The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[CoopChick719]

[quote name="armorfirelady" url="/t/729605/the-natural-chicken-keeping-thread-ots-welcome/28710# Eta I put my Nustock in a different container that can easily be shook since the tube it comes in is always so runny. Then I just squirt it where I need it. I used a mustard container last year but I need something smaller. I am thinking of one of those travel size shampoo containers from the dollar store[/quote] Did the same with my NuStock. Mine has a twist top like a mustard bottle so I can squirt/ aim it where I need it while holding the chicken with the other hand. [QUOTE="Kassaundra, post: 12886550, member: 0"]I posted this on another thread and was asked to repost it here, so here it is. [/QUOTE] LOVED THAT!! Used it with my chicks and will again. DH thought I was nuts until I explained it was a surrogate mama.

I ordered a garden sifter thingie that is supposed to come today or tomorrow to sift the lumps out of my ash. It usually has some various debris in there that needs sifting and I'm too unmotivated to make anything. Good timing I guess. I was looking at all of these on Amazon Ended up ordering the one that looks like a spring form pan as the folks that were reviewing it said it fit over the top of a bucket well.

Mines a little more redneck I bent some old hardware cloth over the top of a 5 gallon bucket.

I couldn't resist I suggest a warmer, non windy day. Of course no matter when I decide to sift the wood ash miraculously a breeze suddenly blows I am usually covered head to toe with wood ash but at least I know I am mite & lice free Wow and see I always cook mine unless an egg breaks in the coop when I am gathering them. Hmmm I wont be cooking them anymore I guess. Tho when I do cook them I add coconut oil & garlic & herbs into them as I scramble them .

Yes somehow the wind always ends up blowing in my face while I'm sifting ashes. Usually do it in the pen. Look like a coal miner by the time I'm done.

I want to make a 5 gallon bucket mouse trap. I think it would work well.

We have one of these upta camp, LG. Works like a charm. Previous owner made it. He used a coffee can and made a ramp up to the top of the bucket. The Bucket always has at least 3 mice in it.

 

[CoopChick719]

LG - on the bucket thing I always worried that the chickens might fall in!  I guess if you only set it out at night and took it up before light that would keep that from happening. 

How would you keep the water from freezing at this time of year?

We use RV Antifreeze in ours. Non toxic to animals but I don't know about chickens. We don't use it in the coop.

 

[hellbender]

Now that you have found stuff like this, can we discuss how to fix any deficiencies in my breeding flock? Right now they are getting only lightly fermented food. 24 hours to 4 days of fermentation at most. I just go through it so fast...

Set up two batches? I think I'm getting partially ferminted food from the contents of cow stomaches...Am I far off?


WHILE I'M AT IT: As mentioned before, I feel pretty fortunate and have just about all a man should need or want....except

Grand Children. I do have part of the required equation...Any match makers out there???

PART ONE.....

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:

Now that you have found stuff like this, can we discuss how to fix any deficiencies in my breeding flock? Right now they are getting only lightly fermented food. 24 hours to 4 days of fermentation at most. I just go through it so fast...

As soon as I have more time I may have something to say. In the meantime...

One thing to remember that individuals have varying needs for nutrients so even though there is a recommended amount, there is also a lot of variability in how an individual will be able to utilize the nutrients. Also, illness or anything that puts a stress on the system automatically puts us at need and possibility of depletion of certain vitamins or minerals.

The reason I say this is that it may just be a specific chicken that is having other stress issues - or a particular individual or breed that has a higher requirement for certain of the minerals.

Also, just an overnight soak is good at reducing anti-nutrients and releasing the digestive enzymes so what you describe is accomplishing much more than you may think.

In the meantime, here are a couple of articles you can look at:

http://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/be-kind-to-your-grains

And a short quote from that article:

Quote: http://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/be-kind-to-your-grains (Read the rest here.)

Another:
http://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/sprouted-whole-grains

 

[Leahs Mom]

Set up two batches? I think I'm getting partially ferminted food from the contents of cow stomaches...Am I far off?


WHILE I'M AT IT: As mentioned before, I feel pretty fortunate and have just about all a man should need or want....except

Grand Children. I do have part of the required equation...Any match makers out there???

PART ONE.....

How old is this "very handsome" man's son?
Quote from: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...eeping-thread-ots-welcome/28830#post_12908968

 

[Leahs Mom]

Oh..and yes, if the cows are being fed grains they do come right out pretty much undigested in the cow patties. Chickens love 'em and yes, there is a good bit of soaking and fermenting going on in that process

 

[lazy gardener]

Set up two batches? I think I'm getting partially ferminted food from the contents of cow stomaches...Am I far off?


WHILE I'M AT IT: As mentioned before, I feel pretty fortunate and have just about all a man should need or want....except

Grand Children. I do have part of the required equation...Any match makers out there???

PART ONE.....

How old is this "very handsome" man's son?
Quote from: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...eeping-thread-ots-welcome/28830#post_12908968

Perhaps we need to set up a match maker thread?!!! I see he's at least able to bring home the bacon... er... venison!

 

[hellbender]

Perhaps we need to set up a match maker thread?!!! I see he's at least able to bring home the bacon... er... venison!

Might be a good Idea! He will be 37 in Sept. I know he not interested in dating 'children' and they need not be college educated but must be goal oriented and a 'team-player'...his words.


EDIT: Forgot to mention...he has a BA in Philosophy...Stepping stone into Law School.

 

[Shan30]

Might be a good Idea! He will be 37 in Sept. I know he not interested in dating 'children' and they need not be college educated but must be goal oriented and a 'team-player'...his words. [COLOR=FF0000]EDIT:[/COLOR] Forgot to mention...he has a BA in Philosophy...Stepping stone into Law School.

I like his attitude and hobbies. (Sorry happily married!) Looks like a solid and normal human being so I would say he will find what he's looking for eventually. Sometimes I really question the intelligence of other young women when I see the choices my friends make. By the way you and my mom should start a "give us grandbabies" club.

 

[lazy gardener]

Happily married and old enough to be his Mama, but I'd gladly take what he's serving up in the white mug!!! Looks like he can cook too! Come on ladies, let's put out the word!!!