The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Aoxa - I'd like to see more photos! I know I can look at the rebuild thread, but I always forget until a week has passed and then I miss so much!

 

[Sally8]

Aoxa - I'd like to see more photos! I know I can look at the rebuild thread, but I always forget until a week has passed and then I miss so much!

Me too. I very much enjoy the pictures. It's just wonderful.

 

[Ashdoes]

Aoxa~That red is wonderful! Love ALL the pictures.

 

[aoxa]

Aoxa - I'd like to see more photos! I know I can look at the rebuild thread, but I always forget until a week has passed and then I miss so much!

Me too. I very much enjoy the pictures. It's just wonderful.

Aoxa~That red is wonderful! Love ALL the pictures.

Thanks guys!!

 

[NanaLynn]

Aoxa~That red is wonderful! Love ALL the pictures.

x2 beautiful barn!!!

 

[starlingdaly]

Bulldogma, I had not thought of the ACV / metal reaction, however, I have been doing it with all my chickens for as long as I've had chickens with no problems.
Incidentally, though, I ran out of ACV last week and haven't added it back yet.

Leah's Mom, I gave all the babies fresh filtered plain water yesterday when I refilled the bottle based on an experiment to see how much they would drink if it was plain vs "medicated" and found they do drink slightly more if it is plain.
You are right about how strong the oregano oil is. That is why I only use one drop per gallon of water, which in my experience you can't taste very much at all, but it does seem to keep the water fresh and still has the immune boosting qualities.
I feel paranoid to not include the vitamin supplement because I mix my own food and the babies aren't free range yet so they can't make up for any deficiencies on their own.

I did plant some oregano out in the fenced mini pasture for them when they're a little older.

Aoxa, love the barn! You're giving me inspiration for our future animal housing!

 

[danib]

Oregano oil in their water is good for them? Never heard of that. I have been putting in ACV. It helps keep the water clean? I read a thread from a guy who adds iodine

 

[starlingdaly]

Oh, and I quickly took the guinea eggs inside to my incubator and increased the humidity just in case I have a jealous turkey as I thought that may be the easiest solution.
The increased humidity for 1-2 days shouldn't hurt the eggs I have in there and I'll mist the pips when I turn the eggs, but speaking if pips, no external ones yet, but they are all definitely in the air cells now as I candled earlier when I put them in the incubator to make sure I had them in right side up.
So here's hoping for a perfect, clean hatch!

 

[starlingdaly]

Danib: Well oregano in general is healthy, I just thought it would be easiest to give it to them in the water.
I give it occasionally to my big flock mixed in rehydrated alfalfa pellets (in winter) or rehydrated shredded coconut (in summer)
I've also dosed individual chickens who were suspected of worms with a chunk of sourdough bread with a single drop soaked into it. Seemed to work after giving it to them for a few days straight.

 

[armorfirelady]

BDM- I also never thought of a reaction with the ACV & nipple waterer s . Mine have been used for close to a year and the nipple part I can see doesn't seem tarnished or discolored. I am switching over to the cup waterer s.........hopefully they come in the mail tomorrow

Well it seems today the babies were in more than they were out. But at least they did come out. I had friends over with their dogs and the babies decided to try flying & Edie came right over the gate in front of one of the dogs but luckily I grabbed the dog with one hand & Edie with the other lol no harm done. Hopefully she decides not to try that trick again lol

Ok just have to share a couple more cute pics. I was removing more of the old hay that's in the walking area & found lots of worms & wanted to see what the babies would do.......after a few minutes of staring at them the BCM tried on & then they all wanted it and started playing keep away lol

Hey what is that thing?

I'm going to try it..........

Gimme, gimme, gimme...........

Oh and tiny tots were on the lowest big girl roost earlier. It was one of the BCM & Edie. I'm hoping the roost at bedtime........last check they were having a bed time snack.

Oh and I figured a way to keep the dogs from staring the babies down all day

Double layer of burlap. Still lets air & light in but dogs can't see them. Hopefully that means they will lose interest in them.

Oh and apparently Lily Likes raw eggs......... I had the dogs in the house and the egg carton was turned over & in the living room one whole egg was sitting there & 2 broken eaten eggs ugh!!