Winter can mean that your chickens are shut up inside for long periods of time depending on where you live. At the very least, greens and bugs are at a minimum.  Boredom can lead to picking and other bad behavior, so I like to make edible garlands for my flock to keep them busy and occupied.

In the past I have used popcorn, grapes, walnuts and raisins, but this year I went BIG with radishes, Brussels sprouts and hard-boiled eggs. [Hint: steam your eggs and they will peel perfectly every time!]  I had a bowl of eggs that needed to be used, so this was the perfect time to string some garlands.

To make assembly a bit easier, I drilled a hole through the vegetables first using a small drill bit.  Then using sturdy twine and an embroidery needle, I strung three garlands in no time.

This was my chickens first time trying either Brussels sprouts or radishes. I wasn't sure how they would like them, but after they polished off the cranberries and hard-boiled eggs, they dove right into the vegetables. Both types of vegetables, being relatively hard, took the chickens quite a bit of time to slowly peck at, so this turned into an afternoon project for them!

Our rooster was so funny. He always makes a sort of throaty noise when I bring the chickens what he considers 'good' treats, but this was so new and exciting, he sort of hopped back and forth, clucking away!  He was beside himself with excitement!

Healthy and inexpensive, this is one treat that I will be making for our chickens often.  I hope you will try your hand at making some edible garlands for your flock also.  Other ideas are cucumber slices, beets or apple slices.  Just be sure to tie the strings securely and then remove them when the garlands have been eaten for safety sake.

Get into the holiday spirit with some edible garlands! More than just fun to make, they make a healthy, inexpensive treat that can help cure the winter blahs. 

Join me on Facebook at Fresh Eggs Daily for tips, tricks and advice to raising happy, healthy hens as naturally as possible.  

We try to raise our chickens as naturally as possible and that means no antibiotics or other medications that make their eggs unsafe or unhealthy to eat.  Lots of preventatives go a long way, fortunately. [Read here how to use Diatomaceous Earth, Apple Cider Vinegar and Garlic in natural chicken keeping]  But as careful as you are, or as well as you treat your hens, too often in backyard chicken keeping, injury or illness occurs that needs to be treated quickly. I recommend keeping these 8 first aid kit essentials on hand.

They are all-natural and have no side effects or withdrawal periods (time during which eggs from the treated hen shouldn't be eaten), but between them, you should be equipped to treat nearly anything.


1. Vetericyn - non-toxic, this gel spray kills 99.9% of all bacteria, viruses and fungi without harmful steroids or antibiotics. It speeds healing, cleans wounds and treats infection including bumblefoot.

2. Nutri-Drench - this molasses-based liquid packed with nutrients, helps resistance to disease, boosts immune systems, corrects vitamin deficiencies, helps with heat stress, improves appetites in sick birds and increases the body's response to other treatments. Excellent to give to new chicks to ease the strain of shipping.

3. Blu-Kote - an antibacterial/antifungal spray for wounds, cuts or sores. Has the added bonus of being purple which prevents further picking at injuries from other birds who might be attracted to red blood or raw skin.

4. Kocci-Free - an organic, all natural antibiotic/anti-parasitic that helps boost the immune system and rid the body of the coccidia parasite. Also kills other viruses, bacteria and fungus.

5. Poultry VetRx - a 100% natural alternative to antibiotics, this camphor-based formula cures respiratory ailments, scaly leg and eye worm.

6. Honey - a natural antiseptic with natural healing properties, honey is obviously also non-toxic if inadvertently eaten.

7. Saline Solution - a bottle of regular saline solution is perfect for rinsing dust or dirt out of watery eyes or cleaning a wound.


8. Cornstarch - a fast way to stop bleeding effectively.

These items, along with some gauze pads, tweezers, a small pair of scissors and vet wrap or first aid tape will ensure you are prepared.  It's easy to just administer some antibiotics at the first sign of illness, but not necessary in most cases. These natural products treat many many symptoms effectively.

Find these products and more HERE.  For a complete, more comprehensive list of all the items we keep in our chicken first aid kit, click HERE.

Please come visit my Fresh Eggs Daily BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE for more tips, tricks and advice to raising happy, healthy chickens as naturally as possible.   

Not that I had much of a night life to begin with, but I do have a rather busy social schedule. Cooking clubs, gardening and beekeeping clubs – girlfriends, etc. Friends and family are paramount to me. Shortly after getting a dozen hens, I planned a full day of visiting friends and family. I felt as guilty as a mom leaving her toddler for the first time. I kept worrying. I had just put them out in the coop a few nights ago, should I stay home to make sure they roost? Why don’t they go up to the roost box themselves, goofy goofballs. Why did I even get chickens? They smell.

We had a lovely time out at a Car Show with our friends When they mentioned going out to eat afterwards, I felt a knot in my stomach. It was 7pm. Who’s gonna lock up the chickens? I tried to be polite and laugh and talk, but I was worried SICK over my girls, and could barely eat my cheeseburger, fries and rootbeer. I mean, I left one french fry on the plate for goodness sakes. I was just too upset to eat.

We didn’t get home until about 10:30. I ran to the coop. Literally. I counted them. They were all there and accounted for, and I’m sure that if we’d returned home five minutes later there would have been carnage.

Can’t even go out for a late night burger. Thanks chickens.

Helen scolded me like a teenager when I got home.

I rolled my eyes. GEEZ. I was right up in town. My cellphone was dead. I would have called. You shouldn’t worry so much. I was with friends!

Good morning, chicken people, and welcome to the Old Batz Barn!

As a teen, my Dad decided I was smart enough to learn about all the medical info on our farm and house animals. Good thing, because it has come in handy now that I finally gave up the “city” life to return to a smaller blue collar town. Now, most of you will be saying a 1/3 acre of property is not a true farm, but for this woman it is enough! All I wanted was a few hens and a nice veggie garden. Simple, huh? Not if you have a dear neighbor girl who raising chicks from eggs, and you (being me) can’t resist the small fluffy chick that runs towards you the day after it is born. Chatterbox aka Chatty came home with me that day and started my “hen” raising a year earlier than I expected or was prepared for. No coop, no run, no chick feed and only a cardboard box with a light to put her in. Well, I made do, and she, a Buff Orpington grew into a beautiful bird.

At 4 months old, I heard this awful sound come from her, and I thought, Oh, no! She’s choking! Yes, you got it right, my girl was trying to crow. Well, I had already fallen in love with him, and was not craigslisting him, he was staying! Chatty is now over one year old, has the run of my downstairs and sleeps at night in a big metal dog crate. He rules over the 3 cats, 1 dog and my husband, but is momma’s little boy. I trained him at about 2 months old to wear a rabbit harness and leash so that I could take him out with me into the garden and yard. Oh how my neighbors laughed over this one. They came out just to see him in his pretty harness, not too close mind you. He is VERY protective of his momma. He no longer needs that harness, as he will follow me where ever I go and comes running if I call his name.

Chatty has been my re-training of living and dealing with chickens, good training I must say though. Since him, I have had 5 more roosters and at least 20 or more hens come my way. Not all healthy like him, some I have lost, some went to new homes and some are still in my house in the ER nursery.

I hope you will follow me as I write about the fun, sad and crazy things that happen with me and my “kids” each week. Until next time, have a wonderful chicken day.

There are many great “how to” books on raising and purchasing chickens. In fact, GRIT has recently published a supplement titled “Guide to Backyard Chickens” in their Country Skills series that offers a wealth of information for the beginner as well as for the advanced chicken farmer. We purchased our first flock of layers last summer to raise as pets, although eventually we hope to also raise chickens for meat. We don’t have the mind-set yet. We purchased 11 started pullets and 1 cockerel. Throughout our “rookie year,” we’ve found that there are a few things we didn’t find in the books. They are:

1. Veterinarians – Perhaps I was naïve, but I believed getting medical help for any chicken concerns would be as simple as dialing my vet that we use for the cats. Not necessarily so. We have a wonderful vet who cares tremendously about our cats. She doesn’t, however, have any experience dealing with chickens. When we had a chicken suddenly showing signs of severe upper respiratory problems, we didn’t know where to turn. Prior to purchasing your chickens you may want to call around to your local veterinarians to seek out someone you can consult with in case you are faced with a severe medical issue. Find out if they would require you to bring the chicken in, or could they just give consultation over the phone based on symptoms. The only person around that I was able to find who had knowledge of poultry was an exotic bird vet ... with exotic prices. She wanted me to catch all 4 pullets who were now coughing and sneezing and bring them to her office. It didn’t happen. It was a 90-degree hot and humid summer day, and the chickens had only been in our care for a few weeks. Being picked up was not anywhere near the top of their list for enjoyment, as chasing them around a small, smelly coop in the heat was not at the top of mine. I took one chicken. My vet that we use for the cats has since told us that she would help in any way that she can as long as we understand that she’s not an expert in poultry.

2. Medications – I had believed we would never give our flock antibiotics, so I didn’t bother looking for sources of medications. Well, it all changes when you have a chicken gasping for air. We were faced with a decision and decided to administer antibiotics. The problem was – where do we get the medications? The veterinarian is a great source, but if you are planning on trying to diagnose on your own that’s probably not an option. There are many companies out there, and I would suggest familiarizing yourself with sources prior to the time when you urgently need them. Which brings the next dilemma. We had to pay overnight shipping in order to get a medication on time. I am now keeping a few basics on hand – a general antibiotic that can be added to drinking water, electrolytes for the summer heat and an herbal-based liquid for coughing and sneezing that I’ve had great success with.

3. Purchase of pullets – We chose to purchase pullets rather than chicks for two reasons. The first, we wouldn’t have to figure out where to raise the chicks without other animals harming them (our cat Caitlin was the main concern), and second, we only wanted a dozen birds. If you decide this is the route for you, there are a few places to look. There’s the mail order companies, local farms, local Universities that have a poultry program, and we’ve also been told that the Cooperative Extension sometimes has birds for sale following their chick-hatching program for elementary schools. Remember that pullets aren’t typically as friendly if they haven’t been held regularly. Ours are coming around … slowly. I had read about keeping chickens from more than one source quarantined, but neglected to do so. It really is important to do. We purchased Plymouth Barred Rocks from a farmer in Connecticut and Araucana’s from the University of Connecticut. We didn’t have the room to keep the two groups separate so we did lose one pullet to pneumonia. We’ve since been fighting upper respiratory concerns in the others, but I think we’re finally winning our battle. Also, if you purchase pullets or full-grown birds, check for mites and lice. When we realized we had them it took a couple of treatments to get rid of them. It was suggested that we give them all a bath. We started and ended with Clyde. He had his day at the spa, and unfortunately the girls are still waiting for theirs. Perhaps in the Spring.

4. Keeping busy – Our chickens are not free range because of our fear that the neighborhood dogs might decide chicken sounds good for lunch. Instead, our flock has an indoor and an outdoor coop and Jay is building a chicken tractor this Spring. Because they don’t have the ability to cruise thru the backyard all day, they get bored. I found that suet holders are a wonderful and inexpensive way to house greens, and it keeps them busy as they’re pecking away at the food inside. Additionally, freezing lettuce and greens into ice seems to be intriguing and keeps them out of trouble.

5. Nothing is off limits – We’ve found that to a chicken, if it’s accessible, then it’s theirs for the taking. Jay built a beautiful chicken coop with two beautiful roosts, a shelf for storage of straw, wood chips and food and a window with a ledge by the roof for ventilation. Guess where they chose to sleep? You’ve got it, the shelf and the ledge. We’ve made it so they can no longer enjoy either, because where they sleep they also deficate which means quite a mess. Jay felt so bad for them he built an additional shelf that’s easier to get at for cleaning. They’re quite spoiled.

All in all, if you can arm yourself with a few good books and do a little research prior, it really is a great experience. We have a lot of fun with ours, and what’s better than farm-fresh eggs? They love to send us off with well wishes for the day in the morning (including numerous cock-a-doodle-doos from Clyde) and greet us when we get home at night. Chickens are very social and love attention. They would chat with me all day if they could.

Our rooster, Clyde, is a wonderful boy and adds a bit of balance to the coop. We’re lucky so far in that he has a great demeanor and personality. We’ll continue with the positive reinforcement in hopes that he stays this way.

What?

I was at a soccer game this weekend. Yes, two kids and both play soccer, and both are very good. Only one is playing right now, as she plays on a competitive team. The other is in the recreation league and 4 years younger than her sister, so her season begins in a month or so. Funny how you can have two kids from the same parents and “Bam!” one is an incredibly defensive player - goal preventer; and the other is showing signs of being an offensive goal making machine. Anywho... as we watched the game one of the parents was asking me about our chickens and asked, “Do you rent your chickens?” I replied “Exsqueeze me? Do I rent my chickens? You mean for birthday parties?” He replied as though I had a third eye in my forehead, “No, man, for cleaning up a yard.”

Huh? The chicken rental business? I can see it now, storefronts across the nation where people come to rent chickens, they drop a credit card down, a drivers license, credit check (why not humiliation at every turn is a part of life), fill out forms like buying a car... then the questions begin;

Do you have pets? What type? Has there ever been a complaint against your pet? Has it ever been in quarantine? (Mine has)
Children?
Pool?
Predators?
Suspicious neighbors?
Angry neighbors?
Hungry neighbors?
Is your yard fenced?
Are you a weirdo?
Do you believe in aliens?
Santa Claus? (actually OK in my book)
Leprechauns? (hit emergency button under counter and take evasive action)

If they pass this battery, then ask them what they need the chicken for – pest control, weed control, manure production, eggs ... dress-up or friendship (push customer out and locks doors) ... Then you lead them to Stall Number 49 and they pick up their chicken for rent. HOW COOL is this!? OK it is not cool, but compelling because, I guess people do this, and, in the same breath, the guy who asked me about it, suggested he borrow some for his yard. The spiders are running amuck! My goodness how this universe expands when you bring chickens into your life. I really was leading a humdrum life prior to chickening...not sure if this can be turned into a verb. My world has become clearer, more vivid, I see things in color now and thigns that used to be sad are happy. Well, I am only 10 minutes from Berkeley, CA and it might not be the “chickens.”

I decided to check this mystery rental business out and much to my chagrine, there is not much on this in United States, but there is quite a bit going on in Australia. Which begs the question, why not? By the way, I am sure there is someone doing this in the USA... they are just not as web-savvy as the Aussies. Indulge me and check out these sites, the only thing I can say is brilliant! By the way, this first site is incredible, I am jealous. Blogger needs to step up the template design cause the ones to choose from are stinko. This women has done a stellar job at her business and truly developed a well-rounded business model. You will see rates and models for possibly doing this in the USA.

www.bookachook.com
http://rentachook.com.au/ (This is hilarious on the home page it says “Rentachook is greener than Kermit’s Bum”)
http://www.citychicks.com.au/ (This is another brilliant website. Again, the Aussie’s are pulling this together.)

This is fun stuff and it appears renting chickens is a doable business. Here in the USA, you will need to check with city ordinances to make sure you are not violating any rules. 1.) domestic animals – how many and are chickens on this list? 2.) It is a business. Can you run a business from your home, if so, get a permit. The last thing you need is a neighbor horning in on your life and stinking up the plan. Get your ducks in a row - or chickens and make sure you’ve done it right. Keep in mind, in the Bay Area politicians and local officials are making your neighbors out to be police dogs. If you are burning a fire on a spare the air day, neighbors are encourage to rat out neighbors. Likewise, we are in a drought and people are encourage to rat out neighbors who water their lawns too much. How gestapo is this? I really think most people are good and will do what is reasonable 99/100 of times. We can forgive the one.

Anyway, do your research on the local rules and do it right.

Here’s to renting out Chickens or Chooks!