Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[lilfarmmomma]

Now you are not thinking creatively. A mattress is a treasure trove of goodies if you think outside the box. Fabric, wash it and you have great fabric for chicken diapers and harnesses. Stuffing. Stick it in pillow cases and wash it and reuse it for new pillows for your couch. Those springs would make a great trellis for beans and peas.

Now the old couch. Material again. Stuffing again. Wood for your projects. Springs for your fence or trellis, If you have the flat springs you could use it to protect your raised garden.

Now I have never done any of this but one mans junk could be a treasure trove if looked at right.

My husband makes fun of me constantly for wanting people's junk. He said that he is going to make a sign for the truck. "Need your garbage gone? Call my wife" What a bum.

I see potential in so much stuff that people just trash. Besides, if I can use it for something or can fix it up, then why not? Keeps it out of the landfill and I have gotten some pretty cool stuff in the free section and off the side of the road.

Wow, whatta great day. Weather was outstanding by afternoon.
Finished this day off with Polish soul food. Kabalsa and sourkraut over mashed potatoes and a cup of steaming hot fresh coffee to wash it all down.

This afternoon was gorgeous!! I was able to open doors and let the fresh air in with the sunshine. The house smells so fresh.

 

[bikerchicky]

Lots of misconceptions around. A) meat is fine, they're omnivores, animal protein is good for them. B) the only thing I can think of that might normally pop up is raw potato skin (the greener it is the more dangerous in this case). There is a compound in the skin that can cause serious issues. But even that's not a sure thing. C) everything else is fine in reasonable doses.

Of course the standard disclaimer I always feel required to say "I have to recommend a good balanced diet with treats not to exceed 10% of the diet as that risks unbalancing it and could potentially cause long term health issues if done over an extended period of time."

Awesome information. Thanks much! I figured that if they don't eat it, they don't want it, or don't know they can eat it. So, if I would eat it, the chicken could eat it, in moderation. Got it now!

 

[KMoran]

Awesome information. Thanks much! I figured that if they don't eat it, they don't want it, or don't know they can eat it. So, if I would eat it, the chicken could eat it, in moderation. Got it now!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-treat-chart-the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens This might be helpful

 

[KMoran]

Ugh it wont work if you click on it but if you copy and paste it will work.

 

[Stumpfarmer]

OK, along this line of thinking......

Are there any foods/greens/fruits that I SHOULDN'T feed my chicks and hens? (Other than meats, of course)

Lots of misconceptions around. A) meat is fine, they're omnivores, animal protein is good for them. B) the only thing I can think of that might normally pop up is raw potato skin (the greener it is the more dangerous in this case). There is a compound in the skin that can cause serious issues. But even that's not a sure thing. C) everything else is fine in reasonable doses.

Of course the standard disclaimer I always feel required to say "I have to recommend a good balanced diet with treats not to exceed 10% of the diet as that risks unbalancing it and could potentially cause long term health issues if done over an extended period of time."

I was worried about the chicken who thinks I belong to her eating creeping buttercup (which is really toxic), but she just digs it up and kicks it aside, when going after bugs.

 

[BGMatt]

Stumpfarmer, It's not foolproof but they do seem to sense what's ok and not ok. Can't ever recommend that in my position, as there's no scientific proof they have any way of detecting that. But personally I think if they're dumb enough to eat something poisonous I didn't want those genetics in my flock anyway.

Edit: That'd be a fun topic, what is the dumbest thing you've ever had a chicken do? Regardless of surviving it or not. Mine is I once had a full grown adult OEGB drown itself in a baby chick waterer...he was in a 2'x4' conditioning cage before a show, put him in there one night, next morning he was face down in maybe 1/2" of water...

 

[bikerchicky]

Ugh it wont work if you click on it but if you copy and paste it will work.

Absolutely wonderful information. Know I have a better idea of what is ok. Today I gave them a few grapes. Tomorrow it will be a baby carrot. I think I will try some new "food" each day in small amounts so they start trying new things.

 

[Flaming Chicken]

Awesome information. Thanks much! I figured that if they don't eat it, they don't want it, or don't know they can eat it. So, if I would eat it, the chicken could eat it, in moderation. Got it now!

Speaking of feed, I am wondering what to do. I am paying a fortune for locally produced nonGMO layer mash. I am thinking of switching to a mass produced layer pellet. I was feeding my horses an expensive feed and found that when I changed them to Purina feed they looked so much better and I am spending less and i have to say feeling a bit foolish. I have been reading several chickens blogs and they are feeding pelleted feed with far better results than what I am seeing.

If you don't mind sharing...why do all of you feed what you feed?

Thank you?

 

[BGMatt]

Speaking of feed, I am wondering what to do. I am paying a fortune for locally produced nonGMO layer mash. I am thinking of switching to a mass produced layer pellet. I was feeding my horses an expensive feed and found that when I changed them to Purina feed they looked so much better and I am spending less and i have to say feeling a bit foolish. I have been reading several chickens blogs and they are feeding pelleted feed with far better results than what I am seeing.

If you don't mind sharing...why do all of you feed what you feed?

Thank you?

I feed what I feed because I wanted to avoid chemical preservatives (if you test them most livestock foods will test very high for ethoxyquin among others), by-products of any kind, and I wasn't happy with the results of any food on the market. I feed a custom pellet of my own creation that I have milled for myself and my store by a small mill down in Oregon.

The choice between pellet and mash was a simple matter or less waste. I also supplement with whatever scraps and leftovers I have around the house.

 

[Stumpfarmer]

Stumpfarmer, It's not foolproof but they do seem to sense what's ok and not ok. Can't ever recommend that in my position, as there's no scientific proof they have any way of detecting that. But personally I think if they're dumb enough to eat something poisonous I didn't want those genetics in my flock anyway.

Edit: That'd be a fun topic, what is the dumbest thing you've ever had a chicken do? Regardless of surviving it or not. Mine is I once had a full grown adult OEGB drown itself in a baby chick waterer...he was in a 2'x4' conditioning cage before a show, put him in there one night, next morning he was face down in maybe 1/2" of water...

I think it'smostly that they don't like the taste- I've noticed that even chopped-fine, cooked onions don't get eaten, for instance.

And of course Sylvia died of seeking out styrofoam.