Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[lbrykowski2011]

In the disinfecting vein, if you use antibacterial soap, please rethink it. Triclosan, the active ingredient, is a very toxic chemical that in many expert's opinion should not be allowed in human contact. In addition, it flushes into the waste water and has negative effects on water quality when discharged into the environment. Regular soap is antibacterial by nature, and safe when in contact with the skin; you do not need the addition of chemicals (a marketing ploy to make you afraid of bacteria).

I use vinegar and water to clean, I try to do everything natural and no chemicals here, but when I read the article about sterilizing, I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Thanks

 

[lbrykowski2011]

I do know ducklings require a higher amount of certain vitamins than chicks and poults do. I'm not sure if the adults need special feed or a vitamin supplement also. I did raise BBW poults with chicks and never had a problem, they were fed 20% starter/grower from Kalmbach, which is a very good quality feed.

Ok, I have had them on chick starter for 1st 8 wks. The chickens are 12 wks now and on chicken crumble and the 2 bbw n bbb turkeys are almost 8 wks now and my starter food is about gone. Could they just eat the chicken crumble then with the chickens?

 

[1muttsfan]

Turkeys need a higher protein percentage than chickens while growing. Try asking in the Turkeys section
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/20/turkeys

To clean anything properly, a soap of some kind is essential - vinegar and water is a poor cleaning agent and a VERY mild disinfectant that will not deactivate many kinds of bacteria and viruses. To disinfect anything, it must first be CLEAN. There are oxygen-based cleaner/disinfectants such as Accel-TB that are much safer than chemicals such as triclosan, quaternary compounds and bleach.

Disinfection is the reduction in number of pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria. Sterilization is the complete removal of all living matter, which can only be achieved with pressurized steam or certain chemical agents. We live in a bacteria- and virus-filled environment, and need those organisms to function properly. They only cause disease in individuals that are susceptible, either due to a lack of immunity or poor health in the individual affected. Makers of antibacterial soaps, wipes,and water treatments are playing on people's fear of organisms that we live with just as we live with other animals, and tend to downplay the risks involved with the chemicals they are promoting.

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Ok, I have had them on chick starter for 1st 8 wks. The chickens are 12 wks now and on chicken crumble and the 2 bbw n bbb turkeys are almost 8 wks now and my starter food is about gone. Could they just eat the chicken crumble then with the chickens?

I would keep them on at least 20% protein, my BBWs were raised since day 1 on 20% starter/grower and I butchered at 5 months, they also free ranged with my chickens in grass/alfalfa pastures. They were not huge round birds, they had a longer leaner carcass than any confinement raised bird.

 

[bobw189]

So I just bought 2 bags of Organic feed in Kalamazoo, 16% layer feed for $32.99 per 50# bag! So now I am doing research, If I find a bulk supplier of organic GMO free feed, would anyone want to split orders or buy some from me at cost? I'm looking at buying from Graham's in rosebush now, I'll let you all know what kind of deal I can work!

 

[jlynnet]

I would never be able to afford that feed! I'd have to sell eggs for $10! A dz.

 

[bobw189]

Well I think I should be able to get a pretty good deal buying strait from the farm, I'll be picking it up myself since Rosebush is near my parents house. I think I should be able to cut the cost substantially, then I could sell Organic GMO Free Eggs at $3-4 / dozen and recoup some of my feed cost.

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Well I think I should be able to get a pretty good deal buying strait from the farm, I'll be picking it up myself since Rosebush is near my parents house. I think I should be able to cut the cost substantially, then I could sell Organic GMO Free Eggs at $3-4 / dozen and recoup some of my feed cost.

Just remember to state that you are not certified Organic, that you feed organic non-GMO feeds. Otherwise I'm pretty sure you can get your hand slapped if you advertise as Organic and are caught.

 

[RaZ]

Just remember to state that you are not certified Organic, that you feed organic non-GMO feeds. Otherwise I'm pretty sure you can get your hand slapped if you advertise as Organic and are caught.

If people are interested in a way to market your agriculture products you can look into this group, http://www.naturallygrown.org/.
They are pretty much a grass roots group and have not been influenced by big agribusiness as the national organic agency has.

 

[bobw189]

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...c5411d6941&node=7:3.1.1.9.32.2.354.2&rgn=div8 According to the National Organic Program, "production or handling operation that sells agricultural products as “organic” but whose gross agricultural income from organic sales totals $5,000 or less annually is exempt from certification" So as long as you are following organic standards and selling less than $5,000 worth of eggs, you can market as organic. If ever I get bigger than 17 hens in my yard, I might consider a certification.