The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[maryhysong]

I want to do something like this to keep dry feed in. I wouldn't use electricity, just for storage. I think it would keep it nice and neat.

The only thing is if you live in a humid climate or like me it's dry most of the time but very humid during our monsoon, moisture condenses inside, then drips into the feed causing mold. Been here done this. A small vent/exhaust fan might cure the problem tho

 

[aoxa]

The only thing is if you live in a humid climate or like me it's dry most of the time but very humid during our monsoon, moisture condenses inside, then drips into the feed causing mold. Been here done this. A small vent/exhaust fan might cure the problem tho

I go through SO MUCH feed, so I doubt it would be a huge issue. How much would a freezer fit in pounds? I could even keep the top off. Not worried about rodents.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
Here is a picture that includes troughs that we plan to replace before spring. It won't be long here before I have to either feed dry food to avoid freezing or feed in the coop, messy messy messy. So these are not in great shape at all. I would be asking DH for new ones this week if I planned to use them much longer. They area also dirty from the meaties, and scraps that I toss out there. But overall, they have lasted at least 4 months and have seen lots of use as the pan fry roosters used them first. then my production layers before I sold them and now my ducks and heritage birds.

 

[ki4got]

Quote: oh I wsn't thinking plugged in, that's why I said DEAD. LOL but a lightbulb to provide heat for FF to continue during the winter might be nice.

 

[aoxa]

oh I wsn't thinking plugged in, that's why I said DEAD. LOL but a lightbulb to provide heat for FF to continue during the winter might be nice.

DUH why would I even THINK that's what you meant. Silly..

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I just read an article describing some of the "science" involved in testing Naked Oats as a replacement for corn in meat bird rations. Note that "Collaborators include educators in ... economics ...." Why the poultry industry is "remembering" oats is a whole huge topic I won't go into ... it is touched on a bit in the article.

The final quote of the article reads: "We shouldn't have a mind set to grow birds as fast as possible ... We use alternative ingredients to have them grow in a uniform, healthy fashion and minimize the cost of production, even if it takes another week or more." So ... that's 6 to 9 weeks instead of 5 to 8.

Here is a link to the article: http://www.capitalpress.com/article/20131113/ARTICLE/131119959

And here is a link to an earlier study testing oats as an ingredient for White Leghorns: http://japr.fass.org/content/3/3/253.full.pdf

Please note the emphasis on economics in both the article and the study.

My point is: a lot of the science of raising poultry is economics, not nutrition (neither in terms of the health of the animal beyond minimal standards required for performance, nor in terms of the healthfulness of the product for humans). In my opinion, this includes the silly marketing ploy of Omega-3 rations for "healthier" eggs.

And just to help help clean yourself from the "ick" factor of having to look at those two links, here is another link from an Organic farming and gardening website about the benefits of feeding whole grains to chickens: http://www.mofga.org/Publications/M...r/Summer2003/Chickens/tabid/1481/Default.aspx

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I go through SO MUCH feed, so I doubt it would be a huge issue. How much would a freezer fit in pounds? I could even keep the top off. Not worried about rodents.

How many birds are you feeding, and approximately how much feed per day? I'm trying to figure out how much feed I need to have fermenting for my 100+ birds (need to get an better count, though honestly I've been avoiding that!!!) ... I'm leaving the turkeys out of the equation because they are getting "re-homed" soon, very soon.

I know that feed consumption varies a lot by temperature and access to forage and will change because of the fermenting, too. But I want to have SOME idea ...

I'm hoping to find some larger PVC pipes so I can make larger troughs. We were thinking several troughs ... no more than 4 feet long, though I was thinking more like 3 feet. I like to have several feed stations for better flock harmony.

 

[ki4got]

Quote: ok maybe I misread what you said... blame lack of coffee, lack of coffee headache, and too many other things going on right now. LOL working, emailing and byc'ing don't always mix well. LOL

 

[aoxa]

How many birds are you feeding, and approximately how much feed per day? I'm trying to figure out how much feed I need to have fermenting for my 100+ birds (need to get an better count, though honestly I've been avoiding that!!!) ... I'm leaving the turkeys out of the equation because they are getting "re-homed" soon, very soon.

I know that feed consumption varies a lot by temperature and access to forage and will change because of the fermenting, too. But I want to have SOME idea ...

I'm hoping to find some larger PVC pipes so I can make larger troughs. We were thinking several troughs ... no more than 4 feet long, though I was thinking more like 3 feet. I like to have several feed stations for better flock harmony.

I have NO clue. I have at least 40 layers, 40 silkies and 20(ish) Barred Rocks.. I'll keep Four Silver Pencilled Rocks (though right now I have at least 10). I have 9 Houdans (keeping all), Will keep 7 Easter Eggers for breeding (two males to process), I have 7 Naked Neck Girls (+ will keep one boy, I have 3 to choose from). I have at least 15 mutt girls (going to keep them all for laying), and lets just add 20 more for good effort...
That would equate to 163 chickens.. That is a rough estimate... I bolded the ones I know for sure the numbers. I have 22 meat birds as well. Processing 20 of them.

I have 2 geese, and one duck too...

ok maybe I misread what you said... blame lack of coffee, lack of coffee headache, and too many other things going on right now. LOL working, emailing and byc'ing don't always mix well. LOL

You misread the second time. I did think you intended it to be plugged in. The second time I was saying DUH and silly to myself. It was a stupid thought on my part

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I have NO clue. I have at least 40 layers, 40 silkies and 20(ish) Barred Rocks.. I'll keep Four Silver Pencilled Rocks (though right now I have at least 10). I have 9 Houdans (keeping all), Will keep 7 Easter Eggers for breeding (two males to process), I have 7 Naked Neck Girls (+ will keep one boy, I have 3 to choose from). I have at least 15 mutt girls (going to keep them all for laying), and lets just add 20 more for good effort...
That would equate to 163 chickens.. That is a rough estimate... I bolded the ones I know for sure the numbers. I have 22 meat birds as well. Processing 20 of them.

I have 2 geese, and one duck too...
You misread the second time. I did think you intended it to be plugged in. The second time I was saying DUH and silly to myself. It was a stupid thought on my part

All on fermented feed?