The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Interesting article regarding the benefits of kefir..thought someone might be interested in reading.

http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/kefir.html

Disclaimer: Please bear in mind that when they are comparing "milk" to kefir, they are most likely referring to PASTEURIZED milk rather than raw...so I wouldn't advise putting too much weight on that comparison...of course cooked milk isn't going to have the healthful benefits that raw milk or fermented milk products would have.

 

[camilleathome]

Than you can drive to visit me!!

When its mine YES!

 

[MumsyII]

I think LynnEBC has a nice coop. I would be happy to have one like it. My old barn is cobbled together with found windows, boards, and a mish mash of add ons. My mom calls it "half a bubble off", referencing a carpenters level. But if it works good, looks don't matter.

I love love love your pictures Sally8! I especially am very fond of those turkeys! Mine learned how to fly up against the gate of their pen tonight and managed to push it open! My husband was grilling steaks outside and says,"Did you turn the turkeys loose in the orchard?"

I go running out there and yep. Sure enough. All five are wandering around the barnyard in a tight group looking very pleased with themselves. Hah! They were easy to put back away.


They were all behind the gate when I went indoors. I think this tom is testing it. I didn't put a latch on it yet.They were hatched April 30. It's hard to believe looking at them, they are just two months old!

In the heat of the afternoon, my old shed of a barn and yard has few birds. A half dozen HRIR looking for shade.

 

[wlhtx]

Interesting article regarding the benefits of kefir..thought someone might be interested in reading. 

http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/kefir.html

Disclaimer:  Please bear in mind that when they are comparing "milk" to kefir, they are most likely referring to PASTEURIZED milk rather than raw...so I wouldn't advise putting too much weight on that comparison...of course cooked milk isn't going to have the healthful benefits that raw milk or fermented milk products would have.

Interesting article! I've never had or even seen kefir. Does it taste like sour Greek yogurt? (I wouldn't know what else to compare it to...)

Thanks for posting this, Leahs Mom. THIS is the type of stuff I come to this thread hoping to find.

 

[flagirl]

I make kefir every day and use it in my husband and my smoothies every morning for breakfast. ocassionally the hens get some. I make it from raw goats milk It is not sour-I would describe it as tangy. when blended with a little honey and some berries, it makes a very tasty drink. Ask around and see if you can get some live grains from someone. most just give it away.

 

[aoxa]

Okay. Mine doesn't have the strip over them. Maybe I should add?

I would

Interesting article regarding the benefits of kefir..thought someone might be interested in reading.

http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/kefir.html

Disclaimer: Please bear in mind that when they are comparing "milk" to kefir, they are most likely referring to PASTEURIZED milk rather than raw...so I wouldn't advise putting too much weight on that comparison...of course cooked milk isn't going to have the healthful benefits that raw milk or fermented milk products would have.

Chickens LOOOOOVE Kefir as well. Especially Margaret. I need to get some Kefir grains. Susan killed our last ones

Interesting article! I've never had or even seen kefir. Does it taste like sour Greek yogurt? (I wouldn't know what else to compare it to...)

Thanks for posting this, Leahs Mom. THIS is the type of stuff I come to this thread hoping to find.

No it doesn't taste like greek yoghurt at all. Ever had Yops? The runny drinkable yoghurt? Similar in texture to that, but much, much more sour. I mix mine with berries and a touch of coconut sugar because it is very bitter.

 

[Sally8]

Mumsy - I'd forgotten you had Blue Slate also. I can't keep my turkeys in. I think this week end we'll clip 1 wing on each as they were out next to the road yesterday. Every night at dusk we have to get them off the fence and put them in the coop.


They love getting up on the fence and clean each other as well as themselves.


This makes DH cringe as he is the caretaker of the pool. Thankfully this is now a rare occurnce.

My 2 slates came from a hatchery and it turns out they are male and female. Would they be brother and sister as well? Untill recently, I didn't have any experience hatching my own.

 

[Kassaundra]

Japanese beetle control, plant 4 O'clocks, they LOVE them and can't resist eating them, however they are deadly poison killing w/i minutes of eating. No smelly traps just beautiful flowers.








Some of mine this year

 

[aoxa]

Mumsy - I'd forgotten you had Blue Slate also. I can't keep my turkeys in. I think this week end we'll clip 1 wing on each as they were out next to the road yesterday. Every night at dusk we have to get them off the fence and put them in the coop.


They love getting up on the fence and clean each other as well as themselves.


This makes DH cringe as he is the caretaker of the pool. Thankfully this is now a rare occurnce.

My 2 slates came from a hatchery and it turns out they are male and female. Would they be brother and sister as well? Untill recently, I didn't have any experience hatching my own.

Unlikely they are full siblings. They could be half, but again probably not. They would keep more than one male.

Your pictures here are beautiful! I so miss my turkeys... Susan said we can't get them again because of our neighbours.

Anyone know of a breed that isn't strong at flying?

I hate clipping wings. Especially the Jakes.. as I feel like crying seeing them strut without their full feathers.

 

[mlowen]

Japanese beetle control, plant 4 O'clocks, they LOVE them and can't resist eating them, however they are deadly poison killing w/i minutes of eating. No smelly traps just beautiful flowers.








Some of mine this year

Kassaundra...thanks so much. These are beautiful!