The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[bluebirdnanny]

I have kept a close eye and ear on the bantam cochin for the last couple of weeks since it began gargling every morning when I opened the pop door. I was worrying it was a rooster and would alert the neighbors to my henkeeping efforts. Then the littlest bantam, a white plymouth rock, began to put a LOT of red into its comb and I thought - well, they're only 8 weeks old - too soon to crow. I've got time to find them homes. NOPE. I'd not heard more than a peep from the white rock until I got home from work yesterday and he scurried to the highest point in the run and cut loose with three perfect cockadoodledoos in a row. So....the morning at work was distracted, to say the least, by efforts to find other chicken keepers that work here and at least one willing to take in a tiny rooster today, if possible. At lunchtime I boxed him and set him on the front seat of the truck then drove the three miles or so that takes me outside our small city limits. Pulling up in front of the house nestled deep in the woods I set off a cacophony of dog barking, including the incessant baying of their bloodhound, his paws on the gate, but his face friendly. And the quiet little rooster's immediate response was to launch another perfect cockadoodledoo from inside the box I held in my hands....just to let them ALL know he was now taking over. Apparently he has five hens to convince next. And I am relieved....and really, really watching that cochin.

He will be happy while doing the convincing!

There is a massive forest fire here.. I am freaking out. Not anywhere near our place, but close to Jamie's house and all his animals. I can smell it here... 50 km away.

It's bringing back flashbacks.

Oh no. I hope all works out well with that fire control. People can be idiots sometimes. Will be praying the rain coming helps.

Since this is the "natural" forum, I thought I'd share...
Muccle, my live incubator, hatched Buff O chicks on Monday.
I so love good momma hens...

Soooooo Cute!

Try this!

I have always wanted to. Looks awesome!

Cool!

Here is that feeder I promised to take a picture of. Susan was in charge of morning chores and for some reason she filled both of them TO THE BRIM with feed. I stirred it back into the bucket.

Anyway.. As you can see, no place at all to roost :

I found this pic of the dog I was speaking of. They were all looking into the screen porch.

Wish I could afford a dog to watch my chickens. I spend a lot of outside time while they are free ranging.

Ah... no problem... I raise Maremma...
We have wild dogs, coyotes, mountain lions, bears, snakes, mink, turkey vultures, hawks...
LOVE my maremma... I haven't lost one chick or chicken (and the chickens free range during the day), sheep or lamb, cow or calf, since I've had Italian Maremma.
I don't know what I'd do without them.

My oldest maremma Flo is currently in charge of all chicks, chicken, and replacement ewe lambs. Not even a hawk is allowed in the air space above our property.
The other dogs are all out with the breeding groups of sheep right now being rotated in electronetting on the large pastures... Flo has the pastures adjoining the barn the hen house.

Will have to catch up later. But still wanted to post for all.
Just had my cat (inside only but no mice inside) to vet.... she may have thyroid problems and heart rate was way high.
Hoping heart rate is just the routine disruption with the home repair work being done. Roof and siding is done now and one door is replaced. New windows tacked in and they will begin the bathroom ventilation fan an inside part of window ledges tomorrow.
Hoping the heart rate (over 300!!!) was just stress from strangers being here and my catching her for vet appt. She is now on a Thyroid Special diet which is expensive and may have to take medication or have radiation. (I am so glad my sister in law pays medical and food for her.) I don't know what I would do otherwise. Probably would have to put her to sleep. But not like culling a chicken you can eat.

Going on to bed. IF I can sleep now.

 

[SA Farm]

Hello Natural Chicken Keepers,
I am currently working on growing my own grains and feeds to at least supplement my chickens so I don't have to give them laying mash anymore. During the summer isn't so bad since they free range pretty much exclusively, but I don't like their lack of natural options in the winter. They get scraps, but I'd like to give them more on a daily basis. I'm definitely growing corn and wheat for them. I'm still looking into other options that grow well and aren't too difficult to harvest/process.
Any suggestions would be welcome

 

[chikenscratch]

Hi all! I am way behind and will not be reading all of the posts. If I missed a major topic let me know what day and I'll skim backyards.

Otherwise, how is everyone?

 

[delisha]

Hi all! I am way behind and will not be reading all of the posts. If I missed a major topic let me know what day and I'll skim backyards.

Otherwise, how is everyone?

Great! You coming to pick up eggs tomorrow?
You missed great posts and information..just read back when you have time.
I made a ton of LABS if you would like some for your garden or coop. (bring a container)

 

[delisha]

4 cups oat groats
4 cups black oil sunflower seeds
4 cups hard red wheat berries
2 cups soft white wheat berries
2 cups kamut- http://www.bobsredmill.com/organic-kamut-berries.html you can buy it in bulk too.
2 cups millet
1 cup lentils (peas, quinoa ) http://www.Bob-s-Red-Mill-Organic-Quinoa
1 cup sesame seeds The price this year was scary
1 cup flax seeds
1/2 cup brewer’s yeast
1/4 cup frozen kelp (I am trying to add collard greens too this year)

I have a small feed mill close by. They carry many of these things in small bins. They do not advertise Organic and do not claim there sources are Organic, yet most use organic practices with out certification.​

 

[bbsnooks]

I forgot who posted.. but thanks for the suggestion of the poke salve..
I looked it up here..
looks like powerful stuff..
and mom has some growing there every year.. thanks

 

[RedRidge]

4 cups oat groats 4 cups black oil sunflower seeds 4 cups hard red wheat berries 2 cups soft white wheat berries 2 cups kamut- http://www.bobsredmill.com/organic-kamut-berries.html you can buy it in bulk too. 2 cups millet 1 cup lentils (peas, quinoa ) http://www.Bob-s-Red-Mill-Organic-Quinoa 1 cup sesame seeds The price this year was scary 1 cup flax seeds 1/2 cup brewer’s yeast 1/4 cup frozen kelp (I am trying to add collard greens too this year)

I have a small feed mill close by. They carry many of these things in small bins. They do not advertise Organic and do not claim there sources are Organic, yet most use organic practices with out certification.​

Several questions about your ration... What protein percentage is it? What do you do for animal protein (especially in the winter? What is it costing you per pound?

 

[jlynnet]

Why thank you! My husband was teasing me about writing about the "Boom-chicka-bow-wow." I told him he got it all wrong. In farm-speak it's, "Brown-chicken-brown-cow..."

Loved it! Thanks for the education and a great laugh before I go to bed!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I have a question about protein levels in chicken feed.

Why do they state protein level as percentage of feed?

In most other applications, you state a number of grams needed per day. So, for example, you might say that a pregnant woman should consume 100 g of protein a day. Or an adult male should consume ___ grams of protein a day, etc.

Why don't they state protein by amount needed per chicken per day?

Any of you "old-timers" have an idea? And...how many grams of protein does a chicken need per day?




Also, can anyone find ANYWHERE that states how many grams of protein are needed a day for chickens in various stages/states of life? (chick, grower age, pullet/cockerel, hen/rooster)

 

[stonykill]

I have a question about protein levels in chicken feed.

Why do they state protein level as percentage of feed?

In most other applications, you state a number of grams needed per day. So, for example, you might say that a pregnant woman should consume 100 g of protein a day. Or an adult male should consume ___ grams of protein a day, etc.

Why don't they state protein by amount needed per chicken per day?

Any of you "old-timers" have an idea? And...how many grams of protein does a chicken need per day?




Also, can anyone find ANYWHERE that states how many grams of protein are needed a day for chickens in various stages/states of life? (chick, grower age, pullet/cockerel, hen/rooster)

I'll go out and ask the girls how much protein each bug, worm, frog etc has in it.

. I think however they will not answer, insist I throw down some scratch for them before they continue free ranging.