The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Bulldogma]

Gah! I'll fix the thing. There was some sort of glitch...

All fixed!

 

[Bulldogma]

And I have a question... I would be really interested in a list or resource concerning the additions to the FF. I understand the reasoning behind adding garlic and cayenne, but there are a lot of other additions people have listed without the reasoning behind them. I'm hesitant to just start adding things to their feed without good reason because 1) that could potentially be a waste if I'm adding things that they don't need or that don't benefit them, or if I'm adding the wrong amounts, and 2) their digestion and physiology is considerably different than ours, so I know better than to assume that just because it's good for me that it's also good for them. I would assume adding chickweed, comfrey, and nettle would be okay and beneficial (I've served them those mixed with scrambled eggs before after stressors... often when I come home from being gone for several days, because it seems like being confined to the run that long stresses them out). But is there a list out there, or could we start to compile one?

Great question!

Everyone - that's your cue to post about what things (other than grain/feed) you put in your FF and why?? I'll make it into an article.

 

[jeepgirl13]

I too have been wondering about this. I haven't tried malign fermented feed my self, I'm afraid I'm going to do something wrong and poison my girls.... I would love some tips on how to make it. I live in the desert, and its hot already. Does this change the process of making it?

And I have a question... I would be really interested in a list or resource concerning the additions to the FF.  I understand the reasoning behind adding garlic and cayenne, but there are a lot of other additions people have listed without the reasoning behind them.  I'm hesitant to just start adding things to their feed without good reason because 1) that could potentially be a waste if I'm adding things that they don't need or that don't benefit them, or if I'm adding the wrong amounts, and 2) their digestion and physiology is considerably different than ours, so I know better than to assume that just because it's good for me that it's also good for them.  I would assume adding chickweed, comfrey, and nettle would be okay and beneficial (I've served them those mixed with scrambled eggs before after stressors... often when I come home from being gone for several days, because it seems like being confined to the run that long stresses them out).  But is there a list out there, or could we start to compile one?

 

[delisha]

Basil - antibacterial, mucus membrane health
Catnip - sedative, insecticide
Cilantro - antioxidant, fungicide, builds strong bones, high in Vitamin A for vision and Vitamin K for blood clotting
Dill - antioxidant, relaxant, respiratory health
Fennel -laying stimulant
Garlic - laying stimulant
Lavender - stress reliever, increases blood circulation, highly aromatic, insecticide
Lemon Balm - stress reliever, antibacterial, highly aromatic, rodent repellent
Marigold - laying stimulant
Marjoram - lay stimulant
Mint (all kinds) - insecticide and rodent repellent
Nasturtium - laying stimulant, antiseptic, antibiotic, insecticide, wormer
Oregano - combats coccidia, salmonella, infectious bronchitis, avian flu, blackhead and e-coli
Parsley - high in vitamins, aids in blood vessel development, laying stimulant
Peppermint - anti-parasitic, insecticide
Pineapple Sage - aids nervous system, highly aromatic
Rose Petals - highly aromatic, high in Vitamin C
Rosemary - pain relief, respiratory health, insecticide
Sage - antioxidant, anti-parasitic
Spearmint - antiseptic, insecticide, stimulates nerve, brain and blood functions
Tarragon - antioxidant
Thyme - respiratory health, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-parasitic

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Fresh or dried herbs in your nesting boxes not only work as insecticides, but also have anti-bacterial properties, and can act as natural wormers, anti-parasitics, insecticides, rodent control, stress relievers and laying stimulants. They will help a laying hen feel safe and relaxed while she is sitting, and calm a broody hen, as well as repel rodents, flies and other parasites. Plus they look so pretty !

They will also benefit newly hatched chicks. Research has shown that wild birds will line their nests with fresh herbs and flowers, especially those that contain essential oils. The newly hatched baby birds benefit by rubbing against these herbs in the first few days of life. Same applies to baby chicks. The chicks will also eat some of the herbs, thereby garnering even more health benefits from them

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Quote: I have true Ameracuana's..blue and black. So far I love the nice lacing. I am getting some really nice beards too. It looks like I have 4 pullets and one cockerel. I hope anyway. Only one has any color at all in the comb.

Thanks all.
I talked to a farm vet, who asked me about hay. He said in our area, there has been a big problem with hay - he asked if it was dusty or moldy (I think hay is ALWAYS dusty) - said it was causing sick cows, etc. I did put in a new bale of hay when I cleaned out the coop, I think maybe two weeks ago - trying to remember.
So tomorrow I am picking up some different hay and will clean out the coop. Should be a trick with the flock in the coop at the same time, locked up for the molasses flush. They always freak when I spread a layer of new hay out.

funny, because i had an idea in my mind that the hay might be a problem - but I was thinking because it had a lot of long flat green grass and I was worried about impacted crops or gizzards.

Not sure what the labs will cost, but it will probably be worth it - either to know what the problem is and hopefully be able to remove it/mitigate it, or to set my mind at ease that it is just bizarre coincidence. THe vet said it would be $35 for a necropsy and extra for each lab test.

Quote: That link I posted for State lab tests is free. You do have to pay for shipping the bird.

And I have a question... I would be really interested in a list or resource concerning the additions to the FF. I understand the reasoning behind adding garlic and cayenne, but there are a lot of other additions people have listed without the reasoning behind them. I'm hesitant to just start adding things to their feed without good reason because 1) that could potentially be a waste if I'm adding things that they don't need or that don't benefit them, or if I'm adding the wrong amounts, and 2) their digestion and physiology is considerably different than ours, so I know better than to assume that just because it's good for me that it's also good for them. I would assume adding chickweed, comfrey, and nettle would be okay and beneficial (I've served them those mixed with scrambled eggs before after stressors... often when I come home from being gone for several days, because it seems like being confined to the run that long stresses them out). But is there a list out there, or could we start to compile one?

Posted above

I too have been wondering about this. I haven't tried malign fermented feed my self, I'm afraid I'm going to do something wrong and poison my girls.... I would love some tips on how to make it. I live in the desert, and its hot already. Does this change the process of making it?
Quote: Posted above

 

[Bulldogma]

I too have been wondering about this. I haven't tried malign fermented feed my self, I'm afraid I'm going to do something wrong and poison my girls.... I would love some tips on how to make it. I live in the desert, and its hot already. Does this change the process of making it?

Check out This Link.

 

[Leahs Mom]

For me, whenever I add anything to the fermented feed, I just add it to the feed bowl. Any of the things listed I might feed, I just don't ferment them right in the ferment container.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Delisha
Curious where you got the real thing?

 

[Bulldogma]

Basil - antibacterial, mucus membrane health
Catnip - sedative, insecticide
Cilantro - antioxidant, fungicide, builds strong bones, high in Vitamin A for vision and Vitamin K for blood clotting
Dill - antioxidant, relaxant, respiratory health
Fennel -laying stimulant
Garlic - laying stimulant
Lavender - stress reliever, increases blood circulation, highly aromatic, insecticide
Lemon Balm - stress reliever, antibacterial, highly aromatic, rodent repellent
Marigold - laying stimulant
Marjoram - lay stimulant
Mint (all kinds) - insecticide and rodent repellent
Nasturtium - laying stimulant, antiseptic, antibiotic, insecticide, wormer
Oregano - combats coccidia, salmonella, infectious bronchitis, avian flu, blackhead and e-coli
Parsley - high in vitamins, aids in blood vessel development, laying stimulant
Peppermint - anti-parasitic, insecticide
Pineapple Sage - aids nervous system, highly aromatic
Rose Petals - highly aromatic, high in Vitamin C
Rosemary - pain relief, respiratory health, insecticide
Sage - antioxidant, anti-parasitic
Spearmint - antiseptic, insecticide, stimulates nerve, brain and blood functions
Tarragon - antioxidant
Thyme - respiratory health, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-parasitic
Fresh or dried herbs in your nesting boxes not only work as insecticides, but also have anti-bacterial properties, and can act as natural wormers, anti-parasitics, insecticides, rodent control, stress relievers and laying stimulants. They will help a laying hen feel safe and relaxed while she is sitting, and calm a broody hen, as well as repel rodents, flies and other parasites. Plus they look so pretty !

Hooray! Thank you, Del!!

 

[delisha]

Quote: Delisha

Curious where you got the real thing?

I purchased chicks from someone who shows them.

 

[delisha]

Quote:
I also want to add that all citric peels..lemons, oranges..etc..act as an insecticide.