The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

I think BK had some things to say about this on the GB thread (if I remember right)

I would rather other peoples advice.

 

[Bulldogma]

Hey Leahs Mom - thank you for that story you sent me for the thing. After not hearing back from the Poultry Cup Drinker people, I went ahead and put it up in that place. I looks great!

 

[mrsamplias]

Quote: x2

I am so excited!! My daughter and I are going to the Northeastern Poultry Congress in Springfield, MA on 1/19! It's on the Big E Fairgrounds and admission is free. Saturday 9-3 and Sunday 9-noon. Thank you, thank you, thank you...Delisha, for the link to shows & stuff.

Not sure what to expect at a Poutry Show. Has anyone been to one? The paperwork says that it is 'family friendly." Is it something that will take all day? Wondering how to plan the weekend....

 

[aoxa]

x2

Not sure what to expect at a Poutry Show. Has anyone been to one? The paperwork says that it is 'family friendly." Is it something that will take all day? Wondering how to plan the weekend....

Are you in the show?

No shows don't take all day unless you want it to.

I went through our national in an hour.

I got distracted and didn't get many pictures.

Some of the images I got from our show:



This guy must be a risk for frost bite.



I found him very handsome!


White Ameraucana from Mr. Goodfellow. Wow she is just stunning.





\

 

[chickiemomy]

Ok so after reading this thread I think I want to start fermenting some feed. All I need to do is to put in enough feed for a few days..a glug or two of Asv...stir couple times a day. Can this sit outside? What I usually give mine is layer crumbles, mixed in is stratch, oyster shell. They seem to enjoy it, ive been thinking about giving them some night crawlers, cricket's, some extra protein. They do get out in a covered run when the weather allows.

It seems like to worm farm is easy to do. I would love to learn about being able to feed my chickens all natural goodies and be able to do it myself, feed bill is killing me!!!!!!! Any suggestions would be great

for fermenting - to stimulate the correct organisms - it must be acv with MOTHER in it -- vinegar that has not been pasteuized, as the heat treatment kills all the good stuff. You can get Bragg's brand, apple cider vinegar with mother in the health food section of some of the larger groceries - our local Kroger carries it - I've heard some Walmarts do as well. & not sure if you intended to -- but I'd just ferment the layer feed & scratch & maybe BOSS -- leave out the oyster shells, or other scraps - once it's going just add some feed back in every day or two to the existing liquid - to feed the bacteria & keep it active & keep from 'rotting'. The good guys need to be fed - their activity keeps the bad guys from coming in.

Other sources of the correct organisms (altho not mentioned in this forum - I use in fermenting for people) -- are the WHEY - drained liquid from good LIVE yogurt -- plain, not processed - look for the statement on the label that it contains live. Or my favorite, due to milk allergies here is live MISO - also found in cooler of health food section. the MISO must also be LIVE - it is fermented soy bean paste - which I know some are avoiding soy -- but I just use a fat teaspoon to a gallon of pickles to get the good bacteria going. For other outside chick fermentation info on fermentation, look for books by Sandor Katz - he has a paperback 'wild Fermentation' that is very informative, and not too expensive.

Fermentation makes the food nutrients more available - should cut down on feed costs & the best benefit is healthier birds & people!

I'm thinking of worm farming this coming spring also - my guys, oops girls, love mealworms & I've read that others find it easy to do - so may give that a try.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: You're welcome! I also don't feed any soy. I'm lucky to have a feed mill with a knowledgeable formulator that makes my feed with/without whatever I want and does the amounts based on the nutrients. My "kiddos" have never had any soy in their feed. My next goal is to try to figure out a way to remove legumes altogether. Right now my feed is using peas. I actually talked to the formulator this morning to have him get to thinking how I can accomplish that. His "wheels are turning" on that one this morning!

Have any of you guys ever read "You can Farm" by Joel Salatin?

[FONT=arial, sans-serif]Wondering if it's worth a read. [/FONT]

I have read or skimmed ALL of Joel Salatin's books and I have enjoyed every one I read. Some I read from cover to cover and others I just did a quick skim-through. I have all of them on my shelf.

Did you read, "Folks, This Ain't Normal" ?

Anyway...I do think they're worth reading.

Good morning everyone - late start today. My pullet is EATING like a... well, almost like an Orpington! Hooray!! Not so hunched up today either. I think I'm going to do another oil / garlic / oregano / yogurt treatment down her throat and another massage today and see how she does. her comb is still really pale (Lavenders have more pale/bluish combs anyway, but hers is looking almost a light tan) so I want to see that color up a bit more before I toss her outside. The way she was eating this morning, I'll bet she colors up soon!

Quote:

If you're worried about the chicks not being able to get up the ramp, get some of that rubberized, mesh-like drawer liner - they sell it at grocery and hardware stores. You can just wrap a small section around your ramp and duct tape or zip tie it in place. (If you use duct tape, wrap the liner all the way around like a present so you don't put the duct tape on the wood - that sticky stuff is a bear to get off!) It provides great grip and won't slide off your ramp, either.

Good to hear she's doing better! And I already have some of the non-slip drawer liner that I got for another area so I could get some on there. I have to wait until I can go out and watch.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN WITH THE OTHER ADULT CHICKEN LADIES YET. So...I also want to be sure no one is hostile and everyone gets along okay.

Another issue I have is that the run has chain link which they could go right through. I had wanted to line the bottom 10" or so with a smaller mesh but I've not gotten around to it. I think I won't be able to let them out there when I'm not around unless I get that lined but at least I want to introduce them into the larger flock!

Hey Leahs Mom - thank you for that story you sent me for the thing. After not hearing back from the Poultry Cup Drinker people, I went ahead and put it up in that place. I looks great!

Oh good! Glad to hear it's posted where it can be easily found again!

 

[chickiemomy]

Glad to hear you pullet is on the track to good health HOORAY!

great idea about the shelf liner -- used it in the RV cabinets -- the first roost I installed for my chicks was rejected by them - I'm sure due to being too slippery -- we triple varathaned it - silly us -- but that liner would make it usable again!

 

[Melabella]

This guy must be a risk for frost bite.

aoxa,,

What are the complications from frostbite? One of my PR's has a fairly large comb with nice pronounced points. I noticed the other day after several single digit nights, one of the points looks a bit grey, and shriviled. Not the whole point, but the very tip. Is there something I should be doing, or is that a risk to her?

Nice pictures. I love looking at the roosters,, so beautiful. I saw some neat ones at our little local county fair....
This BO was best in show, and he was HUGE. Photo doens't do him justice.

Blue Andelusian

 

[mrsamplias]

Are you in the show?

No shows don't take all day unless you want it to.

I went through our national in an hour.

Oh, no, no, no!! Not in the show!! My husband even asked me, "Is a Poultry Show for people like us?", i.e. newbies who know nothing!!

We have the weekend free so it should be a fun drive. I'll take my camera, but (HUGE DISCLAIMER) be aware, I have not the skills of some of you who post such lovely artwork!!
Are there eggs/chicks available for sale at these events? Thanks for your help!

 

[kian]

BDM I am so glad to hear that your girl is on the mend!

I have read many articles by Joel Salatin and have "Folks, this ain't normal". My personal belief is that he is always worth reading: I really want Harvey Ussery's book too!

Thought I'd try something different for my girls today and opened up a can of sardines for them ( water packed). I just laid them out on the FF. So far I don't think they've noticed them, but the wind is up here today (30 mph) so they are just running out when there's a lull and eating quick. Seems to me that the sardines are getting buried, so it'll be interesting when they're uncovered!