The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Which link didn't work?

ETA: Whoops...I fixed it. It's here too:

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2012/12/natural-from-start-medicated-chick-feed.html

 

[delisha]

I do not know if I am ever going to get caught up.

gardening link for great gardening
http://strawbalegardens.com/

Really appreciated all the info on herb usage! Plan on throwing some dried lavender in with the chickies this eve

Quick story...

My 8 yr old son persists that he wants us to name all the chickies. I explained to him that we need to wait as we can't tell the difference between our female BOs & the Doms are straight-run. When my b-i-l visited yesterday, he suggested we give them unisex names. So, our 5 Doms are now Jo, Billy, Sam, Tony & Sue (after Johnny Cash's song "Boy Named Sue

...
Quote: Yes you can let people in, but make them ware disposable shoes or shoes they do not ware with there chickens.

Actually any soap with blue dye 1 in it will get rid of the pests. I don't know why but they let go and rinse right off. They don't die though. I used this on a severely tick infested dog and they all washed off. I didn't find a single one on his body. I found quite a few in his paws though. I'm guessing I didn't get enough soap there. I used a blue suave shampoo.

Fermented feed question again. I know, we've been over this! I've been looming into it. Do I really just take the feed I have now, put it in a bucket, cover it with water and put a lid on in. Then every couple hours stir it and add water if needed, until I see or bubbling. I can add many of the things mentioned before or top dress. Can I put BOSS in there? Somewhere it said I don't have to add the ACV, but the process will be slower with out it. What do I.do once it starts bubbling?
Oh, and one thick I read said to leave it open, bit others were saying to keep it covered. Is there a different process for using ACV vs not using it? I want to try this but am afraid of poisoning my girls.

The lid should not be tight. It does need to be covered to keep bugs out, but it needs air flow. I have used it. It is the same. Add a little when you start and you never add it again. Make sure you keep it covered in water.

Quote: weed free gardening..no toxic chemicles..please do not add poison to the environment

http://strawbalegardens.com/

Delisha, Mumsy, others who study natural healing/health, I have a coworker whose 6 year old son suffers every year from horrible dry skin. She has tried myriad ways of treating it, every lotion and oil she could think of, and so far no luck. She was telling me today the skin on his legs is so dry they look like ash. I promised her I would ask here in case anyone can suggest natural remedies for extremely dry skin. She has even asked his pediatrician about it, who recommended a few of the things she tried to no avail.

Thanks

Judi

Check for wheat allergies and milk allergies..something is going on..sounds like psoriasis. Oatmeal is the only thing that will give the little guy some relief till she finds out what is going on. Make a paste and rub it on, or put it in the tub and let the little one soak. It should help with the itching at least. It is temporary at best. He needs his diet changed. No sugars, no flours, no dairy, no wheat.

I'm new to all of this and would like to learn more. I'm all for keeping it natural, I started this year with 3 hens and a Roo, bought 6 chicks supposed to be pullets, and am waiting for 3 chicks from a friend. I'm trying incubation with my class for the first time this year, but would like to go natural and get some silkies or something that will go broody for next year. I need a coach!\

coach volunteering for this one moments..

do not forget to quaranteen..and I am so glad you are here..

Quote: ohh..yes..possibly this too

I'm so digging this!! I've made the decision and now I'm in my research phase. I've determined the laws here and know what my restrictions and limits are, though I heard mentioned but not yet considered permitting or licensing. So I need to inquire to that. I've determined that because of our zoning I can't have a small coop in my first choice location - would've been sexy tho- I have a shed that is my fence on the alley and had determined to cage off the end with a cut-out to a run. In the end however, It would not have been enough room for the three girls I wanted to get - So I've found a new site space in a big bed on the wall of the garage in which I'll build a coop/ aviary 7' deep, 8' wide by 7' tall at the tallest at the back with a shed roof. This will give me 56 sq ft, so I'm thinking it won't be too bad for a flock of 7 to 9 girls. We have very nice weather here, much cool temps here in Long beach, CA. than most of you farther north see in the summer and days in the winter are mild, we saw overnight temps dipping to 34' F. For those reasons I am leaning to a coop with nest-boxes and roosts. This coop will be 3' off the ground with a ramp. The wall of the coop which faces into the aviary will be removable for access and off during the most mild weather. It can be quite cool during the evenings all year long here too, so I'm really pouring over everything I'm reading - from all of you wonderful, generous and knowledgeable people! We have crazy populations of all manner of varmints cautioned against. Except maybe stoats and on that I still wouldn't bet. So I'm going all out. concrete footing, hardware cloth in the footing angled down and away at 45' angle, sole plate, buried lags. I have decided to construct each wall section as a box - nothing new, that's just standard stick-construction. But in my OCD revelry I'm clothing the outside of the walls with hardware cloth and inside with either half x half hardware cloth or half x 2' , I think it's 14 gauge. Inside the coop I'm going with enamel white and 4'' deep zeolite floor. Is 4'' deep enough? I need to go the PDZ route because I pester you all for feedback on my choice later. I most interested in hearing of any warnings of a breed that can't tolerate others or the like. Don't worry - I have a very good filter. I'm really most excited at the prospect of getting know each birds personality.
I've just discovered the thread and am now on page 57 of 1266 so I've a ways to go. I will fill in my profile so you all can get a handle on me as I'm enjoying coming to know each of you.
Thank you so much for being here just when I need you.
Brian Gallentine

Hello Brian..sounds like a plan..and like many chickens in a pretty small space. The height does not add to the chicken space. Your space gives them less than a square foot per bird. Chicken math adds up quick..Your coop is perfect for 3 or 4 birds. Chickens need room and when you have restricted room you have problems. Build it bigger if you can, or have less birds.
Welcome to the group!!

brandislee, countrygirl74, FridayYet, and dcba flock, thank you all for your suggestions! I will share with my friend and hopefully set her on course to a cure. I have been wondering about the coconut oil since it was first mentioned here, is it something you also give your chickens? Maybe it was said and I missed it (all I can do to keep up with this thread most days!).

Thanks again for all your help! With everything!

I do not know ..sorry

Can someone direct me to the link on the gardening? Somehow I totally missed it. We do the layer gardening but I wanted to see the video y'all are talking about!

x2

 

[aaggjg]

Woa, where are the animal grains? I didn't see them on there???

I find their website VERY HARD to navigate!!! Its not under garden and pet I can tell you that ... I just looked

I think I searched every grain, legume etc that I could think of to feed my girls and found them!

GP073 Bulk Chicken Wheat, Organic 50 lbs. $15.20
GP168 Bulk Whole Barley - Animal Feed, Organic 45 lbs. $18.95
GP034 Bulk Whole Oats with Hulls - Animal Feed, Organic 45 lbs. $15.35

 

[tjb3344]

This is like being a proud grandma or something...showing everyone my photos

Here are the 16 week old Swedish Flower Hens

Miss Grey






Miss Sweden




Rooster Boy




And the Mystery Breed...
Miss Black

I think she is a Black Australop mix.

 

[countrygirl74]

http://strawbalegardens.com/
x2

Here's the link you requested that people were talking about - I also found the video clips under the FAQ's to be very helpful... I'm going to check out your straw bale link too.
http://backtoedenfilm.com/

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
X2. I tried to find those for the longest time! If we search on the product numbers you put on there, will that bring it up?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Thanks, TJ

 

[aaggjg]

X2. I tried to find those for the longest time! If we search on the product numbers you put on there, will that bring it up?

Yep!

 

[bluebirdnanny]

Got home finally but after last nights fiasco I am not letting them out in this rain for only 2.5 hours to pitch dark! I will not sit out in this. Got to get things inside ready for the contractor from County doing the roof/house repairs. He called today that they will start tomorrow!!!! So clean house today and talk to chickens tomorrow about staying out of falling roof tear down! Or they will not be able to come out of kennel tomorrow. I don't want them hurt.

Besides after roaming ALL day beginning at 6:30am and fighting to get them in last night at almost 8..... One egg yesterday and still only 1 today. Hmmmm even with 20 degrees they were all laying every day. Thought they would lay everyday in spring. HMMMMMMM 3 year olds.

 

[aaggjg]

OMG I AM CAUGHT UP!!! OMG!!!!

I thought it would NEVER happen again.... I went to a chicken show a week ago and it was my sister's Bday so there was no time to read... well 2 days behind plus work means 10 days to catch up!! There were so many things I wanted to comment on but I HATE losing my place on the thread as I jump between different devices to read and well its hard enough doing that as the page count differs on mobile & desktop computers ... The cutest thing I saw at the chicken show was a black dwarf bunny mothering about 10 day old chicks ... I only had my phone with me so the picture is terrible and I won't bother posting... but I had to keep walking back to look at the Bunny Mumma! The Silkie section was a bit smaller then last year BUT this year there was a group of Silkie owners camped out in lawn chairs by their birds! They kept getting up to pick off pieces of sawdust etc etc... It was really funny. Oooh and there were some absolutely STUNNING Cochin & Orpington Roos!! Wow they were big boys but oh so pretty!

Countrygirl74 I have a chicken hating neighbor as well and I don't even have a rooster. When I told her I was getting chickens she said oh I love chickens and you have plenty of space ..... I told her I not to worry I wasn't getting a roo and she said oh but I love the sound of their voice, people think I am crazy but I love it..... Well when my Silkie turned out to be a boy guess what she didn't love it so much ... Now she has decided she hates chickens all together and I have caught her spraying water at my coop to try and shhh the girls when they are singing the egg song! I have offered eggs but she declined so I can't remember who said it but We know what kind of person she is She is constantly peering over the fence and always questions and workers of guests I have in my yard!!! I live in the city but am allowed to have chickens .... She has called animal control on me a few times but they came out to make sure my coop was the proper distance away and said they won't be bothering me again! The guy was hilarious ... when he got to my coop he stopped and said oooh what kind of chickens do you have ??? We have some at the shelter I can bring you some more ... I don't think that was the outcome my neighbor was looking for

I get so irritated just thinking about this I totally forgot everything else I wanted to comment on....

I did have a huge hawk land on one of my trees when the girls were out free-ranging .... My hen went screaming across the yard, I went to investigate and then the hawk landed on a tree a few feet from me... It saw me and took off. Now I am extra alert when the girls are out! I have lots of tree coverage but I guess when somebody is hungry no number of trees will keep them out! I remember someone thinking if you handle your birds they will be less aware of predators ... Ummm NOPE ..... Mine go running if strangers walk into the yard ...

I have been watching my hens poo looking for worms and I was going to type back that I was pleased to say their poops have firmed up and I have not seen anymore .... that is until today. First I saw my BCM shoot a liquid squirt poop out .... I went to look and didn't see much but no idea why it is SO LIQUID! They my Splash Maran who is on the thin side pooped and I saw moving little worms I believe .... UGH

I have been giving them the shaklee's Basic H in their water for weeks now and have been religiously giving them Cayenne, Garlic, wormwood, pumpkin etc etc in their feed. They have to be cooped up during the day but I have been trying to add new organic material to their run to help with the stale ground... I just finished making my LABs and will spray the run with that to see if it helps ..... What do you all think?? My Lavender Orps who I know had worms have much firmer poops and their combs are pinking up again! They are still thin but I believe they are putting on weight ..... What do you all think???

Ok I know there is more but can't remember now....

Oh LM's that Gray SFH is BEAUTIFUL!!!!