The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Even though I gave the boys the outdoor pen during the day, they were still pacing the fence constantly. So I rigged a bit more and added the dog house down at one end so they had a shelter with it too. After they figured it out, they went right in and relaxed...coming and going as they pleased. It seemed to make them feel much more at home and in control of the situation.

I really believe that stress is what makes for chinks in the immune system. After going through shipping then being in unfamiliar surroundings, new food, and strange people (that would be me

), I'm glad that the dog house seems to have brought them a place of calm.

This is a poor photo but you can see the dog house down there at the end.


Was working on the pole barn power washing the floor where the winter kennels will be set up so I didn't have time to get a better photo.

Tonight when I put them back in their garage pen for the night, they both went and got on the little rigged roost I had made for them. This is the first night they've gotten on the roost. The previous nights they were on the floor and last night in the dust box. Sounds like they're getting more at ease with the new situation.

 

[armorfirelady]

@Leahs Mom
Glad to hear the boys are settling in. Perhaps they like the dog house as a safe place? Or a place to get out of the sun? And I agree if they are roosting they must be finally settling in

 

[Leahs Mom]

Today an airplane came over just before the guys figured out the dog house. The black boy was frantic....thought it was a hawk and was trying to find a place to hide. He was trying to break through the fence to get under the nearby shrub!

I happened to be out there to witness all this because I was finishing up with the dog house.

So it is probably also the feeling of being out in the open with nowhere to hide. Once they figured out the dog house they began to lounge. Both in the house and out.

I have to remember that for future reference that just being in a pen, even though it is covered, doesn't make for a feeling of security.

 

[jime]

armorfirelady:
Just as a pointer.I have a Newfoundland dog she use to have hot spots (tummy and paws ) she will chew till bleed.I went to vets and we spend lots of money on medicine and different foods.We even try kangaroo meat.Finally I decide to stop with the vets an do my research I found a place call NZYMES their cleansing program is great the hot spots will turn black and then fall off, but this is just the first step then you need to change food on them (most of the time the problem can be do to allergies and then lead to yeast infection as well).
For food the biggest things are grains avoid anything with grain you need to find a food with peas.And chickens is the worst meat for allergies you need to do rabbit, fish or venison. If you really don't mind spend money go with raw food and if you have time and want to try even make your own raw food.
My Newfoundland now is 12, and still going (that is one of the things of raw food they will live longer)

 

[islandgirl82]

armorfirelady:
Just as a pointer.I have a Newfoundland dog she use to have hot spots (tummy and paws ) she will chew till bleed.I went to vets and we spend lots of money on medicine and different foods.We even try kangaroo meat.Finally I decide to stop with the vets an do my research I found a place call NZYMES their cleansing program is great the hot spots will turn black and then fall off, but this is just the first step then you need to change food on them (most of the time the problem can be do to allergies and then lead to yeast infection as well).
For food the biggest things are grains avoid anything with grain you need to find a food with peas.And chickens is the worst meat for allergies you need to do rabbit, fish or venison. If you really don't mind spend money go with raw food and if you have time and want to try even make your own raw food.
My Newfoundland now is 12, and still going (that is one of the things of raw food they will live longer)

I also have a Newfoundland (Landseer) who has to be on a grain-free diet due to allergies. Even the tiniest bit of anything containing grains and he's a mess with rashes and ear infections. He's currently on duck and that's been a major improvement for him over the last couple of years (he's almost 8) but I'll give the others you mentioned a try.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Here where I live, there is a butcher that makes meat dog food and keeps it in the freezer. They use the stuff that gets caught in the meat grinder that they can't use for human consumption and the cuts of liver that aren't good looking enough for people to buy. "Bone dust", and some chicken meat, fat, etc. as well in there.

It looks like ground meat but you can see some of the ground bone too.

It often sells for .50/lb. Sometimes as much as $1/lb.

At one time I was going to try some for the chickens but wasn't sure if there would be too much bone in it to get the calcium/phosphorus levels off kilter so I never did use any. But its not a bad price. For chickens it could probably be mixed with other items to make it work. Probably would need to remove the larger bone chunks. But if you read up and learn about the percentages for dogs or cats I imagine you could make a great dog/cat food from it.

Might be able to check your local "real" butcher shops and see if they'd save the stuff from the grinders for you. This shop only does local farm meat without medical inputs so it's a step above the grocery stuff. There may be one of those in your community that have no idea that there is an interest in it!

 

[armorfirelady]

Backside of the covered walkway/ winter feeding area. We took the old fencing down & put a shorter piece up and put some more stakes in so it's more secure. The gray piping is the wiring for the electric fence. Just to make sure the wires stay protected since it's a long run from the garage.

I think the girls will like the added light on the gloomy days of winter. They won't be using this till next month tho. I refuse to take the electric netting down till we get our first snow. Plus it will,give the cover crop in the garden time to grow some more.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@armorfirelady
I'm like you...the first year I had the netting it barely snowed so I left it up almost all winter! (Had hoped to do that last year too but.....

Got the pole barn floor powerwashed yesterday and still haven't set up those kennels in there. I'm not looking forward to moving them and want them to use the shed as long as possible anyway. Maybe set up kennels next weekend and try to work out the bugs.

After all...it is just October! Seems like we should be able to use those nets until at least mid December. And you can use them when it's just a light snow anyhow...

 

[flagirl]

someone just gave us a thigh (i think) of venison. I have cut off all the meat for us, and pile of stuff for the dog. is it ok to throw the bone in the coop?

 

[CoopChick719]

That is good to hear. I've never heard from anyone that they got a detailed report back, saving one person on BYC, and you.

Hi Lacy Blues,

I received a detailed report from our lab at the University of Maine. The director even called me to discuss their findings with me. It was very helpful even though I was stunned at the findings as I had treated for each issue they found. I was even more heartbroken when they said the birds were undernourished even though I had been feeding fermented feed since Day 1.