The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[amberr]

Time for some chick photos they are growing so fast 1 week plus now. Started trying to give them greens spinach and parsley, they were not that interest This is my sweet littlest chick but biggest mouth! No name yet. This one took a shower in FF lol Here's our one Silkie we ended up with Ms Cluck lol this chick is claimed by Grandma This is my DD bantam chick "big foot"

 

[nova022]

During a major deluge yesterday my coop got thoroughly drenched inside. I have had an occasional leak now and then, but this is the whole floor and all the bedding is soaked because the rain came in through the vents, which run the length of the coop and are also on both ends. I use PDZ over the whole floor and the poop boards. I opened the coop door and all three windows, plus took the lid off the nest boxes in hopes that all the fresh air and light would help dry the coop out, but so far it has not helped and I had to close things up for the night.

Does anyone know if it will hurt the chickens to be in a damp atmosphere for a day or two? We are supposed to get more heavy rain over the next few days so I don't want to replace the PDZ until after the storms unless it will harm the chickens to be in the dampness.

 

[delisha]

Time for some chick photos they are growing so fast 1 week plus now. Started trying to give them greens spinach and parsley, they were not that interest



This is my sweet littlest chick but biggest mouth! No name yet.


This one took a shower in FF lol


Here's our one Silkie we ended up with Ms Cluck lol this chick is claimed by Grandma


This is my DD bantam chick "big foot"

Cute chicks..if that is the fresh herbs..they need them chopped fine. In the wild, they would be attached to the ground and mom would show them where it is, take a few tiny pieces off, and drop them on the ground or allow them to take from her beak.

Quote: After I butchered the chickens and iced them for 12 hours, I put them in baggies with 1/2 cup brown sugar-1/8 cup kosher salt, two springs of oregano and water for 24 hours.
rinsed them off. Baked them at 350 for 45 minutes than put them on the grill for 1 hour on top of apple wood and coals to smoke.
the coals were placed in grill in a circle and when all white..they were hollowed with an empty middle..apple wood was added, than the chicken was added in the center, to be smoked and not so much grilled. Cover placed on the grill. I painted on butter with some herbs on the inside and outside of the chicken before smoking.

During a major deluge yesterday my coop got thoroughly drenched inside. I have had an occasional leak now and then, but this is the whole floor and all the bedding is soaked because the rain came in through the vents, which run the length of the coop and are also on both ends. I use PDZ over the whole floor and the poop boards. I opened the coop door and all three windows, plus took the lid off the nest boxes in hopes that all the fresh air and light would help dry the coop out, but so far it has not helped and I had to close things up for the night.

Does anyone know if it will hurt the chickens to be in a damp atmosphere for a day or two? We are supposed to get more heavy rain over the next few days so I don't want to replace the PDZ until after the storms unless it will harm the chickens to be in the dampness.

They will live..they might not like it and they will by uncomfortable..but animals deal with all kinds of conditions. I would keep the nests as dry as possible and replace the bedding. I would not bother adding PDZ. Make sure they can at least roost in a dry area free from being rained on.

 

[Leahs Mom]

During a major deluge yesterday my coop got thoroughly drenched inside. I have had an occasional leak now and then, but this is the whole floor and all the bedding is soaked because the rain came in through the vents, which run the length of the coop and are also on both ends. I use PDZ over the whole floor and the poop boards. I opened the coop door and all three windows, plus took the lid off the nest boxes in hopes that all the fresh air and light would help dry the coop out, but so far it has not helped and I had to close things up for the night.

Does anyone know if it will hurt the chickens to be in a damp atmosphere for a day or two? We are supposed to get more heavy rain over the next few days so I don't want to replace the PDZ until after the storms unless it will harm the chickens to be in the dampness.

Question: Do they get outside during the day or are they confined to the coop?

 

[armorfirelady]

During a major deluge yesterday my coop got thoroughly drenched inside. I have had an occasional leak now and then, but this is the whole floor and all the bedding is soaked because the rain came in through the vents, which run the length of the coop and are also on both ends. I use PDZ over the whole floor and the poop boards. I opened the coop door and all three windows, plus took the lid off the nest boxes in hopes that all the fresh air and light would help dry the coop out, but so far it has not helped and I had to close things up for the night.

Does anyone know if it will hurt the chickens to be in a damp atmosphere for a day or two? We are supposed to get more heavy rain over the next few days so I don't want to replace the PDZ until after the storms unless it will harm the chickens to be in the dampness.

I had the same thing happen to me a few weeks ago. I put a tarp over the vents to prevent any further deluge of water and changed out the wet nesting box materials. I just keep turning the DL every few days with plenty of ventilation open for them and it is slowly drying out. I dont use PDZ......and its drying just fine.

 

[4Hgirl]

our best broody Sumatra named Mama started her hatch today. I was out collecting eggs and was greeted with this

Congratulations! Do you ship birds? I need a sumatra rooster!

 

[4Hgirl]

Hi naturalists. We eat organic and non GMO as much as possible. My feed store sells organic chicken feed but it costs more than double regular all grain feed. And there is so much waste with it compared to the crumble it ends up costing 3x more! I want to go organic but how do I afford it? I've thought of giving a small number of our birds the organic feed and eating their eggs only. My daughter sells her eggs we don't eat and people just aren't willing to pay more for organic. Should I just not worry about it?

 

[4Hgirl]

Time for some chick photos they are growing so fast 1 week plus now. Started trying to give them greens spinach and parsley, they were not that interest This is my sweet littlest chick but biggest mouth! No name yet. This one took a shower in FF lol Here's our one Silkie we ended up with Ms Cluck lol this chick is claimed by Grandma This is my DD bantam chick "big foot"

Why give them fresh herbs? I grow parsley, oregano, and basil. And we have some chicks on order so if I should give them herbs for any reason I need to know! Thanks

 

[Bulldogma]

In case anyone asks I don't ship chicks. I just don't believe in putting live critters in a box and hoping the USPS doesn't kill them

Wonderful picture! I'm with you on shipping chicks. Too many die in transit.

Speaking of deep litter. can I get a walkthrough of it? Pretty soon Im going to be geting the barn ready for the chickens

Also check this link.

During a major deluge yesterday my coop got thoroughly drenched inside. I have had an occasional leak now and then, but this is the whole floor and all the bedding is soaked because the rain came in through the vents, which run the length of the coop and are also on both ends. I use PDZ over the whole floor and the poop boards. I opened the coop door and all three windows, plus took the lid off the nest boxes in hopes that all the fresh air and light would help dry the coop out, but so far it has not helped and I had to close things up for the night.

Does anyone know if it will hurt the chickens to be in a damp atmosphere for a day or two? We are supposed to get more heavy rain over the next few days so I don't want to replace the PDZ until after the storms unless it will harm the chickens to be in the dampness.

As long as they can get outside during the day they should be ok - but leave all your windows open (even at night) to prevent upper respiratory infections. Good air flow is key.

Hi naturalists. We eat organic and non GMO as much as possible. My feed store sells organic chicken feed but it costs more than double regular all grain feed. And there is so much waste with it compared to the crumble it ends up costing 3x more! I want to go organic but how do I afford it? I've thought of giving a small number of our birds the organic feed and eating their eggs only. My daughter sells her eggs we don't eat and people just aren't willing to pay more for organic. Should I just not worry about it?

If you ferment your feed, you'll likely find you'll use about 1/3-2/3 less feed... and your chickens may be healthier! See this link for more information.

 

[delisha]

Fresh or dried herbs in your nesting boxes not only work as insecticides, but also have anti-bacterial properties, and can act as natural wormers, anti-parasitics, insecticides, rodent control, and stress relievers.

Basil - antibacterial, mucus membrane health
Catnip - sedative, insecticide
Bee Balm (bergamot/monarda)- antiseptic, antibacterial, respiratory health, calming
Cilantro - antioxidant, fungicide, builds strong bones, high in Vitamin A for vision and Vitamin K for blood clotting
Dandelion greens - immune system stimulant
Dill - antioxidant, relaxant, respiratory health
Echinacea - immune system strengthener, disinfectant, wound healing properties
Fennel
Garlic
Lavender - stress reliever, increases blood circulation, highly aromatic, insecticide
Lemon Balm - stress reliever, antibacterial, highly aromatic, rodent repellent
Marigold - produces vibrant orange yolks, insect repellent
Marjoram - laying stimulant
Mint (all kinds) - insecticide and rodent repellent
Nasturtium - laying stimulant, antiseptic, antibiotic, insecticide, wormer
Oregano - combats coccidia, salmonella, infectious bronchitis, avian flue, blackhead and e-coli
Parsley - high in vitamins, aids in blood vessel development, laying stimulant
Peppermint - anti-parasitic, insecticide
Pineapple Sage - aids nervous system, highly aromatic
Rose Petals - highly aromatic, high in Vitamin C
Rosemary - pain relief, respiratory health, insecticide
Sage - antioxidant, anti-parasitic, general health promoter
Spearmint - antiseptic, insecticide, stimulates nerve, brain and blood functions
Tarragon - antioxidant
Thyme - respiratory health, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-parasitic
Yarrow - antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, wound healer, clears sinuses and respiratory systems, stress reliever​