Though in some parts of the country it doesn't FEEL like winter and here in the Southland we are experiencing some record breaking heat, tis essential for homesteaders to keep their flocks healthy through this supposedly cold and dreary time.

Fellow homesteader, Amber, wrote about her success this winter with Jordanne's Natural Poultry Supplement

"I've been using an all natural organic supplement that Jordanne Dervaes made and sells on her family website No light needed in my coop the girls lay anyway in spite of the long nights."  - Amber

Raising chickens naturally and holistically has been a passion for Jordanne these last ten years. During those years, she's acquired a lot of knowledge and know- how which is now available to help you naturally boost your backyard flock.

Jordanne in her own words:

The moment you put an animal behind a fence or provide it designated living quarters, you are taking on full responsibility for the life of that animal. If you are a person of conscience, then you want to treat the animal with kindness and concern and care for its comfort and safety. To provide the best care for any animal, one has to realize that nature and instinct, if left to its own devices, can provide the best. There is no way that we can improve upon nature.

Chickens and ducks are driven to choose what to eat based on instinct. In nature, they are not sole grain feeders but omnivorous birds that thrives on fresh vegetation, bugs, and even lizards and mice. Most poultry feeds eliminate the variety- leaving only grain and that alone makes for a sickly bird.

I have studied multiple books about poultry and very few dedicate any page space to the healing of illness and disease. The general belief is that chickens are cheap, short-lived and when they get sick, the best thing is to put them down because it is all too much trouble. But why does it have to be that way? If we take the time and responsibility to raise a healthy bird, the diseases, parasites and illnesses become afterthoughts. In the long run, prevention will be the best way. Sure, bad things will happen and every animal is mortal, but by concentrating on the holistic balancing of the body through minerals, vitamins and herbs, you can help not only the bird but also yourself -- for the health of poultry is transferred to you via eggs (or meat, if you are a meat eater).

This feed supplement mixture comes from my long time observation of chickens and ducks (what and how they eat) as well as from our family's knowledge of herbs. It is used on my own chickens and ducks. Several years ago, when I raised batches of chicks for selling I used the ingredients in this formula. To this day, people tell me that the chickens obtained from me were the healthiest, most adjusted and have some of the best plumage. I'm excited to be now marketing this supplement because I am passionate about caring for poultry holistically and bringing them back to their natural state and far away from the constant over-medication the poultry industry claims they need. -- Jordanne Dervaes

POULTRY SUPPLEMENT

An herbal dietary supplement that is all natural with no artificial chemicals or synthetic medications. This formula was developed using ancient knowledge of the power of herbs combined with personal, hands-on experience caring for poultry.

We have raised many unmedicated, unvaccinated chickens without any instances of coccidiosis, diarrhea, pasty-butt, or mareks disease. Most commercially prepared poultry foods are not complete and balanced. Although they may offer the basics to keep a chicken alive, they don’t provide all the trace nutrients and diversity of minerals a foraging bird would consume. Additionally, most poultry are prevented by confinement from feeding naturally. A chicken or a duck, if allowed to roam its natural habitat, will forage for a wide variety of foods and glean essential minerals from the soil, thus consuming its own preventative treatments from herbs, plants and dirt.

This is a blend of tonic (nutritive) herbs. Tonic herbs are used to attempt to improve general health, boost energy levels, and improve body tone. It is also fortified with vitamins and minerals for healthy growth and sound development. Holistic therapies address the health of the entire animal by gradually balancing the systems of the body, strengthening the immune system, and preventing disease.

The combination of herbs in this formula is traditionally used as a preventative and to build a stronger immune system so poultry can more easily fight viruses, parasites, and disease.

Safe for chicks and ducklings! Get your babies off to a healthy start!

Ingredients: Colloidal trace minerals (contains over 40 vital minerals from the soil and the sea) , Tonic Herb Blend, Kelp, Powdered Probiotics, Yeast Culture (powdered and dried fermentation of raw liquid and cereal grains), Garlic, Vitamin and Protein Mix (contains some soybean flour)

BUY Jordanne's Natural Poultry Supplement and keep your hens happy and healthy this winter

If you are frequent visitor to homesteading sites, poultry message boards, please spread the word. Remember, if you do purchase this product and see good results, please take time to leave feedback. If you are a blogger, writer and would like to write a review of this product (or chickens, ducks, goats for that matter) contact Jordanne at jordanne(at)urbanhomestead(dot)org

:: Resources ::

Splendor from  Grass

Barnyards and Backyards

Happy hens come from homesteads!

It's also been awhile since I posted pictures of our little barnyard menagerie.  Besides, our critters are more popular than the Urban Homesteaders themselves.   Can't say as I blame them, they are sooooo picture savvy.  Me, not savvy!  When a camera comes out, I skedaddle the other way!

One of my favorite part of the day is going out just as the sun rises (this past week there has been a beautiful full moon in the morn) to open up the chicken coop.  The ducks fall out, all in lined up in a row while making soft quacking sounds.  A good morning to you too, ladies!   Besides we humans, the ducks are the earliest risers here on the homestead and are up at the crack of dawn so they can scrounge around the animal compound for worms and such.   About a hour later, the chickens will hop down off their perches, one by one, to join their compadres in the compound for a day of scratching, preening & eating.  Ahhhh the life!

This coming spring our plan (God willing) is to add to our poultry flock since many of our chickens are heading into retirement at  5 years.    We've had many questions about what we do with our non laying hens.   No, they are NOT bound for the stew pot;  instead, they live out their happy little lives - taking dust baths, scratching for bugs. Happy hens!  And for the ducks, the same, though they much rather water baths - thank you very much.

For those of you who are looking for information on starting your own poultry flock,  check out Sis's sisters site BARNYARDS & BACKYARDS that's chockablock full of helpful links and information (& Giveaways!)

I can't tell you enough how much Jordanne knows about raising animals!  She has helped many readers' sick chickens, rabbits, goats, cats and more!

Goatsies

Silly Sairey

Estella

Lucie

Ducks in a row

Crazy Quackers

And we mustn't forget....

Cassidy our sweetie

Mr Handsome

I'm rising but I ain't shining!

Care to share your what's happening in your backyard barnyard?

When it comes to raising barnyard animals in your city backyard, one crucial piece of advice (besides having a safe and secure house and compound) is having the ability to treat sick and or wounded animals.

Those who share their lives with all creatures great and small know the simple blessings.  Especially,  when a day goes by and all is well with your animals, one certainly breathes a sigh and says a quite prayer of thanks.

This past  week, one of our ducks seemed to have gotten poked  in the eye.  Actually, I think straw is the most likely culprit... we had just put down a fresh (salvaged) bale the other day and, that morning, they were all drilling with their bills to find plump worms.

I let them out in the morning and all was well. Then, an hour later when I came to feed them their breakfast,  one was sitting there with her eye all closed and weepy.  " Oh dear!"  I thought,  "what on earth happened?"  I've ruled out being pecked by a chicken because our chickens couldn't care less and they weren't even out that early.

It looked pretty bad; but I started washing it out 2-4 times a day with aloe, colloidal silver, and putting on natural ointments (like vitamin E)  Finally, it's  looking better (what a blessing!).  I was worried there for a time that she might not have an eye.  Oh, a bit of a warning: If you try Googling eye problems in ducks,  you would start to think that your duck has some horrible contagious disease.   Now, I am all for caution; but, sometimes, searches get me tied up in fits, thinking the worse and that the animal is on death's door.   Jordanne, being a bit more sensible,  has to calm me down and has taught me to "listen" to the animal's overall well- being.   This will tell you a lot!

As I said, for the life of me, I  can't figure out what happened. Just a freak accident, I suppose. But that just goes to show you that, with raising any animals in the city, you really have to learn to the art of observation and know some basic info about problems, causes and treatments.  Of course, this is a challenge if you want to do it naturally and holistically rather than grab for the ordinary antibiotics that Vets and Feed Supplies try to force you to buy. Going about treating the natural way does take longer and you have to be committed to give the animal a little more constant care.

Stock up on herbs & ointments for your home pharmacy .... and get $5.00 off  with this special code JUL 275  plus free shipping over $20.00

Also check out my sister's site Barnyards and Backyards where she's written a lot about her passion of raising animals in the city.  Think there's also a GIVEAWAY going on too!

A reader recently commented on our award winning short film Homegrown Revolution that's on YouTube saying: "When you can do this....you don't need to Occupy Wall Street. You can abandon Wall Street."

So, our goats decided to jump in on the action.  We first put this image on Facebook and folks got a real kick out of it!

It's time to bring the revolution home! Here's some more humorous "out takes" from homestead....

Um, I can't read but I think this sign is too big... or I am too short!

Maybe if I stand up straight... that's better... now I can walk

Now it's my turn - are you ready? Here we go!

Let's work it! Yes, I know I'm cute. I'm a super goat model now... Are you getting my best profile?

Pfffft - a "raspberry" for Blackberry!

Hey humans, are we done yet? You had your kicks, I'm hungry now from carrying this heavy sign and I deserve a treat... or else.

ZZZZZZZZ, Being a poster goat sure is hard work.

La la la la .... not paying attention!

What did you first think when seeing this photo? Has Blackberry been a bad girlie-goat and is in a "time out" or is this her preferred view of the world?

Talk to the hoof 'cuz Blackberry ain't a' listenin'!

Hi Blackberry! What's that you say? You're overwhelmed? Too much killing, hate, economic troubles, famine and war? And maybe if you don't see the world, it doesn't see you? Well, those are my thoughts exactly. Sometimes, it all just gets too TOO MUCH.

Say, Blackberry... can I join you?

(After her breakfast, morning exercise, belly-scratches and general all around lovin',  Blackberry has made it a habit to find a corner to stick her face into where she'll spend the rest of the day contemplating her role in the universe and the meaning of her existence.)

I’m no scientist (ha) but here’s some unscientific tangible proof that if there are “no bees, there’s no food”  It is estimated that the work of bees provides $16 billion dollars of value annually in the U.S. alone. Pretty scary fact don’t you think that these little guys play such a big role in our food chain.

Exhibit ONE

Last year’s (2010) loquat harvest WITH bees

Exhibit TWO

This years (2011) a miserly ONE HALF basket WITHOUT bees

Good news is that the bees are back on the urban homestead, but they just missed the loquat blooms by a few months.

Bees are back!

Just goes to show you how important bees are for the pollination of crops in urban environments.

Have you noticed an increase in your harvest when you started keeping bees?

:: Resources ::

Loquat Fruit Facts

A World Without Bees

Vanishing Bees

Working the hives

New queen

My sisters and I have been watching a BBC TV series called Lark Rise to Candleford.  One of the characters is “Queenie” the village beekeeper and honey mead maker.   I find skeps a rather fascinating part of beekeeping history. Bees and beekeeping have certainly  changed over the years.

In the apiary, queens rule.   The queen bee determines the whole chemistry, demeanor and health of the hive.   Re-queening is necessary for those city beekeepers who capture feral swarms.  Putting in a friendly, docile queen ensures the “quieter” temperament of the colony which means they easier to work with and manage in an urban environment.   I have found that many feral bees,  after a  few seasons,  tend to get more aggressive. More often than not, they will breed mean queens. They usually make ‘hot’ bees that boil over when anyone opens up the hive and these hives tend to swarm more often.   So, I opt to purchase  a naturally mated queens from reliable sources.  In a few weeks, the beehives are calmer, easier to manage, swarm less, and friendlier.  This means I can work the hives in shorts, sandals and gloveless without being stung.

I’m trying a few new different things this year (obviously, last year didn’t work out - though I suspect no fault of ours), and we’ll see how it goes.  It helps tremendously that I’ve grown up around bees my whole life and to me, beekeeping is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable things I can do.  It’s addicting  and the end results are, well, SWEET!

:: Resources ::

How to Re-Queen a Hive

Re-Queening

Yep! The bait hive is full of bees

Tied up the burlap bag for transporting the bees

Looks like it was home to a four legged critter or two

Keeping the bees warm on the walk home

Upon  her return from a goat walk this weekend, my sister informed me that one of my bait hives was FULL of bees.  Sweet!

Before the big "winter" storm that's about to blow in Tuesday, I wanted to get the bait hive home and relocate my other traps to catch any more of the wild bees that are living in Arroyo Seco.

It's best to move bees in the evening.  Just as soon as the sun went down, I was off to bring the bees home.   I was happy to find that the hive was a very decent size so it seems they've been there for awhile.   As soon as I got the bait hive home, I dumped them into a larger hive - not an easy task in the dark.    Any light and the bees start flying!   So did my best under the cover of moonlight.   I sustained a few stings but that's all in the job.

Now, I'm off to batten down the hatches for a big, cold storm that's brewing.

Applying the liquid beeswax

In they go into the box

Bigger is not always better, even when it comes to beekeeping.   Natural (smaller) cells are better, especially for those of us who are choosing chemical and antibiotic free hives.    Modern thinking is that bigger bees would give more honey; but the downside is that bigger bees are susceptible to a pesky mite called varroa.

This year, we are experimenting with downsizing giving them a smaller pattern cell from which to draw comb.   Most commercially available combs measure around 5.5mm; however, bees left to their own devices, tend to make smaller cells averaging 4.9mm in diameter.

By using smaller comb,  we are hoping that smaller cells and bees will help lower the varroa mites levels.

Small cells alone will not save bees from varroa mites, but we sure can help give the bees a fighting chance!

:: Resources ::

Bee Natural: Small Cell

Small Cell Foundation and Varroa Mites

The Way Back to Biological Beekeeping

(Left) Whopper egg (Right) Regular duck egg

Someone laid a whopper – yowza!   Ended up being a double yolker too.  Made great (fluffy!) pancakes.

Learn more about using duck eggs & raising city chickens and ducks