The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[HeritageGoose13]

I want to enjoy our chickens so I will do that as long as the remain healthy. If the MG crops up again we will have to probably cull and start over.

If you do have to do this, you should consider ducks. They lay as much as chickens but will not get MG.

On another note, does anyone know of any good natural chicken-keeping books? There's lots of info here but I like having a hard copy so I can access info if the power's out or computer's broken.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Finding "natural husbandry" in one book is kind-of hard to find.

Some of it is learned through trying to think of how an animal would be living if they were on their own in "the wild" and trying to emulate that as much as you can. I've learned so many things from articles all over the place including a general knowledge of confined feeding operations and what happens when pharmaceuticles are added to the mix, etc. I read and am a member of Weston A. Price foundation that is excellent education in a wide range including animal health and nutrition, study of traditional diet throughout the world, building the immune system naturally, etc. Some of Joel Salatin's books really get you thinking. There are also books on the specific use of herbs in animal husbandry and "medicine".


That being said, I have one book I really like, and another I use as a basic reference.


My favorite so far:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Small-Scale-Poultry-Flock-All-Natural/dp/1603582908

You can look at his website and see if the contents would be something you're interested in. Many of the articles included in the book are here: http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Poultry.html Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the article links.



I also have Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens. NOT NATURAL for the most part, but a good, broad reference.



If you like a more "urban/trendy" type reading that has some tips for natural things, herbs, etc., there's the Fresh Eggs Daily book. It tends to be a bit "girly" (curtains on the nest boxes for example

) ...written by someone who I think was a city person that moved to a place that she can keep horses, etc. (I won one of these in a contest on a blog...probably wouldn't have purchased it but since I won it, I read through and it has quite a few good ideas in it for various things.)

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Actually I can't stand anything urban or trendy, LOL. I'll check out the others, I have Storey's guide to ducks and enjoyed it though it had its flaws.

I did not realize Weston A Price was involved in animal health as well... that's interesting.

 

[JulesChicks]

I would second the Harvey Ussery book. I checked it out from the library but want to buy a copy as well.
DH says no way to ducks! So, have to keep it to chickens, but thanks!

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Why? Is it because ducks are messy? They're kind of a pain in that regard, I'll admit. Mud everywhere...

 

[CherMoz]

I LOVE Harvey Ussery's book.

 

[JulesChicks]

Why? Is it because ducks are messy? They're kind of a pain in that regard, I'll admit. Mud everywhere...

Yep! He says that and my brother has had them before and said he would never again. So no ducks for us. That's okay, we are loving the chickens!

I may check our used book store for the Ussery book or Amazon...I've wished I had a copy a few times since I returned the library book.

 

[lalaland]

thanks lacyblues and juleschick.

they are icelandics and ee's. oh, and sulmtalers. and a mystery hen.

on a good note, the raspberries are ripening, and it is fun to watch the hens jump into the air trying to nab the berries. There are plenty berries so I don't care if they eat some.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@lalaland
How many chickens do you have altogether currently? Just wondering how the broody issue is affecting your egg harvest.

PS: I think you answered this before but I'm slightly "brain-dead" with too many things going on right now to remember

 

[curious chickee]

Got my first egg today, so excited.

Wish we could have ducks, but with the draught not many ponds and DH doesn't warn to be wasting water constantly cleaning a duck pond.