The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Ashdoes]

While I thoroughly enjoyed the Road thread, I was pretty disappointed in the my way or no way attitude the last few days. I just want to learn about chickens, and the natural aspects of taking care of them. I also like having friendly chats, be it chickens or otherwise. I've really enjoyed talking with everyone from that thread and hope we can continue to have fun while learning.
I think it's great that BDM started this new thread, and that she's continuing the blog despite everything.
~Ashley

 

[Ashdoes]

Has anyone started a worm farm, with something other than meal worms? I bought hubby a red worm composting habitat, and am pretty excited to get that going. The worms are for two things, one buying fishing worms has gotten so expensive and two for the chickens. Just wondering if anyone else is worm farming.

 

[aoxa]

While I thoroughly enjoyed the Road thread, I was pretty disappointed in the my way or no way attitude the last few days. I just want to learn about chickens, and the natural aspects of taking care of them. I also like having friendly chats, be it chickens or otherwise. I've really enjoyed talking with everyone from that thread and hope we can continue to have fun while learning.
I think it's great that BDM started this new thread, and that she's continuing the blog despite everything.
~Ashley

Well said Ashley

BDM, I love your positive attitude, and how you word things. You're very intelligent, and you can clearly see that in your posts.

 

[aoxa]

Has anyone started a worm farm, with something other than meal worms? I bought hubby a red worm composting habitat, and am pretty excited to get that going. The worms are for two things, one buying fishing worms has gotten so expensive and two for the chickens. Just wondering if anyone else is worm farming.

I'd love to farm some night crawlers! They are so much less disgusting than mealworms.

 

[Ashdoes]

Has anyone started a worm farm, with something other than meal worms? I bought hubby a red worm composting habitat, and am pretty excited to get that going. The worms are for two things, one buying fishing worms has gotten so expensive and two for the chickens. Just wondering if anyone else is worm farming.

I'd love to farm some night crawlers! They are so much less disgusting than mealworms. 

I'm thinking about doing night crawlers as well. They are more a dirt based worm, and I'd have to research a bit more before I knew exactly how to care for them. The cool thing about the red worms is that they compost. You feed them kitchen scraps, veggies and fruit and all that stuff. You still get the casings from them, and they're high in protein for the chickens. You're right about the meal worms, even my husband refuses to touch them if I start a batch.

 

[aoxa]

I'm thinking about doing night crawlers as well. They are more a dirt based worm, and I'd have to research a bit more before I knew exactly how to care for them. The cool thing about the red worms is that they compost. You feed them kitchen scraps, veggies and fruit and all that stuff. You still get the casings from them, and they're high in protein for the chickens. You're right about the meal worms, even my husband refuses to touch them if I start a batch.

The meal worms are just wrong looking to me. I once got dried mealworms, and they didn't like them all that much. I bought them crickets, and WOW. That was a fave. They loved catching them. The ones that escaped bred outside and sung me to sleep every night this summer.

Red worms.. are those like regular earth worms? My knowledge is nil when it comes to insects.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

I really want to start some meal worms , I have heard they are easy, but smelly lol. Nightcrawlers would be great, not as smelly I have read. I love the idea of this thread and yes the road thread was kind of a " if you are not in the circle of ttrusted friends" they do not even bother with you.
I use herbs to treat conditions and illnesses in my flock, other animals and family. I love being as natural as possible

 

[aoxa]

I really want to start some meal worms , I have heard they are easy, but smelly lol. Nightcrawlers would be great, not as smelly I have read. I love the idea of this thread and yes the road thread was kind of a " if you are not in the circle of ttrusted friends" they do not even bother with you.
I use herbs to treat conditions and illnesses in my flock, other animals and family. I love being as natural as possible

Great to hear! So glad you're joining us!

 

[tadpole98]

All natural and free ranged flock here

thanks for starting this thread!

 

[Bulldogma]

I'm thrilled to see so many new faces here! For those of you who use all natural means and remedies, please share what kinds of herbs or other things you have had success using (and for what issues - or preventions)??