The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Alibabe]

Wow Leigh it is amazing that you find all the time that you do to keep up with that "thing" for us, especially with your complicated home life! We are all so appreciative! And I am in awww of how well you handle all of the "quirks" life has dealt you as well as your passion for your chickens!!! Thank you!!

x2

 

[bbsnooks]

Hello all . just wanted to say how nice it is to have a place to read about and share.. our win's and losses , stories, funnies, successes and remedies.. and of course the photo's.. i just went to the thing.. to see more ; ) and just when i think i can skipp pages to catch up.. i find my self.. having to back track to find "the rest of the story!" thanks to all.

I just had a parasite.. bath for my 2 older chickens.<8-9 mo's old roosters>.
( the 8 week'ers don't have any that i could see and sleep at a different place.. but they free range together)
I saw some thing crawling near oneof the roosters eye's .. and then.. decided to inspect more.. and found the red painful looking skin.
surprising.. how much feather.. there is to part.. < my newby comming out..>
so.. i ran to computer.. and cupboard for information and oil's..

i did the salt / vinegar / Bonner's soak and soap... that i saw here earlier.
then rinsed in a few table spoon neem oil and cap full of eucalyptus and orange oil with a dab of Bonner's to mix... in water..
frankly.. i was just throwing what ever i had in the house on it.. this was just yesterday.. so when should i look again .. for the 2nd dunking?

I am wondering.. .. how to treat the coop. I have a rainbow vacuum.. which has a misting attachment..
I put some neem and orange oil in water.. to spray on.. however I don't think the neem mixed very well and may have just stayed on top.. of the water.

the thing says to put neem on.. the roosts.. so.. I'm thinking that full strength may be ? over kill. ?
so there must be several way's to apply it -- and dilute.
?? this is where i would like your help.. and experience. ??

I also have DE.. that had previously been put down in flooring..
however Floyd.. likes to go over and entertain the neighbors girls.<hen's>. I think this may be where the bugs came from.. and until my girls get big enough to entertain him.. i will probably have a future prevention issue to deal with. as.. he is free range.. and I dont really think penning him up is a solution.
I was thinking .. a ?Weekly /monthly dunking in.. neem water? < trying to make the best of a pest situation>

also..

I do not have wood ash.. but.. have lots of tumble weeds.. this maybe a silly ?? but would the ash of them be any good? in a dust bath.?
I've never heard just what it is about the ash.. that stops the mites.. any one know?

Hey all. I've got another question. I want to.make my own ACV. Its expensive to keep buying when I'm feeding it to.my chicken.s, my dog, my horses and myself. Lol. Everything I keep reading says it has to be done in a glass container. Can I just use a regular old water jug for this? Does anyone have any preferred methods or recipes? Thanks in advance

Apple cider Vinegar with the Mother in it..
-
Jeep girl.. Thanks to the inspiration here I have just made 4 different batches of ACV.. just this spring
The ideas on byc and you-tube. and a little experimentation of my own.
you can do this.. ; )
1) I agree the easiest way .. is purchase
-large gallon. <cheap> ACV with/out the mother.empty some.
- then add the <good> ACV with the mother to it
+ mix with some time.. and voila your own batch.. < i added just a little apple juice for sugar to help.. the process start.> works great

2) way I used frozen apple juice in a can .. mix as directed.. and add a cup or so.. of ACV with the Mother in it.. + let set in dark place
i did this again .. with a different Flavor.. of vinegar.. too and also tossed in a bit of left over wine. that worked good too.

3) apple roughage/ fiber from juicing - when I juice fruits and vegies for health..
I do the apples first.. and use a vegetable bag.. to catch the apple fiber bits.
I have done this a couple of ways.. the first time.. ACV w/Mother + Frozen apple juice + Fiber bits 2 apples
this separated.. some on its own.. and when finished.. I just put thru cheese cloth to strain.

the 2nd time.. ACV w/Mother + apple fiber bits. from 8- 10 apples and water + sugar and bit of molassas
this making did not separate itself.. but there was lots more apple in it.. however it did convert to vinegar.. - apple sauce vinegar?.
its's kinda funky.. It works great for the out door water' tubs. I toss in a spoon full 1-2 /wk or so.. in the water tubs.
. and i use it to put in the Ferment water for the scratch & Feed.. ( dont really need to - now that the ferment is going good. but it cant hurt)

non chicken related...
- I also have this chunky acv mix + a Aloe vera + (various) fruit juice concentrate (black cherry cranberry ) in pitcher in fridge
ready .. to re-hydrate - and re-set my digestive system. hey.. if its good for the chickens... it cant be bad for me..
when I get my kombuchu going .. I'll ad this to the pitcher mix too..
I have this in a concentrate.. so i just pour 1/part to 4 of water - or over ice.. on hot days.
- this helps me in drinking more water.. than i would other wise.

--
a0xa the new barn.. looks fabulous !! as do the photo's..
--
Oh.. found some thing for winter water ers... Bucket warmers.. .. i saw this on a soap making page..
i just wanted to pass on a possibility for winter water buckets.. or possibly fermenting out doors in winter..
http://www.fastoolnow.com/0609-plw5.html
http://www.fastoolnow.com/warmer-bags---wraps.html#top

and amazon has a thermostatic controlled plug in to turn on appliances only when below 35 - i think.. -
http://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovato...1-5-spell&keywords=plug+in+tempature+controll

now back to summer.. its supposed to be 90 some thing today.. - and too windy here in the land of OZ to want to be out side..
-- guess I'll clean house.
hope your day is great..

 

[bbsnooks]

oh my.. that was very long.. post ..


I didnt realize.. when i start it here.. go away.. get distracted .. and start again.. 3 or 4 times..

please excuse..

 

[NanaLynn]

x2

Yes, thanks for compiling all that info. So helpful!

I have a quick question:
I still have some medicated chick starter. Will this transfer to the eggs that any of my older chickens lay? As far as human consumption?
The younger chicks are the only ones with access to it right now and the bigger ones are just about ready to lay eggs. The flock is going to be fully integrated soon and sharing a feeder soon, so I was not sure if mixing the remaining medicated chick started in with the flock raiser would be a good idea or not.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

We have one of the outlet plugs for a heat light in winter. I aim it at the waterer not the chickens. It turns out that our chickens don't really need much heat even in the winter. The red one looks interesting, maybe it could be used with a fan for cooling in the summer.

As for the bucket warmers, I think I will be waiting till the price drops down considerably. Kind of cool it looks like a jacket though. I was thinking it was going to be something to sit the bucket on or put into the bucket.

 

[aoxa]

Yes, thanks for compiling all that info. So helpful!

I have a quick question:
I still have some medicated chick starter. Will this transfer to the eggs that any of my older chickens lay? As far as human consumption?
The younger chicks are the only ones with access to it right now and the bigger ones are just about ready to lay eggs. The flock is going to be fully integrated soon and sharing a feeder soon, so I was not sure if mixing the remaining medicated chick started in with the flock raiser would be a good idea or not.

I know the majority of us on this thread don't like the idea of medicated starter period. But according to people who do use it - it does not leave the gut, so it does not get into the eggs.. however, I am not sure I buy it.

 

[NanaLynn]

I know the majority of us on this thread don't like the idea of medicated starter period. But according to people who do use it - it does not leave the gut, so it does not get into the eggs.. however, I am not sure I buy it.

Yeah, unfortunately I had already bought it before I started reading this thread or Bee's and being so new at this too, etc. In the future, I won't buy it again, I like the natural approach best. I also hate to waste anything. Thanks, it is good to hear that it doesn't leave the gut.

 

[Mumsy]

Yeah your first homegrown white silkie chick!!!

Oh I so hope Dumpling hatches out some babies!! How long has she been sitting?

If its warm up there maybe they will be ok??? She is so lucky to have found a home with you!
Ninja my Black Silkie was flat on 14 eggs... had them ALL covered!!! Too bad they aren't fertile...

She's been on them just a week. Our warmest days hit mid 70's but it dips to 47 degrees during the night. It would be amazing to me if she hatches any but really really amazing if she can care for them. I don't over think it. If they hatch great, if not, oh well. I am maxed out with Silkies for the time. No more room. She is my favorite chicken. I am always watching out for her. I think the little Silkie chick Judy the Broody hatched is hers. A baby dumpling.

 

[Bulldogma]

The place you are renting is up for sale yes? I'd be a nervous wreck. I hate that feeling of needing to find a place but be pressed for time.

It is for sale... but it has been for almost 4 years now. DH is looking to transfer to another facility.

Are you moving close by your current address?

Probably not. We would be either moving a couple hours west or a couple hours east.

Yes it is going to be really cool

Wow Leigh it is amazing that you find all the time that you do to keep up with that "thing" for us, especially with your complicated home life! We are all so appreciative! And I am in awww of how well you handle all of the "quirks" life has dealt you as well as your passion for your chickens!!! Thank you!!

x2
*blushing wildly*
Awww - thanks, guys! I have to have other things to focus on (other than my children) to maintain what little shred of sanity I have left. LOL! It's a great diversion! It's a little harder during the summer when the kids are out of school, but I'll do my best to keep "things" up and running!

 

[Leahs Mom]

We went to Prince Edward Island this Saturday to pick up some Silver Pencilled Plymouth Rock eggs that were donated to us by PEI Chicken on here. The birds were BEAUTIFUL. Nicer in person than in photos, and her cock bird was the biggest I have seen in Plymouth Rock. She weighed him and said he's pushing 12 pounds. He was very well tempered and gorgeous. The hens as well. Here are some of the photos she has on her BYC page.

Wow...he is one handsome boy!

Wow Leigh it is amazing that you find all the time that you do to keep up with that "thing" for us, especially with your complicated home life! We are all so appreciative! And I am in awww of how well you handle all of the "quirks" life has dealt you as well as your passion for your chickens!!! Thank you!!

X a zillion

non chicken related...
- I also have this chunky acv mix + a Aloe vera + (various) fruit juice concentrate (black cherry cranberry ) in pitcher in fridge
ready .. to re-hydrate - and re-set my digestive system. hey.. if its good for the chickens... it cant be bad for me..
when I get my kombuchu going .. I'll ad this to the pitcher mix too..
I have this in a concentrate.. so i just pour 1/part to 4 of water - or over ice.. on hot days.
- this helps me in drinking more water.. than i would other wise.

Oh.. found some thing for winter water ers... Bucket warmers.. .. i saw this on a soap making page..
i just wanted to pass on a possibility for winter water buckets.. or possibly fermenting out doors in winter..
http://www.fastoolnow.com/0609-plw5.html
http://www.fastoolnow.com/warmer-bags---wraps.html#top

and amazon has a thermostatic controlled plug in to turn on appliances only when below 35 - i think.. -
http://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovato...1-5-spell&keywords=plug+in+tempature+controll

now back to summer.. its supposed to be 90 some thing today.. - and too windy here in the land of OZ to want to be out side..
-- guess I'll clean house.
hope your day is great..

That mix in the kombucha sounds like it would be really good! My son in law snagged a scoby from a "clean source" today that he's going to share with me once he gets it. We were going to get a starter scoby from cultures for health if we couldn't find one locally. I've never made it before but I have a lot of "book knowldege" on how to do it. Now to get that scoby! I definitely want to flavor some rather than just plain after it's fermented

Those jackets look interesting. When I have more time I'd like to read more about them. Pretty expensive though! And I use one of those thermocubes and really like 'em. We can get them at the local hardware or Lowes/Menards so I don't have to pay shipping.