The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[MumsyII]

On your waterers:

-What size/type are they that the bulbs keep them thawed?
-On your Ceramic heaters - I have one but have never used it. Purchased it for brooding but that was a bad idea for various reasons. So - if I used if like you are, how do you keep the chickens from touching it and getting burned? (Very hot, they are! And no glow to warn.)

60 watts are my usual choice.


This is my 60 watt ceramic bulb.

I use a dome shield made for the 250 watt bulb. I can feel the heat coming off it before my hand gets near. I don't hang it close to anything combustible or low enough where chicks could reach it. I only use it with newly hatched or on the coldest days of winter.

This was purchased at a pet store in the reptile section. It puts out a lot of heat.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Beef Liver ... and assorted beef offal ...

pros & cons?

anyone feeding this to their chickens/turkeys/ducks? If so, how? What kinds of quantities? Raw? Cooked? Dehydrated? Dehydrated and ground?

Anyone dehydrating beef liver in particular?

I've found a source for offal, at a VERY good price, and would like to know how best to utilize it, or even if it is a good idea.

 

[armorfirelady]

Beef Liver ... and assorted beef offal ...

pros & cons?

anyone feeding this to their chickens/turkeys/ducks? If so, how? What kinds of quantities? Raw? Cooked? Dehydrated? Dehydrated and ground?

Anyone dehydrating beef liver in particular?

I've found a source for offal, at a VERY good price, and would like to know how best to utilize it, or even if it is a good idea.

I feed beef liver raw, raw or cooked ground beef, turkey, chicken, mackeral. I also have chicken livers & hearts i feed them. Its all frozen so it can last longer. I try to give it 2-3 times a week.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I feed beef liver raw, raw or cooked ground beef, turkey, chicken, mackeral. I also have chicken livers & hearts i feed them. Its all frozen so it can last longer. I try to give it 2-3 times a week.

About how much (weight or volume portion) of offal per bird (or per 10 birds ... whatever math works easiest for you) do you feed each time?

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote:
Uh sorry I don't weigh them. Just put in a couple bowls what I think would be enough for 8 birds. Maybe a cup? But thats just an estimate. The mackeral is a whole can that I get from the grocery store.

 

[Leahs Mom]

If I had that available in large enough quantities, I'd give them some every day! Maybe twice a day! RAW

Just chopped up small enough that they can pick it up and eat it. Think small bug size.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

If I had that available in large enough quantities, I'd give them some every day!  Maybe twice a day!  RAW

Just chopped up small enough that they can pick it up and eat it.  Think small bug size.

Why raw? I know the birds will catch, kill and eat anything that crosses their path ... but live things are pretty well guaranteed to be fresh ...

So if I'm being squeamish about "raw germs", how bad is it to cook liver and heart and tongues before I feed it to the flock?

I'm wondering if I should grind the stuff to save myself the effort of chopping it up small ...

If ... if ... If ...

 

[TeaChick]

I'm trying to raise my chickens naturally: free ranging, deep litter method.
Right now, I'm waiting for eggs.
(hums Final Jeopardy song)

 

[TeaChick]

Why raw? I know the birds will catch, kill and eat anything that crosses their path ... but live things are pretty well guaranteed to be fresh ...

So if I'm being squeamish about "raw germs", how bad is it to cook liver and heart and tongues before I feed it to the flock?

I'm wondering if I should grind the stuff to save myself the effort of chopping it up small ...

If ... if ... If ...

Use a knife that's not serrated. Cooking is probably not necessary, I don't think.

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
I have the entire series, including a couple shorts, on e-books...