The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Aoxa - are you referring to dried field peas... or the kind of peas that people eat? They're way different and I know my kiddos would like the people kind!

My feed from the mill has the same field peas cracked/ground and they are in the ferment. In there, they are stuck with them. But they sure didn't want them sprouted. Even Harvey Ussery stated that his birds leave the peas till last but do eventually eat them.

 

[Leahs Mom]

BDM - I've heard the thing about fat content too. I feel like I want to research and see if there is really anything to it.

For some reason I just am suspicious of the validity of worrying about fat content in the sunflower seed . Makes me want to do a little research and see if there are any conclusions I can draw.


ETA: What I'm suspicious of is that it would be bad for them...not that there is a higher fat content.

 

[aoxa]

Aoxa - are you referring to dried field peas... or the kind of peas that people eat? They're way different and I know my kiddos would like the people kind!

My feed from the mill has the same field peas cracked/ground and they are in the ferment. In there, they are stuck with them. But they sure didn't want them sprouted. Even Harvey Ussery stated that his birds leave the peas till last but do eventually eat them.

Are field peas the peas you use for shoots?



They hate these.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I don't know

 

[midnightroo]

Anyone else have a chicken that wanders about the yard eating dandelion fluff? I watched my little EE spend about an hour walking around the yard denuding all of the dandelion seedheads.

Huh, that's weird. I use field peas or "fodder peas" as the main protien in my ration, supplemented by flax seed. I ferment it all, and no one picks around the field peas except the older chicks who are just transitioning from the ground in the feed mill ration to the whole grains ration. I figured the chicks don't like them because they're so big. after a week or so the chicks are hoovering it all down too. I wonder if something is different about fermenting vs. sprouting?? [COLOR=333333][COLOR=006400]For those of you with any size flock that free range any size property:[/COLOR][/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]Could you tell us:[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]-What kind of feed you give.[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]home mixed whole grain ration, plus fodder, plus animal protien supplement of raw meat, boiled egg, or canned mackerel. Same ration ground for chicks/juveniles. Game bird starter for those who need it. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]1. Number in your flock.[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]in the brooder: 5 bantams, 15 guinea keets, and 8 cornish cross. Outside:8 in total: 3 adult LF, 4 juvenile LF, and one juvenile bantam.[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]2. About how much area do they have to range?[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]we have four acres. they use about one I'd say. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]3. How long do they get to range each day?[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]around 8 am to 8 pm. Now that it's getting light earlier I need to go out earlier to open the pop door, I'm just lazy. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]4. What is your experience with predation? [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]None so far, although I'm sure that won't last. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]5. Is the property primarily open pasture, wooded, or mix?[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]we have about a half acre of lawn, and then the rest is woods. Some heavy undergrowth, some very open. they like the heavy leaf litter. they stay away from the creek though. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]6. Compare the amount of feed you have to give them during a typical June or July vs. the amount of feed given in a typical January.[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]I don't have experience with this yet, just got my flock started in february. currently I add about 2 cups dry to the ferment bucket for the outside kids every day to keep it at the same level. I add about 4 cups to the game bird starter ferment bucket every day for the guineas, and a cup of ground feed to the bucket for the bantams still in the brooder and the meat chicks. I no longer feed fodder in the morning to the outside birds, only the brooder kids get that. Same for protien supplement via raw meat/boiled egg/canned mackerel. Only the brooder kids are getting that now. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]Completely unrelated to all of this, my packages of bees finally arrived today. As I was installing them I looked over and there were ALL the chickens, lined up in the driveway observing the proceedings with great interest. they are the nosiest little buggers. [/COLOR]

Too funny! Post a video! You are so lucky you got your bees! Dh is still waiting on his, he didn't get a call today so I guess he isn't getting them this week. What type did you get?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Aoxa - you were talking about Quinoa earlier. This link is talking about several grains and if you scroll down, you can see a photo..and a warning too! http://www.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/feed_ingredients/grains.html

 

[BlueMouse]

Too funny! Post a video! You are so lucky you got your bees! Dh is still waiting on his, he didn't get a call today so I guess he isn't getting them this week. What type did you get?

My bees are italians. They're from gorgia and some people in my area are having trouble getting the southern queens to overwinter sucessfully. So I'm a bit nervous about that. Last year i had a total loss, but it was about 50/50 user error and sheer dumb bad luck. Hoping for better things this year from my two hives. We did get some honey from our one hive last year, and it was the best thing I have ever had. so much more intensely flavored than store honey. There will be no videos of me working the hives because as soon as I open them DH retreats to the house.

 

[Sunflowergirl]

Bleh - Just spent an hour trying to chase a 5' long black rat snake out from under the horse trailer. It got up behind the wheels and we couldn't get it out. Finally compromised by putting all the "snack-size" chicks that were in the hoop coop with Darth Bator (black Silkie mamma) in one of the "private suites" in the trailer (side hay window areas) where the snake would not be able to access them. Also used half a roll of duct tape around the rotten part of the floor up in the front brooder area to snake proof that area - I have 6 SFH chicks and 1 H/RIR chick in that brooder - all snack-size.

Dang rat snakes can get through the teeniest holes - this sucker was at least as long as I am tall, but skinny as could be. Big chickens shouldn't be targets for it, but...

Makes you wonder how many "mysterious deaths" in the coop might be caused by snakes like this that kill only to realize they can't swallow their prey?



I had thought it was because they are so high in fat and can makes the birds too fat?? I know that's why my sister limited them for her parrot.

 

[delisha]

Delisha... love the worm bed idea... does it require anything to maintain it after you initially "seed' it?
Can you post how you got it started and maintain it (if at all).

Yes, you have to feed it
.I toss in all my vegetable and fruit matter in that pile and the hot chicken poo, the chickens keep it all stired up. The material is so fine and powdery after they compost for a bit. the top is layers with wood chips to help keep it moist.

I dug(not me, a little cat)about 3 feet down and filled the bottom with a few rocks, the sides with bricks and rocks..inside of that is old pallets slats.

not this elaborate but it gives you an idea of air flow. mine is pretty small. the inside is filled with wood chips, paper, straw, old cardboard, paper, chicken bedding. I started with about 3 dozen worms.(I think they are red tails) I have no idea how many are in there now. I know I have crawl out, but I imagine as long as I keep feeding they will keep happy. I also scoop some of this and put it in the coop for the chickens during the winter. Some use an old tire instead of wood to keep the worms. I did not want to bury rubber.

Quote: misunderstanding can and do happen. I do not see anyone taking any offense. Sometimes we each can read something and read into something that is not intended. Sometimes we want to make a point and it sounds a bit umm..like me at times.

If your male is mean to people, he needs to be replaced. period.

Quote:

Quote:
Every time I read about these I have visions of an "escape" and a house full of roaches

OMG me too..I would love to have them to feed my chickens, but I know I would be over run and freaking out about cockroaches in my sleep 4 ever.

Quote: Great suggestions!!

Camill,

You have many options..

First you need to find the cause. Chickens eat feathers for a reason..they are lacking something or they are sicks, or bored. So you need to find out why. I think I know your set up. You have enough room unless you got a ton more birds that I do not know of.

are you still feeding FF?
ACV in the water?

I would take a sample of poo to the vet and check for worm load and cocci

Got some pics of my new pullets when supervised free-ranging this morning...

Still wondering about the cochin... boy or girl??








Edited to add - he/she "Monsoon" is 11 weeks old now

Monsoon is a cockerel

Unfortunately I can't weigh in on the free ranging because usually, we don't. But since the run is at least 1500 square feet with only 20 birds and is still mostly green, I don't feel too bad.

Have a couple of questions (possibly silly ones).

I was looking at some wild bird seed yesterday thinking of grabbing some for the girls to mix into their numnums and one of the ingredients was "assorted seeds"... Are there any that can hurt them out there? Fillers I should be watching for?

Also, for those of you who raise meat birds, do you raise them in an area that is never used by any other members of your flock? (Working on a new barn layout and concerned about the biosecurity issues that would arise from constantly introducing new birds)

Lastly, I have eaten a ton of broilers find them delicious but kinda disturbing to raise.
Has anyone tried the "Freedom Rangers"?

Meat birds are all in and all out. they should not effect your flock. My meat birds are raised right with my other birds. This is assuming you get day olds only and from a safe tested place only.
I raise/bred/created my own free rangers. I like them better than the cornish X. They taste about the same, with a better flavor profile, and a little more texture.

Bleh - Just spent an hour trying to chase a 5' long black rat snake out from under the horse trailer. It got up behind the wheels and we couldn't get it out. Finally compromised by putting all the "snack-size" chicks that were in the hoop coop with Darth Bator (black Silkie mamma) in one of the "private suites" in the trailer (side hay window areas) where the snake would not be able to access them. Also used half a roll of duct tape around the rotten part of the floor up in the front brooder area to snake proof that area - I have 6 SFH chicks and 1 H/RIR chick in that brooder - all snack-size.

Dang rat snakes can get through the teeniest holes - this sucker was at least as long as I am tall, but skinny as could be. Big chickens shouldn't be targets for it, but...

Makes you wonder how many "mysterious deaths" in the coop might be caused by snakes like this that kill only to realize they can't swallow their prey?


Quote: I do not like snakes. I have no idea what i would do if one was by my coops. You need some of those birds that eat snakes.

BOSS is too high in fat and it is too expensive. The fat is the bad fat. It has enough good to combate the bad fat, but not enough to make it a staple. It is great for broodys on a nest when they drop weight so fast. It is great when you have skinny chickens and need to bulk them up. Over 250 callories for a cup of BOSS, 24 grams of fat. To much B6 from the BOSS can lead to health issues in chickens. Lack of coodination, acting like they are drunk.
Put the peas out..don't put anything out till the peas are gone. A hungry bird is a busy happy bird.

 

[chikenscratch]

Man! I am having a hard time keeping up with this thread. Each time I manage to get it all in, I'm too tired to do anything but go to bed.

NIght all!