The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[salt and pepper]

Thank you!!! Oh, and how well does DE work to prevent crawlies???

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Thank you!!! Oh, and how well does DE work to prevent crawlies???

I'm speaking from my own experience. It works a charm! It has it's faults like most fine powders so do wear a mask when using.

 

[TexasLisa]

I'm speaking from my own experience. It works a charm! It has it's faults like most fine powders so do wear a mask when using.

Also wear gloves. That stuff dries your hands out like crazy.

Lisa

 

[salt and pepper]

I'm speaking from my own experience. It works a charm! It has it's faults like most fine powders so do wear a mask when using.

Haha, thanks =) I wish I had read that five minutes ago! " cough, cough " Oh, are there two different kinds? I got the stuff tractor supply had, and it's a dark reddish color. I thought it was supposed to be white??

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote: Wrong stuff! It has to be food grade Diatomateous Earth, no additives. Google it and check out what the bag looks like.

 

[salt and pepper]

Wrong stuff! It has to be food grade Diatomateous Earth, no additives. Google it and check out what the bag looks like.

It said chemical food codex grade on it??? it's red earth with calcium bentonite.

 

[Quailsong]

Just catching up (and copying/pasting everyones answers on free ranging and feeding into a Word document). Sheesh - this thread does move fast!

The vet called again and said the fecal sample they took showed an overload of Cocci - but it's not what killed him. With the whole (closed) flock getting FF and U-ACV in their water, not sure how he got a cocci over growth unless it happened after he was poisoned (or what ever happened). Just in case, I'm treating the whole flock with Corid. I don't want to lose any more birds!!

Just for fun (and to cheer me up) the hubbs took me to an estate sale today. The gentleman who passed owned a country store that was in his family for about 100 years! I got some neat pictures... the stuff that was there... WOW!

Wished I had a LOT of $$, but of course that's not the case... but I couldn't resist this dish!! I saw it come up and had to have it. I stopped bidding at $10, but then DH bid - and won it for $15!

It's a Jadite green glass hen.

It wasn't until it was in my hands that I realized it looks just like a crested Swedish Flower Hen!













Couldn't find any markings on it so I came home and looked it up. It's a hand made original, and someone has one for sale on eBay for $144! There are knock-offs out there too, but you can see the difference. The knock-offs have less detail - but they're still pretty IMO. (And no - I have no plans of selling it - LOL.)

Funny how a silly chicken dish can help cheer a girl up!

That's a beautiful dish. Definitely something to keep in the family and pass down to the next generations.

(Also catching up on this thread!)

 

[Quailsong]

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

I brought up the quinoa topic, concerning humans eating it. Although that link is very informative, thank you kindly!

 

[salt and pepper]

I took the plunge and made my first batch of fermented feed! lol I got the two bucket, drilled the holes, and started the fermentation process. I couldn't get the water level right, first it was too dry, now it's a soupy mess. After it settles I may get some of the water out... or just leave it =) How long does it take to ferment?? I've seen so many answers!!

 

[Bulldogma]

I took the plunge and made my first batch of fermented feed! lol I got the two bucket, drilled the holes, and started the fermentation process. I couldn't get the water level right, first it was too dry, now it's a soupy mess. After it settles I may get some of the water out... or just leave it =) How long does it take to ferment?? I've seen so many answers!!

You always want at least an inch of liquid covering the feed (once it settles) for a proper ferment. You can feed it right away (it will be wet feed) but it should have a good ferment going in a couple days. When you're ready to feed, lift the top bucket up a bit to let it drain and then scoop the feed out. If your "holy bucket" doesn't drain fast enough for your liking, you can get a mesh colander and scoop some out. I find stirring the feed with a plastic spoon helps it drain faster. It's all personal preference.

Good for you for taking the plunge!