The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
I did a little reading on this. I think that, again, this is one of those things that mostly affects folks with compromised immune systems. Just my opinion but, as I'm reading about it, I think being afraid of this is similar to how folks worry about their children out playing in the dirt and try to keep them germ free. I think that most of us have healthy immune systems and the exposure we get every day as we're working around our flocks helps us to build immunity.

 

[aoxa]

I did a little reading on this. I think that, again, this is one of those things that mostly affects folks with compromised immune systems. Just my opinion but, as I'm reading about it, I think being afraid of this is similar to how folks worry about their children out playing in the dirt and try to keep them germ free. I think that most of us have healthy immune systems and the exposure we get every day as we're working around our flocks helps us to build immunity.

If it's going to make us sick, what would it do to the chickens? can't be healthy for them either.

Well I've never gotten sick from cleaning the coop. Must be a good sign. I did get some back aches though.

 

[Pullet Surprise]

I never clean up feathers outside when they molt, yet they all seem to disappear after a while. Too much work scooping them into garbage bags. It was a lazy idea. We had a snow storm the next day and it covered all the blood and the feathers.

I too have noticed that most of the feathers "disappear"...never see any from the bedding etc. that goes into the composter. Looks like they must break down quickly.

 

[Bulldogma]

Just a little reminder:

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Carry on!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Interesting note...With my new babies... yesterday I saw mom pick up a dropped feather and call the kiddos over to EAT IT! I have read that there is blood in the quill end and that's the part she was directing them to.

So...maybe part of them gets eaten!

 

[aoxa]

Interesting note...With my new babies... yesterday I saw mom pick up a dropped feather and call the kiddos over to EAT IT! I have read that there is blood in the quill end and that's the part she was directing them to.

So...maybe part of them gets eaten!

One of my silkies does this. She's so weird. Oh and is broody AGAIN.

I let her have two eggs. She's a grumpy mess.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
I did a little reading on this. I think that, again, this is one of those things that mostly affects folks with compromised immune systems. Just my opinion but, as I'm reading about it, I think being afraid of this is similar to how folks worry about their children out playing in the dirt and try to keep them germ free. I think that most of us have healthy immune systems and the exposure we get every day as we're working around our flocks helps us to build immunity.

One more thought on this... Remember how when you do the deep litter without adding DE/PDZ, etc. that it allows the growth of BENEFICIAL bacteria, molds, and nematodes? (Kind of like yogurt or ff...the good stuff outnumbers and keeps the bad stuff in check...)

I'm also thinking that using the Deep Litter and allowing it to become inhabited with the good stuff will also keep this from being an issue for us. All the more reason to keep that DL going and composting with dirt from the local environment!

Here's a couple links on beneficial Deep Litter:

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/p/deep-litter-method.html

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Deep-Litter-1.html
(Be sure to read Page 2 & 3 on this article also.)

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Brooding-Chicks-Deep-Litter.html

 

[Pullet Surprise]

Interesting note...With my new babies... yesterday I saw mom pick up a dropped feather and call the kiddos over to EAT IT! I have read that there is blood in the quill end and that's the part she was directing them to.

So...maybe part of them gets eaten!

Oh I am quite sure the little small feathers get eaten!!! I have watched my girls eat small feathers in the run. The larger ones just seem to disappear after time, wonder if they just blow away?

 

[camilleathome]

The only gloves we used were the disposable ones when we were killing. I have this tenancy to wipe my hands on me. Dylan also kept reminding me to remove the gloves. I stayed cleaner.

Oh I do that too!! When we were lucky enough to witness our pastel boa female give birth we took the babies away from her and placed them in a tub to count and then let them dry a bit more before moving them to permanent tubs. All of a sudden I rub my hands on my jeans as a nervous habit and realise what I did. I was like Ewwww I have amniotic fluid on my jeans! Then stop and laugh and tell Al. I never thought Id see the day that came out of my mouth XD.

 

[Pullet Surprise]

One more thought on this... Remember how when you do the deep litter without adding DE/PDZ, etc. that it allows the growth of BENEFICIAL bacteria, molds, and nematodes? (Kind of like yogurt or ff...the good stuff outnumbers and keeps the bad stuff in check...)

I'm also thinking that using the Deep Litter and allowing it to become inhabited with the good stuff will also keep this from being an issue for us. All the more reason to keep that DL going and composting with dirt from the local environment!

Here's a couple links on beneficial Deep Litter:

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/p/deep-litter-method.html

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Deep-Litter-1.html (Be sure to read Page 2 & 3 on this article also.)

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Brooding-Chicks-Deep-Litter.html

Good info! I wish there was a way to KNOW if what is going on is the beneficial bacteria, nematodes etc. I guess the way to tell is that everyone seems healthy...I'm hoping that's a sufficiant way to know. Also, I am curious as to how long does a flock have to be in a run etc. before an overload might happen (given that it isn't balanced etc.) Sorry, that's a rediculous question as it would depend on soil/critter conditions to begin with and how many birds are on the soil etc.etc. So far so good I THINK.