I reject your facts... Or, my how time changes opinions.

[Patinas]

I love this post! I've only had chickens for about a year and half and the information and differing opinions on what is good/bad for chickens is staggering!

What I've learned is to just do your own independent research and come to your own logical/common sense conclusions on how you want to manage your flock. When it comes down to it, this is not rocket science. Chickens need shelter, space, fresh water, food and calcium. How one decides the best way to provide these things is in the details.

If I feed my flock pellets and they are thriving and healthy and then there are posts that say you should feed fermented feed, does that mean I'm doing something wrong? No. Does it mean the person feeding fermented feed is doing something wrong? No.

So if your chickens are thriving, healthy and laying beautiful eggs then you're doing things just fine! I know I used to question my practices early on when I would read posts on here about ACV in water or not or fermented feed or not or giving treats or not. I about drove myself crazy!

Unless I see signs of my flock not thriving or showing signs of ill health, I am doing it right and in a way that makes sense to me, I have confidence in and that I'm comfortable with and I think that's the only way to go about it.

Just don't judge others from raising their flock different than you are doing things. I do believe the vast majority of people on this forum try very hard to provide their flock and animals the best opportunity to thrive and be happy and healthy which is why I continue to be part of this online community. We can always learn new approaches and ideas which means as flock managers, we can always come to conclusions on how to improve our own practices and grow our knowledge.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

To the fault finders, you can reply: Thanks, but I'll do it my way.

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

I was off this website for several years as well and thought the same thing when I returned! Funny how things change

 

[PirateGirl]

Oh and the dust bath, my poor chickens have to pick a spot and dig their own hole! Here's the worst part, it's just plain old dirt!

It is interesting to read the various techniques and practices people use and they certainly aren't all for every flock or every flock keeper. You will learn what works for you.

 

[kwhites634]

If you google why is de good for chickens you get 5000 responses,
Then google why is de bad for chickens 5000 responses ,

If we just listen to everyone’s different opinions we are just victims of the latest fad , time changes everything , never say never

God gave you a brain , please use it wisely

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

 

[lazy gardener]

Oh and the dust bath, my poor chickens have to pick a spot and dig their own hole! Here's the worst part, it's just plain old dirt!

My poor birds. Every time they get a crater in the middle of hubby's lawn, he goes out, buys a truck load of loam (yep, it takes a lot of soil to fill their craters) and fills their holes, plants grass seed. He just shakes his head. Where does the soil go? It was level before they dug that hole. They remind me of pig pen on "Charlie Brown." 25 birds dust bathing in one crater can remove a lot of soil!! They are now confined to coop and run until the new lawn is strong enough to withstand their abuse.

 

[Zinjifrah]

My poor birds. Every time they get a crater in the middle of hubby's lawn, he goes out, buys a truck load of loam (yep, it takes a lot of soil to fill their craters) and fills their holes, plants grass seed. He just shakes his head. Where does the soil go? It was level before they dug that hole. They remind me of pig pen on "Charlie Brown." 25 birds dust bathing in one crater can remove a lot of soil!! They are now confined to coop and run until the new lawn is strong enough to withstand their abuse.

I watched one of my EE's take a glorious dust bath, walk back into her run, and shake what looked like ten pounds of dirt out of her feathers. It was pretty amazing to see how much came out! The ground around her was completely covered with a fresh layer of yard dirt.

 

[PirateGirl]

My poor birds. Every time they get a crater in the middle of hubby's lawn, he goes out, buys a truck load of loam (yep, it takes a lot of soil to fill their craters) and fills their holes, plants grass seed. He just shakes his head. Where does the soil go? It was level before they dug that hole. They remind me of pig pen on "Charlie Brown." 25 birds dust bathing in one crater can remove a lot of soil!! They are now confined to coop and run until the new lawn is strong enough to withstand their abuse.

we have lots of holes, chicken dust holes, duck drilling holes, vole holes, prairie dog holes, and then dog holes trying to dig up the other critters... we got a truck load of dirt this year, it was supposed to be for gardening, but I see lots of it going to filling in holes!

 

[lazy gardener]

We've done 2 loads, and still have lots of holes to fill.

 

[GC-Raptor]

They are now confined to coop and run until the new lawn is strong enough to withstand their abuse.

Put a temporary fence around the crater. So they can start digging a new one immediately. Hubby will be full of joy. The way you explain it, sounds like he's enjoying himself.. GC