Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Perris]

I just worry about the chicken digging vs. shallow-rooted systems of this type of plant.

most of what chickens bring to the garden party is positive: I've posted this before but it won't hurt to post it again, especially at this time of year

their poo makes a very valuable addition to the soil around those shallow roots, not just in feeding the roots of the plants above ground but also all the funga and flora that live below it and are usually out of mind because out of sight.

 

[Perris]

I added a few azaleas to our garden

I love azaleas but they don't do well here; I've tried about 5 different types. Lack of water isn't the problem, nor the ph (in principle at least), I think it's either the wind in and of itself, or if it carries too much salt up here from the sea very occasionally.

Thank you to those who complimented my garden. In view of such, and as several have mentioned here or there trying to improve their yard with shrubs or evergreens, I thought it might be useful to share some of my most chicken-friendly species.

I highly recommend skimmia japonica if it will grow where you are; it is just in flower now and it has a wonderful scent, as well as providing year round dense but accessible cover for chickens. Tough as old boots too; survived every storm we've had, whatever direction it came from.

Pittisporum also works well here, and can be kept trimmed as a shrub or let grow into a small evergreen tree. Comes in various colours and variegations; we have 3 types. Also fragrant (but inconspicuous) flowers.

Eleagnus are good evergreens too, or ever-grey and with a stunning clove-like scent in one case we had (sadly no longer with us). I think they also fix nitrogen (like legumes) so are good for the soil around them.

Mahonia is also tough, also evergreen, and wonderfully scented flowers when little else is out. It's a large family and there is probably one to suit most types of soil and climate. Bit spikey, so best at the back, and def not next to a path, but provides great year round cover, leaving lots of run room at chicken-level.

edited to correct carbon to nitrogen re: eleagnus. More coffee needed!

 

[BDutch]

He looked very sick today. He's gone to roost with a damp arse. I had him on my lap for a good half an hour cleaning his arse and getting some rooster booster into him with a syringe. There's blood in his droppings now.

Poor Henry. I feel very sorry for him, for you and the girls.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I haven't found such; if you are interested, these are some of the papers that have most shaped my thinking on feed (besides the books on nutritional geometry, which I came to relatively late in my journey, but perhaps for that reason fell onto fertile ground):

http://dx.doi.org/10.3382/ps/pey191 (The foregut and its manipulation via feeding practices in the chicken)

http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules25040927 (Impact of Fermentation on the Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Whole Cereal Grains: A Mini Review)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2022.101789 (Application of microbial analyses to feeds and potential implications for poultry nutrition)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2024.03.007 (Our extended microbiome: The human-relevant metabolites and biology of fermented foods)

https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114522003592 (Ergothioneine: an underrecognised dietary micronutrient required for healthy ageing?)

https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo12010063 (Yeast Protein as an Easily Accessible Food Source) [which usefully compares AA figures with wheat, egg and milk, amongst other things]

Apologies in advance to those for whom these papers will be completely indigestible

Oh good! If I ever get done with this assignment (ironically, a review and presentation on various journal articles), I'll start on these.

 

[townchicks]

So sorry that it is going badly for Henry. We know that you are taking good care of him. He has had a good life since you came into it.

 

[no fly zone]

Definitely waiting for the next update on Henry

 

[MrsNorthie]

Thank you! In fact, I just re-read it a few hours ago, along with the original article.

Ultimately, I'd like to do this, if only to replace the corn and soy so prevalent in agricultural (and human) food. Whether it makes sense to take this on (it does involve a bit of fiddling, although not a ridiculous amount) for a tiny flock and at my age (did anyone see my car keys?) is the challenge.

But it's fun working through this in my over-heated little head.

I just don't sleep anymore, this kind of stuff wakes me up in the middle of the night and at my age, I need my sleep. (I hit double nickels this year..lol)

 

[MrsNorthie]

I love azaleas but they don't do well here; I've tried about 5 different types. Lack of water isn't the problem, nor the ph (in principle at least), I think it's either the wind in and of itself, or if it carries too much salt up here from the sea very occasionally.

Thank you to those who complimented my garden. In view of such, and as several have mentioned here or there trying to improve their yard with shrubs or evergreens, I thought it might be useful to share some of my most chicken-friendly species.

I highly recommend skimmia japonica if it will grow where you are; it is just in flower now and it has a wonderful scent, as well as providing year round dense but accessible cover for chickens. Tough as old boots too; survived every storm we've had, whatever direction it came from.

Pittisporum also works well here, and can be kept trimmed as a shrub or let grow into a small evergreen tree. Comes in various colours and variegations; we have 3 types. Also fragrant (but inconspicuous) flowers.

Eleagnus are good evergreens too, or ever-grey and with a stunning clove-like scent in one case we had (sadly no longer with us). I think they also fix nitrogen (like legumes) so are good for the soil around them.

Mahonia is also tough, also evergreen, and wonderfully scented flowers when little else is out. It's a large family and there is probably one to suit most types of soil and climate. Bit spikey, so best at the back, and def not next to a path, but provides great year round cover, leaving lots of run room at chicken-level.

edited to correct carbon to nitrogen re: eleagnus. More coffee needed!

Thank you! I am going to start investigating which of these will grow in my neck of the woods.

 

[no fly zone]

I am assuming this is the same dove from last year, having rebuilt the nest on the side of the neighbor's house.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I just don't sleep anymore, this kind of stuff wakes me up in the middle of the night and at my age, I need my sleep. (I hit double nickels this year..lol)

7 dimes here!