The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Melabella]

Night all - I'm off to bed. Driving to NC tomorrow to pick up a Silkie hen or two for my 9-year-old.

Oh, new sister wives?? We must see pictures, and remember clean your license plate!

Safe trip Leigh,

 

[Crafty-Duck]

The new remedies thread is great just what I have been waiting for!!!!!! I tried to get a thread going similar but couldn't generate any interest.

 

[jlynnet]

Geesh! I go o work and this thread explodes! Hope I can catch up. So happy to hear the blog is still going.

 

[delisha]

Leigh,

You asked if you could quote me about RIR. The information I posted is the history of the RIR. No need to quote me. That information came from the RIR Club and the SOP information web site.
I can tell you just my perception of the breed and what I like about them.

They are calm and regal birds. Not much for shenanigans. They are always busy working. I would not call theses birds needy. They are just fine with out the petting and picking up. They do like to hang around if you have corn though, so be careful with treats or simply don't. They will sometimes skip the FF in the morning and just go off to forage. They are some of my heavier birds. I probably purchased my first RIR's from a neighbor in 1980. I also picked up a few at the State Fair. It was a pretty hefty price back then. I think I must have paid $2.00 for a laying hen. You could buy a butchered whole chicken for under a dollar. They had packaged Cornish hens for two for .99. I lived really close to some big duck and chicken farms and learned really fast what not to do. I learned what to do by going to fairs and shows and asking questions. I had no interest in showing chickens, I just wanted to spend as little money as possible, grow the healthiest and biggest chickens that layed the most eggs. RIR was the best dual purpose bird that I knew of at that time. I really like them because they are self sustaining. You really do not have to do much with them. They are hardy, healthy and active, very predator aware and flock aware. They are dark rich red with some black. Nothing fancy. But if you want a good egg layer that makes a fine table fair, it is one of the best birds you will find. I don't know about the hatchery RIR. I think those are production reds called RIR. They are bred to lay more eggs, lighter in frame and color.

There is nothing wrong with hatchery birds if your plan is to raise them and butcher them. They work just fine. Just make sure you understand for egg laying they usually have one really good laying season, maybe two, than it tapers off dramatically. BYC has taught me that there are some pretty sick birds filled with worms all over the place and I wonder if the hatchery birds are not as resistant. They sure have some beautiful birds though, and it is sometimes impossible to get them any other way.

I have butchered chickens for quite some time. I raised goats, sheep, horses, cows, dogs, cats, and probably every rodent that is legal.I have never asked the vet to look at my chickens even when he came out to look at the other animals. I have never used chemical wormers, drugs, antibiotics, DE or diapers on my chickens. I never knew it was needed. I eat my chickens. I butcher them personally. If my chickens had worms I am pretty sure I would notice. I fed my animals squashes, apples, onions, cucumbers, pumpkins, garlic, and they picked in my herb garden. They used the sand pit and the fire pit. I never lost a bird to disease or illness. Part of that is animal husbandry..the other part belongs the the breed. I have some outstanding, healthy breeds.

 

[lorain's fids]

I'm simply humbled to be asked to do a blog post. This is my busiest time of year so it will have to wait a lil bit.

For those who don't know me, or for those who think they know me..... I've been keeping chickens for only 9 years, 8 of them natural. I learned really quickly not to meddle too much. I've been using deep litter for the entire 9 years. Total free range for most of the flock for 7 years. I do keep a few breeding pens. Not those tiny cruel pens for only 2 birds like you see breeders using, but pens with room to move. I've NEVER had a case of bumblefoot, NEVER had a lice or mite infestation, NEVER seen a worm in chicken droppings, NEVER used meds, NEVER vaccinated. I butcher extra roosters, selecting who stays myself by simple observation over a several month period. Old hens are allowed to die of old age. They earned that right. Manyof my RIR hens are 5 to 6 years old, still lay well, and 3 of the old girls went broody and raised very healthy broods. All freerange, all natural. I've had over a hundred broody hens in the last few years. Less than some , more than most. All are allowed to do what they please. I don't step in.
Sometimes I may come across short and abrupt. I call it being pithy. Short and to the point. If my post appears offensive, I promise you it wasn't meant to be. There is too much going on in life for me to even think of being PC. So don't take offence, I am what I am.

I can ONLY give advice based on MY FLOCK and how they react to me and my ways. I always try to point this out, sometimes forgetting. But if I say this is what I do, it is because it works for me. Many OT's attack me for saying what I do, but....ehh, it is what it is. My way's work for me, they should for you, but flock dynamics differ.

For those of you who know of my Pekins, they seem well today. One girl was doing what I call the "funky duck". Tomorrow they will at the very least spend the day in their pen next to the runners. As soon as I see fit, they will all move in together. My Pekin girls need to get out in General population and move and groove as ducks do to heal faster. Of show me that they won't. Either way, they need to get out and do their thing.
I have bloviated enough

 

[Leahs Mom]

I have never pureed/cooked/fried/ boiled meats/grains/legumes for the birds ever and to my knowledge my hens have not done it for the chicks either. (I am trying to be funny in a smart *** way do not be offended)However I have steamed wild rice for them. I honestly have tried to let chickens be chickens and try to duplicate what a hen would do for her chicks. Worms are huge. A brand new chick will look at a worm like it is a monster until one brave chick grabs it or pokes it, then the whole crew plays keep away. They honestly eat raw meat extremely well. I do not know anyone who is going to puree worms and..that is raw.

That's what I always said about roasted soybeans....never saw chickens sitting around a campfire roasting soybeans on sticks....

(And since they can't eat them if they're not roasted, it stands to reason that NO ONE should feed their chickens feed with soy in it...)

I have fed raw meat cut up into tiny pieces to my chicks and continue to do so for the pullets and hens. When they were little I'd either use meat cut very small - about 1/4" pieces -or- ground meat and just break it into small pieces. I throw it down for them and let them all race around trying to be the first one there - like they do with worms/bugs. They love it and it's good for them.

As I posted earlier, the liver is used for riboflavin. When there is a riboflavin deficiency you get the "curly toes" and eventual lameness if it isn't taken care of quickly. If you feed a commercial feed mix you probably won't have the need for supplementing riboflavin. However, meaties seem to have a greater need - as well as some specific breeds. If there is a riboflavin deficiency you usually see it in the first 2 weeks of life with the curly toes and "walking" on their hocks rather than feet.

MANY have fed the chopped liver during those first 2 weeks as a preventative. Just one of those "natural" things that has kept the chicks from going lame. In all of this, you have to remember that if those chicks were outdoors eating what their momma would be feeding them, they would be way more likely to be getting those nutrients from their environment and, yes, momma would help them eat any raw meat and/or bugs, etc. that she finds!

Please be aware of this: If you feed medicated feeds, the medication therein causes an inability to absorb certain vitamins - B1/B2 (thiamin/riboflavin) in particular. Hopefully most of us here don't feed the medicated feeds but, in case some do, you need to be aware of this and supplement accordingly.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

That's what I always said about roasted soybeans....never saw chickens sitting around a campfire roasting soybeans on sticks....

(And since they can't eat them if they're not roasted, it stands to reason that NO ONE should feed their chickens feed with soy in it...)

I have fed raw meat cut up into tiny pieces to my chicks and continue to do so for the pullets and hens. When they were little I'd either use meat cut very small - about 1/4" pieces -or- ground meat and just break it into small pieces. I throw it down for them and let them all race around trying to be the first one there - like they do with worms/bugs. They love it and it's good for them.

As I posted earlier, the liver is used for riboflavin. When there is a riboflavin deficiency you get the "curly toes" and eventual lameness if it isn't taken care of quickly. If you feed a commercial feed mix you probably won't have the need for supplementing riboflavin. However, meaties seem to have a greater need - as well as some specific breeds. If there is a riboflavin deficiency you usually see it in the first 2 weeks of life with the curly toes and "walking" on their hocks rather than feet.

MANY have fed the chopped liver during those first 2 weeks as a preventative. Just one of those "natural" things that has kept the chicks from going lame. In all of this, you have to remember that if those chicks were outdoors eating what their momma would be feeding them, they would be way more likely to be getting those nutrients from their environment and, yes, momma would help them eat any raw meat and/or bugs, etc. that she finds!

Please be aware of this: If you feed medicated feeds, the medication therein causes an inability to absorb certain vitamins - B1/B2 (thiamin/riboflavin) in particular. Hopefully most of us here don't feed the medicated feeds but, in case some do, you need to be aware of this and supplement accordingly.

Wonderful. Love the info. And yes I also try to pass this info on about the medicated feed

I have never pureed/cooked/fried/ boiled meats/grains/legumes for the birds ever and to my knowledge my hens have not done it for the chicks either. (I am trying to be funny in a smart *** way do not be offended)However I have steamed wild rice for them. I honestly have tried to let chickens be chickens and try to duplicate what a hen would do for her chicks. Worms are huge. A brand new chick will look at a worm like it is a monster until one brave chick grabs it or pokes it, then the whole crew plays keep away. They honestly eat raw meat extremely well. I do not know anyone who is going to puree worms and..that is raw.

Wow, thats great! I guess I was over thining it. I would rather feed as raw as possible. I just thought the meat would be too tough. Worms are soft bodied so though didnt count

I know the keep away tearing larger pieces up routine. It is nice to be able to let them eat as natural as possible.

 

[Melabella]

"That's what I always said about roasted soybeans....never saw chickens sitting around a campfire roasting soybeans on sticks....

(And since they can't eat them if they're not roasted, it stands to reason that NO ONE should feed their chickens feed with soy in it...)"



AGREED!

Soybean is one of the most heavily sprayed pesticide crops in this country. It also breaks down in the body and mimics estrogen. I have been medically advised to avoid it at all costs
because of breast cancer issues in my family. it was tricky to find an affordable chicken feed without soy in it, but Agway has a layer pellet that contains no soy. I have started it on my girls and soon want to begin feeding FF so as I can also add some natural grains from the local feed mill.


Love the campfire smileyies!

 

[Leahs Mom]

They are calm and regal birds. Not much for shenanigans. They are always busy working. I would not call theses birds needy. They are just fine with out the petting and picking up. They do like to hang around if you have corn though, so be careful with treats or simply don't. They will sometimes skip the FF in the morning and just go off to forage. They are some of my heavier birds. I probably purchased my first RIR's from a neighbor in 1980. I also picked up a few at the State Fair. It was a pretty hefty price back then. I think I must have paid $2.00 for a laying hen. You could buy a butchered whole chicken for under a dollar. They had packaged Cornish hens for two for .99. I lived really close to some big duck and chicken farms and learned really fast what not to do. I learned what to do by going to fairs and shows and asking questions. I had no interest in showing chickens, I just wanted to spend as little money as possible, grow the healthiest and biggest chickens that layed the most eggs. RIR was the best dual purpose bird that I knew of at that time. I really like them because they are self sustaining. You really do not have to do much with them. They are hardy, healthy and active, very predator aware and flock aware. They are dark rich red with some black. Nothing fancy. But if you want a good egg layer that makes a fine table fair, it is one of the best birds you will find. I don't know about the hatchery RIR. I think those are production reds called RIR. They are bred to lay more eggs, lighter in frame and color.

Delisha - Where can I get some REAL RIRs today? I don't plan on showing either, but am looking forward to a time where I can keep my own flock going by letting them hatch their own. I think it would be great to have a few good birds to start that process.

Right now I have 2 RIR from the hatchery among my birds.

 

[Bulldogma]

Delisha - Where can I get some REAL RIRs today? I don't plan on showing either, but am looking forward to a time where I can keep my own flock going by letting them hatch their own. I think it would be great to have a few good birds to start that process.

Right now I have 2 RIR from the hatchery among my birds.

Xs 2! I'm making my list of what I want to add to our laying flock this spring.