@oldhenlikesdogs Asked us to tell what we think of when we think of natural chicken keeping. I went back through a bunch of my old posts and put together what I've said in the past and am re-stating it here. So if it sounds a little disconnected, sorry! I just didn't want to re-invent the wheel.
When I think of "natural" chicken keeping, I think in terms of prevention.
So I try to use healthy husbandry methods and provide them with the most healthy environment possible so that they can develop strong immune systems.
I try to emulate as best as I can - with the resources available to me - what they would get if they were a wild flock.
So the hope is that they will be raised in a health-producing environment that will help prevent many of the maladies that are common to 'modern" CAFO-type farming operations.
Plenty of room to roam, fresh air and sunshine, good feed, fresh clean water,
deep litter in runs if they are in a more confined situation, adequate housing space for the number of birds ....all of these things help with that. (Deep litter in runs makes the difference between an impacted, disease-producing soil that becomes slimy when wet and a healthy life-giving soil that soaks in the rain. Lots of bugs, worms, and healthy soil probiotics proliferate in a well-done deep litter vs. a breeding-ground for disease in the other scenario.)
Good feed in my understanding includes animal-based protein (bugs are also included in "animal-based") and trying to avoid or eliminate items they wouldn't eat if given a choice (soy for example). I also avoid all items that have been farmed with chemical input.
I DO NOT - AND DON'T RECOMMEND - ROUTINE WORMING!
Worming causes significant stress on the system and doing it routinely can cause more problems than it solves - including weakening the animal's own immune system and m
aking them more susceptible to....WORMS!!!!!!! I would never put them through that stress "just in case".
If I see symptoms that make me think there is a problem,
it is not a significant cost to take a stool sample to a local vet to find out if worms are present. Usually less than $10. For the undue stress that it causes their system to do routine chemical worming, it is worth it to find out if they need it and specifically what kinds of worms they may have.
It's my opinion that if birds show significant signs of needing to be wormed, there is something in my husbandry that needs to be tweaked. I've never had that problem, but if I did, I'd
stand back a bit and take a look at the things I've already mentioned to be sure that things are done in such a way as to promote health and PREVENTION of the need for remediation.
That being said, if I do have an issue that needs to be addressed, I will address it. So far I'm never had to worm. But one thing I do know is that using an herbal approach when needed is my first choice because the herbs come at the issues from a multi-facited approach which
makes it much less likely that the parasites, or bacteria, or virus can become resistant.
I'm sure I could elaborate and define many of these statements if anyone wants to put up with it
....but will quit for now
