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

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
Also, for those new to comfrey - it will get taller in full sun than in shade, but even in shade it gets rather tall (unless the geese keep it trimmed

)

I planted mine at the end of the brooder coop near the water spigot - it loves it there (full sun most of the day - southern exposure).

Comfrey is a very hardy plant.

meri

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

Cannot comfrey be toxic in heavy doses?

Are cherry pits ok for chickens (do they contain arsenic)?

 

[tasymo]

ANYTHING can be toxic in heavy doses. Even water!

 

[OrpingtonManor]

This is a great thread. I am going to have to get Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Sounds like a great place to start.

 

[Autumn Mama]

How much comfrey can 12 chickens have at once...a few leaves fresh, right off of the plant? We have a clump growing near a compost pile. I might try drying it, but it would only yeild a small bag full, I think. Is that enough to give to chickens over the Winter?

This year in addition to chickens we have grown more veggies than ever! I have yet to branch out to growing the majority of our veggies, but each year we learn more and that is pleasing in and of itself.

I hope to learn more about making cleaning products, preserving the harvest (and not just with sweets like jams and such, but nutritious life giving preserves too), making cheese, candles etc.

We are a life learning family and my two boys are avid learners at home, so there is much we can do together! Oh, and another vote for Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It is very inspiring to read.

Great thread!

 

[ooohhitskaren]

I love this thread!!! Last year I taught myself how to can. I had a small veggie garden with tomatos, peppers and cucumbers. I had a great time..I love to garden anyways, but had forgotten how rewarding it is to grow your own food. We always had a garden when I grew up to help with the groceries..mom didn't can..she froze everything. With food allergies, it helped a lot. And we used to visit u-pick farms to get stuff we didn't grow. That's what I did last summer and I am doing it this summer too. So in the fall I got wood to make 4 raised beds for my sloped back yard..96 sqft of raised beds. I made trellis's out of pvc pipe and nylon garden netting..has worked out great so far. I bought heirloom seeds...lots of them..and ordered seed potatos. So far I've gotten out of my garden this summer has been 8 lbs of peas, over 20 lbs of potatos, tomatos, peppers, brocolli..the cauliflower was eaten by the bunnies, cabbage are coming along nicely..they are mixed in with the flowers...not ready to pick..and zuccini. I have winter squash growing..and I see my first white acorn swash fruit. I also have my first sugar baby watermelon growing..she's only an inch in diameter...lol. I planted all sorts of beans, kidney..etc. When the peas were done...I pulled them and planted green beans and lima beans, which are still growing. Also when the potatos were done..I then planted beets and turnips and carrots for a fall crop. I also need to work on the onion garden. Onions take forever from seed...lol. I started doing all this on my very very small yard to try and make things better for me and my parents. Dad has CHF and can only have 1800mg of salt a day..so I learned to can and omit the salt so I can share with my parents.

I have a goal to buy a small farm about 5 acres so I am able to do more. I want a windturbine and solar panels. I can't have either in my neighborhood...solar panels are not allowed on the roofs...and you can't have a wind turbine from what I've read unless its over an acre of land. I live on a lot that is 40ft wide by 115ft deep..with a house in the middle of it. I want chickens but may not be able to have them in my neighborhood due to the neighborhood association bylaws saying no fowl. So I'm saving money and putting it away so I can sell my house when the market is better and find a home with land so I can really be more self sufficient. It's my goal..to raise chickens, a couple of cows, a pig and fruit trees and a really huge garden, wind turbine and solar panels. I'm only 46 and divorced. So I'm using my little lot to do all I can and learn all I can about growing food..etc...until I can have what I really want.

I haven't learned how to make bread yet, its kind of hard trying to do all that I'm doing while working a full-time job. I have to pick my veggies by flashlight at night sometimes...lol. Since this whole scare with our economy going sour and everyone losing their jobs...I felt I had to do something to make myself more self-sufficient. Do something positive.

 

[kagedgoddess]

autumn mama,
making candles is pretty easy, and fun. the kids and i did it for candlemas, lol. i was really surprised. for cleaning i just use baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice. easy peasy and chemical free. i ve used these for over 10yrs and my dh brought home pinesol recently cuz the puppy was having accidents in the kitchen, and no one could tolerate the smell of pinesol. in the bathroom, i use just baking soda, sprinkle it, scrub, then rinse. i use vinegar and baking soda in the drains and lemon juice on the shower doors. i still use dish soap for dishes and laundry soap, either arm and hammer or all free and clear. But i found a recipe on self-sufficintish (sp) to make my own laundry soap, which sounds easy and once i find washing soda i ll do it.

good luck! oh and to make your new cleaners scented you can just add a few drops of essentail oils that you like. rosemary is a good one. i get my stuff either from the local lady or i goto mountian rose herbs .com

 

[angelib1]

Good to find out plantains and comfrey I have lots of those.

We have a clump growing near a compost pile. I might try drying it, but it would only yeild a small bag full, I think. Is that enough to give to chickens over the Winter?

Even if you dont't have a lot dry it every little bit helps, a little a little there gets the job done, also if you cut comfrey down you will get a second crop this year.​

 

[Marie66]

 

[rileysgranny]

I follow a blog that tells how to make your own vinegar and all of the things you can do with it. She also has LOTS of ideas on liviing simply/sustainably. With the permission of the moderator, I'll be glad to give the link. It is very informative.