The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

I let my chips "cure" in a pile for awhile. I don't use them for the chickens until they are inhabited with worms. That way I know they're cured enough to support life so they should be okay for the kiddos!


ETA: I've only used wood chips in the outdoor run. My thought is that since they're large, they wouldn't be particularly absorbent for indoor use - and the chips are the ones I put in a pile outdoors and let them become inhabited w/worms before using.

WOOD SHAVINGS wouldn't need to be kept in an outdoor pile, but maybe need an "aging time" or cure time of some sort.

Ahhh I was right I knew it was one of you

I figured letting it age would be beneficial for them.

I want to use the wood chips in the people run area so I can toss all the stinky wet hay into the compost (Its all I had when the yard flooded) I figured it would look nicer as well. If its very small wood chips/shavings I figured i would let it sit about a week or so then bag it for storage as the it dries in the pile. But its from grounding out trunks and cutting down trees so I am guessing it will be a combination of both.
The best part is he is going to deliver also

 

[Child of Noah]

BDM & LM, here are some of my SFH.

Sounds like a mysterious code...

(Only the "initiated" know for sure...)


OH...and those SFH are VP. Do you know if they're P's or C's??????

And...where did you get yours? The coloring on the far left and far right look very close to my cockerel and one of the pullets.

CoN LMNOP SFH ...... I am not really in the know

SFH's are beautiful though, and I would love to have them some day.

 

[Child of Noah]

we also have a very good chicken dog. Except for one I discretion when the chickens were new two years ago. This dog hunts like crazy all day for squirrels and lizards. Then she roams the property all night and has been seen chasing critters out of the property saving the flock numerous times I'm sure. You can even hear the raccoons late at night in the woods. But that dog keeps them out. She gets every egg that is cracked and the occasional duck egg when she lays in the middle of the yard, I think she loves the birds now for they give her treats!! The other snores so loud all night you can her in the house.

Hurray for good dogs! ... My good dog is on the couch next to me right at the moment... snoring.

One last note for anyone doing a new setup... (I've raised chickens forever and am always looking for new ways to be more efficient)...
I now start my chicks on chicken nipples from day one.
I was hesitant because I didn't know how they'd take to it... but it's amazing how they seek water and will figure it out quickly. And as soon as one figures it all, then all do.
And I don't use the screw in type, I use the push in... they are cheap and easy to use. I put them in lids of water bottles for just one or two chicks (make sure to poke a little vent in bottom of bottle - you don't want a vacuum), and I put them in the bottom of buckets.

When I first got my chickens, and they did like chickens do and got their litter in the water and I was so distraught because if I was at work they might be going 8 hours without clean water. I believe they were less than a week old when I got them a rabbit water bottle (similar concept) and they took to it right away! No more spills, and I was sure they had clean water. Next time I have a broody box of baby chicks they are getting this from day one.

Mrs. SB your coop-and-run-with-addition is great!

 

[midnightroo]

Friend sent me this from Craigslist. I know there has been talk about milling your own feed on here before, but could you tell me your impression and any questions I should ask please. Thanks. Oh and mine free range whenever we are home and we have two almost hens, one that might make it to a rooster and four 8 week ish pullets. I don't for right now, but might later in the spring, early summer.
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/grd/3792067448.html

 

[delisha]

I may have just won the chicken lottery

......I posted an ad on Craigs list under *wanted* for wood shavings & wood chips. Had 2 people reply back that they have them. One guy has 3 truck loads I can have for free

he says they are small chips so I am hopeful it will work great for bedding for the hens...............if not it will go under the pines as mulch.

I was thinking I would let it sit outside for awhile before bagging it for storage. I think someone (LM or BDM) else did the same thing?
And I am correct in thinking any wood chips are fine for using as DL except cedar?

I use them with dirt, straw, grass, and herbs

Quote: Great score..my wood chip pile is getting low, I just might put an add in myself.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Now - how 'bout a photo of your tractor?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Friend sent me this from Craigslist. I know there has been talk about milling your own feed on here before, but could you tell me your impression and any questions I should ask please. Thanks. Oh and mine free range whenever we are home and we have two almost hens, one that might make it to a rooster and four 8 week ish pullets. I don't for right now, but might later in the spring, early summer.
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/grd/3792067448.html

This is what I'd ask them:

-Specific recipe - what percentage of each item.
-Do they use any mineral mix or just the grains?
-When specifically was it "milled fresh" - date?
-What kind of grains...are they "feed grains" or "planting grains"? (Planting grains are usually treated w/fungicides and sometimes insecticides...and possibly some other nasties you wouldn't want to feed.)
-Conventional or GMO grains?

 

[BlueMouse]

My run addition is finished

We started out letting the girls free range during the day but had to keep them in the fence all the time because of stray dogs. The tall part and the actual coop was all we had to begin with. I wanted them to have plenty of room plus I wanted to get more so here she is! It goes around behind the back too

I love your run! it looks great.

what is ACD and BSF? Oh boy I feel so behind. I am so excited to learn about this free protein source for our flock! Thanks to all for the suggestions on how to preserve it.

Sorry! ACD = Australian Cattle Dog (blue heeler) He's kinda like a continual toddler with a ladder and scissors.... Best. Dog. Ever. BSF= Black soldier fly larva. I'm hoping I can be sucessful with them, since they're pretty much a free source of protien!

Millions of chicks every year are raised on it. If your gut is telling you the pieces of the organic are too large for the chicks, heed. It might be a needless worry, but if some of the chicks don't make it, the last thing you want keeping you up all night is worrying it was your fault for feeding them pieces that are too large.

If you're fermenting you can always just whizz it in the food processor for a few seconds before feeding it for the first week or so, just for your own peace of mind.

Ahhh I was right I knew it was one of you

I figured letting it age would be beneficial for them.

I want to use the wood chips in the people run area so I can toss all the stinky wet hay into the compost (Its all I had when the yard flooded) I figured it would look nicer as well. If its very small wood chips/shavings I figured i would let it sit about a week or so then bag it for storage as the it dries in the pile. But its from grounding out trunks and cutting down trees so I am guessing it will be a combination of both.
The best part is he is going to deliver also

I'm jealous!

 

[aoxa]

Isn't this cute?

Fresh Eggs Daily did an all natural first aid kit for chickens.

I mainly just love the painting on the front. I may have to do just that. It would look so cute in the barn.
I told them they should add coconut oil to the list. Very awesome thing to have.

I get skin infections often. I have very sensitive skin, and it clears it up within 24 hours. Every. Single. Time.

 

[midnightroo]

Thanks Leah's mom.

Our premier one fencing arrived not half an hour ago by fed ex, ordered on Tuesday, didn't pay for extra shipping and it is already up and around the chicken coops.

Justine, I make a salve with poke root, it is supposed to help with healing also. Very easy to do, I was going to suggest to infuse some with the coconut oil, but it is solid at room temperature isn't it. Hmm, maybe you could infuse the poke with some olive oil and then you could melt the coconut oil and mix the olive oil infusion with the coconut oil. I add beeswax to give it a firmer texture, not sure if you would need to do that with the coconut oil.