The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

This is the reason my DH will not allow me to have Turkeys. He loves his Mercedes too much. I will see how Mumsy does before I approach him again. I really want those Palms.

I had videos on my iPhone of Tom chasing my car... However, said cell phone is lost.

He had such a fetish for them.. I hope the electric fencing keeps them in. It has to, or we will have to rehome them.

 

[Mumsy]

I've also heard they are much more stupid than chickens. I don't believe this. They are less thrifty as poults,

Yes. I have heard this too. My husband managed a large farm store thrity years ago. He's heard and seen it all. Getting poults to survive past two weeks is key.


There hasn't been a case of blackhead in our area in many years according to our department of agriculture.


This is not something I'm overly concerned about. I have a plan.

I think allowing turkeys to hatch their own improves their immune system.

I agree.

Their mothers teach them to eat and drink. That's where a lot of people lose poults.. they are more difficult to start.


This is where my plan comes in.

How large is your yard? Is it fenced? If so, how high is the fence? How tolerant are your neighbours?

All moot points. I won't be free ranging them unless they are under nets or wings clipped back. We are well started on working out our Yard Tetris.

Turkeys LOVE cars, trucks, bikes, tractors... anything that makes noise, is shiny and motorized. It can be an issue. Especially if you like your vehicles to stay clean and unscathed.

Also moot points for here. We don't have anything shiny.

Seriously. I'm not trying to be deliberately facetious. It's just that I've read all I can find. Listened to many that have raised them successfully on my island...With chickens. It can and has been done here. I'm not a worrier. I'm pragmatic and determined. My turkey venture could go South in a hurry. And then it could turn out to be a great idea. In another couple months, I'll be able to give first hand accounts of my efforts. I am one of those people that visualizes and prepares for success first. I tend to deal with problems one at a time as they materialize.

 

[Eggcessive]

Anyone looking for Nustock might check at Southern States feed store if you have them in your area. I paid $12 for a large tube 2 months ago. It is so thick that I can hardly squeeze the stuff out. I think putting it in another container and thinning it down might be good.

 

[aoxa]

Mumsy,

Sounds like you have it all under control

I adore my turkeys. I find they are chocked full of character. How they love to escort me wherever I go melts my heart.

If you have any good tips for keeping them where you want them without nets over them, I would appreciate it. Still trying to work it out.

I figure I can't have the fence anywhere near a tree, as they will fly to the tree and over the electric fence, totally defeating the point of it. I am going to pen them with the sheep. They share the barn very well.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Anyone looking for Nustock might check at Southern States feed store if you have them in your area. I paid $12 for a large tube 2 months ago. It is so thick that I can hardly squeeze the stuff out. I think putting it in another container and thinning it down might be good.

I actually slit the tube open and put it all into a small canning jar (jelly size). Scraped out every bit of it that I could get out of there into the jar. I think it will be much easier to use that way and I'll be able to use every bit of it instead of losing any inside a tube.

Mine was actually a little more liquid than you're describing. Wonder if it was on the shelf longer than mine was?

 

[Melabella]

I actually slit the tube open and put it all into a small canning jar (jelly size). Scraped out every bit of it that I could get out of there into the jar. I think it will be much easier to use that way and I'll be able to use every bit of it instead of losing any inside a tube.

Mine was actually a little more liquid than you're describing. Wonder if it was on the shelf longer than mine was?

Mine was runny too,,, I made sure I shook it real well the second time I opened it, and it blended to a more consistent texture. I also keep it either in the house, or the heated tack room in my barn. It gets far too cold left out without heat,, it would never come out of that tube.

I have a question for people that sell their eggs for human consumption. Does one need some sort of license from the local community to sell eggs? I worry if someone purchasing my eggs claimed to become ill from eating them, would you therefore be liable in some way? Has anyone had someone tell them they believe they got sick from eating their eggs? I have to go to town hall and check if there is any ruling on this. DH shared some eggs at work the other day, and I got my mind wandering....

MB

 

[hotrodflash]

Mine was runny too,,, I made sure I shook it real well the second time I opened it, and it blended to a more consistent texture. I also keep it either in the house, or the heated tack room in my barn. It gets far too cold left out without heat,, it would never come out of that tube.

I have a question for people that sell their eggs for human consumption. Does one need some sort of license from the local community to sell eggs? I worry if someone purchasing my eggs claimed to become ill from eating them, would you therefore be liable in some way? Has anyone had someone tell them they believe they got sick from eating their eggs? I have to go to town hall and check if there is any ruling on this. DH shared some eggs at work the other day, and I got my mind wandering....

MB

Texas allows the selling of "homegrown" eggs without licensing as long as they are not graded. Check with the Department of Agriculture in your state to see the rules.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I have a question for people that sell their eggs for human consumption. Does one need some sort of license from the local community to sell eggs? I worry if someone purchasing my eggs claimed to become ill from eating them, would you therefore be liable in some way? Has anyone had someone tell them they believe they got sick from eating their eggs? I have to go to town hall and check if there is any ruling on this. DH shared some eggs at work the other day, and I got my mind wandering....

MB

In my state it is a county by county decision. Right now eggs are one of the only items that they allow folks to sell freely without regulation throughout every area that I'm currently aware of in the state.

 

[Mumsy]

Mumsy,

Sounds like you have it all under control


Well...It all looks good on paper so far! Hah!

I adore my turkeys. I find they are chocked full of character. How they love to escort me wherever I go melts my heart.

This is what I'm counting on. Friendly and people trusting. Butchering time will thankfully be a family endeavor. I'll be there supervising a humane dispatch and helping with the giant pots of boiling water and ice water. I will have lots of help with plucking and cutting and packaging. Choosing breeders to save will be very carefully thought out.

If you have any good tips for keeping them where you want them without nets over them, I would appreciate it. Still trying to work it out.

This will be tricky no doubt about it. I personally have no problem clipping wing feathers for birds never destined for showing.


The meat poults will be here for six months. Seven tops. I was told I'm getting Heritage Bronze. Best I can hope for is maybe 12/15 pound birds at processing in that short amount of time. I'm hoping the FF and other efforts I put forth into their care will bump that.


I figure I can't have the fence anywhere near a tree, as they will fly to the tree and over the electric fence, totally defeating the point of it. I am going to pen them with the sheep. They share the barn very well.

My small 1/2 acre is not only filled with trees, I'm surrounded by them. I've been planting for over 24 years here and my gardens are all mature. The perimeter is fenced but that fence can barely be seen through the shrubbery and plantings. It's a jungle out there! Over the next seven months I will post here what is working and what is not. I do love a challenge!

 

[aoxa]

Your property sounds beautiful! I still recall that picture you posted of your girls running in the flowers. It is gorgeous. Are you at that same location?

I'm placing my seed order for our garden VERY soon. I'm getting antsy. Before chickens, gardening was my forte. I've always loved it, but had very little time for it the past 2 years. Now I am making time. Ordering all organic seeds from a local source.