The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

Quote: I am going to try this as well. I believe they are getting more than 1/2 cup a hen. I'm curious to see the results. Just have to find a scale

They are foraging more since I dont feed in am and they actually ate a couple of slugs in front of me over the tomatoes

I recognize that picture! lol

I am trying something else this year (in addition to my burlap sacs) I have an old wire spring matress innards. I am going to have my husband till a spot and put the matress on the tilled ground and throw some seasonal fodder seed at it (maybe deer fodder or old garden seed kale, radish, turnip etc...) and see what happens.

Great video. I love the photo bomb by the cat

I dont think I will sprout grains but its still cool to see how its done

 

[Kassaundra]

I have a junk twin mattress collecting dust. I would like it very much to see pictures as you make this.

I'll post pics of the progress (hopefully progress anyway)

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

What I read is it takes one acre of land to raise the grains to feed a chicken ... but even that has me suspicious as not all acres are equally productive.

I'm so intrigued that people really get away with not feeding their birds -- even if that's just seasonal. My mind is blown by this ... And I hope to be able to do some things to improve my pastures and forage so I can decrease my feed. I pay a lot for feed.

 

[lazy gardener]

OK..

How about an. experiment..I promise your birds will be fine..
Don't feed them in the morning..don't give them scratch at all..save that for the coop when you need it stirred up.(once a week)after this test.
Weigh them before and after this experiment.
feed them your FF at night around 6pm 1/2 cup per bird. let them eat for 10 minutes and dump the remainder in the bucket for the next day.
Try it for a week.

A hungry bird is a healthy bird. They use time to find food and avoid boredom. Active birds are just so much healthier. They use muscles and activities to keep them healthy and strong.

Basically, I was feeding them in the morning (in their yard), keeping them shut in until they laid their eggs. That way they would not yell at me! But, I've been letting them out earlier... this morning they were out just as soon as I let them out of their loft. And they did go back in to lay their eggs. They didn't even finish their ration of FF before they went to bed. So, I'll try it your way, but, I'm not going to weigh them! Their behavior will tell the tale! However, I'll have to modify as the Alpha pullet doesn't play well with the EE and makes them wait until she and her BFF are done eating before letting them into the food dish. I'll just cut back until I find a reasonable amount to give them in the evening.

 

[uglychickens]

What I found works the best is letting them out the first light of the morning and then early evening any other time their just lounging around anyway... I still offer them free choice on feed but its only 2 cups then they get a treat at night before lockdown!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Could you also update us on your home made 5 gallon bucket BSF catchers now that you've used them all season?

Photos and results...all the juicy details

 

[delisha]

Quote: Could you also update us on your home made 5 gallon bucket BSF catchers now that you've used them all season?

Photos and results...all the juicy details

Yes please...

 

[Kassaundra]

Oh they were a crash and burn failure!!!!! Nearly impossible to strike a balance between bone dry and flooded, and in the spring rains they floated out of the ground. I have lots of black soldier flies in the area, I find them all over growing wild, but so far all my attempts at a more controlled growing of them (controlled as in location) have been unsuccessful. I'm not a good putzer, I need a set it and forget it type method that doesn't cost an arm and leg!

 

[Tinman9]

You are correct most farms don't have this. It has been practice for well over 100 years letting the hens find what they can. Which was usually dropped by other farm animals. Killing off the "weakest" of the flock in winter. When pickings were slim. That's actually were that common term comes from. you have a fence your chickens are in a cage. That means they need feed. Here is a great link http://www.professorchicken.com/pages/Ask Professor Chicken.html
One of many I might add. Feel free to have a look for yourself the Internet is full of great reads. The simple fact is if you are turning my statement into an accusation then I'd say the burden if proof would be on you. I'm not the one "starving" my chickens. I am very comfortable with what I provide my chickens. Their own garden, open range and a full feeder. I feel choice is very natural to all creatures of this planet. Like the choice you made to be defensive about your feeder for example. A full crop doesn't mean everything. You believe or not CAN starve with a full belly. Also a commonly known fact. It happens from a lack of nutrients required for the cells in your body to replicate and repair themselves. Take a young child for example feed them oatmeal everyday and you are right they are full. These animals aren't native to North America and many dint even exist in the wild. So I believe you have no proof your backyard has everything they need to carry out the delicate process oif living, and encourage you to change my mind. I think the idea if taking away the feeder and calling it natural comes with a lot more responsibility than a full crop. I like to feed the animal that feeds me and my children. I hope you do as well. Love my chickens.

 

[Tinman9]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...u-still-have-to-feed-them-pellets-or-crumbles
Great one also. Truth is any yard big or little doesn't come with nutritional facts. Chickens diets are very complex. Sometimes admitting you don't know is the hardest part. We have a big fertile yard plenty of over grown areas with bushes and even a secondary garden we put all our extra seeds in. What I know is chickens are most closely related to jungle fowl and I don't see many jungles around. I don't like to assume anything accept that it is there decision what to eat and when, and that feels natural to me and my chickens.