The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

I use straw/hay & shaving for my DL. maybe be because I don't use it solely is why it's not so smelly/wet. I have been using leaves I saved from the fall & shaving primarily. The hens do like to dig thru the straw tho. I had some that got snow on it & got musty that I broke up in their run yesterday so it wasn't so muddy since its been raining for days it seems. Doesn't it figure they have been out in the rain all day in the mud today? :/ Talk about wet hens.......

I've read all your concerns about wet/muddy feet and bumble foot but I guess I have been lucky. When I last checked their feet all was well. Even the hay in the nests and baby coop is still clean. They must wipe their feet well in their enclosed run on their way to roost

But the way they are digging up the garden and run I might not even have to rotor till this spring lol

Leah love ur little coop. So neat and clean.

 

[TeriO]

Quick question on pumpkin - if you can't find fresh - could you use canned pumpkin? On the can label it says pumpkin and that's the only ingredient? Thanks

 

[aoxa]

Quick question on pumpkin - if you can't find fresh - could you use canned pumpkin? On the can label it says pumpkin and that's the only ingredient? Thanks

They would have to put preservatives in it wouldn't they?

It's not pumpkin that is a worm preventative, it's the seed pulp.

 

[TeriO]

Thanks ill get the seeds. Thanks again

 

[pigeonguy]

I don't like straw either. It is hollow and can house parasites easier than other things even fresh cut. I have not had lice in 43 years and hope I never do. I also white wash spring and fall and I put DE in the litter always wood shavings mites and lice will not live threw that. I also provide wood ash for the birds to dust in. Prevention is the way to go.
Should retract a little have had scaly mites old motor oil. Dipped there legs in it and then soaked an old rag in it and wrapped around the leg tied and taped . Left it till it fell off or 1 week which ever came first. That seemed to get them then after that started prevention by putting vegetable oil on the legs when they looked dry. The BCMs are my first experience with feather leg breeds though. We will see how that goes.

 

[aoxa]

I don't like straw either. It is hollow and can house parasites easier than other things even fresh cut. I have not had lice in 43 years and hope I never do. I also white wash spring and fall and I put DE in the litter always wood shavings mites and lice will not live threw that. I also provide wood ash for the birds to dust in. Prevention is the way to go.
Should retract a little have had scaly mites old motor oil. Dipped there legs in it and then soaked an old rag in it and wrapped around the leg tied and taped . Left it till it fell off or 1 week which ever came first. That seemed to get them then after that started prevention by putting vegetable oil on the legs when they looked dry. The BCMs are my first experience with feather leg breeds though. We will see how that goes.

I've had both mites and lice. I much prefer the lice. They are a lot easier to get rid of.

I'd rather none at all of course..

Interesting about the motor oil.

 

[pigeonguy]

I've had both mites and lice. I much prefer the lice. They are a lot easier to get rid of.

I'd rather none at all of course..

Interesting about the motor oil.

Motor oil is what the guy down the road used when I was a kid. He also washed his kids hair with kerosene when they got lice. Glad I did not go threw that. They all had brown hair and when he got done it was kinda orangish.

 

[aoxa]

Motor oil is what the guy down the road used when I was a kid. He also washed his kids hair with kerosene when they got lice. Glad I did not go threw that. They all had brown hair and when he got done it was kinda orangish.

I don;t think I've ever had lice myself. Thank goodness the chicken lice is not the same species as head lice.

 

[pigeonguy]

I don;t think I've ever had lice myself. Thank goodness the chicken lice is not the same species as head lice.

I'm glad I never had them either cause that kerosene also smelled and every one new what happened.
I am worried about feathered legs and scaly mites though. Has anyone dealt with that and did you pull the leg feathers to get them or what. I don't think motor oil and feathers would mix and my prevention of vegetable oil on the legs probably would not cut it either.

Spelling

 

[midnightroo]

My mom comes to visit and I get way behind.

Lots of exciting things going on. Wonderful coops, beautiful birds and a new book to look forward to.

I bought my dh some crayfish and now that he's enjoyed them I was going to give them to the chickens. I thought someone had done that with lobster, but when I search I can't find I. Could the original poster point me to the post number or date time frame or let me know how they gave it to their chickens? Thanks.

Also have some good news to share! I got an egg yesterday! I can't imagine what it is like to have babies hatch when we get this excited over our first egg! Can't wait to try it.