How to Eat a Lizard

Leigh here -

This may be the last post I actually get to write myself for the next few weeks. I have taken off my brace just for the occasion - LOL. Surgery is tomorrow. (Please remember to send me your articles on natural chicken keeping methods!)

Anyhoo - since typing has been painful lately, this post will be mostly photos of an exciting event that took place in the chicken yard the other day.

This "event" serves as a reminder that our chickens need plenty of meat protein in their diets! This is most important if your flock does not free range very much. 


Meat Penny - 
(oops! Freudian slip!) 

Penny is my Production Red hen who faithfully lays an egg every day. She hasn't taken a break from laying since she presented us with her very first egg a few months ago.

The other day while out free ranging, Penny scored BIG! She was lucky enough to catch our resident Blue-Tailed Skink. The chase lasted for about 15 minutes.

 If you find a lizard, 

 you will make a lot of friends!

 Your friends will want to "see" your lizard.

 Don't let them "see" your lizard.

 Instead... Run!

Run as fast as you can until you find a private place to drop and inspect your lizard.

 When you drop your lizard...

 Inspect your lizard. Be certain that it is still a lizard.

 If it is still a lizard, pick it back up,

 and RUN!

Once you have run around enough to catch the attention of EVERY bird in the entire chicken yard,

hide... and EAT your lizard.

And that, my friends, is how to eat a lizard!

Tell us - what kinds of meat do you feed your flock (aside from lizards)? 

By Leigh

*

Just Add Meat - Chickens are NOT Vegetarians

WARNING: Reading chicken feed ingredient lists may prove misleading. 

Naked Neck Hen with a Snake. Photo Courtesy: Kassaundra Tamplen

 

No – I’m not saying that feed manufacturers are lying about what they are putting in your chicken’s feed. What I am getting at is that upon reading label after label from manufacturer after manufacturer of chicken feed, one might easily be led to think chickens are supposed to be vegetarians.

One label reads, “Made from natural plant-based ingredients FREE of all animal proteins and fats.” Another says, “Ruminant meat and bone meal free.” 

Have you ever wondered why this is? 
 

(Naked Neck Hen with a Snake 
Photo Series Courtesy: 
Kassaundra Tamplen)

There are still feral chickens in many parts of the world. Are these chickens eating processed and bagged food out of a feeder? No. Yet it is likely that feral chickens consume a far more “natural” diet than many domestic flocks. A feral chicken’s diet consists of insects, larvae, spiders, worms, grasses, grains, snakes, lizards, mice, moles, fruits, berries, nuts... and these chickens will dine on almost any carcass they find. Chickens are omnivores and are opportunistic in their feeding habits.  

In fact, if you don’t have enough coop space, you may possess the unfortunate first-hand knowledge that they will even eat other chickens.  

So why do the majority of commercial chicken feeds lack animal matter and proteins? After all, dog and cat food have meat in them, right?

The rather stomach-turning truth is that large poultry farms that raise meat birds sell their chicken excrement to cattle farmers… as cattle feed.
 

What?          Yes – you read that right. It is common for both dairy and beef cattle to be fed on diets at least partially comprised of chicken fecal matter. Yummy, no?

So what does that little tidbit of nastiness have to do with keeping animal matter out of chicken feed? Well – if cattle consume the animal matter of other cows, it can trigger bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or Mad Cow disease.

I’m sorry, but if I were being fed chicken poop, I’d be mad too! Anymoo -

If chickens consume meat products, their feces are still fine for cows to consume. But... chickens are notoriously messy eaters, often scratching the feed out of the feeder and spilling it all over the floor… and therein lies the problem. If cows eat the uneaten chicken feed containing beef or beef by-products that was spilled on the floor and mixed with the poop, they could possibly end up with Mad Cow disease.

Did you follow all that?

So let’s back up a little. 

Because of the risks associated with Mad Cow disease, the US Food and Drug Administration has placed regulations on chicken feed banning the use of certain meat proteins.

From the FDA:

“On August 4, 1997, 21 CFR 589.2000 became effective. This regulation is designed to prevent the establishment and amplification of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), sometimes referred to as "Mad Cow Disease," through animal feed. The regulation prohibits the use of certain proteins derived from mammalian tissue in feeding ruminant animals.”

See Link

As a result, almost all chicken feeds available commercially will be free of meat proteins in order to adhere to FDA regulations… and who can blame them?

(I’m sorry – what was that angry clucking sound from your yard?)

Can/should you feed your chickens meat?

Please answer the following question honestly and to the best of your ability:

• Are you selling your chickens' poop to cattle or dairy farmers as a feedstuff?

If you answered “no” to that question, then chances are there is not a reason in the world your flock should not have meat in their diet. In fact many long-time chicken keepers have found their chickens to be healthier if given meat on a regular basis – especially liver and organ meat. Any meat will do, though, provided it has not gone bad.

 Chicken Eating a Frog - Courtesy: Tom

Yes – chickens naturally eat meat when left to their own devices. And if nature intends for a critter to eat certain foods, chances are those critters will be better off and happier if they do.

So – Be natural!

More Sources/Information:

• Feeding Poultry Litter to Beef Cattle – University of Missouri
• You Want Chicken Poop With That Steak? Why FDA Should Ban Feces From Feed: Huffington Post
• U.S. Cattle Being Fed Chicken Manure?: The Bovine
• Utilization of Poultry Litter as Feed for Beef Cattle: VA Tech

• CPG Sec. 675.400 Rendered Animal Feed Ingredients: FDA

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Breed Overview - The Rhode Island Red

The Rhode Island Red found its beginnings in the 1890’s and are the result of crossing a variety of breeds including the Black Red Malay, Buff Cochin, Hamburgh and Langshon. As its name would suggest, the breed was created in Rhode Island as a dual purpose bird (used for both eggs and meat). The plumage of the Rhode Island Red should be a rich, glossy, dark red. Hens may have some black feathering on the back while roosters should only have black in the wings and tail feathers. The earlobes and eyes should be red and the legs should be yellow. The oblong-shaped body of the RIR should be deep and broad with a wide, flat back and a medium-sized tail.

By Vicki -

In my opinion, Rhode Island Reds (RIRs) are calm and regal birds. Not much for shenanigans. They are always busy working. I would not call these birds needy. They are just fine without the petting and picking up. They do like to hang around if you have corn though, so be careful with treats or simply don't get in the habit of giving them treats. My own RIRs will sometimes skip their FermentedFeed in the morning and just go off to forage. They are some of my heavier birds.

I believe I purchased my first RIR's from a neighbor in 1980. I also picked up a few at the State Fair. I think I may have paid $2.00 for a laying hen which was a pretty hefty price back then. A person could buy a butchered whole chicken for under a dollar and they had packaged Cornish hens - two for .99.

I lived really close to some big duck and chicken farms and learned really fast what not to do. I learned what to do by going to fairs and shows and asking questions. I had no interest in showing chickens, I just wanted to spend as little money as possible and grow the healthiest and biggest chickens that layed the most eggs. RIR was the best dual purpose bird that I knew of at that time.

I really like this breed because it tends to be a self sustaining bird. They don’t seem to require much special attention or care. They are hardy, healthy and active, very predator aware and flock aware. They are dark rich red with some black. Nothing fancy. But if you want a good egg layer that makes a fine table fair, it is one of the best birds you will find. 

(Broody Rhode Island Red hens & chicks - Photo Credit: "Stonykill") 

I (personally) don't know as much about the hatchery-grade RIR. I think those are generally “production reds,” but called Rhode Island Red by the hatcheries. They have been bred to lay more eggs and are often lighter in frame and color than the Heritage RIRs.

 (Hatchery Rhode Island Red Hen - By: "Maven")

There is nothing wrong with hatchery birds if your plan is to raise them and butcher them. They work just fine for that. Just make sure you understand that for egg laying, they usually have one really good laying season… maybe two… then laying tapers off dramatically. I don’t know, but from things I have read, I sometimes wonder if some of these hatchery birds lack the resistance to illnesses and parasites that the Heritage birds have. Hatcheries do have some beautiful birds though, and it is sometimes impossible to get them any other way.

I have butchered chickens for quite some time. I raised goats, sheep, horses, cows, dogs, cats, and probably every rodent that is legal. I have never asked the vet to look at my chickens even when he came out to look at the other animals.

(Heritage RIRs)

I have never used chemical wormers, drugs, antibiotics, DE or diapers on my chickens. I never felt any of these things were needed. I eat my chickens. I butcher them myself. If my chickens had worms I am pretty sure I would notice. I have fed my animals squashes, apples, onions, cucumbers, pumpkins, garlic, and they have picked through my herb garden as they free range on my property. They use the sand pit and roll in the ash of the fire pit. I have never lost a bird to disease or illness. Part of that is animal husbandry… the other part is the breed itself.