The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

You can make wood ash anywhere you burn a fire with wood

 

[Leahs Mom]

PS: Sometimes I burn old wood outside on a burn pile and collect the ash afterward. Just have to get it before it rains.

 

[vpatt]

I made a dust spa for my chickens......sand ashes and DE. To my knowledge none of them even glanced toward it. They all scratch up regular dirt and bathe in it.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Mine usually only use the "contrived" dust bath during winter when they can't get out. They LOVE peat moss - which is what I usually use. Even if I dump it on the ground in the run they will always use it for a bath.

 

[armorfirelady]

PS: Sometimes I burn old wood outside on a burn pile and collect the ash afterward. Just have to get it before it rains.

I made a dust spa for my chickens......sand ashes and DE. To my knowledge none of them even glanced toward it. They all scratch up regular dirt and bathe in it.

Mine usually only use the "contrived" dust bath during winter when they can't get out. They LOVE peat moss - which is what I usually use. Even if I dump it on the ground in the run they will always use it for a bath.

I have burned wood in our fire pit in the summer to keep wood ash on hand.
Mine dont always use the dust bath during the summer either. They prefer the dirt. But like Leahs Mom said they do enjoy the peat moss a lot.

I found another container so I could put a dust bath in the hoop coop. The little peepers dont have access to the other one since the big girls (aka Stella) dont let them in there. Of course when I checked to see if they were using it one of them was in the DL taking a dust bath. Apparently the sun coming in felt good in the DL.

Eggs are still scarce but a couple days ago when I went out to check on the girls I couldnt believe how red the little peepers combs are. It seems they have grown overnight & I can see the combs from the house now. I am hopeful they will start laying soon

 

[vpatt]

I have burned wood in our fire pit in the summer to keep wood ash on hand. 
Mine dont always use the dust bath during the summer either. They prefer the dirt. But like Leahs Mom said they do enjoy the peat moss a lot.  

I found another container so I could put a dust bath in the hoop coop. The little peepers dont have access to the other one since the big girls (aka Stella) dont let them in there.  Of course when I checked to see if they were using it one of them was in the DL taking a dust bath. Apparently the sun coming in felt good in the DL.  

Eggs are still scarce but a couple days ago when I went out to check on the girls I couldnt believe how red the little peepers combs are. It seems they have grown overnight & I can see the combs from the house now.  I am hopeful they will start laying soon  

Good luck with the new layers!

 

[Leahs Mom]

!!!!!I GOT A PULLET EGG TODAY!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME
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[ronott1]

!!!!!I GOT A PULLET EGG TODAY!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME
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Did it go into the incubator? Broody?

 

[Leahs Mom]

And.....

t

To Everyone on the Natural Chicken Keeping Thread!

 

[Leahs Mom]

No...unfortunately I don't have a roo in place..... Hoping to get one toward the end of February. Then we'll be off and running!