The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[MumsyII]

We are going away for a few days next week and I have someone to change the water and feed the chickens. But since the chickens can roam free usually, I was wondering if there were any activities I could easily set up to occupy them and keep them from being bored or flying over the fence.

Sounds like there will be pictures soon of little babies!

It seems I remember someone posting a picture on this thread of some kind of hanging thing that greens or suet balls could be hung in for the flock to peck at?

 

[salt and pepper]

Figured I would share this. The UK has done a study on how to treat red mites, and this method was proven 100% effective. All it is is 8oz water, one teaspoon bay leaves, garlic, or peppermint, and one oz of garlic juice. spray the birds with this every other day for a week or two, and all mites will be gone. It's starts killing within twenty-hours. They also recommended doing in conjunction to a mixture of water, olive oil, and dish soap. Spray the coop with this once or twice a week. I'm going to try it this week, and see if it will kill what I have in my coop. Have everything on hand, so what do I have to lose? Hope this helps.

 

[delisha]

We are going away for a few days next week and I have someone to change the water and feed the chickens. But since the chickens can roam free usually, I was wondering if there were any activities I could easily set up to occupy them and keep them from being bored or flying over the fence.

Sounds like there will be pictures soon of little babies!

You can put a head of cabbage in a woven mesh bag and hang it so they have to jump to get it.

Figured I would share this. The UK has done a study on how to treat red mites, and this method was proven 100% effective. All it is is 8oz water, one teaspoon bay leaves, garlic, or peppermint, and one oz of garlic juice. spray the birds with this every other day for a week or two, and all mites will be gone. It's starts killing within twenty-hours. They also recommended doing in conjunction to a mixture of water, olive oil, and dish soap. Spray the coop with this once or twice a week. I'm going to try it this week, and see if it will kill what I have in my coop. Have everything on hand, so what do I have to lose? Hope this helps.

Thank you for this information..please keep us updated on how it works.

 

[NanaLynn]

Thanks everyone I'll be adding all the extra stuff to the coop soon. Just having pine shavings only does not seem to break down fast enough. My husband will think I am crazy again, but that's a normal day here.

Congrats for all the broodies and new chicks. One of these days, I'll have to try that.

I am getting new chicks to replace the ones lost to the dog, should be here by Wednesday, I am so excited!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Got a broody! Hopefully I can get some eggs under her sometime soon.

 

[lalaland]

Can you identify Mrs Murphy?

Remember that teeny tiny chick that you guys saved by having me give it electrolytes and vitamins? it turned out to be a banty. I'm pretty sure its a pullet, hence her name Mrs. Murphy.

Any guesses as to what breed she is? She has slate legs, and a grey beak. busy as a bee, and she has buddied up with one of the biggest chicks, a fluffly wheaten sulmtaler (thanks again Justine for identifying the sulmtalers!)

 

[MumsyII]

Having just the weirdest day. Day twenty two is coming to a close and TWO eggs pipped. Trying my hardest to stay out of the house NOT watching the pot boil. You know what I mean?

A bee nest is giving us grief. It is smack dab under the porch of my barn! Husband was stung and I saw two hens stung on their combs too. I made up a bottle of Dawn dish soap and rubbing alcohol. Sprayed it for a half hour. Killed some but not all. They are swarming and angry now. Chickens are hiding and husband ran too. They are not honey bees or wasps. A small bee. Don't know what kind. They are NOT happy and neither am I!

One of my Catdance Partridge pullets is injured and exhibiting wry neck. I suspect one of the randy Catdance cockerels had her by the ear and wouldn't let go. Got her in an isolation pen with vitamins in the water. Got to do the whole routine with Selenium, E, and egg yolk. Did not need this to happen right now. *Gah!*

Done ranting. Baby chicks hatching tonight would go a long way in cheering me up.

 

[lalaland]

sounds like one of those days! keeping my fingrers crossed on your hatch.

 

[Kassaundra]

Can you identify Mrs Murphy?

Remember that teeny tiny chick that you guys saved by having me give it electrolytes and vitamins? it turned out to be a banty. I'm pretty sure its a pullet, hence her name Mrs. Murphy.

Any guesses as to what breed she is? She has slate legs, and a grey beak. busy as a bee, and she has buddied up with one of the biggest chicks, a fluffly wheaten sulmtaler (thanks again Justine for identifying the sulmtalers!)

slate legs, pea comb, almost no wattles, wild color pattern, my guess would be a beardless muffless EE.

 

[jlynnet]

Mumsy, bummer on your day!! Darn bees. We have to have a guy out every year or else we're attacked all summer. Bees love our house.
Hope your little silkie is okay. Cross my fingers you get some chicks tonight!!