The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[maggiemo]

. I use peat moss w/wood ash to make a dust bath indoors in a large flat pan; in the summer, there's an area that I add peat moss and ash to as well.

What does the peat moss do?

 

[BlueMouse]

Another question about meat scraps- my husband kills a couple deer each year and we eat mainly venison as our red meat staple. Much healthier than beef and so much cheaper than organic grass fed beef. So can we request the processor save some organs from the deer for our chickens? If yes what organs are ok? How would I package and store it?
As far as fish goes we haven't given them fish organs, are they ok too? We just give the slivers of meat that gets trimmed off. What is ok and what is not?

We give our chickens all the offal from any fresh caught fish from a clean source. Since we have a creek in our yard this is not a big deal. We just throw it right to them and let them pick it clean (If DH fillets it) then he either throws whatevers left (and it's not much) into the creek for the fishies to pick clean or buries it to keep it away from the dog. As far as vennison, we eat quite a lot of it too (main source of red meat for us), and butcher our own. As long as everything looks healthy, liver, heart, and possibly kidneys are great for your birds. very high in a lot of minerals and vitamins. Slice into thin strips about the size of a worm, or dice, and freez in portions on a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Then you can pop them off the wax paper and store them in a big ziplock bag. That way in the winter when good meat is scarce, or when you have chicks in the brooder, you can just thaw a portion at a time. We do the same or dehydrate the heart and liver from the half a cow my parents buy every year from a local friend, t he processor knows we feed liver and heart to our dogs, and always saves a few extras for us. It's always gone to the dogs, but now they have to share with the chickens. Dogs will go nuts over dehydrated liver treats, but Iwon't do it because even doing it outside the small makes me gag. I wouldn't over feed liver, only as a treat or once a week as a main protien supplement. I don't think you can over do it with heart though. this is of course only my.02 and ymmv. This is mainly speaking from experience feeding dogs.

Any raw chicken meat and/or bones we have go to the maremma (they LOVE raw chicken, especially necks)... and cooked bones go to the BSF.
Poor chickens never stand a chance... but they do benefit from what the BSF get.

Right now I'm buying whole organic chickens from the store. If I'm not roasting I butcher it out, cut off the breasts, and then the legs. I then use a cleaver to hack the remaing carcass in half and put it in my ACD's dish. He's in doggie heaven. I'm looking forward to starting my BSF colony so I have something productive to do with cooked bones! I hate throwing them in the trash.

I have been doing this as well. Every week or so I dump some peat moss in one of their outside dusting areas & the girls spend hours their bathing. I haven't added any wood ash in awhile. I'm low but will probably add some next time. I do put wood ash in the nesting boxes tho. But my son started having bonfires again so I can use the ash from there now since I haven't had an indoor fire in a couple weeks since it has been so warm. Tho that might change this weekend. Wx man says temps will be in the 30s this weekend

We haven't had to have a fire even at night in forever, guess if you're getting the 30's we have a good chance of getting the same. It's gonna play merry hob with all my seedlings. Guess I'll be running around draping blankets over plants. Chickies will be hapy to have their favorite dustbath back! Right now they're dustbating in one of the new raised beds that I built around my new fruit trees....

 

[Leahs Mom]

On the dust bath, here are a link that might be helpful:

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2012/12/natural-way-to-rid-chickens-of-lice.html

If you look through that site and search for "dust bath" there are several pages referring to dust bathing.

I use the peat moss because it is very fine and it works well. For some reason they love that stuff more than any other dirt I've ever put out there. I've just used regular potting type soil before, being sure it isn't treated with fertilizers or other chemicals, but when I put out the peat moss, they just go crazy for it!

 

[jlynnet]

I opened the door and they ran to lay in the sun!

no they're not dead! Lots of sunbathing today. Gotta love how they just flop down and sprawl out.

 

[brandislee]

So hard to keep up! We FINALLY got rid of the snow (knock on wood...) so I have been working like a horse outside from dawn to dusk. Today I SHOULD be working but I'm hormonal and crampy (sorry, probably TMI!) and figure I deserve a few hours of rest this morning, so I'm catching up here and watching some chicken TV. I've planted the glut of fruit trees and shrubs that have been hanging out on my porch for the last few weeks- apple trees, raspberry, blackberry, serviceberry, beach plum, and autumn olive (and a few more should be coming soon- paw paw and artic kiwi and I can't remember what else). I need to build a pergola for the kiwi, but I'm thinking those might go into pots until I have time to get that done. And I mulched around one side of the garden fence finally- I built the garden fence last spring and meant to mulch around three sides of it (there's a chicken pen on the fourth side, so no weed issues there!). I got the front side done and then got busy (or lazy, don't really remember!) and then the stupid wild grape vines (don't be jealous, they don't produce any fruit) got out of control. If you don't get them while they're dormant they are a pain to deal with, so I just left them. I hope I got them all... BTW, I'm totally loving my turkeys, like even more than chickens. I've been letting them out of their pen for short stretches and they follow me around the yard, it's really funny.

I got Backyard Foraging in the mail the other day- really awesome book! I wouldn't count on it alone for identifying plants definitively, but there is information on several of the plants that have lookalikes, and most are plants that people are pretty familiar with but that most people don't know are edible. AND it tells when and how to harvest and how to eat them, and has really stellar pictures. It is very user friendly, yet thorough. A lot of the plants I was aware of, but many of those I didn't know how to harvest or cook, like daylily bulbs. Definitely recommend picking it up, and it's going to be a go-to reference here. I was finally able to make my first wild harvest of the season- I picked some really young dandelion greens this morning. I've never actually gathered them to eat, just to dry for tea. Not sure if I'm going to mix them into a salad for lunch or save them to stir into my eggs tomorrow morning... decisions decisions!

 

[armorfirelady]

I use the peat moss because it is very fine and it works well. For some reason they love that stuff more than any other dirt I've ever put out there. I've just used regular potting type soil before, being sure it isn't treated with fertilizers or other chemicals, but when I put out the peat moss, they just go crazy for it!

Thanks for the link. I remember Mumsy saying she used it for hers & decided to give it a try. I also put some in their DL since its suppose to help break up clumps in soil so it breaks apart easier I thought the same theory would apply to the DL when its damp.


Took them about 3 seconds to knock that pile down lol

 

[bbsnooks]

Who knew.. bran bath's could stir up so much Dust.. < grin. ..>
I just happened to have some .. around.. it was kind of a trial and error thing.. that just worked out as play time..
also. .I'm going to need to figure some play things.. they like to swing..
( on an electric cord.. that hangs above the box.. they can get to.. yes.. i know trouble a making)
I'm thinking of making a rope.. & bamboo swing for their coop..
so.. maybe .. there are more ideas.. for how chickens like to "play"... you have to share?? just checking
Loved your story about dogs.. thanks..

I love the photo of the babies in the dust! mee too they were all asleep.. but heard me coming with the camera.

How long have you been working with your dog before you took down the fence between?

The Dog.... no no no .. it was the rooster.. that the fence was for..
Tee Hee..
I have been working with the dog for months.. with the other 2 roosters.. i have.. to hhim them know.. they belong here..
I was concerned when the 2 roo's came in Jan.. at 4&5 mo old.. but .. he did very well..
- expecially .. since he did kill one mataure chicken last year..
(- long story.. may tell later. It's all better and repaired .. with the neighbors.. and they like that he now patrols.. the area for other preditors. )

after the incident... i knew i had to rehabilitate him.. he.. was the one inthe litter.. that i said from the start would need a strong hand..
--- longer story.. -- about adoption and return.. -- but i ended up with Pete.. and Started Clicker training.. very good method.. for dogs, chickens ,pets in general. and people too - karen prior has a very informative web site.. I started the dog.. with .. watch.. calm'ly.. click and treat. then I'd let him smell them.. if calm ... click and treat..
Its imperative.. that the ground rules.. and sit stay down. stay.. ect.. are well in place to do this work.. but .. its been almost too easy.. with the clicker..
and he likes the training.. He will come and ask.. to go thru some training.. (and the best part.. no screaming.. no no no.. )

so.. the fence .. was for the rooster..
I had heard .. they can .. harm../ kill the young.. so .. the fence separated Festus.. for a week..
I would do little trials.. to let him come in and see them.. and it seemed .. he was not going to pounce.. ; ) or peck too hard.

We have babies on the way, we are trying to go natural and I keep picking up things I've never heard of. I've fed my horses DE but never used it for chickens. So you mix it with bran to let the babies dust off in? Is it bran from the feed store like I make bran mash for horses with?

Is this a 50/50 mix and can you reuse it or one time use only? And what is the purpose? I know how DE works so is it just for pesticide use? But then what's the bran for? Thanks!

no this is.. 2 scoops of bran.. with a hand ful of De.. stired in the first time. then just add bran to it as they eat it down.
this started out.. as.. just some thing to dig in.. however.. it may work as a DE delivery system..

I so love good momma hens...

awww!!! so cute.

Any raw chicken meat and/or bones we have go to the maremma (they LOVE raw chicken, especially necks)... and cooked bones go to the BSF.
Poor chickens never stand a chance... but they do benefit from what the BSF get.

RR are we talking Black Soldier Fly.. ???
would love to see your housing for them..
if it is.. do you have photo;s
I have some.. i'mtrying to get started.. thx

I think most of us on here use wood ash instead of DE in the dust bath. I'm guessing that photo that had the wheat bran wasn't for dusting but they just got in it?
True.. it was because.. below..
Anyhow... any fine dirt with a little wood ash mixed in to help prevent lice/mites. If there is a good natural dust hole around with fine dirt that's good for the dirt part. I use peat moss w/wood ash to make a dust bath indoors in a large flat pan; in the summer, there's an area that I add peat moss and ash to as well.

I started this whole bran thing.. due to a photo.. ? here? of chickes in a little dirt tub..
but it was wet out there .. and they needed some thing to peck at. and all i had was the bran.. ; )
any how.. the turkey tin.. and bran.. was just luck.. and it worked very well.
( and . the meal worms.. are sure fun too.. not them selves. but the feeding of them. oh.. to start a riot!!!)

I also .. have some peat moss .. they really like it too .. but .. they eat the bran.. and have gone to sleeping in both...
I was worried a bit.. about .. them getting too much bran.. but it seems to be working ok.. they're pecking at it now..
( better than the styrafoam i used to insulate from the out door wall.. - oh.. that was a surprise...)

I use the peat moss because it is very fine and it works well. For some reason they love that stuff more than any other dirt I've ever put out there. I've just used regular potting type soil before, being sure it isn't treated with fertilizers or other chemicals, but when I put out the peat moss, they just go crazy for it!

Lmom. your right.. I had brought in some weeds cut out of the yard.. for them to pick on.. the dirt .. and grass.. and they didnt seem to like it
.. and did not to want to sleep there.??? I'm thinking this is odd.
so i thought there may be some thing on them.. and used the DE as a precaution..
-- as they get bigger.. i may continue this for the coop.. and will need to get a bigger container..
humm.. maybe the Kids pool.. that wont hold water any more.

?? I dont have wood ash.. but.. i do have tumble weeds.. if i burned some of them.. ? I'm guessing its not the same.. ?

 

[aoxa]

So hard to keep up! We FINALLY got rid of the snow (knock on wood...) so I have been working like a horse outside from dawn to dusk. Today I SHOULD be working but I'm hormonal and crampy (sorry, probably TMI!) and figure I deserve a few hours of rest this morning, so I'm catching up here and watching some chicken TV.

Chocolate, advil and chicken TV cures this. It's what I am prescribing to you.

 

[aoxa]

Who knew.. bran bath's could stir up so much Dust.. < grin. ..>
I just happened to have some .. around.. it was kind of a trial and error thing.. that just worked out as play time..
also. .I'm going to need to figure some play things.. they like to swing..
( on an electric cord.. that hangs above the box.. they can get to.. yes.. i know trouble a making)
I'm thinking of making a rope.. & bamboo swing for their coop..
so.. maybe .. there are more ideas.. for how chickens like to "play"... you have to share?? just checking
Loved your story about dogs.. thanks..
The Dog.... no no no .. it was the rooster.. that the fence was for..
Tee Hee..
I have been working with the dog for months.. with the other 2 roosters.. i have.. to hhim them know.. they belong here..
I was concerned when the 2 roo's came in Jan.. at 4&5 mo old.. but .. he did very well..
- expecially .. since he did kill one mataure chicken last year..
(- long story.. may tell later. It's all better and repaired .. with the neighbors.. and they like that he now patrols.. the area for other preditors. )

after the incident... i knew i had to rehabilitate him.. he.. was the one inthe litter.. that i said from the start would need a strong hand..
--- longer story.. -- about adoption and return.. -- but i ended up with Pete.. and Started Clicker training.. very good method.. for dogs, chickens ,pets in general. and people too - karen prior has a very informative web site.. I started the dog.. with .. watch.. calm'ly.. click and treat. then I'd let him smell them.. if calm ... click and treat..
Its imperative.. that the ground rules.. and sit stay down. stay.. ect.. are well in place to do this work.. but .. its been almost too easy.. with the clicker..
and he likes the training.. He will come and ask.. to go thru some training.. (and the best part.. no screaming.. no no no.. )

so.. the fence .. was for the rooster..
I had heard .. they can .. harm../ kill the young.. so .. the fence separated Festus.. for a week..
I would do little trials.. to let him come in and see them.. and it seemed .. he was not going to pounce.. ; ) or peck too hard.


awww!!! so cute.
RR are we talking Black Soldier Fly.. ???
would love to see your housing for them..
if it is.. do you have photo;s
I have some.. i'mtrying to get started.. thx
I started this whole bran thing.. due to a photo.. ? here? of chickes in a little dirt tub..
but it was wet out there .. and they needed some thing to peck at. and all i had was the bran.. ; )
any how.. the turkey tin.. and bran.. was just luck.. and it worked very well.
( and . the meal worms.. are sure fun too.. not them selves. but the feeding of them. oh.. to start a riot!!!)

I also .. have some peat moss .. they really like it too .. but .. they eat the bran.. and have gone to sleeping in both...
I was worried a bit.. about .. them getting too much bran.. but it seems to be working ok.. they're pecking at it now..
( better than the styrafoam i used to insulate from the out door wall.. - oh.. that was a surprise...)
Lmom. your right.. I had brought in some weeds cut out of the yard.. for them to pick on.. the dirt .. and grass.. and they didnt seem to like it
.. and did not to want to sleep there.??? I'm thinking this is odd.
so i thought there may be some thing on them.. and used the DE as a precaution..
-- as they get bigger.. i may continue this for the coop.. and will need to get a bigger container..
humm.. maybe the Kids pool.. that wont hold water any more.

?? I dont have wood ash.. but.. i do have tumble weeds.. if i burned some of them.. ? I'm guessing its not the same.. ?

Try this!

I have always wanted to. Looks awesome!

 

[Child of Noah]

Try this!

I have always wanted to. Looks awesome!

That looks so fun. If I had an enclosed run I would definitely be doing something like that. As it is, they go in the forest if they want to swing on a branch.