The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Angel16]

okay great! i was wondering what to use as a de-wormer for the chickens. is there something that ia also good as a repellent for lice, parasites, fleas, and worms??

 

[countrygirl74]

I use pumpkin seeds as a preventative for worms... I'm sure others will chime in here on all the different natural ways. As for mites, etc., I keep a bin in their run filled with wood ash for them to dust bathe in.


Okay, so after watching this video - I am thinking I am going to be watching those ravens more closely. I knew they were sneaky little boogers but didn't know they were quite that smart. And due to the size of the ravens we have around here, I am now not going to put it past them to come after even some of my bigger chickens, but especially concerned about my silkies. They do seem to keep the hawks away though.

 

[Mumsy]

Also with the pumpkins.. How do you manage this time of year when there isn't any for sale? I purchased a ton of pumpkin seeds that are from a local vendor as well (organic again) and they are perfect for our climate. I'll have lots if I do it right I guess

Not sure if I posted this picture before, but this is the pumpkin seed I have been using for months now. It's called 'Chuck a Nut'. Produced in Oregon. I buy it in the wild bird food aisle at my local feed store. A high quality product but not expensive.
Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein...30% Crude fat.....15% Crude fiber.....21%

Pumpkins seeds are listed in the top ten foods with highest protein content. Right up there with sirloin steak.

I purchase the 3 lb. bag. It lasts me quite a while. My flock is small right now. I think it comes in larger sizes.

I put a cup or two into my old blender and store it in a pint jar with a tight fitting lid. I LOVE the aroma of fresh ground pumpkin seed. Smells like flowers and fruit.

 

[delisha]

Quote: www.TheFancyChick.com

I want to get bantam Partridge Cochins eventually. The DH loves them..

 

[Leahs Mom]

I have an oregano question.

I just bought a lb of organic Mediterranean Oregano leaves (dried, Frontier, non-irradiated). The price is way better by the lb than by the jar. *I re-packaged the lb into quart jars and vacuum-sealed them with my vac sealer. It made 5 quarts!

So the question is: How much oregano do you add to your feed. I will add it just before feeding (not putting it in the ferment container).

SPECIFICALLY - give me an approximate of how much you'd add to 1C of fermented feed.







***(A real aside...... BTW...do you guys use these? I learned about them a couple years ago and bought a vac sealer just to use them...take a look at the video of how they work..I love this thing and use it all the time! This is for vac sealing dry goods...not for canning! Got the attachments for under $10 Each at the Foodsaver website.)


ETA: You can re-use the lids over and over. You take off the lid, get out what you need, then re-seal. It extends the shelf life of LOTS of items including dried fruits, rice...grains, etc.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

That would be wonderful! I love the smell of garlic, and we eat it like crazy. I've started cooking (weird - because before this I hated cooking lol) and I put 1 clove of garlic per person if I make potatoes. It's so good. I don't notice too much garlic taste.. But the smell is something else.

My mom can not have garlic. If I have anything to say about it. She sweats it right out of her pores, and it smells REALLY terrible. I can't handle her when she eats garlic lol. I work with her - so yes I do notice whenever she does.
Vicki, so excited for you! Can't wait for pictures

I'm going to get some mottled cochin bantams from a breeder with the best in North America (according to APA judge Jamie Carson anyway).

Garlic is so awesome. It has sooo many health benefits!

does the eggs taste/smell like garlic??

No hint or taste of garlic.

Although I cannot say that the thought of adding, meat, cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper, and having the eggs come out tasting like that would be AWESOME! Heehhee

okay great! i was wondering what to use as a de-wormer for the chickens. is there something that ia also good as a repellent for lice, parasites, fleas, and worms??

Apple Cider Vinegar with the 'mother' in it, will help. : )

 

[delisha]

Quote:
www.TheFancyChick.com

 

[ssterling1776]

Where did you order the GL Orpington chicks from? Thanks![/quote]

www.TheFancyChick.com
[/quote]

Love Nellie's birds but can't afford to purchase 15 min at those prices

I did get golden cuckoo eggs from her...hatched 5 males; only 1 female

 

[aoxa]

www.TheFancyChick.com

I want to get bantam Partridge Cochins eventually. The DH loves them..

I would have chosen partridge too. I want good quality birds (show quality) and this guy does black, white and mottled. I would say mottled is my second favourite pattern out there. After partridge. Though those silver pencilled Barnevelders are gorgeous!



Check out this pattern. Gorgeous isn't it?

 

[delisha]

Quote: wow..very pretty