The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Melabella]

I miss vegetation already lol.

Me too... the girls seem to be wandering farther into the woods searching, searching, searching for bugs that will never come! I told them yesterday.. have a go at those flippin lymes ticks... we ALWAYS have plenty of those up here.. They go all year round... winter,, freezes..nah.. darn ticks are always plentiful. The Vectra is on the dogs 24/7 up here!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just like to know what you all do for your chickens to keep them healthy in a natural way. I have had 5 chickens for a 1 and 1/2 years now. I have been learning as I go. So this is what I do to keep them healthy.....garlic weekly, plain yogurt mixed with cayenne, ACV in their water(I've read that some use it daily and that some use it for a week and then stop for a week)not sure which is better, they eat organic feed, I am looking into organic scratch. Also they don't eat "junk" foods. Everything I give them is good "whole" food. I do think that makes a big difference in keeping an immune system healthy. So far they have been healthy, but they have tested positive for cocci--anything natural to give them for that to keep it under control?

I'd consider using ACV daily with mother, if you go to the blog at the bottom of most of our sigs, you'll find valuable info on how to treat for cocci, worms etc. I believe Bee recc. ACV for cocci. but don't quote me go see for yourself. also look at the ground they are on, do you do deep litter in your coop and run? can they be outside in the sun and also forage freely daily? these tips are all on the Natural Chicken keeping blog. good luck.

 

[lorain's fids]

Do you free range?

And for Cocci, every bird has a level in their gut of cocci. It's the overgrowth of it you don't want. ACV helps promote a healthy level in their gut. Remember it needs to be Unpasturized, and WITH mother.

I use Bragss ACV for the chickens, my rabbits, my dogs and for me too! Yes they do free range in my back yard. I do bring in a stool sample to the vet every 6 months or so--no worms, but last March they had tested high for cocci, I had to give them some meds and it was very hasrh on them. Last stool sample it was positive again for cocci but not enough to need meds. So maybe it is the ACV keeping things in check.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I miss vegetation already lol.

Me too, looking out the window this morning everything is white from frost. But my flock still seems to find stuff when foraging, but with the hawk threat daily now I have been going out with them, you/ve heard of the shepherds watching their flocks by night? well I am watching my flocks by day.

 

[aoxa]

Me too... the girls seem to be wandering farther into the woods searching, searching, searching for bugs that will never come! I told them yesterday.. have a go at those flippin lymes ticks... we ALWAYS have plenty of those up here.. They go all year round... winter,, freezes..nah.. darn ticks are always plentiful. The Vectra is on the dogs 24/7 up here!

Ticks were awful this summer here! Even the vet medicines for them had no effect. I gave them an all natural water supplement meant for ticks, and they finally stopped!

I don't want the ticks to bite at all. If they bite, but take a while to die: I still have to pull out disgusting ticks from my LGD! Not anymore!



Quote:

blood sucking insects. It is a natural way to protect your pet.

FLEA FREE added to your petʼs food emits an enzyme which blocks the protein the female
insect needs to lay eggs and thus causes her to jump off the pet.
FLEA FREE contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes safe and beneficial for
the health of any weaned, young, pregnant, nursing, breeding and senior animal. The
combination of natural ingredients is an excellent way to build up the immune system of
all animals.
FLEA FREE, in addition to a treatment against blood sucking insects and a healthy
supplement for the immune system of your pet, helps to maintain year round a moist
and supple skin and maintain a beautiful thick coat.
FLEA FREE, as a year round natural treatment, prevents dry and itchy skin throughout the
year and needless to say, stops scratching and itching during the months there are
blood sucking insects.
HOW IT WORKS
FLEA FREE works on all sizes of dogs. For example, for a medium size dog, add daily one
tablespoon to one quart of your petʼs drinking water or one teaspoon to your petʼs food.
For a smaller or larger pet, you would decrease or increase the amount by half.
FLEA FREE contains garlic, a detoxifier, immediately passes through the blood system,
cleansing impurities and emitting an enzyme which shields the protein the female insect
needs in order to lay eggs.
FLEA FREE also contains vinegar, citrus and other herbs which prevent the supplement
from going into the digestive tract but instead directs it straight into the blood stream.
When in the blood stream, flea free disables blood sucking insects from feeding on your
pet.
FLEA FREE can take approximately three days to 4 weeks depending on your petʼs weight,
metabolism, overall health and the degree of infestation.
FLEA FREE can be used with other vitamins and supplements to enhance your petʼs health
and well-being.

INGREDIENTS
FLEA FREE contains:
vinegar - is perhaps one of the natural ingredients that many might call an all-
round treatment for many conditions. Vinegar contains vitamins such as beta carotene,
minerals, amino acids and the aforementioned enzymes containing ninety different
components. Vinegarʼs effectiveness includes: treating gas in puppies; preventing
urinary tract in male cats, formation of mineral stones and helps to dissolve hairballs.
Further claims about vinegar include lengthening life, improving hearing and vision, and
calming nausea. Relief of conditions such as arthritis, sore muscles, pain, and
osteoporosis; prevention of cancer, kills infection, conditions the skin, aids digestion,
controls weight, preserves memory, slows aging of the body and mind and breakdown
of joints, bones and cartilage. Small wonder Flea Free uses vinegar as one of the
natural ingredients extremely useful for your petʼs safety and health.
garlic - is sometimes called “natureʼs antibiotic. With its ability to cleanse the liver
and break down toxins in the blood, garlic not only helps repel blood sucking insects but
also helps maintain a healthy heart and healthy skin and fur.
citrus and herbs - provides vitamin C, complex carbohydrates, and anti-oxidants
which help reduce free radical damage to tissue and organ systems. Common kitchen
herbs such as ginger, along with vinegar, help your pet digest Flea Free.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Me too... the girls seem to be wandering farther into the woods searching, searching, searching for bugs that will never come! I told them yesterday.. have a go at those flippin lymes ticks... we ALWAYS have plenty of those up here.. They go all year round... winter,, freezes..nah.. darn ticks are always plentiful. The Vectra is on the dogs 24/7 up here!

Ticks all year long? ewww, I hate ticks right up there with roaches. We didn't seem to have as many ticks this past summer so maybe the chickens and ducks are keeping them in check, they've just about eliminated every other bug. I just started my dogs on garlic to see if i maybe able to eliminate pesticides from their life too.

 

[aoxa]

Ticks all year long? ewww, I hate ticks right up there with roaches. We didn't seem to have as many ticks this past summer so maybe the chickens and ducks are keeping them in check, they've just about eliminated every other bug. I just started my dogs on garlic to see if i maybe able to eliminate pesticides from their life too.

Once I found a tick sucking on my NN hen's neck. Totally unacceptable!

 

[Melabella]

Ticks all year long? ewww, I hate ticks right up there with roaches. We didn't seem to have as many ticks this past summer so maybe the chickens and ducks are keeping them in check, they've just about eliminated every other bug. I just started my dogs on garlic to see if i maybe able to eliminate pesticides from their life too.

Once I found a tick sucking on my NN hen's neck. Totally unacceptable!

I wish I could go with garlic! I've gone nuclear... can't stand them! Lymes scares the heck out of me. I've had my children, I worry about my children getting it, as they have yet to start families.

aoxa, I have wondered if chickens get ticks,, then thought,, well, they must. Heck they are out there right in the thick of where they are! I was wondering if the big black thing on Duke's comb was one, but he wouldn't let me any where near him. I meant to go grab him off the roost one night, but the darn thing is gone now... hmmmmm

 

[lorain's fids]

I'd consider using ACV daily with mother, if you go to the blog at the bottom of most of our sigs, you'll find valuable info on how to treat for cocci, worms etc. I believe Bee recc. ACV for cocci. but don't quote me go see for yourself. also look at the ground they are on, do you do deep litter in your coop and run? can they be outside in the sun and also forage freely daily? these tips are all on the Natural Chicken keeping blog. good luck.

I am guessing ACV is the way to go to keep this problem in check.No deep litter method for me--I pick up the poop daily from their coop, run and my yard. And they do have run of my small yard during the day--sunshine,when available--lol!! I am guessing my soil is rich in oocystes(I think that what they are called?)

 

[Bulldogma]

I have a suggestion for people looking for healthier grains. Get in your car and drive the fields in your neighborhood. Look for the grain. Go find a nice looking farm and ask some questions.TTell them what you .are looking for. If they do not have it, the chances are they know someone who does. Find out who your local 4H Agri organizer is. For sure they are doing projects that are free from drugs and chemicals. Put an add in the local Craigs list, Look for others in your community who are looking for the same thing you are.

Delisha - more great suggestions! Thank YOU!!

I am guessing ACV is the way to go to keep this problem in check.No deep litter method for me--I pick up the poop daily from their coop, run and my yard. And they do have run of my small yard during the day--sunshine,when available--lol!! I am guessing my soil is rich in oocystes(I think that what they are called?)

I have added an "Index" tab at the top of the blog with quick reference links for all different subjects.

Here it is for those who are interested.

Also - We have some awesome information being passed about on this thread - expect to see it soon on the Blog!

Thank you all for your contributions!!