The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[COChix]

Corn syrup, however, isn't like some other sugars.  It is processed by the LIVER.   This means that your body processes the fructose as though it were a TOXIN.  Same for agave nectar.  There is a host of issues that are directly related to HFCS...and all "sugars" aren't created equally so it's good to take a little time and learn about each one before deciding which one you want to use.
 
That whole article quoted is interesting and worth reading.

I am glad you brought up Agave, as many believe that it is a healthy alternative, well that is how it has been marketed. It is just as bad as HFCS based on how it breaks down, i found this out after getting an ulcer and switching to Paleo. We stick with raw honey and we have used the organic brown rice syrup for baking. The brown rice syrup gives eveything a nice carmelized nutty flavor. I will have to see if I scanned the bottle for GMO status, I can't remember.

 

[potagergirl]

I am glad you brought up Agave, as many believe that it is a healthy alternative, well that is how it has been marketed. It is just as bad as HFCS based on how it breaks down, i found this out after getting an ulcer and switching to Paleo. We stick with raw honey and we have used the organic brown rice syrup for baking. The brown rice syrup gives eveything a nice carmelized nutty flavor. I will have to see if I scanned the bottle for GMO status, I can't remember.

I have the agave but never use it because I don't care for the taste. I haven't tried brown rice syrup I might look into that. I do like the coconut sugar but maybe I should take a second look at it even though it says it is organic on the label. Mostly I use raw honey we get from a local provider. Having gluten allergies made the Paleo diet a natural change in our house and I've come to love it even when the pickings for fresh veggies in the winter are slim. It's when I switch to frozen vegetables.
More importantly I have been working on finding organic feed for our chickens and soon we will have goats. So far it looks as though I will be driving 3 hours each way to get to an organic mill to get the feed and seed I need for my chickens and goats. On the local front we have a choice of MFA and Ricketts neither of which have or sell organic or non-gmo.
When I do get the organic feed I plan on starting my animals on a fermented feed diet so all this information has been very helpful =)

 

[COChix]

Many on here talking about wanting to go organic but the cost is so high. I don't know if Aldi's grocery chain is nationwide, but they have quite a bit of organic food at a pretty good price. They carry an organic grass-fed ground beef in cryovac at $6.99 a pound, let me tell you it is absolutely delicious and worth every penny. They have a fair assortment of organic fresh veggies and actually quite a few organic pantry items, all at better prices than I think you'd find elsewhere, for example, pure maple syrup https://www.aldi.us/en/
[TR] [TD] [/TD] [TD] [/TD] [/TR]

There is also Azure Standard, Organic and Bulk ordering... https://www.azurestandard.com

 

[COChix]

I have the agave but never use it because I don't care for the taste. I haven't tried brown rice syrup I might look into that. I do like the coconut sugar but maybe I should take a second look at it even though it says it is organic on the label. Mostly I use raw honey we get from a local provider. Having gluten allergies made the Paleo diet a natural change in our house and I've come to love it even when the pickings for fresh veggies in the winter are slim. It's when I switch to frozen vegetables.
More importantly I have been working on finding organic feed for our chickens and soon we will have goats. So far it looks as though I will be driving 3 hours each way to get to an organic mill to get the feed and seed I need for my chickens and goats. On the local front we have a choice of MFA and Ricketts neither of which have or sell organic or non-gmo.
When I do get the organic feed I plan on starting my animals on a fermented feed diet so all this information has been very helpful =)

You don't have to wait to ferment their feed, especially if your feeding a lower quality of feed. The fermenting will help the chickens uptake the nutrients better. Just fermenting will greatly improve the health of your flock, at least it has for ours.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Look it's leahs mom https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/967154/byc-member-interview-leahs-mom

Haha....yep...it's me

ETA: I was totally surprised they asked me to be a part. Not sure who may have nominated me but if it was one of us "natural" people...thanks!

 

[potagergirl]

You don't have to wait to ferment their feed, especially if your feeding a lower quality of feed. The fermenting will help the chickens uptake the nutrients better. Just fermenting will greatly improve the health of your flock, at least it has for ours.

We have been using non-gmo seeds a mix of boss, oats, milo, safflower, and some pearl millet as a treat.
Reading about each one I believe the milo is not to be soaked something about a chemical increase that will be poisonous to my birds. I'm not sure if safflower is the same. The non-gmo seeds will not be available starting in May. I question if the new bags I bought this week are non-gmo or if I would be feeding my chickens chemicals I don't want them to have. I do make a mash 2x a week and add vitamins to make sure they have a good supply. They also free range most all day every day. I think I will feel better knowing what I'm starting with is really good quality without the chemicals before I try to make them change to the soaked feed.
Thank you for pointing out the nutrient factor it gives me something else to think about.

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

Corn syrup, however, isn't like some other sugars. It is processed by the LIVER. This means that your body processes the fructose as though it were a TOXIN. Same for agave nectar. There is a host of issues that are directly related to HFCS...and all "sugars" aren't created equally so it's good to take a little time and learn about each one before deciding which one you want to use.


That whole article quoted is interesting and worth reading.




Something else to keep in mind is that if you purchase maple syrup/sugar from the grocery, many of them are not 100% maple and have corn or sugar syrups added to them to make them less expensive.

Thanks for the links... and I do agree with you Leahs Mom on the "all "sugars" aren't created equally so it's good to take a little time and learn about each one before deciding which one you want to use."

I am pretty sure that several of the all Natural alternatives I listed have issues too besides Agave. So research is a good thing as I see no point in removing an item from ones' diet and replacing it with a food just as bad or worse... like the big Palm Oil hype/scare and the man made substitute is just as bad and possably worse for you that is now in everything.

 

[COChix]

You don't have to wait to ferment their feed, especially if your feeding a lower quality of feed. The fermenting will help the chickens uptake the nutrients better. Just fermenting will greatly improve the health of your flock, at least it has for ours.

We have been using non-gmo seeds a mix of boss, oats, milo, safflower, and some pearl millet as a treat.
Reading about each one I believe the milo is not to be soaked something about a chemical increase that will be poisonous to my birds. I'm not sure if safflower is the same. The non-gmo seeds will not be available starting in May. I question if the new bags I bought this week are non-gmo or if I would be feeding my chickens chemicals I don't want them to have. I do make a mash 2x a week and add vitamins to make sure they have a good supply. They also free range most all day every day. I think I will feel better knowing what I'm starting with is really good quality without the chemicals before I try to make them change to the soaked feed.
Thank you for pointing out the nutrient factor it gives me something else to think about.

I understand the desire to feed the best, it sucks when organic and non-GMO isn't an option. Fermenting is rather easy and a good place to sart. Hope you have some luck finding what your looking for.

 

[COChix]

So i set 42 eggs this am....super excited.

42 Eggs total

15 - EE x BO from our flock
13 - mix of brown egg layers x BO from our flock

I picked up 14 eggs from a fellow BYC that lives close to me from her flock

12 - Ameraucana eggs from Percheron chick - Blue Wheaten Roo
2 - EE from Percheron chick - Blue Wheaten Roo X Cream Brabanters
e

 

[lalaland]

hooray!!! keep us posted on all those eggs incubating!