The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

Quote: I have a mesh bag I store my new crops in and the two cloves I save I put in a little paper bag. It will get planted in October or November. I also will start to take it out of the garden soon. The one planting of garlic has the little bulbs growing on the top, but they are too immature.

Quote: I can get it also at the farmers market for a lower cost. Or raid my moms or brothers garden. I have purchased those huge giant ones when they are on sale at the store. I leave the skins on too. The ducks love the skins. They also pick at that hard top all day long till it is gone.My birds love garlic.
This time of year is the tuffest for me for garlic sincee this time or year i have so many more birds. By winter I will be down to about 30 and it will be so much better.
I might cull half my old egg layers and just keep the two year olds and pullets in fall.
I kept that one line of cornish and I am for sure going to cull that out. The two leg horns are also going. I have not decided on my other two birds. They are pretty young and good moms. I have to cull one of my leghorns. She is so mean when she has chicks. I took her chicks away yesterday. She has killed three ducklings and two silkies. She is a crazy mom.

 

[wlhtx]

About garlic: I planted 75 cloves in the garden this year and just started harvesting a bulb at a time. I'm going to double that planting in the fall.  I pull them up and smash the whole bulb  with a hammer and stir it into the mash along with the powdered. I was taking the time at first to peel and mince but nuts to that. Takes too long. Smash and stir is my method now. Like del, I must purchase garlic to keep up. I can get it at the farmers market cheap from local growers.

A hammer! Now THAT sounds doable! Thanks, Mumsy. I just couldn't get past the vision of standing there and peeling/mincing 50 cloves of garlic, daily... My DH already thinks I'm a little nuts.

 

[loanwizard]

Bruce, I hope you treat that dog better than you did those poor chicks.

I can't believe all the support you are getting for treating animals so badly.

I am shocked!

Shawn

 

[bluebirdnanny]

A hammer! Now THAT sounds doable! Thanks, Mumsy. I just couldn't get past the vision of standing there and peeling/mincing 50 cloves of garlic, daily... My DH already thinks I'm a little nuts.

Mallet works too! I started adding garlic minced but they tipped the "trough" up on end to get garlic dumped out.... so I just smash and mix now. Drained ff grains. Then take the trough out to the deck and they watch me (try to fly up too) as I make variable additives.... the layer crumble that doesn't ferment well, some greenery, some vegetable or fruit seed centers (ie cucumber, melon, strawberries), a teaspoon or tablespoon of greek yogurt. Sometimes I stir it up sometimes just let them pick it out. I also had bought clover, chicory, alfalfa to plant in the pasture strip but sprinkle just a pinch of each over top. When I started this regimen egg laying went back to 2-3 daily within two days!!!!

Found out if I reach in through the covered, closed nesting area and place the tray through to the screened part... the ALL come running into the coop! No more problems securing them in the coop!!! Just go around then and close the screened door.

 

[mrsmccunn]

I put several pounds of garlic thru the food processer skins and all, then blend it into their kitshen/garden scraps. The jar lives in fridge in between feeding. Quick and easy approach for me

 

[bruceh]

Bruce, I hope you treat that dog better than you did those poor chicks.

I can't believe all the support you are getting for treating animals so badly.

I am shocked!

Shawn

Shawn ,
i wanted to do this so i could see first hand the effects of good and bad husbandry.of industry. i am writing a full report on all results available for all to see.. the fact is it is not something i do normally. people keep birds in these conditions all the time. of course they would never have the guts to say it. i did have the guts to do it and my box is full of messages of hate. when the report is done people will be like i had no idea that xxxx effected birds like that.

yes the dog is fine. my other mastiff pebbles was bit by a tick and contracted an illness . she spent 4 days at emergency hospital. total cost to keep her alive 2700.00. that is how i treat my animals.

 

[loanwizard]

Shawn ,
i wanted to do this so i could see first hand the effects of good and bad husbandry.of industry. i am writing a full report on all results available for all to see.. the fact is it is not something i do normally. people keep birds in these conditions all the time. of course they would never have the guts to say it. i did have the guts to do it and my box is full of messages of hate. when the report is done people will be like i had no idea that xxxx effected birds like that.

yes the dog is fine. my other mastiff pebbles was bit by a tick and contracted an illness . she spent 4 days at emergency hospital. total cost to keep her alive 2700.00. that is how i treat my animals.

Y'all are absolutely no fun at all! If you notice, I gave you reputation or whatever they call it here..... I expected controversy.... I got nuthin.....

Bruce, you're ok in my book.... a little strange, but heck, I wonder what people REALLY think about me

?

 

[Bulldogma]

please let me know how i can help in any manner.
i am going to write a full report on this experiment on all aspects of the birds.

Bruce - this is something I'd like to share on my blog if you would let me. People need to see the effects of commercial chicken farms and why good husbandry is so important!

 

[bruceh]

Bruce - this is something I'd like to share on my blog if you would let me. People need to see the effects of commercial chicken farms and why good husbandry is so important!

yes you can share it. give me a couple days to write a full report.

 

[jlynnet]

Y'all are absolutely no fun at all! If you notice, I gave you reputation or whatever they call it here..... I expected controversy.... I got nuthin.....

Bruce, you're ok in my book.... a little strange, but heck, I wonder what people REALLY think about me ?

Shawn, I figured you were being silly!

Bruce, kudos to you for being brave enough to tell people what you did! I'm sure this was tough on you as well. I too believe many people treat their animals this but would never say they do.