The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[rambunctious]

I've been swayed. U-ACV in waters, un-medicated chick feed that will be fermented, deep litter (which I was planning anyway). Anything else? Instead of using shavings,for DLM, I was thinking of using http://www.lucernefarms.com/feeds_GOLD.shtml. I read about a few people having super success with it (https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/683176/experiment-with-bedding). My chicks are slated to arrive Feb 7th. When should I start fermenting? I can't tell you all how valuable everyone has been!

 

[jockeyeba]

Every once in a while I get an egg that has blood streaks on it.....what is the usual cause for that?

 

[Mumsy]

Every once in a while I get an egg that has blood streaks on it.....what is the usual cause for that?

Nothing to worry about. Usually nothing more than a small broken blood vessel in the hens oviduct.

 

[jockeyeba]

Every once in a while I get an egg that has blood streaks on it.....what is the usual cause for that?

Nothing to worry about. Usually nothing more than a small broken blood vessel in the hens oviduct.

Thank you

 

[Mumsy]

I've been swayed. U-ACV in waters, un-medicated chick feed that will be fermented, deep litter (which I was planning anyway). Anything else? Instead of using shavings,for DLM, I was thinking of using http://www.lucernefarms.com/feeds_GOLD.shtml. I read about a few people having super success with it (https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/683176/experiment-with-bedding). My chicks are slated to arrive Feb 7th. When should I start fermenting? I can't tell you all how valuable everyone has been!

I'm fermenting un-medicated all grain chick feed for my seven chicks. I add wild bird seed, dried flake Oregano, and powdered Pumpkin seed to it every other day when I add to my bucket.

My deep litter recipe is pine shavings, local grass hay, yard leaves, and saphgum peat moss. I fork it every day after my flock is turned out each morning. My barn and pens are small and my birds free range all day.
I use hard wood ash mixed with the peat moss in their dust bath. No mites or lice on my birds since switching to wood ash to dust instead of using poison. These are all things I learned here three months ago. My chicks and adult birds are thriving as a result. No sickness. No bugs. Well formed normal poo. Fertility, eggs, lush feathers, and bright eyes. What more could we ask for?
edited to add; Start your bucket a day or two before they arrive.

 

[delisha]

I concure that the feathers are poor quality feathers. It is genetic and nothing you have done. Lavender is a new color and line breeding not only brngs in good qualities it also brings in bad. You also have sever pinched tail. The feather quality is not a concern, the tail should be. I would never breed this bird.

 

[rambunctious]

When I see "wood ash" for dust bathing, is that literally ash from our fireplace? Can I add DE to it?

 

[delisha]

Very interesting on the Gold for bedding..I would think it would be great for chickens.

 

[delisha]

When I see "wood ash" for dust bathing, is that literally ash from our fireplace? Can I add DE to it?

You would not need DE, but, I see no reason why you could not if you had strong feelings about it. I do not use it for the simple reason it cost money and ash and dirt work well.

 

[rambunctious]

I'm fermenting un-medicated all grain chick feed for my seven chicks. I add wild bird seed, dried flake Oregano, and powdered Pumpkin seed to it every other day when I add to my bucket.

My deep litter recipe is pine shavings, local grass hay, yard leaves, and saphgum peat moss. I fork it every day after my flock is turned out each morning. My barn and pens are small and my birds free range all day.
I use hard wood ash mixed with the peat moss in their dust bath. No mites or lice on my birds since switching to wood ash to dust instead of using poison. These are all things I learned here three months ago. My chicks and adult birds are thriving as a result. No sickness. No bugs. Well formed normal poo. Fertility, eggs, lush feathers, and bright eyes. What more could we ask for?
edited to add; Start your bucket a day or two before they arrive.

You're wonderful! Thank you! Is that a 'shake" of oregano, and powdered pumpkin seed? Any particular 'wild bird seed'? Anything in that area I should avoid? Does it do something special for them? I just asked about the wood ash above, is that from my fireplace? Sorry for such the silly questions..