The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/is-my-chicken-a-pullet-hen-or-a-cockerel-cock
Thought I'd share this front page article.

I helped by providing quite a few images

 

[delisha]

Do you think she'll last the 21 days?

awwww..doubtful but she is cute while she is helping

 

[delisha]

Hi! May I join?

I sure hope you do...welcome!!

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Hi! May I join?

Hi, warning ya this thread moves at lightning speed sometimes. But lots of great natural information is shared here. If you have time, skim through all the posts.

 

[pcappy2]

finally, everyone inside is eating the FF I was worried for a couple days

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Thanks for all of the herb answers. For right now FF is not really our thing, but I will try the dried herbs. Thinking I might make them an herbal loaf of bread. They love bread, and I'm thinking it would less waste verses putting dried herbs in their feeders. now I just have to decide on the amount of each herb. And for how many days I'm willing to try it. Then off to the store since I'm almost out of oregano.

 

[Pullet Surprise]

Mumsy, do you think that 'Johnny cakes' would be a good way to dispense dried herbs for those not using FF????? At least for a while, lest the chickens become 'butterballs' ??

 

[aoxa]

Thanks for all of the herb answers. For right now FF is not really our thing, but I will try the dried herbs. Thinking I might make them an herbal loaf of bread. They love bread, and I'm thinking it would less waste verses putting dried herbs in their feeders. now I just have to decide on the amount of each herb. And for how many days I'm willing to try it. Then off to the store since I'm almost out of oregano.

You know if you're not into FF, you can just wet down their feed a bit with herbs in it. No fermenting necessary.

Wet feed is better for them than dry, and you don't have to do it every day.

I started out with wet feed before switching to FF.

Bread is not good for chickens at all. It's like McDonalds to humans.

 

[delisha]

finally, everyone inside is eating the FF I was worried for a couple days

I am glad everyone is eating!!!

Thanks for all of the herb answers. For right now FF is not really our thing, but I will try the dried herbs. Thinking I might make them an herbal loaf of bread. They love bread, and I'm thinking it would less waste verses putting dried herbs in their feeders. now I just have to decide on the amount of each herb. And for how many days I'm willing to try it. Then off to the store since I'm almost out of oregano.

Bread amongst other things can cause sour crop. In the case of bread, I think it is the process of turning to sugar in the hen's crop that is the cause of this. The sugar then allows yeasts to grow in the crop and adhere to the lining, so that the problem persists. If this is allowed to continue then opportunist bacteria can also start to infect the crop and you have a very nasty problem.
Dried out bread or hardtack soaked in buttermilk is OK to feed. The buttermilk acts like FF and will help to protect the crop and intestines.
Cooking or baking herbs or any natural food removes vital ingredient and vitamins. That is why it is recommended to use Unpasteurized and uncooked methods in most natural recipes.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/614951/help-me-with-sour-crop-please

 

[Mumsy]

Mumsy, do you think that 'Johnny cakes' would be a good way to dispense dried herbs for those not using FF????? At least for a while, lest the chickens become 'butterballs' ??

Sure. I put ground Rose Hips, Oregano, Parsley, and other things in them. I honestly don't think they get enough of the herbs by sharing a Johnny Cake though. You also could mix the powdered herbs in a bit of milk or buttermilk and then break up rusk-ed whole grain bread into it. Let it absorb the liquid. My birds love that as a special treat. Especially during molt.
If you don't put it into FF, I think the fastest way to get it into your birds in healthy amounts would be to give the herbs to them fresh to pick at. They will eat what they want in an amount that they need.
I cut back feeding my flock Johnny Cakes except on a rare occasion to my five adult birds. They are coming out of winter a little on the fat side and I want them to keep laying and fertility high. I break up a Johnny Cake for them to share about one a week. They get herbs in their FF each and everyday.