The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Sally8]

I have 1 RIR and I believe she is the one that lays the soft egg, in spite of all the oyster shell or ff I feed them. When our fuel co came to change out our propane tank, his family raises RIR's and he said that they used to have these problems until they gave them chick grit. Didn't make a difference with mine. After changing out a nest and cleaning it almost every single day, I'm taking steps this week end to making sure it's her and then she's gone. I've done this for 2 years and enough. Have you ever found a breed that seems to lay soft egg shells? I bought her as a pullet from a farmer so I don't know of her origin. She gets free range anywhere she wants here.

 

[Sally8]

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.

 

[Crafty-Duck]

Two out of five of my hens are from a hatchery.I wish I would have joined BYC before I got them!!! I was really bummed to learn my RIR is actually a Production Red

but then I had to hurry and get chickens!!!!!! I let my Muscovy duck hatch out my first chick and really no planning went into it!!!!!so when I realized the egg was good and was going to hatch I had to find some friends fast.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

I think the soft shell issue is a genetic thing if I remember correctly. So stopping it will be easy. I have a hen who lays one once in a while but not very often, she is heavy producer so I dont know if that may be a factor in it..

 

[katbriar]

Good morning! I've been lurking on the Gnarly Bunch thread and finally have created a profile to post! Unfortunately it's too late to tell Beekissed how much I've appreciated all her advice. I am glad to see so many familiar names that have moved to this thread. I've appreciated your insight too.

I notice a lot of discussion on this thread about starting earthworm farms and buying crickets. Something for those that are incline to "natural" methods that the species of crickets sold in pet stores and home-farmed worms are not really native to the area that you live in.

I am a biologist and have seen a lot of areas changed by nonnative species. Be careful what you let loose (alive) outside. It can change your environment!

http://www.allaboutwildlife.com/invasive-species/invasive-eartworms-in-american-soil/4545
But in ecosystems that developed without worms, they can actually cause harm. for instance the ecology of northern forests often depends on a thick layer of leaf litter remaining on the ground throughout the year. But earthworms remove that leaf litter by converting it to topsoil—and that seemingly benign action can so completely change the chemistry and biology of the forest that native plants and trees are no longer able to grow there.

http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/2011/05/cricket-crisis.html

That's my two cents. Now, back to chickens!

 

[Crafty-Duck]

Good morning! I've been lurking on the Gnarly Bunch thread and finally have created a profile to post! Unfortunately it's too late to tell Beekissed how much I've appreciated all her advice. I am glad to see so many familiar names that have moved to this thread. I've appreciated your insight too.

I notice a lot of discussion on this thread about starting earthworm farms and buying crickets. Something for those that are incline to "natural" methods that the species of crickets sold in pet stores and home-farmed worms are not really native to the area that you live in.

I am a biologist and have seen a lot of areas changed by nonnative species. Be careful what you let loose (alive) outside. It can change your environment!

http://www.allaboutwildlife.com/invasive-species/invasive-eartworms-in-american-soil/4545
But in ecosystems that developed without worms, they can actually cause harm. for instance the ecology of northern forests often depends on a thick layer of leaf litter remaining on the ground throughout the year. But earthworms remove that leaf litter by converting it to topsoil—and that seemingly benign action can so completely change the chemistry and biology of the forest that native plants and trees are no longer able to grow there.

http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/2011/05/cricket-crisis.html

That's my two cents. Now, back to chickens!

Well said!!!!!! this is something most people do not think about.

 

[delisha]

Quote: Do you want to hatch your own now? or are you looking for a trio?

 

[delisha]

Good morning! I've been lurking on the Gnarly Bunch thread and finally have created a profile to post! Unfortunately it's too late to tell Beekissed how much I've appreciated all her advice. I am glad to see so many familiar names that have moved to this thread. I've appreciated your insight too.

I notice a lot of discussion on this thread about starting earthworm farms and buying crickets. Something for those that are incline to "natural" methods that the species of crickets sold in pet stores and home-farmed worms are not really native to the area that you live in.

I am a biologist and have seen a lot of areas changed by nonnative species. Be careful what you let loose (alive) outside. It can change your environment!

http://www.allaboutwildlife.com/invasive-species/invasive-eartworms-in-american-soil/4545
But in ecosystems that developed without worms, they can actually cause harm. for instance the ecology of northern forests often depends on a thick layer of leaf litter remaining on the ground throughout the year. But earthworms remove that leaf litter by converting it to topsoil—and that seemingly benign action can so completely change the chemistry and biology of the forest that native plants and trees are no longer able to grow there.

http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/2011/05/cricket-crisis.html

That's my two cents. Now, back to chickens!

I am glad you added additional information and knowledge. I never considered this, and well i never though to purchase crickets either. The chickens can go find there own. I had been debating about tossing out the fishing worms in my pile of compost and now i changed my mind. I have no idea where the worms came from. Thank you.

 

[Crafty-Duck]

Worm farm this is what I do.........



I have a circle of cement blocks in my yard, I then add to it all of the bark chips from the coop there are so many worms in it!!!!!!! the chickens love scratching in it and digging and eating all the worms they want.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Worm farm this is what I do.........



I have a circle of cement blocks in my yard, I then add to it all of the bark chips from the coop there are so many worms in it!!!!!!! the chickens love scratching in it and digging and eating all the worms they want.

ooo love that idea. I have a huge old tractor tire, maybe I can use that