The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[stonykill]

Do you guys feed your chickens potatoes? I read somewhere once they weren't good for them something about the skins I think. Sounded weird to me but I haven't been just in case... What about you guys?

It's been a while since I read it but I think they were meaning any potato. I know the green skin is poison even for humans so I wouldn't give them those. Just ones past eating for us...

if I remember correctly it is raw potatoes. I feed left over cooked potatoes all of the time to the birds. None have died

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote: \ correction from the origional site.. "several" and probably.. which means.. that the laboratory was not consulted. < alot of conjecture.>
he.. has lots.. of chickens.. so .. It may be a small percentage of the total.
copied from origional.....

I have used it successfully for years, I have recently indeed had problems—including deaths of several chickens—that probably resulted from “limberneck”—that is, botulism poisoning.
http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/feeding-chickens-maggots.html

I think with the use of lactic acid bacteria.. on the carion.. this may be a viable way of feeding.. and at least worth a trial.. study. JMHO






I am sorry I posted the first quote, I did a lot of research on the subject some time ago when I first heard about this technique, and I miss remembered the man who started this did just have "several" to die from this feeding practice and no longer practices it. However many others have lost many birds to this practice. LAB does out compete w/ several microbes and fungi and control them in that manner and may very well be a means to use this method w/ more controlled risk, as it too is anarobic like botulism (LAB is also areobic). Even though I mis-remembered some of the details I still think anyone trying this method should do plenty of research and KNOW what they are risking to try this.

 

[Mrs.SB]

    if I remember correctly it is raw potatoes. I feed left over cooked potatoes all of the time to the birds. None have died

Thanks! I guess I could throw them in the oven to keep from wasting them..

Or start composting again. I need to do that anyway

 

[delisha]

I have composted potatoes for ever. My chickens love my compost pile. They eat all kinds of things that people say will kill them. They just do not eat a lot of it.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

my chickens have eaten left over french fries and other cooked potatoes. They seem fine.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Been checking, and the last 2 eggs from the pullet are FERTILE! (I think the one before that was too but couldn't see it as clearly so didn't want to speculate until I had a good clear view of one.)

Now I know I'm way behind and I haven't read to the end so there may have been some comment on this already. But your statement is very interesting - especially since I'm one of the "resident proponents" of getting as much animal protein into their diets as possible. In fact, I'd remove every ounce of legumes and as many grains as possible if I could!

Now I have some Swedish Flower Hens that turn 19 weeks old today. At least one of them started laying just 2 days short of week 18. I'm told by the SFH people that this is very early for this breed. BDM - correct me if I'm wrong...was it about 22 weeks they usually start?

Anyhow, I'm wondering if she may be earlier due to my practice of feeding a good amount of animal protein right from hatch. Of course, I'll never know, but your statement has me wondering.

.I watched her for awhile yesterday. Not sure if she's the only one laying but she's the only one I SAW.

She was doing the classic "picking up pieces of grass and putting them on her back" thing. I thought...oh my...will she go broody early? Not acting broody at all, however, except for picking up the grass like that.

 

[loanwizard]

My chickens have eaten chicken peelings ever since I've had them.

I swear, I wonder how people kept animals before the internet.....

When I (we) I am male..... clean out the fridge, they get everything not packaged. Ahhh.... never mind.....

 

[Kassaundra]

My chickens have eaten chicken peelings ever since I've had them.

I swear, I wonder how people kept animals before the internet.....

When I (we) I am male..... clean out the fridge, they get everything not packaged. Ahhh.... never mind.....

I know what you meant to type, but

anyway!

 

[loanwizard]

Oops! Fingers and thumbs got confused..... I have fed moldy things too.... Oh for shame!!!!

 

[Leahs Mom]

CHICKEN PEELINGS!!!!!

Better watch out...someone will get you for that!