The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[SallyinIndiana]

So I decided to investigate further on herbs/flowers that are edible & beneficial for chickens.

Here are a couple interesting links I found for those who are interested

http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/01/nesting-box-herbs-chicken-aromatherapy.html
http://www.herbcottage.com.au/blog/2010/10/herbs-for-healthy-chickens/


I listed a few that I knew others might be interested in, Def some great info with the upcoming planting season:

​

Oregano - combats coccidia, salmonella, infectious bronchitis, avian flue, blackhead and ecoli
Fennel -laying stimulant
Garlic - laying stimulant
Sage - antioxidant, anti-parasitic, general health promoter

I also read parsley was a laying stimulant

I might just but some parsley & add more garlic to their FF for a week or two & see if it increases their laying. I keep a daily log so it should be interesting.

​

With the laying stimulant herbs, do they need to be in a ff or can I put some dried herbs in the feeder with layer pellets? And would the chickens eat the dried herbs or only fresh herbs? Lastly if I use the herbs to get my chickens to start laying would I need them all of the time or just to start laying and each following winter?

The brain tanning posts were very eye opening to me. I must say I did not know that brains are a part of the preserving process. I will so think differently when I see a dried skin now. And I can only imagine the smell. Definately not a process I'm interested in doing myself.

 

[armorfirelady]

With the laying stimulant herbs, do they need to be in a ff or can I put some dried herbs in the feeder with layer pellets? And would the chickens eat the dried herbs or only fresh herbs? Lastly if I use the herbs to get my chickens to start laying would I need them all of the time or just to start laying and each following winter?

If it was me I would add the dry herbs to the FF but I am guessing moss hens would eat the dry herbs as well? I am just going to try it ans see which way they like it best. As of now I add the oregano, cayenne & garlic to their FF. It smells wonderful

As for when to start the herbs for laying I didnt see any mention of when to start it. But my next stop at the grocery store I am picking up some parsley & garlic and going to add it to their FF and see if they start laying more frequently. I track daily the number of eggs they lay so it shouldnt be to hard to see if it works or not

 

[delisha]

I really enjoyed the creepy, bloody egg mystery solving. I'm continually amazed by the things theses chickens do, and the ability of this group of people to figure out and solve or at least explain the issue.
While I don't think I'll ever do any skinning of chickens, it's quite interesting to read about the process.
I'm very excited, my husband and I finally agreed on which breed of duck we want, Runners, and I'll order some over the summer. Delisha, what do you do with the duck eggs? Do they taste the same as chicken eggs? My MIL already wants some for baking, but I'm wondering what I do the rest, besides hatching. And, do ducks roost, or do they like to be on the ground? I'm sure I'll have more questions down the road, I'm a researcher planner of everything I do.

Good first step...research! great responsible pet ownership..I wish more were like you.

Only Muscovy's roost

I bake with duck eggs..they taste similar to chicken egg, they have a firmer texture. Richer flavor. You will be delighted on how well they do with baking..much better then chicken eggs. Your cakes will be fluffier and look larger. When I make any type of quiche... duck eggs is the way to go, same with scrambled. For an old fashion fried egg you can't beat a chicken egg. For more information about runners...Stoney is your guy..I would be delighted to give you all the information I do have about them. I just do not have them because of meat.They are not a meat bird..they are an egg bird. I blow out my eggs and sell the shells on Craig's list. I freeze all the inside of the eggs after baking them for the chickens for treats. An egg contains all the vitamins and nutrients a bird needs. Unfortunately with cooking they loose some.

 

[delisha]

Sally,
No they do not need to be on FF. The herbs work without it. the FF allows the herbs to work better.

 

[delisha]

Quote:

 

[Mumsy]

Could you tell me more about the kerosene and worms Mumsy. My internet has been bad very bad. I really don't want to go back through the pages it would take days. Maybe even pm it to me because I can't hardly surf at all right now. They are working on it but for now it is terrible.

Sent you a PM.

 

[Melabella]

Do you think she'll last the 21 days?

 

[countrygirl74]

So I decided to investigate further on herbs/flowers that are edible & beneficial for chickens.

Here are a couple interesting links I found for those who are interested

http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/01/nesting-box-herbs-chicken-aromatherapy.html
http://www.herbcottage.com.au/blog/2010/10/herbs-for-healthy-chickens/


I listed a few that I knew others might be interested in, Def some great info with the upcoming planting season:

​

Oregano - combats coccidia, salmonella, infectious bronchitis, avian flue, blackhead and ecoli
Fennel -laying stimulant
Garlic - laying stimulant
Sage - antioxidant, anti-parasitic, general health promoter

I also read parsley was a laying stimulant

I might just but some parsley & add more garlic to their FF for a week or two & see if it increases their laying. I keep a daily log so it should be interesting.

​

Awesome information - thanks for sharing! It helps me decide what I want to grow in the garden this year too!

 

[countrygirl74]

And thanks to Delisha, we now know it is possible to brainwash a dead bird!

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Our Buff pullet, Teriyaki is not doing well. I think she has a blockage in her digestive tract. I gave them some ham pieces yesterday, the only new thing they have gotten. Her crop is full of liquid and squishy, so I know not impacted crop. I got some EVOO into her to hopefully get things moving. Gonna give her some more before I leave for work and put some Molasses in it too. If she makes it through the night I think she has a chance.