How to raise a flock using only natural ways

[schellie69]

I have been reading and researching and see that a lot of people, use natural remedies for worms, and not using medicated feed. My questions are what are the amount of natural remedies for worms to be used and has anyone raised chickens with out medicated chick starter what are the pros and cons. I am asking these questions due to wanting to raise my flock with out any medications I have to be careful due to my grand daughter is allergic to store eggs, I want to be able to raise chickens that have a great immunity and not have to use medications and wormers. I did de-worm my chickens using de-wormers the last time but I would like to try to raise a flock in a more natural way this flock will be for both meat and eggs not as pets. Any help will be appreciated. Please let me know how much preventive for worms that you use, such as ACV, garlic, pumpkin seeds ect. Has anyone use black walnut also. thanks again.

 

[KBChicks]

I put a cap-full of ACV per gallon of water in a plastic container for my girls. Haven't had an issue with worms yet.

 

[pgpoultry]

I have only ever used natural wormers and never used medicated feeds. I have raised a lot of chicks and chickens over the years with very little illness in them,

Sandie

 

[SunnysideupstateNY]

I also use ACV in my water every day. I think ACV works more as a preventative not as a treatment. Give them garlic once in a while just b/c its good for immunity. Garlic is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal. One of the few plants with those qualities. And yogurt to help keep the good bacteria up in their digestive tracks. So far they've been the picture of health! And I sprinkle rosemary in the coop to keep out mites. Haven't seen any yet! So far its working! They never had medicated feed either. I have used antibiotics when my youngest girl got pecked really bad. I wasn't going to mess around with that. But that was only a week and a half Tx and she's doing wonderful now!
Heck I even give my dog some candied ginger with each meal b/c she has a sensitive stomach. Ginger also has anti-bacterial properties but is excellent at healing the mucosal lining of the stomach. I digress....

There was a really good article I read online somewhere....I want to say it was Mother Earth...it talked about using all different natural and homeopathic remedies and supplements for chickens. I'll keep my eye out for it again.

 

[Olive Hill]

I have to be careful due to my grand daughter is allergic to store eggs

Maybe I am misunderstanding your intent here, but please keep in mind that if your granddaughter is truly allergic to eggs from the store she will likely still be allergic to eggs from your chickens. Yes, there are differences in store bought eggs and home raised eggs -- especially when the chickens have access to range at home -- but the "part" of the egg that causes her allergic reaction is very likely to be a problem even in home raised eggs.​

 

[Toi-toi]

Quote:
I heard if you give garlic or onions, chicken meat and eggs smell and taste funny.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:
Maybe I am misunderstanding your intent here, but please keep in mind that if your granddaughter is truly allergic to eggs from the store she will likely still be allergic to eggs from your chickens. Yes, there are differences in store bought eggs and home raised eggs -- especially when the chickens have access to range at home -- but the "part" of the egg that causes her allergic reaction is very likely to be a problem even in home raised eggs.

Yes, please be careful (I know you will

).




Have you tried duck eggs for her allergy? I have read that many people who cannot eat chicken eggs can eat duck eggs.

 

[SunnysideupstateNY]

Quote:
I heard if you give garlic or onions, chicken meat and eggs smell and taste funny.

That why only give it to them once in a while. lol

 

[schellie69]

Let me clarify My grand daughter can and does eat the eggs from my chickens with no problems. when we give her eggs from the store she has problems with them. the doctor thinks it has something to do with her flu shot and the eggs that they use in making of the flu shot. Since my chickens free range which is where they get most of their food from and since there I do not use any kind of antibiotics or anything like that she has no problem eating my chicken eggs. I was hoping that people who use natural ways would post how much they use and what other ideas people use. I am in the processes of getting a farm and would love to have a flock that I don't have to really do much with except feed and water.

 

[donrae]

Well, I'm new to the board but not to chickens. I've had a mixed free range (one acre) flock for several years and never had any illnesses. I don't worm my birds, I don't do any prevention for mites etc, just feed and water and shovel poo. My birds get all in one crumbles, water, and all our kitchen scraps, but I don't as a rule make special treats for them, just whatever we don't eat. I throw out onions, garlic, and raw potato peels, even green ones, they just don't eat what they don't like and I've never had an egg taste funny. I don't worry about toxic weeds. I also give their shells back to them, I don't crush or bake them, just give them the halves and have not had egg eater problems. I don't want birds I have to coddle! That said, I will spend an hour simply watching them dust bathe, scratch in the horse poo and in general live their chicken lives. You can't stay stressed after watching a roo call his hens to see the bugs he just found, and he's so proud of himeslf!

My chicks have all gotten medicated starter, that's my honey's doing..........but I'm trying to bring him around to the "don't medicate them if they aren't sick" pov.


Good luck on your new adventure!