The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[appps]

Quick question re the garlic. Are you just mincing raw garlic? Have some underweight sneezing 18 week olds and thinking it might be a good addition to the warm mash mix in the morning.

So I just chop up and add raw like that?

 

[chooks4life]

Yes. The main active anti viral and anti bad bacteria compound is Allicin and this is produced by an enzyme reaction when the garlic is crushed or chopped; this is why dried and pickled and cooked garlic may fail to have noticeable results, though there are other compounds at work which still work in those forms. But fresh and just-minced is best to attack a virus.

 

[appps]

Fantastic thank you!! I nearly added some yesterday but thought they might have turned their noses up at it so didn't in the end. Will add it tomorrow!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Yes. The main active anti viral and anti bad bacteria compound is Allicin and this is produced by an enzyme reaction when the garlic is crushed or chopped; this is why dried and pickled and cooked garlic may fail to have noticeable results, though there are other compounds at work which still work in those forms. But fresh and just-minced is best to attack a virus.

And putting it in a press is MUCH QUICKER than trying to mince it! Garlic presses are very inexpensive. Now that I have one I don't think I'll ever mince garlic again. It's just much quicker in the press

 

[Leahs Mom]

Anyone w/cheese making questions PM me so I don't clog up the thread with the somewhat off-topic stuff (unless the majority of people want to hear it).

 

[Leahs Mom]

For those of you that are having problems with the SFH thriving - it may just be an issue of getting some raw meat protein in their diet.

In particular, try some very tiny minced raw liver daily for them to eat for a week or 2. You can reduce the number of feedings as they stabilize, but I'd continue w/the liver from time to time indefinitely. (Liver if relatively inexpensive - see if you can find a source from locally raised animals that are not being raised on antibiotics in a "factory setting" that are on pasture if possible.)

Swedes seem to have a more pronounced need for B1 and B2 and the liver will take care of that in short order. It is most bio-available from animal sources; grain-based diets can create a deficiency in the B vitamins and minerals. Also, NO medicated feed which contains an ingredient that blocks thiamine absorption.

For a really quick "not natural" boost, you can try putting a little poly-vi-sol in their water source. Be sure it doesn't have added iron as it would be toxic to them.

 

[Pozees]

Anyone w/cheese making questions PM me so I don't clog up the thread with the somewhat off-topic stuff (unless the majority of people want to hear it).

I want to hear it ...

 

[Pozees]

Did any of them begin developing? Were they not viable to begin with or quitters?

I have some CL eggs incubating and so far 10/16 show signs of growth. Only on the 5th day though so some of the others may still develop.

I use a candler that came with my incubator so not the best, but I moved 10 of 17 eggs to the hatcher because they were dark and appeared to have developed, although I did not see movement. Should have egg-topsied them, but I did not. Between a squeamish DH who seems to adore reminding me of the failure rate on shipped eggs at this elevation costing a fortune, and just plain being busy, I opted not to take the time.

 

[armorfirelady]

Delisha- Thanks on the info about the ants.....I was cleaning gutters yesterday and had tiny ones crawling under the gutters. Since I already use vinegar to clean I am going to just spray it where I saw them

I forget who said they wanted to know what to feed chicks. I have 5 & 6 week olds that were on non medicated chick food mixed with starter/grower food. I switched them over to grower and mixed in some garlic, basil, oregano & a handful of scratch & fermented it all. I also have grit available for them. They are good eaters and this week I added in oats. At first they were hesitant about trying new things but in the 2 weeks I have had them they have eaten 2 hosta plants to the ground and working on their 3rd. Devoured a dandelion (I did have to remove the stem from one of the BCM since it was 4 inches long & she tried to swallow it whole) & realized they can reach the potato leaves for a snack. They have been learning they need to tear of the greens in smaller pieces to swallow.

I probably wouldn't feed them whole corn but that's just me. I am trying not to give so much corn but its in the scratch I use.

And LM I am enjoying the cheese talk.......wish I could make homemade cheese its one of my favorite things to eat

 

[aoxa]

And putting it in a press is MUCH QUICKER than trying to mince it! Garlic presses are very inexpensive. Now that I have one I don't think I'll ever mince garlic again. It's just much quicker in the press

Someone suggested food processor or magic bullet. The garlic press I have (Pampered Chef!) hurts the hand. I put a lot of garlic in the feed, and it took so long. I am using my magic bullet next time. I'll just rinse it right out into the ferment.