The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

So I decided to experiment with the fruits and vwggies I froze this year for the hens. I took corn still in the husk and threw it in my chest freezer. I took 2 ears out last night and let them defrost. Removed the husks and the kernels were soft & the girls devoured them.

I also froze apples whole, watermelon slices, pumpkin chunks & I forget what else. I wanted it to be simple to do instead of cutting up everything like I did last year. And I dried the extra kale, spinach, nasturtium & beet greens. I plan on adding them to their FF. I found last year that freezing greens didn't work well.they were very mushy and the hens ignored them. I of course have the larger pumpkins outside still and cut them in half throughout the winter.

And I found the peepers love cabbage so that's a cheap green for them also.


And my good,friend for a deer & saved me the liver & heart & 3 bags of meat/fat scraps. The girls will be set on meat for awhile. I'm also collecting turkey carcasses. They freeze great & keep the hens amused plus the bones break down in the garden. My friends think I'm nuts sometimes but they have come to realize that I am big into reusing & using everything I can.

 

[CoopChick719]

Well....now that you mention it.....
It was supposed to be a surprise. I was waiting for them to feather out. But I guess the secret's out.



Starting a new breed standard. Hatching eggs should be available next fall.

. I'm also collecting turkey carcasses. They freeze great & keep the hens amused plus the bones break down in the garden. My friends think I'm nuts sometimes but they have come to realize that I am big into reusing & using everything I can.

My friends, family & co-workers are finally coming to realize that about me too! We had Thanksgiving at the office last week. I brought home the carcass, leftover veggies & gravy. One of our new people said, "You aren't really going to feed that turkey to the chickens, are you?"

 

[jockeyeba]

Wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving

 

[Amberjem]

freeze the pumpkin why didnt I think of that !

 

[hellbender]

Thanks to ALL for the welcome back, however temporary!

 

[armorfirelady]

My friends, family & co-workers are finally coming to realize that about me too! We had Thanksgiving at the office last week. I brought home the carcass, leftover veggies & gravy. One of our new people said, "You aren't really going to feed that turkey to the chickens, are you?"

People didnt realize the chickens ate meat till I had them. I also collect leftovers from the Fire Hall. When we did standby for our local fair the girls got a bucket full of meat & veggie scraps every day. Boy did they love that. And whatever they didn't eat just broke down in the compost pile.

Thanks to ALL for the welcome back, however temporary!

I certainly hope it isn't temporary.

I enjoy when you share your knowledge with us.

 

[armorfirelady]

freeze the pumpkin why didnt I think of that !

If they are big pumpkins I just leave them in the chicken run. The freeze/thaw throughout the winter softens them up & the girls enjoy them. Just beware you tend to have random pumpkins growing everywhere in the spring But I found that those were the hardiest plants to grow.

I also saved the seeds from the smaller ones I cut up. I use some for the hens as a natural dewormer and others to plant in the spring

 

[tjo804]

Thanks to ALL for the welcome back, however temporary!  


I have been absent this summer as it was quite dramatic and personally overwelming here. I want you to know I enjoyed our exchanges in the past and think you are an asset to this community. Keep in mind that for all the haters in this world there are also people who value and respect each of us. I hope you will continue to share your knowledge and friendship with those of us who do value it.

 

[vpatt]

Well....now that you mention it..... It was supposed to be a surprise. I was waiting for them to feather out. But I guess the secret's out. Starting a new breed standard. Hatching eggs should be available next fall.

I want some of those!

 

[tjo804]

I wonder if they will lay brown eggs?