straw as bedding?

[write2caroline]

I use alfalfa in two of my coops and in the nest boxes because the chickens prefer to lay in the straw or hay. I use deep litter in the other two coops. I have to clean both the deep litter and the straw the same frequency once a week or latest once every two weeks. The straw they like to spread around. I place it in the coop in layers so that I can roll it up with the pitch fork and move it. I would not say one way is better than the other. Except for the nest boxes because when I tried the pine shavings it was harder to clean out. But when they had a choice - they preferred the alfalfa.

I use sand in the brooders

The sand is by far the least expensive and the easiest to clean. My coop and run is not set up for sand but if I were to plan it different I would use sand.

Caroline

 

[yogifink]

Quote:

Cancer rates have actually declined in the years since GMO crops were introduced, and no CREDIBLE studies have ever shown they are harmful in any way.
https://www.google.com/search?compl...client=psy-ab&q=cancer+rates+since+1990&btnK=

Rate of cancer has actually increased over the last 20 years and at the same time, cancer survival rates have also increased due to modern day treatment methods; meaning cancer mortality has decreased. This shows that we cannot prove what is causing cancer, but are getting better at treating cancer. What most papers fail to show, is the rate of reoccurrence after treatment, and the rate of mortality caused by treatment methods during or after treatment. Personally I'd rather not have to go through chemo.

Some people will argue, that the rate of cancer incidents can be directly related to malnutrition. Malnutrition is not only cause by starvation, but by the lack of essential nutrients in a persons daily diet. This lack of essential nutrients can be attributed to the mineral content of the soil that crops are planted upon. Lack of soil fertility is caused by modern farming methods and use of chemical fertilizers that only increase the amount of P, K and N. Although these are the essential nutrients for plant growth, where are all the other elements, about 15, that the plants, and the omnivors consuming the plants need to be healthy?

Much of what gets repeated is simply misinformation like the "GMO wheat"

Use of GMO is an extremely controversial topic of discussion right now. If you google search 'effects of gmo' every other study will be in favor and every other study will show negative effects. I agree that there is a lot of misinformation, like GMO wheat. Its sad that people allow big institutions to tell them what and how to think.

I know of no "fertilizers' that have been banned anywhere.
Do you have any links to that"

Actually, quite a few chemical lawn fertilizers have been banned from use, although these are not crop fertilizers, the point is still valid.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0076.htm
http://tbo.com/news/politics/tampa-council-approves-fertilizer-ban-239378
http://www.treehugger.com/corporate...tect-drinking-water-and-tourism-industry.html

Like I said, this is not the place to start a debate. But IMHO, proper farming practice is a belief between on what you see to be right and wrong. Its up to each individual to make that choice for themselves. Unfortunately, its near impossible to find any credible information leaning one way or the other. Depending on how you see it, maybe there is no valid studies showing that use of GMO is a failing and dangerous practice, or maybe mega chemical companies have their hands in everyones pocket.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: They all list examptions for agricultural use, and none of the examples were bans in entire countries

"Lawn" fertilizers have nothing to do with farming nor GMO's

Quote: Not according to the link I posted.
The confusion lies in the improved ability to diagnose, rather than an actual rate "increase"

Quote:

Although these are the essential nutrients for plant growth, where are all the other elements, about 15, that the plants, and the omnivors consuming the plants need to be healthy?

Once again, that's misinformation, just being repeated

"Modern farming methods" include detailed soil samples and custom blended fertilizers that contain all the micronutrients needed.
Many even use different blends for different PARTS of the same field

http://www.cpsagu.com/Fert/
Quote: