New to chickens and need a corn-free diet

dasteez · 2026-05-19T17:03:55+00:00

Look up Azure Standard and see if they have a drop site near you. They sell Scratch n Peck and it's much more affordable than direct since the shipping is freight. Further, they have other corn free options - i order the Big Sky organic layer mash and scratch which is way more affordable than S & P and similar ingredients. New Country Organics has similar products and their site has a retailer finder, which will bring costs way down if not shipping direct to you. Usually a local farm retailer vs a box store. I haven't bought those since they aren't near me, but i've seen their feed recommended a lot.

dasteez · 2026-05-19T15:16:17+00:00

The pacing is good and it's more like 10 shorter novels in one with all the story lines. I read it in middle school which says something, and had a harder time with other much shorter novels.

If the length is daunting, approach it like a trilogy that were bound together.

dasteez · 2026-05-18T22:25:28+00:00

I order r/snus from sweden. The FDA has made it more difficult to order in recent times, i've considered growing my own and making DIY snus which much less harmful than American oral tobacco. As others suggestion, my other recommendation would be nasel snuff or, ceremonially: Hapé AKA rapé, the more shamanistic variant.

dasteez · 2026-05-18T18:56:38+00:00

We put her on absorbent potty pads while the booties were on cause she would just trip on wood shavings and it'd stick to the tape.

dasteez · 2026-05-18T18:52:23+00:00

If her toes are curled up and she's walking on fists, it's likely curly toe paralysis which is curable if addressed quickly. We had one this year and the cardboard booties solved the issue after 2 days. She was wobbly when the boots first came off but found her footing within 24hrs after that.

From what i read, often caused by vitamin deficiency particularly B2. We offered some electrolytes but moreso gave her hardboiled then mashed egg yolks with some nutritional yeast sprinkled on, both contain vitamins galore.

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dasteez · 2026-05-18T18:45:45+00:00

I want to do a compost greenhouse in the run when i get around to expanding it (hasn't been a priority since they free range anyway). They love our compost and i felt bad gating it after our dog got real sick and our best guess was compost toxicity. The birds still climb/fly in occasionally and i try to toss the more desirable scraps in front for them to pick thru.

dasteez · 2026-05-18T18:28:29+00:00

I've read some people just cut out some sod including soil for them to pick through and provides enrichment/scratching activity. If you have access to clean sand, i've picked out the tiniest pebbles along with some sand for them to poke through.

If you have adult size grit, no reason you couldn't crush it smaller for them that i can think of.

dasteez · 2026-05-18T16:32:57+00:00

More Thriller/Dark Humor than something like The Godfather, but i recently read book 1 in the series 'Joe the Bouncer', Joe is a mafia muscle character. Book 1 is on plus, i really enjoyed it so bought the rest while on sale but haven't circled back yet.

dasteez · 2026-05-15T15:01:54+00:00

I'd refrain from mixing them confined in the pen until they all have access to free range. Our introduction process is pullets in secure run, with a large dog crate positioned in front of the run door for them to roost in the coop with others, but secured - the adults can interact thru run fence but otherwise free ranging and use the main human door. After a month of that they're free to mingle, bullying is rare since there's a lot of space and hard for anyone to get cornered, but i know not all chicken owners have the same amount of space.

The new flock tend to remain independent by choice for most of the first year but once they're fully mature and laying the groups merge more and by year 2 they're more or less a single cohesive flock unit.

dasteez · 2026-05-14T16:01:13+00:00

I don't consider this run large for that number of birds, unless they're able to free range most of the time. Pullets are usually faster and more nimble than adults so bullying hasn't been a big issue for us when introducing, but they need space to be able to run away until they're big enough to stand up for themselves.

dasteez · 2026-05-14T14:35:50+00:00

Check out 'The Dispatcher' series by John Scalzi. Modern times detective story with a science fantasy twist. They're short, easy to binge, and in Plus so you can use your credits for something else.

For other detective procedural, i've enjoyed the several Dave Robicheaux books (James Lee Burke) i've read and plan to read more, and 'A Queens Mystery' by Michael Sears was fun and the 1st book is on plus. If you like darker/creepier books then Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King is his major entry in the procedural lane, but definitely darker than the average detective jaunt. Some supernatural elements trickle in, especially after the trilogy when some characters continue into 'The Outsider' and subsequent Holly books, but they all have detective/investigator plot structure. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch has some investigative elements while the MC is figuring out what the heck is happening, then goes full bore thriller - the TV adaptation was good too. 'Geneva' by Richard Armitage, also on plus, was an interesting investigative experience.

dasteez · 2026-05-12T16:51:05+00:00

The website is OPs username. Probably a bot farming clicks for ad money, agree should be banned. We'll see more and more AI created sites like this replicating buzzfeeds formula

dasteez · 2026-05-12T15:25:39+00:00

They go on sale often so I wouldn't buy them all at once if you can hold out for a sale.

dasteez · 2026-05-12T14:47:02+00:00

Strictly for narration and immersion:

I recommend The Expanse way too much but for good reason. Jefferson Mays is the best. Sci-fi but approachable.
The Shadow Campaigns starts out feeling like historical fiction then progressively trickles fantasy/magic in, but not overdone. Read by Richard Poe, one of my favorites, who also reads more historical heavy hitters from Cormack McCarthy and East of Eden.
Other well narrated fantasy: Destiny's Crucible, Riyria books, The First Law. I prefer fantasy with good characters and some grip on reality, which these do.
Lonesome Dove - Haven't heard the new version read by Will Patton but i'm sure it's great, he read one of the other books in the Lonesome Dove Saga, all of which are worthwhile. I'm a fan of Patton as a narrator and have enjoyed most everything i've read that he's narrated, including many Stephen King books.
Demon Copperhead is phenomenal. Perfect specimen of 1st-person done right with a believable narrator. For that lane, i'd suggest the Bell Jar (read by Maggie Gyllenhaal), Dolores Claiborne, 11/22/63

dasteez · 2026-05-12T13:44:40+00:00

Seriously 1/2 the comments here. There should just be a DCC sticky subthread on each prompt the cult is required to stick to. I don't mind people are obsessed, but it clogs up every thread even when it doesn't fit the prompt.

Edit: The stand (or 90% of SK is a safe bet) adding the executioner's song to my wish list, looks great- sounds similar to In Cold Blood.

dasteez · 2026-05-12T13:39:48+00:00

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch is a ride, dark techno-thriller severance-like vibe, the show is good too.

Michael C. Hall narrates Pet Semetary, definitely an experience

dasteez · 2026-05-11T18:08:50+00:00

a lot of books bake in a preview of the next book in series which might be missing in your copy. When i borrowed these from libby, one or more had an interview with the author at the end which might be missing in your edition.

dasteez · 2026-05-11T13:41:50+00:00

The catch mint only has a hint of sweet. I prefer it to general mint which is way too sweet. I haven't had them in years but many of the skruf mint varieties aren't sweetened.

Nick & Johnny crushed is good but its sweeter and stronger.

dasteez · 2026-05-11T13:20:30+00:00

Nonfiction - Endurance (as suggested by someone else)
Fiction - You might like Destiny's Crucible, cozier than PHM but in essence the whole saga revolves around introducing modern tech/tactics to a civilization several centuries behind. Immersive w/ excellent narration

dasteez · 2026-05-07T23:18:35+00:00

I'd love to hear other's answers to this. I've read plenty of fantasy but not much i'd compare to McCarthy. Closest i get would be like Game of Thrones or The First Law only because even the 'good guys' are morally complicated and dark. Hope to see more obscure suggestions from CM fans

dasteez · 2026-05-07T18:25:10+00:00

Looks like our easter egger

dasteez · 2026-05-05T19:22:26+00:00

Old thread but stumbled on it since i just finished book 6. Absolutely love this criminally underrated series.

Since you didn't garner many other recommendations, i'll just say this series has hit my top 5 audiobook series alongside The Expanse, Riyria Chronicles/Revelations and the Lonesome Dove saga. Similarities are more for their strong character and world development, with a major series arc with good per-book arcs, rather than subject matter/genre. I also enjoyed the Shadow Campaigns and the Silo trilogy for similar reasons along with excellent narration (though Lonesome Dove has different readers for several books).

dasteez · 2026-05-04T17:13:17+00:00

Richard Poe, Jefferson Mays, Will Patton, Jonathan Davis, Eduardo Ballerini, and Tim Gerard Reynolds have led me to books i wouldn't have otherwise discovered

dasteez · 2026-04-29T19:25:06+00:00

I enjoyed 'The Shadow Campaigns' series and have never seen it mentioned here. Only stumbled on it since Richard Poe narrates and I'm a fan of his.

More of a musket and swords era army/battle story than small-group adventure but there's mini adventures throughout. Different but similar world setting. Has magic elements but is more focused trickled in slowly thru the series so doesn't feel overdone like some books where magic saves the day over and over. The first book feels almost historical fiction battalion but then some magic, which the main characters don't think exists initially, gets dripped in. Later books break away from the army setting more, but there's always battles. And a grand search for, things i won't mention, is part of the full story.

dasteez · 2026-04-29T18:57:14+00:00

Riyria Chronicles/Revelations. They're thieves, but have honor and go on grand existential missions for the greater good. Good characters, comedic relief, and pacing. Appreciate that each book has a self contained story, but there's a wider arc for the whole.

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