The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[maryhysong]

(Warning: Stupid question.)

What is BOSS exactly?

just short for Black Oil Sunflower Seed

not stupid; I'd never seen that before I was on these threads either

 

[Scott H]

Peanuts are chicken crack... You'll never see them move so fast. ..

yea, I just throw BOSS shell and all and they love it second to peanuts. Never could understand it. .. They can't taste like anything with the shells on. . Lol

 

[Leahs Mom]

Black Oil Sunflower Seed

Now, about not liking it...
Some BOSS (and other seed) is treated with an anti-fungal. It is possible that your seed is treated. Try getting some that is clearly labeled untreated and see if they like it.

 

[Scott H]

I've seen people feed their chickens shell on peanuts too. .. That can't taste real special either!

 

[Scott H]

@ Sally. ..I can't imagine peanuts processed thru a chicken could be a allergen.... I'm not a scientist.. But I did stay at a Holliday Express last night.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

very cold water really makes a difference.  I also add a dusting of sugar as a topper for the top crust after applying a thick layer of milk to the top crust.  Of course neither pumpkin or pecan have top crusts.  No over mixing either, I use clean fingers to get the right consistency some use a food processor for less than 10 seconds.  Not worth the clean up for me.

What's this top crust you speak of? I literally never gotten the dough to firm a crust. It is either so dry it won't stick together or so sticky I can't form it at all. I have used my pastry block ... Always cold ... And even have a granite/marble rolling pin.

Last time I had a panic attack because everything was sticking to me.

I hate having wet/sticky hands ... like a claustrophobic reaction.

Here is my recipe for apple pie: wash apples, cut into quarters. Cut out cores. Chunk the apples right into a baking dish. Sprinkle with cinnamon and a couple cranks of freshly ground sea salt. Maybe sprinkle with lemon if you're lucky. Stir. Bake at 325-ish until apples are slightly tender. Done. No peeling apples, no crust, no saucy sugary stuff to float the apples. If you want a grain with it, serve it over oatmeal. It works with other fruits, too.

But this whole "reciPIE" thing has me rethinking all that. My mother made FABULOUS pie crust. People miss it. I'm a person ...

 

[Leahs Mom]

Just read a very interesting article on antibiotic-resistant bacteria which is an excerpt from the book: Herbal Antibiotics.

Very much worth reading with an brief description of how it is affecting our water supplies, a brief history of antibiotic use, etc. not only in human medicine but in factory farming. It has made me want to buy the book which is about herbal antibiotics and how they work differently than pharmaseuticals.

Quote: Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/herbal-antibiotics-defense-zm0z13djzsor.aspx#ixzz2pUt136om

Another reason you should be glad you're raising your own chickens naturally!
​

Thought y'all would be interested in taking a look:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/natu...ense-zm0z13djzsor.aspx?PageId=1#axzz2pUf48KYY

 

[iwanaplae2]

A few things to remember for winter..

Check at least one bird a day..mites, lice, weight loss, combs, feet, ears, hip bones, breast bone.

I should do a video one day to show everyone how easy it is to do a vet check on a chicken. It takes less than 5 minutes. This is a perfect time to start handling your birds..

Yes you should
I decided to pick my battles... Even though my girls don't mind me picking the up, they aren't particularly thrilled with being "manhandled" lol So I've started doing my checks at bedtime. I wait til they've settled into the coop for the night. For whatever reason the still roost on the edges of the nesting boxes. All I have to do is open the nesting box door, and with my flashlight in my mouth, pick up each girl one at a time, and check them out. They don't seem to mind it quite so much.

 

[Chrysolinsbirds]

I had a fancy feathered footed hen whose feet feathers looked just like that mine turned turned out to be my dominant hen pecking her feet while they were roosting.

 

[lalaland]

Yes you should

I decided to pick my battles... Even though my girls don't mind me picking the up, they aren't particularly thrilled with being "manhandled" lol So I've started doing my checks at bedtime. I wait til they've settled into the coop for the night. For whatever reason the still roost on the edges of the nesting boxes. All I have to do is open the nesting box door, and with my flashlight in my mouth, pick up each girl one at a time, and check them out. They don't seem to mind it quite so much.

flashlight in your mouth......I couldn't live without the headlamps - especially in the winter when it is dark all the time. Lets me do all my chicken chores (feeding, watering, poop removal, egg gathering, health checks, litter fluffing.......)with two hands. Lets me carry two jugs of water to the coop. I used flashlights until this fall when my sweetie, Sue, gave me a couple of headlamps. I keep them in my jacket pocket and when I come home at night I can check the girls without going to the house first.

here's a $6 one from sierra trading. you can spend 50 bucks on one, but....why?