A Journey Through a Different Way - Funny Story Pg. 69

[Zookeeper9000]

Ruth thanks for the update and for sharing. Great looking boys and sorry I can't help ya with your chick ID.

 

[Omeletta]

Those chickens are kinda funky looking! It looks like cornish -cross trunk legs...that's all I know! Do you think you and DH will process them?

Tanya

 

[ruth]

Don't think I'm at the point yet where I could process and eat any of our birds - even the ugly ones, or roos. I may get there someday but not there yet. HOWEVER, if one meets with an accident or a predator kills it and leaves it - that's another story - no sense letting good chicken go to waste.

 

[basicliving]

Mighty handsome boys! And I think the tree-trunk babies are cute. They remind me of calicos!

Thanks for the update.

Penny

 

[DDRanch]

My dear Monique,
Well, I have just finished a whole pot of coffee and this amazing thread. Thank you so much for your insights, your experience, fabulous pictures and most of all your heart. I have thoroughly enjoyed this journey with you and all your critters. Your writing is inspiring and capitvating. I was on the edge of my seat as I read through your posts. I am sorry for your losses but have learned from your experience. Your dogs are amazing and I not only want to run out and get more chicks...but maybe pick up a puppy as well. (Just kidding, but your puppy brings back fond memories. My shepherd is 13 years old now, bless her heart.

When I got my first babies, some 10 months ago, I kept them in a home made brooder under heat lamps....etc. etc. upon the strong advice of my local feed store where I got them. I longed to let them out in the grass for supervised play time as it just made sense to me. I didn't cuz I was new to babies, and everyone told me "NO", but next time I will. All 15 grew up beautifully and joined my 5 big girls. They all free range during the day when I am home.

So, now I hear them yelling at me (I am late in letting them out) and must go. I eagerly look forward to the next chapter.
Anne

 

[Reinbeau]

I've been taking my now 3 week old babies out for two weeks now. I figure if they were being raised by a hen they'd be out pecking around under her supervision, and that's exactly what I'm doing with them. They're in an enclosed bed with dirt, crab grass, bugs, etc. all at their pecking disposal. I think chickies do well out in the yard, it gives them something to do besides looking at the same walls all day long, getting closer and closer as they get bigger and bigger. As for heat lamps, mine's been off now for 10 days. They don't need it, it's warm out. So far, so good. I think a Different Way is a good idea.

 

[estpr13]

I like how you raise your chickens. I do nearly the same with my chicks.
I tell people who want to raise chickens that you cannot have chickens with out having your heart broken. I work nights and with the lengthing of days several times I couldn't get a couple of hens up before I left for work. And sure enough, those who roosted on the ground were caught and eaten by a mother racoon and her two young.
Keep up the good work! Love your thread.

 

[auntbee]

Thanks for this thread! I'd love to raise our chick like this. It's in the 90s right now during the day and in the 60s at night, does that mean I wouldn't need a warmer? Thanks!

 

[ruth]

Quote:
I don't know their age but you would want to use a warmer at night. If day temps are in 90s you can put them out in a sunny spot and they will be fine. In fact, make sure it's not full sun and that they have a little shade because sitting in full sun in 90s is a lot different, and hotter, than a brooder box at 90.

I put my newest arrivals - a batch of peachicks and a batch of Marans chicks that were all a week old or younger out in cage in filtered sunlight under tree and I noticed all were trying to get through cage bars as if trying to reach the grass on other side which is what I thought, at first, they were doing even though they were sitting on grass. Then I realized they were all crowded into the one corner of cage that had shade and were trying to get more into shade. I moved the cage under tree where there was almost no direct sunlight - just mottled - and they all began to run around and play and nap and have fun. Temps here are close to 100 in the sun with high humidity. So just watch your chicks when you make any kind of change in their surroundings and see how they behave.

 

[Zookeeper9000]

Ruth I keep you and yours in my prayers. You have been heavy on my mind of late as I haven't seen you posting. I sure hope you and yours are doing well. Still praying for you all in UP of MI