Organic Gardening Guru|Tips For Those Growing Their Own Food Organically
Nov
01
Filed Under (Using The Plant Trimmer In Your Garden) by admin
asked:
Chooks (chickens) have been domesticated for many centuries. They originate from the Malaysian rainforests so they love to free-range. Chooks are such easy animals to care for, can make great pets for children and are a valuable resource for the organic gardener.
You’ll need to check with your local council to find out their regulations. Some councils won’t allow you to keep any poultry, whereas others will—some even allow roosters.
Some of the benefits of keeping chooks:
- they supply you with beautiful, fresh eggs - daily
- your left overs will never go in the bin again (reduces waste)
- provide you with an excellent fertilizer base
- they dig over the soil (so you don’t have to)
- they reduce insect numbers; great for around your orchard
- provide you with live entertainment
Basic requirements
* Dry, fox proof shelter
* A safe place to lay eggs and hatch chicks (if you have a rooster)
* A roosting perch off the ground (allow about 20cm per bird)
* Layer pellets (or crumble for chicks) should make up the majority of their diet.
* Kitchen scraps are great for variety
* Wheat, corn or other grains should be offered occasionally, but not form the majority of their diet
* Birds have no teeth; they swallow small pebbles or grit to grind down their food in their gizzard. They must have access to a supply of grit for this purpose.
* Never feed chocolate, coffee, avocado or rhubarb, as they are toxic to chooks
* They must always have access to clean, fresh water.
Chooks (chickens) have been domesticated for many centuries. They originate from the Malaysian rainforests so they love to free-range. Chooks are such easy animals to care for, can make great pets for children and are a valuable resource for the organic gardener.
You’ll need to check with your local council to find out their regulations. Some councils won’t allow you to keep any poultry, whereas others will—some even allow roosters.
Some of the benefits of keeping chooks:
- they supply you with beautiful, fresh eggs - daily
- your left overs will never go in the bin again (reduces waste)
- provide you with an excellent fertilizer base
- they dig over the soil (so you don’t have to)
- they reduce insect numbers; great for around your orchard
- provide you with live entertainment
Basic requirements
* Dry, fox proof shelter
* A safe place to lay eggs and hatch chicks (if you have a rooster)
* A roosting perch off the ground (allow about 20cm per bird)
* Layer pellets (or crumble for chicks) should make up the majority of their diet.
* Kitchen scraps are great for variety
* Wheat, corn or other grains should be offered occasionally, but not form the majority of their diet
* Birds have no teeth; they swallow small pebbles or grit to grind down their food in their gizzard. They must have access to a supply of grit for this purpose.
* Never feed chocolate, coffee, avocado or rhubarb, as they are toxic to chooks
* They must always have access to clean, fresh water.
