The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[chooks4life]

Quote: Yes. It will also burn worm eggs and isn't too friendly to viruses and bad bacteria. When getting my deep litter compost going I limed a good few times with the agricultural lime they feed to livestock (pretty sure it's hydrated lime) and that would kill smells. After the litter was going it killed the smells itself. Poops vanished like magic and the soil was always the right consistency and moisture levels, and the chooks largely kissed illness goodbye. That's another thing I ought to say, when I'm recommending garlic etc; not until deep litter compost was functioning did I experience the almost complete drop off of disease the chooks then enjoyed from then on. Garlic works even when they're not on DLC but I think it's a combination of factors that work best. Cleaning out the coop floors frequently as I used to was not working, they'd sour up quickly.

Some can't seem to get DLC going where they are and I think it varies enormously according to what country you're in because the local fungi/ bacteria/ microorganisms (etc) will be different, and so will the negative counterparts they must combat. I live in the tropics of Queensland so I can't guarantee my methods will work for people in America but I do believe it's just a matter of finding the right mix of active composting agents. Basically if you've got a forest anywhere in your state which has a naturally composting floor (as they do) then I would assume the right components are available.

 

[Sally8]

Mine is water based, and has withstood a lot, but is showing wear and tear since I have to scrub my coops often, the oil based would probably be better since it wouldn't get washed away as easily ( ever tried to remove dried oil based paint on base boards? NOT easy )

My concern is not ever having to take it up but if I'll live through the smell. That Kilz is just smelly.That's what's stopped me so far. The only reason I chose it was to seal the corners and cracks of the bathroom and what I call the cat room. Any place I've kept a litter box for the cats. Everything seems to absorb that awful smell. Especially flooring. Fortunately, I think my cats are worth it.

Editing to say that I have taken oil based products off baseboard. We lived in a early 1900's house and I started to restore all the wood. When they say not to use a heat gun unless you know that it does NOT contain lead, they mean it. Voice of experience. (cough, wheeze)

 

[Ashdoes]

sour dough

• [COLOR=FF0000]Select a container that your "pet" will live in.[/COLOR] A wide-mouthed glass jar is best, ask the plastic hater and she will concure. I use a glass jar with a rubber seal; you can find these for $2-$4 in any antique or junk shop or even at rummage sales. A small crock with a loose lid is also great; these can be bought in cheap sets for serving soup. You can also use a rubbermaid or tupperware container (Don't tell).  A wide-mouthed mayonnaise or pickle jar will also do just fine. Metallic containers are a bad idea; some of them are reactive and can ruin your starter and avoid sturing with metal spoons too.
• [COLOR=FF0000]Blend a cup of warm water and a cup of flour, and pour it into the jar.[/COLOR] That's the whole recipe! I use plain, organic bread flour most of the time, but I've had good results with all-purpose and whole-wheat flour, too. If you want, you can add yeast to a starter to "boost" it. If you do this, sourdough snobs will look down their nose at you - do you care about snobs? I personally find that (at least here where I live) no yeast "boost" is necessary, and I can make "real" sourdough with no trouble. I live in a humid climate and as long as it is nott by my FF it is great! But if you are having trouble, go ahead! I won't tell. I have cheated in the past when I had to throw out my starter.
• [COLOR=FF0000]Every 24 Hours, Feed the Starter.[/COLOR] You should keep the starter in a warm place; 70-80 degrees. This allows the yeast already present in the flour (and in the air) to grow rapidly. Mine takes a bit longer because my house is colder. Hotter homes might kill it. They do not like 100 degrees. You can take comfort from the fact that almost nothing else will do so. The way you feed the starter is to [COLOR=800000]([/COLOR][COLOR=FF0000]A[/COLOR][COLOR=800000])[/COLOR] throw away half of it and then [COLOR=800000]([/COLOR][COLOR=FF0000]B[/COLOR][COLOR=800000])[/COLOR] add a half-cup of flour and a half-cup of water. Do this every 24 hours. Within three or four days (it can take longer, a week or more, and it can happen more quickly) you should start getting lots of bubbles, and a pleasant sour or beery smell. The starter may start to puff up, too. This is good. Here's the gist: When your starter develops a bubbly froth, it is done. 
• [COLOR=FF0000]Refrigerate the Starter[/COLOR][COLOR=800000].[/COLOR] Keep the starter in your fridge, with a lid on it. Allow a little breathing space in the lid. If you're using a mayo or pickle jar, punch a hole in the lid with a nail, that kind of thing. Once the starter is chilled, it needs to be fed only once a week. Realistically, you can get away with less; it's important to remember that your starter is a colony of life-forms that are almost impossible to kill (except with extreme heat). Even starving them is difficult.

Hootch( the liquid that sets on top) It smells like beer but don't drink it.

You can stir in the liquid if it starts to dry out or pour it off if it is wet enough.

Just this morning I read something very similar to what you just said. It seemed the easiest route, and I've already fixed one issue with my starter, and hoping it'll be usable in the next week or so, since it's already a week old. Thanks

 

[loanwizard]

what is normal food? Bagged processed manufactured food or natural food? Like bugs and grubs? Worms and slugs?

Oh here came the Natural Policeman...... LMBO! I thought it but bit my tongue.....

 

[armorfirelady]

My concern is not ever having to take it up but if I'll live through the smell. That Kilz is just smelly.That's what's stopped me so far. The only reason I chose it was to seal the corners and cracks of the bathroom and what I call the cat room. Any place I've kept a litter box for the cats. Everything seems to absorb that awful smell. Especially flooring. Fortunately, I think my cats are worth it.

Editing to say that I have taken oil based products off baseboard. We lived in a early 1900's house and I started to restore all the wood. When they say not to use a heat gun unless you know that it does NOT contain lead, they mean it. Voice of experience. (cough, wheeze)

I have only used Kilz in my basement to seal the cement blocks that were damp from a poorly constructed basement. I didnt think it was that smelly tho I did use the water based version for easier clean up. Its held up pretty well. I had some bleed thru areas but that was about 6 years after I put it on.

When I do my bathroom remodel I will use it in there as well.

The best thing I found to put under litter boxes is wood floor laminate. The clean up is so easy!!

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: Delisha you make it sound so easy. Thank you for this. The closest I have come to making homemade bread is putting all the ingredients in the bread maker

Maybe some day I will get brave & try making this

 

[CoopChick719]

I used to be a poop watcher when I got my hens. Today I realized I am a chick watcher ..............Copper twice was fluffed up half laying on her side in the sun..............then Edie was doing it was before I left for work........then I realized duh they are just sunning themselves !!!!

LOL!! My daughter saw 2 of the girls lying on their sides in the sun. She ran to them thinking they were dead. It scared her half to death! Of course they hopped right up & ran away like their tails were on fire. She came back in shaking her head. She said it took her a minute to realize they were sunning themselves.

 

[BlueMouse]

Here's your laugh for the day: My two week old turkey strutting his stuff...

 

[CoopChick719]

Siding is all finished

Also one of the roosters attacked the contractor. They both look the same to a novice, but I suspect it's Randy. He will be taking a long walk to the freezer shortly.

Have been following the progress. It is beautiful! I now have barn envy!! So happy for you & Susan!!!

 

[aoxa]

Here's your laugh for the day: My two week old turkey strutting his stuff...

Very cute!!

Have been following the progress. It is beautiful! I now have barn envy!! So happy for you & Susan!!!

Thank you!