The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[flyladyrocks]

ETA I quit smoking and drinking years ago, but I'm not kidding about the fried mac n cheese. :-D

I get it. My kids love fried Mac-n-cheese. I make bakes mac- n-cheese and it's a great way to do the leftovers!

 

[hoosiercheetah]

I make bakes mac- n-cheese

I make stovetop mac n cheese, using Alton Brown's recipe. It'd dreamy!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I also like the idea of edible plants in general. I got this book last year just to learn what kinds of things are edible (there are lots of books like this out there):

Quote:
Saw this article along those lines:
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2014/06/plant-edible-flower-garden-for-your.html#more



Other items that come to mind for eating:

Chickweed
Cilantro



Repellant type herbs that can be used in nest boxes:

Lavender: This herb has long been used for it's relaxing properties including calming a nervous or excited animal. For centuries it was sprinkled on linens before storing them as a natural insect repellant that preserved from moths and other insect infestation while imparting a wonderful scent.

Chamomile: Also used to calm and relax. Among many of its health-restoring uses, it is effective in treating worms. According to medicalherbinfo.com, it contains a form of calcium that is easily assimilated.

Bay Leaves: The leaves are insect deterrents that are used to drive away fleas, lice, moths, and bugs in flour and cereals. It also has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.

Eucalyptus Leaves: Among its many other properties eucalyptus is a powerful insect repellent for man or animals. Dried, finely powdered leaves are used as an insecticide.

Oregano: Used in the nest box as an anti-parasitic; also has anti-fungal properties.

Peppermint: Insecticide and anti-parasitic.

Tansy: Leaves are insecticidal and it is also used to expel worms. Caution: tansy should only be used in very small quantities. Do not use this herb in a "do-it-yourself" blend unless you have experience!

Wormwood: Repels moths and other insects. Wormwood is another herb that should only be dosed and used with caution and experience.

Marigold Petals: Insect repellant. Marigold petals have many other uses including treating yeast infections, a pain reliever for insect bites, and part of a soothing skin ointment. Contains phosphorus.

Spearmint: Antiseptic. Eases stress and fatigue; also helps with sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, nervous conditions, and the oil is used to relieve itching.

Catnip: The Herbalist Almanac mentions that catnip was grown around buildings of farms as it was believed that the odor drove off rats. It is insecticidal and is also used to expel worms. Catnip contains Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12 and C.



A few remedy type herb ingredients:

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/06/herbal-remedies-all-natural-medicine.html

 

[Leahs Mom]

This was referenced in the one article above. Can't vouch for the information as I haven't looked at it but I think I might print it out and read through at leisure.

http://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com/support-files/natural-remedies-for-chicken-diseases.pdf

 

[lalaland]

And it is healthy as well especially dark chocolate

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/05/herbs-and-their-uses-for-your-chickens.html
Here is the list I use. I actually made herb boxes in the chickens run area & planted seeds in them with some of these herbs. I am also planting mint around the coop as a bug repellent.

I have a lot of herbs in my veggie garden that I plan to dry to use throughout the year. I also add fresh herbs to the nesting box. The girls can have a snack while they are waiting to lay

I've been wondering how the herb boxes are doing - are the chickens eating them? I know some seemed like they would be out of reach....but the lower ones?

And I loved the video - those broody clucking sounds are so universal!

(edited to leave out lots!)

I also like the idea of edible plants in general. I got this book last year just to learn what kinds of things are edible (there are lots of books like this out there):


Repellant type herbs that can be used in nest boxes:


Catnip: The Herbalist Almanac mentions that catnip was grown around buildings of farms as it was believed that the odor drove off rats. It is insecticidal and is also used to expel worms. Catnip contains Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12 and C.

thats it! I have rats again under the porch from the birdfeeders. Even though I spent hours and $ on utting hardware cloth around the porch as a skirt, and then three feet wide hardware cloth on the ground to form a barrier,....those buggers just dug longer tunnels. I'm going to try throwing tons of catnip under there and will start planting it - but I mow pretty close to the ground around the porch to try to deter them. I HATE RATS but am unwilling to give up the bird feeders.

 

[lalaland]

zinni, congrats on the babies - nothign sweeter than the little ones popping out of mama.


Now that I have the two sisters helping mama, it is so funny to see them first thing in the cool morning - the babies are under all three hens peeking out everywhere. Nice co-parenting!

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
so put the bird feeders where the chickens can get to the dropped feed. problem solved.

 

[jime]

I have to tell about this and see if is normal or not.
My silkie girl hatch one baby ( we have lots of trouble with other hens getting in an out of the next and mixing eggs and breaking more so finally I decide to put her in a dog kennel and give her the eggs, some were on time an anthers not so much, so she hatch the one and the other three eggs she did not want any more and have been in the bator and still develop) any was this is a tiny silkie girl and the funny and weird part is they she obviously has not chance on protecting the baby of other animals so she is now in a bugger dog kennel with the baby, but every time the ads or other chickens approach she gets really mad and protective mode and makes the bag jump on her bag is the sweetest thing ever there is this tiny hen all rifle up and the baby jumps on here back as to make her self bigger or maybe thinking if the attacker needs tog et to her first before the baby, I don't know has any of you experience this with their broody, most of my broody ruffle up and put the babies behind or under their fun but this one makes the chick go on top of her.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Now that I have the two sisters helping mama, it is so funny to see them first thing in the cool morning - the babies are under all three hens peeking out everywhere. Nice co-parenting!

I am jealous of that setup. I wish I could get some communal parenting going on. What breed did you say they were ...are they the Welsumers/

 

[aoxa]

I also like the idea of edible plants in general. I got this book last year just to learn what kinds of things are edible (there are lots of books like this out there):


Saw this article along those lines:
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2014/06/plant-edible-flower-garden-for-your.html#more



Other items that come to mind for eating:

Chickweed
Cilantro



Repellant type herbs that can be used in nest boxes:

Lavender: This herb has long been used for it's relaxing properties including calming a nervous or excited animal. For centuries it was sprinkled on linens before storing them as a natural insect repellant that preserved from moths and other insect infestation while imparting a wonderful scent.

Chamomile: Also used to calm and relax. Among many of its health-restoring uses, it is effective in treating worms. According to medicalherbinfo.com, it contains a form of calcium that is easily assimilated.

Bay Leaves: The leaves are insect deterrents that are used to drive away fleas, lice, moths, and bugs in flour and cereals. It also has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.

Eucalyptus Leaves: Among its many other properties eucalyptus is a powerful insect repellent for man or animals. Dried, finely powdered leaves are used as an insecticide.

Oregano: Used in the nest box as an anti-parasitic; also has anti-fungal properties.

Peppermint: Insecticide and anti-parasitic.

Tansy: Leaves are insecticidal and it is also used to expel worms. Caution: tansy should only be used in very small quantities. Do not use this herb in a "do-it-yourself" blend unless you have experience!

Wormwood: Repels moths and other insects. Wormwood is another herb that should only be dosed and used with caution and experience.

Marigold Petals: Insect repellant. Marigold petals have many other uses including treating yeast infections, a pain reliever for insect bites, and part of a soothing skin ointment. Contains phosphorus.

Spearmint: Antiseptic. Eases stress and fatigue; also helps with sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, nervous conditions, and the oil is used to relieve itching.

Catnip: The Herbalist Almanac mentions that catnip was grown around buildings of farms as it was believed that the odor drove off rats. It is insecticidal and is also used to expel worms. Catnip contains Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12 and C.



A few remedy type herb ingredients:

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/06/herbal-remedies-all-natural-medicine.html

I spoke too soon on the Selfheal. Saw the goats eating it yesterday. It must grow very fast, because it is much taller than the grass.

People use it as well for inflammation. I'd use it if I knew how.