The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Serenashome]

Does anyone use herbs in their nesting boxes to help with mites/fleas and if so do you have an effective "recipe". I grow about 14 different herbs and dry them. I was hoping to add whatever I may need or use what I have for the nesting boxes. I've found some mixes you can buy already made. I just can't decipher the amounts to use that would be effective and healthy for the chickens.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Does anyone use herbs in their nesting boxes to help with mites/fleas and if so do you have an effective "recipe". I grow about 14 different herbs and dry them. I was hoping to add whatever I may need or use what I have for the nesting boxes. I've found some mixes you can buy already made. I just can't decipher the amounts to use that would be effective and healthy for the chickens.

I do on occasion. At work right now so I can't answer in-depth until later.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@Serenashome
Hey! I just remembered that I did a guest-post on that topic on a blog.

Here's a link: https://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/02/natural-lice-and-mite-prevention-using.html


ETA: I did a run-down on herbs that are in a ready-made blend, but you can mix your own. There is a list and also an herb website link near the end of the article that may be helpful.

 

[Serenashome]

@Serenashome
Hey! I just remembered that I did a guest-post on that topic on a blog.

Here's a link: https://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/02/natural-lice-and-mite-prevention-using.html


ETA: I did a run-down on herbs that are in a ready-made blend, but you can mix your own. There is a list and also an herb website link near the end of the article that may be helpful.

I had read this before and wrote down notes on the herbs and what they are used for. Good for me to read a second time. I just need to figure out the amounts of each one to start making the blend. Are they all put in in equal amounts? I can't imagine the tansy, eucalyptus and Bay would be in equal amounts to the others listed?

 

[Leahs Mom]

I may have a specific recipe in a book that is at my home. I will check for it this evening and post if I find it.

 

[slordaz]

hmm may be a good thing we got some cuttings to start mint with, our terror of rooster loves the stuff , now he wants to be my best friend as they can't get to it unless we give it to them.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@Serenashome
I did check my books and couldn't find any specific recipe. They all have lists and lists of herbs and what they're good for. But most of them just say a mixture. I think you can just use your own judgement. I don't think they'd eat anything to excess if they took a taste, and for just in the nest box I don't believe any of the safe herbs would cause any skin irritation.

 

[Leahs Mom]

hmm may be a good thing we got some cuttings to start mint with, our terror of rooster loves the stuff , now he wants to be my best friend as they can't get to it unless we give it to them.

That's wonderful! Mint soothing the savage beast....

I did try giving my chicks some of the mint and they did eat it. The adults don't seem to pay any attention to it however.

 

[galefrances]

Just thought I'd pop in and give an update on my roo and maran hen that were attacked, oh about two weeks ago now. To be honest I've had so much going on the last couple weeks my head is in a fog so I might be off in the timing. So....I walked into the outer coop today and I see my roo standing up in his hospital cage straight and tall holding his head up high all on his own! I can't tell you how excited I was. I put a bowl of his feed down and he attacked it like he hadn't ate in years. That was so good to see. Then I went over to the maran and she's standing up on both legs. I had noticed several days ago that in addition to her wounds, she was limping and standing only on one leg. I opened her cage and when I turned my back to get her some feed she flew out and landed on the ground next to me and she walked over to the waterer without a limp! It did my heart good to see them both looking so good. After the attack I would have bet they weren't going to make it. I let the maran walk around with her flock mates and watched them awhile. Well, the one hen went over and chest thumped her so hard she knocked her over. Then the pecking started, so I said enough of this and put her back in her cage. I don't think she's strong enough yet to deal with that. She's quite small too. I'm sure she's lost quite a bit of weight. Well, let's hope they continue to improve. Here are some pics of the two I've been rambling on about with a couple of their flock mates.

BTW Leah's mom- love your coop and the Buckeyes are beautiful.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Just thought I'd pop in and give an update on my roo and maran hen that were attacked, oh about two weeks ago now. To be honest I've had so much going on the last couple weeks my head is in a fog so I might be off in the timing. So....I walked into the outer coop today and I see my roo standing up in his hospital cage straight and tall holding his head up high all on his own! I can't tell you how excited I was. I put a bowl of his feed down and he attacked it like he hadn't ate in years. That was so good to see. Then I went over to the maran and she's standing up on both legs. I had noticed several days ago that in addition to her wounds, she was limping and standing only on one leg. I opened her cage and when I turned my back to get her some feed she flew out and landed on the ground next to me and she walked over to the waterer without a limp! It did my heart good to see them both looking so good. After the attack I would have bet they weren't going to make it. I let the maran walk around with her flock mates and watched them awhile. Well, the one hen went over and chest thumped her so hard she knocked her over. Then the pecking started, so I said enough of this and put her back in her cage. I don't think she's strong enough yet to deal with that. She's quite small too. I'm sure she's lost quite a bit of weight. Well, let's hope they continue to improve. Here are some pics of the two I've been rambling on about with a couple of their flock mates.

BTW Leah's mom- love your coop and the Buckeyes are beautiful.

Yay, I'm sorry happy to hear it. I will say it again, chickens can heal up from pretty nasty stuff, just give them time. Great news.