The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Scott H]

LOVE the Sierra Trading Post!!!!!!!

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
well, he's standing better today. and the membrane is loosening on it's own, so I'm leaving it be. I don't like to wet chicks unnecessarily (tho I did get him soaked when he hatched to remove what membrane I was able to, but then he had the incubator to dry in). in the brooder he'd be at a disadvantage if he were wet, since the room temperature averages 65-70 most days with the heat only directly over one small area.

 

[ki4got]

So i just seen this and thought that is was a pretty good idea! http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.ca/2013/12/cheep-n-easy-diy-chicken-boredom-buster.html

I saw that on the FB page (yes, there is one!) last night.

 

[ki4got]

I got it here: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/bergan-stainless-steel-puppy-saucer-8-cup~p~6152f/?colorFamily=99

If you haven't used sierra yet, pm me and I can "refer" you, that way you get a $10 coupon (just pm me and yes, I get a $10 coupon too for referring you) If you sign up for the dealflyer coupons, then you also get better deals.

So this pan was about $5 bucks, with a dealflyer coupon, $9 bucks without. Yes, the center is hollow. But it seems to me that a small heavy mixing bowl or something turned upside down would also give enough weight in a flat pan so it wouldn't tip.


It is working great for making a bigger circle for the hens - so wide they can't reach across to peck someone out of the way on the other side of it.

mominlaw puts large rocks in her dogs' dishes because they eat too fast... maybe that would work too, to prevent tipping.

 

[Allysha1990]

I saw that on the FB page (yes, there is one!) last night.

That is where I seen it too. I guess it just took a little longer to show up in my news feed

 

[Scott H]

Oprah bent over today to eat. .... totally has a baboon butt... bald on both ends. :-D
The wild quail are in support of my broadcast method of feeding their 3 grain scratch and BOSS. They compete heartily underneath the cedars for food.

 

[PheasantsFirst]

Quote: I'm going to have to try this!

 

[Gramma Chick]

Maybe needs to ferment?

Sometimes chickens are weird about new food . different texture , Color , Etc .
Questions for you
How long have you fermented it ?
Have you drained It ?
What are you fermenting ?
Id say just give them a little ...As this time of year what they dont eat right away will freeze
Or give them some regular food with just water mixed in so they get used to the difference of it .
I started just moistening the food ...before I started fermenting it ...to stop the waste ...it was getting everywhere

 

[Leahs Mom]

Last week we were talking about the GMO/Glyphosate issue. Was just reading an article and thought I'd post in case anyone was interested.

It would stand to reason that if glyphosate causes problems for people at much lower doses than allowed, that a small animal like a chicken would have a much greater chance of having damage at those high levels.

during and at the time of giving birth.

Former US Navy staff scientist Dr. Nancy Swanson has meticulously collected statistics on glyphosate usage and various diseases and conditions, including autism. A more perfect match-up between the rise in glyphosate usage and incidence of autism, shown below, is hard to imagine. To access her published articles and reports, please visit Sustainable Pulse,15 a European Website dedicated to exposing the hazards of genetically engineered foods.

According to Dr. Swanson:16

“Prevalence and incidence data show correlations between diseases of the organs and the increase in Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the food supply, along with the increase in glyphosate-based herbicide applications. More and more studies have revealed carcinogenic and endocrine disrupting effects of Roundup at lower doses than those authorized for residues found in Genetically Modified Organisms... The endocrine disrupting properties also lead to neurological disorders (learning disabilities (LD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism, dementia, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). Those most susceptible are children and the elderly.” ​

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
what I did, transitioning the outdoor guys to FF was to put FF in a big bowl and scattered pellets on top.
my babies seem to take to it quickly if I put an older chick in with them to teach them to eat. LOL

the late chick is walking/running around like a nut now and drinking and exploring food on his own quite well. I haven't noticed his crop filling up a lot, but he had crumbles in there last night at least... the others (3 days older) are all little piglets stuffing themselves until they're about to pop. LOL