8/16/09 Edited to add: I originally started this thread with the intention that it would be about raising chickens naturally and it did focus on that initially. But somewhere along the way it became more than that. It became my "Journey" thread. A journey filled with ups and downs, trials and tribulations, good and bad, laughter and tears. It's been a little more than a year of posts and the journey is still continuing. I thank all of those who have stopped by from time to time and encouraged me to stick to the journey no matter how tough it might be. I appreciate those who write and ask me for updates or tell me how much they enjoy reading this thread. I enjoy sharing my journey with all of you. The following is where the journey began..........
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I've started this thread to keep updates on my newest batch of babies in hopes it may help others to "let go" a little bit. I raise my chicks as close to natural as possible which means getting them outside in fresh air and sunshine, though it may still be cold, as soon as they are about a week old and letting them free range as soon as possible. I know many of you don't agree but this is my fourth batch of chicks and not only have I never lost a chick but my hens don't fight or feather pick/eat one another, have never had an illness/disease, no egg bound or prolapse issues and I've never lost one to predators though I know that while free ranging that is a possibility.
I'm posting a photo journal of the newest chicks - hatched Valentines Day from fertile eggs from DipsyDoodle. Pictures speak a thousand words and chickens were raised in the open from the dawn of time. They need to be able to scratch and forage and run and flap their wings and learn to adjust to heat and cold. So before you call the SPCA on me, take a look and follow them along. I'll post updates as they grow.
Moved outside to Chick-N-Hutch. Day temps 70s but warm in sun - night temps 40s-50s. Have heat lamp for night and cover pen with blanket.
Rex takes his place on guard.
By Day:
By Night:
Rigged up simple run in a sunny area where I can watch them from house - later they will be moved to coop/run area.
First hole - they were fasinated with it and dug/ate for hours
Must be doing something right - look at the size of these big boys at 2 weeks old - and feathering beautifully:
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I've started this thread to keep updates on my newest batch of babies in hopes it may help others to "let go" a little bit. I raise my chicks as close to natural as possible which means getting them outside in fresh air and sunshine, though it may still be cold, as soon as they are about a week old and letting them free range as soon as possible. I know many of you don't agree but this is my fourth batch of chicks and not only have I never lost a chick but my hens don't fight or feather pick/eat one another, have never had an illness/disease, no egg bound or prolapse issues and I've never lost one to predators though I know that while free ranging that is a possibility.
I'm posting a photo journal of the newest chicks - hatched Valentines Day from fertile eggs from DipsyDoodle. Pictures speak a thousand words and chickens were raised in the open from the dawn of time. They need to be able to scratch and forage and run and flap their wings and learn to adjust to heat and cold. So before you call the SPCA on me, take a look and follow them along. I'll post updates as they grow.
Moved outside to Chick-N-Hutch. Day temps 70s but warm in sun - night temps 40s-50s. Have heat lamp for night and cover pen with blanket.
Rex takes his place on guard.
By Day:
By Night:
Rigged up simple run in a sunny area where I can watch them from house - later they will be moved to coop/run area.
First hole - they were fasinated with it and dug/ate for hours
Must be doing something right - look at the size of these big boys at 2 weeks old - and feathering beautifully:
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