The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Toast n Jelly]

So...I made a little fire area right outside the house. My regular fire area is half-way back in the 2 acre pasture and it is hard to burn back there because I don't let a fire stay unattended and it is a hassle to be back and forth so the fires only get burned on occasion.

I hauled up some flat blocks and put them right near the driveway. Then I hauled up some of the old wood that needs to be burned. Too light for heating as it's very old, but good for making ash!

So I've been stoking the little fire since 1:00 p today. Right out the window where I can see it but not have to babysit so far away.

Good idea....I may do that too.

 

[armorfirelady]

Well...after having AFL find mites in her hen house, I am on the offensive.

I've gotten lax this summer with the wood ash part of things. Strange, that, since you'd think that I would have been way more vigilant in the summer when the creepy-crawlies are more abundant.

So...I made a little fire area right outside the house. My regular fire area is half-way back in the 2 acre pasture and it is hard to burn back there because I don't let a fire stay unattended and it is a hassle to be back and forth so the fires only get burned on occasion.

I hauled up some flat blocks and put them right near the driveway. Then I hauled up some of the old wood that needs to be burned. Too light for heating as it's very old, but good for making ash!

So I've been stoking the little fire since 1:00 p today. Right out the window where I can see it but not have to babysit so far away.

This morning before work a quick check on the girls showed they were still grey from the ashes. I tried last night to see if I saw any creepy crawlies but all I saw was ashes. I will check again tonight. But regardless I am going to have another bonfire Sunday to make more ashes so I can bathe them again.

 

[delisha]

Well...after having AFL find mites in her hen house, I am on the offensive.

I've gotten lax this summer with the wood ash part of things. Strange, that, since you'd think that I would have been way more vigilant in the summer when the creepy-crawlies are more abundant.

So...I made a little fire area right outside the house. My regular fire area is half-way back in the 2 acre pasture and it is hard to burn back there because I don't let a fire stay unattended and it is a hassle to be back and forth so the fires only get burned on occasion.

I hauled up some flat blocks and put them right near the driveway. Then I hauled up some of the old wood that needs to be burned. Too light for heating as it's very old, but good for making ash!

So I've been stoking the little fire since 1:00 p today. Right out the window where I can see it but not have to babysit so far away.

I am glad you made the fire for the birds..but tell me why you do not have a fire pit in the chicken yard?

 

[Leahs Mom]

The area that they free range is mostly forested. Not a good place for a fire.

I did do small fires around the edge of the trees last year but they did not use the ash areas for dusting. Not even 1 x. It was a waste of good ash. Those ash areas are still there and they don't even look at them.

Instead, they make a few dusting areas in the little woods, and there is a corner of the fenced pen that they use because I dump peat moss in that corner. I also add ash there from time to time.
I'm doing the fires so that I can cool down the ashes and store them in buckets for the indoor winter dust boxes.

 

[Leahs Mom]

And the other reason is that it is also back away from the house where I can't see it so I have to stay with the fire the whole time - especially considering the woods. Just doesn't get done because I don't have time to stand around babysitting a fire that I can't see from the house.

 

[lalaland]

Its almost time to go into the woods to get some bags of duff/leaves/stuff to store for winter in the coop. I am hoping I can find a dry day in between hunting seasons - last year the leaves were a bit damp and there were ice crystals when I added them to the coop. really didn't need any extra moisture!

I can't believe it, but I am going to be thankful when processing time comes. Those boys are creating one heck of a ruckus. So far I haven't had to put any in a separate pen, as there is plenty of room to get away from each other, but the last week a couple of the immature roosters have been chased and harassed when they try to go into the coop to roost.

Still haven't made a final choice, am thinking maybe will just do 4 or 5 and leave doofus, the lav orp as a back up in case my junior roo is obnoxious when he matures a bit.

Leahsmom/Sue, that is one sweet pullet!

Hey, has anyone used "poultry protector" - a so called natural enzyme to spray on the roosts and bedding to ward off mites? A friend of mine thought it was funny and gave me a b bottle.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Its almost time to go into the woods to get some bags of duff/leaves/stuff to store for winter in the coop. I am hoping I can find a dry day in between hunting seasons - last year the leaves were a bit damp and there were ice crystals when I added them to the coop. really didn't need any extra moisture!

I can't believe it, but I am going to be thankful when processing time comes. Those boys are creating one heck of a ruckus. So far I haven't had to put any in a separate pen, as there is plenty of room to get away from each other, but the last week a couple of the immature roosters have been chased and harassed when they try to go into the coop to roost.

Still haven't made a final choice, am thinking maybe will just do 4 or 5 and leave doofus, the lav orp as a back up in case my junior roo is obnoxious when he matures a bit.

Leahsmom/Sue, that is one sweet pullet!

Hey, has anyone used "poultry protector" - a so called natural enzyme to spray on the roosts and bedding to ward off mites? A friend of mine thought it was funny and gave me a b bottle.

Can you post a link to the poultry protector? I haven't seen it I don't think.

 

[armorfirelady]

Its almost time to go into the woods to get some bags of duff/leaves/stuff to store for winter in the coop. I am hoping I can find a dry day in between hunting seasons - last year the leaves were a bit damp and there were ice crystals when I added them to the coop. really didn't need any extra moisture!

I poked holes in my bags last year to help dry them some. This year I had some extra, tall, laundry baskets so I put the leaves in there that were damp in the hopes they dry enough so I can put them in bags

 

[Leahs Mom]

Is it the Manna Pro Poultry Protector?

Manna Pro Poultry Protector Ingredients are:
Active Ingredients: Potassium Sorbate .1% by weight
Inert Ingredients: Water, Yeast, Citric Acid 99.9%





http://yourhealthybody.jillianmichaels.com/dangers-potassium-sorbate-2466.html
Side Effects

Personal hair-care and skin products containing sorbate or sorbic acid -- both forms of potassium sorbate -- can cause skin and eye irritation. The DermNet NZ website reports that sorbic acid preservative can cause a condition known as contact urticaria. Reactions include a burning or itching rash appearing within minutes to one hour after exposure. Localized, red swelling can occur, especially on the hands, but the rash generally disappears within 24 hours.
The Food and Drug Administration requires that all additives are listed on food labels, but reading ingredients can be confusing. Additives are often categorized nonspecifically as "spices" or "flavorings," making it difficult to determine what you are eating. Some food additives can cause allergic reactions and health problems. If you want to avoid preservatives such as potassium sorbate, buy fresh, unprocessed foods grown by local farmers; Eat whole foods and fewer convenience ready-made meals; Drink fresh organic juice, and choose fresh fruit over dried or canned options.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Could you spread your leaves out on the driveway to dry in the sun before bagging them? That's what I do w/grass clippings during the summer so they don't mold. After dry then I put them in the bags.

Only takes an hour or so.