The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[pigeonguy]

Nothing cool to see though I do have TONS of eating eggs.

I just meant practice taking picture of the eggs over the candler so when the time comes you know how.

 

[Arkansas81]

Most farm/ranch stores. Make sure it is food grade though, the chickens will eat it and food grade is safe. Cheapest place I have found it is Coastal Farm and Ranch. I don't know if you have those where you live.

Ok thanks I will look into it

 

[Melabella]

Ok that clears a lot up....where can I find de? Ive never heard of it...

Tractor Supply also has it, make sure where ever you buy it, if you do buy it, it says it's "Food Grade" on the bag.

MB

 

[delisha]

Delisha,

Need to know more about this buttermilk brining..

Seems like regular brining would add a whole lot of salt, and family members in our household can not eat a whole lot of sodium, so I'm curious..

Milk and ACV..you make buttermilk ,if you know someone with a cow, get it raw. I just use zip lock bags and cut the chicken up, put in enough buttermilk to cover the bird after I remove the air.

1 qt of whole milk or raw milk and 1 tbs of ACV set it on the counter over night. You have buttermilk. It makes great cakes too.
I probably use about 1/4 cup of buttermilk per bag.

 

[stonykill]

Delisha,

Need to know more about this buttermilk brining..

Seems like regular brining would add a whole lot of salt, and family members in our household can not eat a whole lot of sodium, so I'm curious..

I have only done the conventional brine. I've read about buttermilk brine, but hadn't tried it yet

 

[stonykill]

Milk and ACV..you make buttermilk ,if you know someone with a cow, get it raw. I just use zip lock bags and cut the chicken up, put in enough buttermilk to cover the bird after I remove the air.

1 qt of whole milk or raw milk and 1 tbs of ACV set it on the counter over night. You have buttermilk. It makes great cakes too.
I probably use about 1/4 cup of buttermilk per bag.

thanks for sharing. Good to know!

 

[delisha]

OK I decided I had better clarify.

You purchase one quart of whole milk (raw milk) and add one tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar. Set it on the counter over night. You have just made buttermilk. You store it in the refrigerator like milk.

If you are using it as a brine you still have to make it first. Butcher out your chickens, cut them up or leave them whole, I always cut them up for buttermilk , rosemary, or lemon brine.it seems to soak better and be a bit more tender.. Any fish, or poultry is wonderful brined in buttermilk..even plain milk.

Have a piece of.. fish in the fridge that smells a bit too fishy? soak it over night in milk, or buttermilk.

 

[armorfirelady]

BDM & Aoxa beautiful pics as always.

And Aoxa If we lived a little closer I would give u some of the pallet full of pumpkins I have. Seems I have way to many for the hens but they were free and heck I can use the seeds to grow more for next year

 

[Sally8]

Hi Everyone!
Just found this group so want to add a post so I can go back and read all the awesomeness you have already shared. I am a strong believer in trying to keep life as natural as I possibly can. Use organic GMO free grain for example. Have had trouble finding natural ways to do worming. I am using DE, ACV and water kefir for other aids. Just set up a new paddock and want to learn how to grow and rotate grain crops or other plants chickens would benefit from eating, etc. So just a few thoughts to let you know a little about my goals, etc. I just have one very awesome Barr Rock hen now but will be getting chicks soon so am starting over. I want to raise them to be friendly and healthy as much as possible. Our local farm store receives chicks from Privett Hatchery. Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about this hatchery? Not sure if I can get Black Australorp chicks from a breeder. They seem to be somewhat rare & also shipping worries me for such a small number. I only need about 3-4. Well, off to read now.
~Dee~

Welcome, there is so much information on here, I went out to do chores and I had over 100 posts to read. Glad you've joined us!

Ok I have figured out most of the abbreviations but what is "DE" and DH, I dnt have one of those anymore. But ive been trying to figure out something I can put in the coop for the moisture and smell. So just wondering

When I first joined BYC I saw DH and knew it had something to do with husbands but I thought it meant dumb husband. I couldn't believe you all would say it.

Milk and ACV..you make buttermilk ,if you know someone with a cow, get it raw. I just use zip lock bags and cut the chicken up, put in enough buttermilk to cover the bird after I remove the air.

1 qt of whole milk or raw milk and 1 tbs of ACV set it on the counter over night. You have buttermilk. It makes great cakes too.
I probably use about 1/4 cup of buttermilk per bag.

As a kid my grandmother/mother would do this to sour milk for cookies. And good ones they were!

these sound soo good! come spring when I have eggs galore, I'm going to try this. Maybe BDM can put it in that thing.

As soon as my brooders quit and I get eggs again, I can't wait to try these. Thanks

Guess what I got today? My very first turkey egg. Rosie has joined the ranks of egg layers! She just can't believe it. I tried so many times to get an up close pic of her but she kept pecking my lens.

 

[Pullet Surprise]

Aoxa - as usual, stunning pics. The snow chicken made my day....sorry it was "canabalized"
BDM - it was absolutely beautiful here today as well...love the picnic! That's just precious!
Camile - (hope I got that right...going off the top of my head!) The baby "silkiettes" are wonderful. I am having 'Chick envy"
And......
Great info on preserving eggs, love pickled eggs and all recipes for such of great interest here
Great info on brining freezer camp candidates....would love to see these two items expanded on in the other place
And Hello & Welcome to everyone new.

All I did was take a quick nap, fix dinner and clean up and there were PAGES of new posts!!!!