The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[FarmerJH]

I'm in Hudson - not too far from you

Ah, ok. I was just up there today on a wild goose hunt for corrugated roofing which the Hudson lowe's doesn't carry just in case you ever need it. lol

Hey all!

I've been slowly catching up on this thread and pretty much up to date, so thought I'd finally say hi before a dozen posts popped up and I'm stuck reading again. Hehe.

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I wanted to make a word of caution for anyone growing BloodWorms (midge fly larvae) for feed. Not BSF (afaik). They can cause or amplify allergic reactions in people. I speak from personal experience, having been around the larvae years ago when feeding aquarium frogs. They were kept near a rabbit pen (very clean, but close to the hay) and I became irritated by the hay dust (which I'm not normally allergic to).

When I found out they were the culprit, I got rid of them immediately & cleaned everything I could but it took me months before the tank was fully cycled and I could stop choking, coughing, & sneezing. I'm very lucky I didn't become allergic to the hay.

Now I'm thinking of keeping mealworms (I used to, before I tried BW larvae) and I am told there's an allergy connection to them and BW. That if you become allergic to the BW, you may become allergic to the mealworms. The mealworms themselves have their own issues (it's said many folks who keep them enmasse in improper containers can become allergic to them faster).

Got a small batch of mealworms today & trying to see if I can tolerate them. Put them gently in a tub w/ as little dust as I can manage, closed the lid & walked away. One hour later and it's iffy. My throat & chest is tight, so thanks to the BWs I may never be able to raise mealworms again.

So just a word of warning for you all. Take extra precautions, wash your hands & avoid BloodWorms if you've allergy or immune issues.

Oh wow, thanks for sharing, I was considering raising mealworms and freezing them for winter treats, not sure I want to deal with allergies though.

 

[Quailsong]

Hello!
Interesting on the mealworms and allergies. My husband was having an allergic reaction to something and we couldn't figure out what it was. At the time I had some mealworms in the house in a small container and now that you say that, I wonder if that was it.

What are the symptoms you were having with the bloodworms?

Back when I had them it was runny nose, sneezing, coughing, tight chest...typical allergy symptoms. Yet the doctor couldn't find anything wrong with me.

Here's the whole story on my experience:

Before that incident I was not allergic to anything (non-digested, save for a tiny bit of mould) when I was tested. We had bloodworms (freeze dried) for two African Dwarf Frogs (non-clawed) for about a month. Every time the aquarium lid was lifted and we fed them I'd start coughing, sneezing, etc. The air was contaminated with them as the pumps/filters were disturbing the water (good for an aquarium though).

We got rid of the frogs and the bloodworms (gave them both to a nice lady), cleaned the whole area around the tank & it took months (sorry mistype) for the water to fully cycle clean. During that time, every time the lid was lifted I'd start getting symptoms, so I knew to avoid the aquarium at cleaning/feeding time.

Thankfully, we didn't have to get rid of our bunny (although we did last year due to other time restraints - again to a good, loving home). She was not the culprit, not at all - a tiny little bottle of freeze dried blood worms was.

Three or four years ago (I think) before the bloodworms incident, I kept mealworms. I had a huge batch of them without any issues. They were fantastic little creatures. I kept them for composting and even thought about eating them (hey, it's a good source of protein) but one day I decided to switch to red wigglers. Which turned out even better/faster for composting.

So here I'm moving to a farm in the summer, getting quail and thinking about mealworms again for an extra protein feed (the quail, not me . Only that now I've read there's a connection between bloodworms and mealworms. And I've also read (though unsure if it's true) that 1/3 of the people who keep mealworms end up becoming allergic to them.

Got a 'test batch' of 50 from the pet store today (I really only wanted 3...but they don't sell that few). Put them in a little bin of their own & after some time I started getting tightness in my chest & a fast heart rate. I will pretend it's just due to nervousness, ignore the 'issue' & see what a week with them does to me. If I feel like I've got a terrible flu by the end of it I'll just give them away to my fish friends & that's that. But I'm really hoping, with all my heart that the bloodworms didn't wreck me from mealworms forever. :S

Hopefully this info helps ya, Leahs Mom.

Edit for clarity.

 

[Bulldogma]

New "just for fun" post on the Thing. Read it HERE.

 

[bluebirdnanny]

cool!!!

 

[cywiar merch]

That would be me!

Grain ration fanatic... for chickens, sheep, and cattle.

I'm pretty anal about what management groups are getting what protein...
I've experimented over the years and can say that a combination of at least 16% protein (if not a little higher) with at least 4% by weight (if not higher) in animal proteins, will dramatically increase not only egg production but overall health of laying hens.
Anything below 16% or with little to no animal protein and there's a dramatic dropped in egg production and quality.
Thus... my questions about the increase in protein when the grains are fermented...
If the protein really increases a full 3% (which I've not been able to find fact to back that up), then many of us could save a lot of money by fermenting... not because they eat less, but because the most expensive ingredients in our rations are the highest protein ones.

I only eliminate fish meal when I have BSF or free range... regardless of how high my protein is, they need that animal protein. But cutting out a higher protein grain like field peas would save $. I won't take shortcuts and feed garbage... I grind and mix my own and it's always soy free and gmo free... but any money I can save is always helpful.
Until I can double my BSF crawl off, I'm actually considering not feeing BSF at all in summer and freezing it for feeding over the winter. They free range in the summer so they don't need the BSF too.

Interesting. I am starting out and am eager to make my own food as well. I have read various recipes. Would you be willing to share yours?

BTW, how do I give ovations. So many people contribute information that I think deserve them but I am always behind plus I keep forgetting how to ask hwo to do it.

 

[armorfirelady]

New "just for fun" post on the Thing.  Read it HERE.

Great idea. I love the pics

 

[mlowen]

New "just for fun" post on the Thing.  Read it HERE.

Gorgeous!

 

[stonykill]

New "just for fun" post on the Thing. Read it HERE.

great idea. I may just send you a few pics myself for the

 

[kian]

Very excited over here: we have 5 out of 8 eggs hatched so far today!!!!!! They were popping out like crazy! SO SO SO cute.








I had to crawl inside the coop so the photos aren't wonderful. The lightest baby on the left is the 5th to hatch.

 

[Quailsong]

Those are beautiful little chicks.