The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

ohhh good idea..!! lets compare the red blush! I love experiments!

I have two young cockerels who are trying with hormones running rampant and getting romped on..I will do them too.

 

[Sanna]

Have you guys seen this website? Or tried any of this?
http://www.grit.com/fresh-eggs-daily/nesting-box-herbs-chicken-aromatherapy.aspx

Nesting box herbs, aromatherapy for chickens. I thought it was interesting. I might plant some herbs in the spring and try it out.

 

[delisha]

Ash...
Do you have grass in your runs?
If you don't..toss your litter in! It will help to condition the dirt.

 

[Ashdoes]

You know, its funny everyone is talking about red on the Roos feet and after all the leg mite talk I've been looking at feet and noticed my boys have some red too. At first I was a little worried, because of all the leg mite talk, but my boys are the only ones with the red. They are also new to mating.
I've been adding Oregano to my FF lately. Maybe someone can list other add-ins and tell us the benefits? I like the idea of a different add-in for each bucket of FF, since I do two single buckets. I actually stopped putting BOSS in the FF because my chickens were picking it all out first and making a mess in the food. Works better for me to just sprout the BOSS as a weekly snack.

 

[delisha]

Have you guys seen this website? Or tried any of this?
http://www.grit.com/fresh-eggs-daily/nesting-box-herbs-chicken-aromatherapy.aspx

Nesting box herbs, aromatherapy for chickens. I thought it was interesting. I might plant some herbs in the spring and try it out.

Sanna,

Thanks for sharing this link. It sure has a large amount of information. I have learned about many herbs i have not tried .I can tell you are going to add to this wnderful thread..welcome!! and keep sharing!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I wanted to answer Del's question on what I've learned here that I've tried/used. I'm not sure I'll be able to think of ALL the things, but here's a list of what comes to mind for me:

-Ash in dust bath for mite/lice prevention.

-Everything about brooding w/a broody. And not being afraid to let the chicks be out in the cold - mom will take care of them.

-Feeding fresh herbs like cilantro as part of their greens during the winter. (Was doing items like Swiss chard, kale, beet tops, etc., just didn't think of herbs!)

-Learned I could look for (and find!) a vintage glass waterer base so I don't have to use a plastic base for my chicks! (I'm as much of a "purist" as possible with the plastic...hate using it...even though I'm using it for my cup waterers right now.)

-Learned lots of tips on how to process for meat. Probably wouldn't have tried it myself if it hadn't been for this thread. Was ready for our trial run and lesson we had with our friends here locally.

-Learned about when it's prudent to cull. Haven't had to do it but I'm glad I learned and am prepared before the fact. I've already considered all those questions ahead of time so that when the time comes I'll be able to have a better idea of when I need to do so, and more courage to carry it out.

-Learned how to examine the internals if I have to cull to try to determine why they may be unhealthy.

-Learned lots of good ways to treat scaly leg mites should I have a bout of them.



I'm sure I'll think of other things .....

Thanks to everyone who participates here.

 

[ocap]

i was wondering about adding grass clippings to ff, anyone try that?

 

[Mumsy]

ohhh good idea..!! lets compare the red blush! I love experiments!

I have two young cockerels who are trying with hormones running rampant and getting romped on..I will do them too.

OK!!! Let's do it! Bring on the 'HOT TO TROT' red rooster feet pictures! Preferrably before and after.

 

[Ashdoes]

Ash...
Do you have grass in your runs?
If you don't..toss your litter in! It will help to condition the dirt.

 

You would not believe the amount of stuff I'm dumping in that run. From the minute we put up the run walls I've been dumping any organic matter I have in there. I'm actually really happy right now. Two weeks ago I untied two bales of straw and spread it all over the run. Once a week I rake it all into four or five piles and dump scratch on each, and let the chickens get busy spreading it all back out. Then last week we had a good amount of snow drop, and the straw is being mixed and composted in really well. I'm really hoping that by spring I can throw the clover in there and have some really good coverage and soil.

 

[delisha]

I use Oregano..for an additional antioxidant and to keep my egg layers strong and lung healthy.
I use Cilantro for K for chicks to avoid wry neck
Garlic for mosquito deterrent and internal worms
Basil for strong heart and lungs