During a SHTF scenario, raising your own food may be the ONLY way to feed yourself and family. Learn how you can successfully do chicken and duck keeping.
Do you want to know how to get rid of flies in your chicken coop? Raising chickens and ducks is one of the best parts of life, but there are a few downsides that come
You can naturally treat your backyard chickens for chicken mites without having to resort to chemicals by using essential oils and garlic!
By Sue S. For years I've been aware of the health benefits of using fresh and dried herbs in a variety of settings. Since beginning to raise chickens, I've also read and heard of so many benefits of various herbs used in natural chicken husbandry, that I am determined to plant a variety of herbs for fresh use this next spring. I love the idea of allowing the chickens to freely choose greens from a garden area that includes various herbs that are rich in vitamins and minerals as well as various healing properties. In the meantime, I've purchased various freshly harvested herbs to let the chickens eat throughout the winter along with other greens like kale and Swiss chard. Last summer I learned about using certain dried or fresh herbs in the nest boxes mainly for the purpose of helping to prevent infestation by insects such as lice, mites, fleas, etc. Depending on the herbs chosen, they can also have anti-bacterial properties, perform as natural wormers, have rodent repelling properties and help stimulate egg production. It seems that even birds in the wild have been observed lining their own nests with various aromatic herbs when they're available! Knowing that a lice or mite infestation can cause a definite drain on a chicken's health, and also wanting to use the most natural husbandry methods possible, it made sense to me to take a proactive approach towards prevention rather than having to use more drastic measures to treat after the an infestation occurs. To help achieve my goal of prevention, I provide a dusting box that includes some wood ash year-round. I also began using herbs in the nest boxes. Though I may make my own blend in the future, when I first decided to try using herbs, I didn't want to have to purchase a large amount of individual herbs not knowing if I would even like the results. It was too late in the season to begin growing in the garden but I wanted to start experimenting right away. I was hoping to learn more about various herbs and possibly grow some that would be appropriate this coming summer. I began to do some research and ended up reading about the "Nesting Box Blend™" by Treats for Chickens and decided to purchase some to try it out. After having used it since the end of the summer, I really like it and would definitely use this blend of herbs again if my garden didn't produce well (and maybe even if it did!) When I started using the nest box blend, I decided to only put it into a single nest and let the girls choose if they would use it or not. One of our old friends once stated that they had used a single herb in their nest boxes and thought that they were observing an allergic skin irritation so I wanted to be sure that wasn't an issue. As soon as I put it in the box, every one of the girls wanted to get in there. I've since been using it in all the boxes and whenever I renew it they always scramble to be the first one in! And I have to say that it smells absolutely wonderful! Using only a small amount, the whole hen house just had a great smell - an unexpected but definitely welcome benefit! Nesting Box Blend™ by Treats for Chickens On their website, "Treats for Chickens" states: Our formula is antibacterial and anti-parasitic and also calming, soothing and healing. Known Blend Benefits: -anti-parasitic and antimicrobial -excellent pest repellent and anti-mite preventative -antifungal and antibacterial -anti-inflammatory, soothing and healing -antiseptic and widely used against stress and anxiety -mild decongestant (which can also kill air-borne germs in winter) Here's a run-down of the ingredients that are in the blend and a very brief note about each. Additional information on each herb can be found at: http://medicinalherbinfo.org/herbs/Herb-index.html Lavender: This herb has long been used for it's relaxing properties including calming a nervous or excited animal. For centuries it was sprinkled on linens before storing them as a natural insect repellant that preserved from moths and other insect infestation while imparting a wonderful scent. Chamomile: Also used to calm and relax. Among many of its health-restoring uses, it is effective in treating worms. According to medicalherbinfo.com, it contains a form of calcium that is easily assimilated. Bay Leaves: The leaves are insect deterrents that are used to drive away fleas, lice, moths, and bugs in flour and cereals. It also has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. Eucalyptus Leaves: Among its many other properties eucalyptus is a powerful insect repellent for man or animals. Dried, finely powdered leaves are used as an insecticide. Oregano: Used in the nest box as an anti-parasitic; also has anti-fungal properties. Peppermint: Insecticide and anti-parasitic. Tansy: Leaves are insecticidal and it is also used to expel worms. Caution: tansy should only be used in very small quantities. Do not use this herb in a "do-it-yourself" blend unless you have experience! Wormwood: Repels moths and other insects. Wormwood is another herb that should only be dosed and used with caution and experience. Marigold Petals: Insect repellant. Marigold petals have many other uses including treating yeast infections, a pain reliever for insect bites, and part of a soothing skin ointment. Contains phosphorus. Spearmint: Antiseptic. Eases stress and fatigue; also helps with sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, nervous conditions, and the oil is used to relieve itching. Catnip: The Herbalist Almanac mentions that catnip was grown around buildings of farms as it was believed that the odor drove off rats. It is insecticidal and is also used to expel worms. Catnip contains Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12 and C.
Keep a healthy flock by learning how to beat coccidiosis. Coccidiosis in chickens is deadly, though a preventative plan and a treatment will save your birds.
Make your own first aid salve for chickens. Only 2 ingredients. Easy to follow recipe for infusing oil with herbs to treat chicken wounds and injuries naturally and cheaply.
Natural Chicken Care and Chicken Keeping, Care for chickens in a natural, organic and holistic way. Methods based on chicken behavior and biology.
Natural Chicken Care and Chicken Keeping, Care for chickens in a natural, organic and holistic way. Methods based on chicken behavior and biology.
To ensure your poultry flock is healthy learn which 10 immune boosting herbs and supplements ensure healthy chickens and other poultry.
Photos By Justine - Write-up By Leigh There are some breeds that are just harder to sex than others, Easter Eggers being one of them. So how can you tell the difference between pullets and cockerels in juvenile birds? Of course the birds pictured are adults, but these are the signs to look for in maturing birds. The first signs you may notice in young birds would be hints of iridescent feathers sprouting on the tail. It should be noted that pullets with a lot of black coloration may develop a few iridescent tail feathers too. Next, watch for the development of saddle and hackle feathers. The combs won't be as obvious until the birds are closer to sexual maturity in many cases. Justine adds: They are kind of sexable by quick feathering... The girls tend to feather out faster than the boys - not always, but 80% of the time I find they do. You also want to watch for any red patches. Consistent patterning will be girls, quilt pattern will be boys. Justine & Leigh For more information and pictures, check out the Sexing Eastereggers page on the Natural Chicken Keeping FORUM! *
Natural Chicken Care and Chicken Keeping, Care for chickens in a natural, organic and holistic way. Methods based on chicken behavior and biology.
Contrary to popular belief, chickens can lay eggs year round. You just have to keep them healthy and happy by feeding them the right foods.
Do you want to know how to get rid of flies in your chicken coop? Raising chickens and ducks is one of the best parts of life, but there are a few downsides that come
Nothing is worse than being bothered by flying pests. It can make life miserable for you….and your chickens! That’s why this article is about my top 6 ways to keep flies, gnats, and mosquitoes off your chickens so you AND they can enjoy time outside!
Are you thinking of raising ducks on your little piece of land? These little waddlers can be a fantastic addition to your homestead.
Natural chicken keeping is appealing, but there are costly mistakes to avoid from the start. Here are 7 that can risk your hen's health.
A lot of people love the idea of free-ranging their chickens. Like with anything else, there are some pros and cons to free-ranging chickens.
Raising meat chickens is very simple and a great way to put meat in your freezer. Learn the easy way on how to raise chickens for meat!
Pendulous crop in chickens. What causes pendulous crop or impacted crop in chickens. How to treat it and help your chickens recover and digest their food properly.
Mega flavour. Mega Variety. This Pack comes with all of our Bold by Nature Mega flavour favourites: Mega Chicken, Mega Beef, Mega Turkey, Mega Pork, Mega Duck and Mega Blend patties. Locally prepared with pet approved ingredients. This is for the dogs that want it all. Mega Blend patties are a base blend. Add your own vegetables or supplements for a complete meal. How to Serve The Pack: Mega Variety Keep food frozen. When ready, thaw the necessary portion in the fridge. Patties will thaw in 12 hours (approximately). Store all unused portions in the fridge. Raw food should be used within 4 days. Not for human consumption. Handle all raw meat with appropriate care and hygiene. Wash all surfaces, bowls and utensils with hot, soapy water. DO NOT COOK. Contains ground bone. Size 24 lbs of 8oz patties The Cuts 8 Mega Chicken Patties 8 Mega Beef Patties 8 Mega Turkey Patties 8 Mega Pork Patties 8 Mega Duck Patties 8 Mega Blend Patties Mega Chicken Ingredients Chicken meat, chicken bone, vegetables*, chicken liver & kelp. Mega Beef Ingredients Beef meat, beef bone, beef offal (lung, heart, liver), vegetables*, beef tripe & kelp. Mega Turkey Ingredients Turkey meat, turkey bone, vegetables*, turkey liver & kelp. Mega Pork Ingredients Pork meat, pork bone, vegetables*, pork liver, pork heart & kelp. Mega Duck Ingredients Duck meat, duck bone, vegetables*, duck liver & kelp. Mega Blend Ingredients Chicken meat, chicken bone, beef lung, beef liver & beef tripe. *Vegetable mix consists of carrot, zucchini,collard greens & broccoli. Mega Chicken Protein (Min.) 13.4 % Fat (Min.) 18 % Fibre (Max.) 3.7% Moisture (Max.) 61% Calories per Patty 517 Mega Beef Protein (Min.) 14.7 % Fat (Min.) 8 % Fibre (Max.) 4.4% Moisture (Max.) 73% Calories per Patty 318 Mega Turkey Protein (Min.) 12.8% Fat (Min.) 6.4 % Fibre (Max.) 2.5% Moisture (Max.) 73% Calories per Patty 283 Mega Pork Protein (Min.) 16.8 % Fat (Min.) 15.2% Fibre (Max.) 5.52% Moisture (Max.) 61% Calories per Patty 484 Mega Duck Protein (Min.) 13.65% Fat (Min.) 12% Fibre (Max.) 2% Moisture (Max.) 71% Calories per Patty 375 Mega Blend Protein (Min.) 13.1 % Fat (Min.) 14.9 % Fibre (Max.) 4.6% Moisture (Max.) 62.2% Calories per Patty 599 Feeding Guidelines Weight of adult dog # of patties per day Pounds per day 10 – 20 0.5 – 1 0.25 – 0.5 20 – 30 1 – 1.5 0.5 – 0.75 30 – 40 1.5 – 2 0.75 – 1 40 – 50 2 – 2.5 1 – 1.25 50 – 60 2.5 – 3 1.25 – 1.5 60 – 70 3 – 3.5 1.5 – 1.75 70 -80 3.5 – 4 1.75 – 2 80 – 100 4 + 2 + Recommended daily feeding guidelines. Puppies Feed them according to their estimated adult weight. Senior Dogs Feed 25% less than recommended. Overweight or Underweight Dogs Feed the amount according to their ideal target weight.
Two days into a recent hatch and I had to revive a weak chick and then another! The hatch was sporadic. We had eight broody hens. There was no schedule to
Mites and poultry lice are a natural part of every backyard- they travel on birds, rodents and other animals, so when your chickens become infested, it doesn't mean you're not keeping a clean coop, it simply means your chickens enjoy the Great Outdoors! Being able to identify each type external parasite is not important, but
Chicken lice are an unfortunate fact of life when you raise poultry. No matter how clean you keep your coop and how meticulously you care for your chickens, sooner or later, lice are bound to strike. Lice tend to find their way to your chickens via wild birds in the area. Like many of the
Yes, it’s true. You can make your own organic, all natural coop refresher, and it won’t even cost you a million dollars.
Here are some common chicken illnesses, chicken diseases and treatment. Whether you have a sick chicken or just want education, read this!
Do you suspect that your backyard chicken has impacted, pendulous or sour crop? Find out how I deal with crop issues in my flock naturally.
Feeding chickens can be expensive, especially when you buy organic or non-GMO feed. Learn what chickens eat naturally to help save on your feed bill. With a little planning and creativity, raising chickens doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Like us, you may have realized that the cost of chicken feed is
Feeding chickens for free, weeds. When looking for free sources of feed for your chickens look no further then your yard or garden. Many common weeds are both nutritious and tasty for chickens.
Preventing and treating common chick illnesses can be tricky. But with herbs and natural remedies, it's absolutely attainable.
Incubating duck eggs is different from hatching chicken eggs, and we take a thorough look at the reasons and how to successfully hatch your own ducklings.
Prioritize good sanitary conditions. Remove any uneaten fresh food and frequently check for broken eggs, removing them immediately if any are found. Use ant baits outside the coop to prevent ants from entering and to eliminate any existing ant colonies.
Essential oils are the natural chicken wranglers friend. Potent, easy to store and easy use they are a must when caring for chickens naturally.
What do ducks eat? Insects, weeds, berries and more! Learn about the diet of the domestic duck and what to feed your backyard ducks to keep them healthy!
Discover the best herbs for chickens to be healthy: enhance coop life, improve immunity, and repel pests naturally with top 5 herbal picks.
This 11" x 17" chart of duck breeds art poster features 24 different duck breeds from all over the world. This duck wall decor is the perfect office decor to add some color to the room and allow you to dream about what duck breeds you want next or identify what breed of duck you rescued or adopted❤️! This duck breeds poster is the perfect gift for the duck obsessed friend or family member, homesteader, farm girl and animal lovers! PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS 🐓This chart of duck breeds poster measures 11 in x 17 in 🐓Printed on 100lb gloss paper 🐓NO FRAME INCLUDED 🐓Safely shipped in a rolling tube 🐓Includes 24 duck breeds OTHER PRODUCTS ➡️Chart of Chicken Pathogens🦠: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1069490169/chicken-pathogens-poster-microbiology ➡️Non-Toxic Plants for Pets🪴: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1249155063/pet-friendly-plants-poster-pet-safe ➡️Toxic Plants for Horses🐎: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1235228902/toxic-plants-horses-chart-horse-owner ➡️Chart of Chicken Breeds🐓: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1235218860/chicken-breeds-chart-art-print-chicken ADDITIONAL NOTES *If you reside overseas and want to purchase more than one poster, I will refund you for the second shipping cost as I can send both posters in one mailing tube.
Chicken Safe Plants There are plenty of lists of toxic and unsafe plants for chickens, but it is very hard to find plant options that can be used in your chicken area. I have compiled a list of plants that are deemed appropriate for chicken...
Learn how you should be naturally treating bumblefoot with herbs and essential oils with ease! A tried and true method from a chicken herbalist.
