The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Oh... also, like Aoxa said, I have used the lard to scramble up some eggs - especially for the new babies. Doing that with the coconut oil is a good idea!

 

[armorfirelady]

I'd like to ask a question about the coconut oil, are you feeding it to your flocks too? someone said it was good for dementia and I have an old duck that is showing signs of it so if it can be fed I'd like to try it on her but don't know how much to use? any ideas

Well I dont intentionally feed it to them but if I am changing Mrs Greens feet and the container is on the ground the girls think its theirs for the eating

 

[AletaG]

I'd have no trouble approaching an Amish community, but we don't have any out here. Like I said, there are a few Mennonite groups in OR; I'm in almost the Northernmost reach of the Olympic Peninsula. A field trip is not happening. If someone, who knows someone, would be willing to pass on my snail mail address and say "lady would like to discuss chickens, spec. Mistral Gris" that's as without pretense as it gets, eh? Anyway, had no idea it would spark such a conversation. PM if you know somebody, and this'll be the last I mention it, I hope.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Does anyone feed crickets or grasshoppers as a meat feed supplement during winter? If so, do you purchase them somewhere or do you grow your own?

 

[SallyinIndiana]

I'd have no trouble approaching an Amish community, but we don't have any out here. Like I said, there are a few Mennonite groups in OR; I'm in almost the Northernmost reach of the Olympic Peninsula. A field trip is not happening. If someone, who knows someone, would be willing to pass on my snail mail address and say "lady would like to discuss chickens, spec. Mistral Gris" that's as without pretense as it gets, eh? Anyway, had no idea it would spark such a conversation. PM if you know somebody, and this'll be the last I mention it, I hope.

Here is a website that has lots of information about the Amish. I noticed that my state is 3rd in population for the Amish. But I also noticed that there are a few settlements in MO. Much closer than even IN or OH. But most of all I noticed that there were addresses posted right on the site and a phone number or two.
http://amishamerica.com/amish-state-guide/

Another idea would be to post a notice asking for advice in their newspaper the budget. There are links on the above site I think.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Does anyone feed crickets or grasshoppers as a meat feed supplement during winter? If so, do you purchase them somewhere or do you grow your own?

There are a lot in my yard right now chirping away. If you want to come and catch them you can freeze them for winter. My layer chickens and surviving roosters are free ranged during the day and I still hear chirping every night since we processed our pan fry boys.

 

[uglychickens]

my chickens won't touch them! They pick them up then spit them out real quick and wipe their beaks off!

 

[AletaG]

Here is a website that has lots of information about the Amish. I noticed that my state is 3rd in population for the Amish. But I also noticed that there are a few settlements in MO. Much closer than even IN or OH. But most of all I noticed that there were addresses posted right on the site and a phone number or two.
http://amishamerica.com/amish-state-guide/
Another idea would be to post a notice asking for advice in their newspaper the budget. There are links on the above site I think.

Thanks again! Working a couple leads now.... (translation, please stop helping for now

<--me, chasing leads)

 

[MEMama3]

Is it just me or does something seem wrong with an "Amish" website that has contact numbers???? Doesn't that go against the grain? I figured that the Amish coops were built and sold online by people who build with the standards, but weren't actually Amish.

 

[uglychickens]

Is it just me or does something seem wrong with an "Amish" website that has contact numbers???? Doesn't that go against the grain? I figured that the Amish coops were built and sold online by people who build with the standards, but weren't actually Amish.

Most of the time in the Amish communities they have rules on what can be in the house but not the barn! The barn has electricity running water computers Internet and radios where the family spends most of their time they even have forced air heat in some that I've seen...