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Our Chook Hotel
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Chook house made from pallets that were thrown out by the local Masters store up the road. Sustainable cypress timber purchased to complete the job where the pallets were not able to. Drew Barr - our master planner and designer of the mystery chook house construction!
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Community effort. Not easy to mix heavy wet clay with straw. Parents and teachers mixing straw, clay and water to render the walls of the chook house. Drew found this old spa bath on the side of the road. Very useful!
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Clay slip (water, clay and straw) is shoved into the walls and then walls are boarded up until it solidifies and dries out. When dry, the boards are removed and the clay/straw render exposed. >>>>>>> Picture on the right.
Tall boots were the order of the day when it came to mixing clay clumps with water to form a slurry. |
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Liming the Chickenhouse
$8/3Kg from Bunnings
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Classic lime (Calcium Hydroxide) whitewash disinfects, repels insects, and preserves by sealing surfaces and wicking up water. It dries to an opaque white that beautifully reflects light to brighten up dim spaces.
The lime is a very fine powder that comes in bags and mixes easily. A power drill mixing attachment churns it to a thickness a bit lighter than regular paint, and then use big brushes. The lime is a bit caustic, so wearing a mask when mixing, and gloves and goggles to avoid splatter, is a good idea. Extracted from: http://tinyfarmblog.com/liming-the-chickenhouse/#comments |
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Bedding for the nest boxes:
Potpourri to add to straw beds together with diatomaceous earth (DE) mix
(add these to white washed sand and wood ash to create a chook dry bath).
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
INGREDIENTS: Organic Lavender, Organic Chamomile, Organic Peppermint, Organic Wormwood, Organic Tansy, Organic Eucalyptus Leaves, Organic Calendula (marigold petals), Organic Catnip and Organic Spearmint for a soothing and bug free egg laying experience.
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 (calendula): 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.
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
INGREDIENTS: Organic Lavender, Organic Chamomile, Organic Peppermint, Organic Wormwood, Organic Tansy, Organic Eucalyptus Leaves, Organic Calendula (marigold petals), Organic Catnip and Organic Spearmint for a soothing and bug free egg laying experience.
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 (calendula): 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.
WATER
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Adding apple cider vinegar and garlic to their water weekly.
Add a couple of crushed, peeled garlic cloves, and about 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to their water dishes. These additions help deter red mite, aids in digestive health, acts as an antiseptic and also keeps the water dish free from bacteria and algae. the garlic is an immune booster (as it is with us people too) and is also a natural wormer. Try to replace the water, garlic and apple cider vinegar at least twice a week. 
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