The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[chickiemomy]

thx all for the feedback on antibiotics in chick feed - I was making an assumption that medicated automatically meant anti-biotic - glad to see that is not necessarily true. when in doubt - read the label & do the research!

 

[Melabella]

So, if I get manure, I can just dump it into the chicken run?

One could but it's not recommended. . If the chickens get to a pile before I have a chance to clean it up, they go through it as BDM mentioned looking for any undigested grains, and basically just break it all down until is looks like it's been shredded and spread evenly. It then dries out much quicker than if left in a pile. One problem with fresh manure being spread is it burns whatever it lays on. It is not yet in the stage where it is beneficial to plant life. It also creates toxic run off when rained on, spreading bacteria and harmful pathogens into well and drinking water. Parasites also lay their eggs in it, promoting harmful infestations to livestock. Correct and proper composting of manure will turn to wonderful organic compost soil that we all know is like GOLD. Aeration composting is favorable for many reasons, a few being...

• Controls the pile temperature, destroying pathogens, parasites and weed seeds;
• Significantly increases the rate of composting;
• Mitigates problems with offensive odors, flies and rodents;
• Degrades vaccines, antibiotics, deworming products and pesticides;
• Converts a raw waste into a humus-rich soil amendment for use in pastures;
• Produces superior quality compost with strong market value;

I've been saving my pennies, and hopefully in 2013, I will make the 200 pounds of manure I shovel each day work for me, and I can realize some money out of all the feed that goes into my animals, and gets well you know.... digested out the other end.

MB

 

[Melabella]

MB your birds are beautiful! I got a half dozen buckets of free manure a few weeks ago for my gardens and my girls thought it was the best thing in the world lol

Thank you amorfirelady! I would love to get some better pictures of them soon. Yes, they do love their manure!

 

[delisha]

Great pics, MB! Horses pass a lot of undigested grains... and now your chickens are giving those sad little grains a second chance!
LOL!

Very pretty birds!

x2!!

It is like a present letting them play in all of that poo!!

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Quote: It does two things..1. .bugs hate citrus..and 2. it smells nice
Thanks, gonna have to give that a whirl.

Quote:
In this pic you can see the difference. Black is black all the way down to base of the feathers. Dark Blue has nearly black looking feathers on the top of the feathers, but if you look down at bottom of the shaft it will be blue, almost dark grey. The flash on the camera hides the natural color difference.

 

[delisha]

So, if I get manure, I can just dump it into the chicken run?

They will love you!! but you might want to cover it with straw after they are done playing in it

 

[delisha]

Quote: It does two things..1. .bugs hate citrus..and 2. it smells nice
Thanks, gonna have to give that a whirl.

Quote:
In this pic you can see the difference. Black is black all the way down to base of the feathers. Dark Blue has nearly black looking feathers on the top of the feathers, but if you look down at bottom of the shaft it will be blue, almost dark grey. The flash on the camera hides the natural color difference.
Your slkies are so cute...Thank you for posting them..they are growing so fast

 

[delisha]

Mumsy...

In a few days recheck those feathers..the ones with uneven feathers will be males I bet....The ones with even feathers will be females.

 

[Pullet Surprise]

Quote: Good question..I would like to know that too..
I think it is a very distinct possibility/probability, just off the top of my head. I am sure there is some science behind it, just need to find it. It's kind of like a septic tank system, all the anti-biotic soaps do not help at all, so the inspector guy when we built our house told us to make sure to wash some yeast down the drain once a month to keep the wee beasties doing what they were supposed to & go light on the antibiotic cleaners and soaps.....does that make sense and does it seem to have a connection to ACV & medicated food???

 

[aoxa]

Great way to keep things in perspective, Loin.

Mille Fleur is French and pronounced "Mill Fler."

As for D'uccle... I've heard "Duckle," "Duke-le" and a few other variations - LOL! Not sure about that one.

It's DEE Uccle I have a friend who raises them and shows them exclusively. She deals with only two breeds.