?id=ch...8KnKDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1

You know, before I clicked on the link, but knowing that it was a "warning" about using bone meal, I just KNEW it was about TSE. That's some scary stuff!!!

I've read a fair bit about it - I used to handle some regulatory inquiries for my old company and that was one item that we would get questions about.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

Quote:
Thanks! This is a great idea. I am doing raised beds why not a grass/seed bed for the chickens.

 

[Wifezilla]

I've never heard of a banana squash - is there something "special" about that type of squash that would make it good "survival food" vs. other squashes? Or were you just commenting on never having dried it before and thinking about trying it?

I never dried squash before. Squash is very nutritious in general so I thought it would be a good thing to have on hand. I am trying the banana squash in particular because a HUGE one was only $2 at my local farmer's market. I haven't tasted it yet but I baked some of it last night too. It smells wonderful. I will have some today with some leftover grilled chicken for lunch.​

 

[Ladyhawke1]

Quote:
Regarding Bone Meal. Please be advised. I read this book ten years ago. All findings are scientific.
I know that no one here will believe what I have to say and of course manufacturers will not tell you.
I say use something else. Please read for your own sake.

http://books.google.com/books?id=ch...8KnKDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1

You know, before I clicked on the link, but knowing that it was a "warning" about using bone meal, I just KNEW it was about TSE. That's some scary stuff!!!

I've read a fair bit about it - I used to handle some regulatory inquiries for my old company and that was one item that we would get questions about.

Reading his book and doing further investigation forced me to find out where my food came from. As a vegetarian that has been compromised by many surgeries, I do eat meat on occasion.
When I do eat meat, I only buy from accreted organic sources and I read labels and ask questions. Most city store butchers know "jack" about the meat they sell.
Reading labels means NOT just saying it is “grass-fed”, or “natural”….it has to be certified organic. No feeding chemicals or animal offal back to herbivore animals.

 

[angelib1]

My DH works for an ag crop dusting service. If you new what they applied to the oranic fields you wouln't eat it. Most of what is applied by organic farms in the states is out lawed in other countrys.

 

[tulie13]

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Curious now... any tidbits?

 

[mylilchix]

Another great read if you have time is Jane Goodall's "Harvest for Hope." I've been reading that lately and it really opens your eyes to all of the problems with our food supply. Jane mentioned the website http://truefoodnow.org/ It has a great section about which commercial products contain GMOs and which stores probably won't carry them. It was a real eye opener!!

When we started with our chickens I wanted them to learn responsibility, learn where food comes from, and have a healthier food choice. Now I'd like to learn more about farming and making more of our foods. We homeschool so I see it as a great learning experience for the kids and to keep our lives a little simpler.

Sonja

 

[mylilchix]

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Is it every organic farmer or just certain companies? Everything I've read syas that organic farms need to abide by certain guidelines.

Sonja

 

[hikerchick]

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I love that book! That was why I became a vegetarian.

YOu wanted your chickens to learn responsibility?