My name is Marsha but you can call me Figgy,
Before I moved to Idaho from Calaveras County CA I had a mixed flock of various range chickens and as many here know they cluck and scratch their way deep into your heart and never leave even if the birds are no longer physically present. Late last summer, much to my surprise, a very tired, skinny bare necked and poorly feathered hen jumped/flew over my 6 ft fence (I live well within city limits) and squatted down panting. My two old dogs were curious but not aggressive and the hen allowed herself to be gently herded to the 10 x 12 kennel. I got her water and some of the wild bird seed we have on hand and she began her life of pampering she enjoys now...I still get a jumbo brown egg a day and even with this severe winter we had she had an insulated nest, fresh chopped greens and herbal water, she only took 3 weeks off of laying! We do NOT feed layer crumble, just a good pellet and quality scratch. I have not filed with the city for a permit for her (RED TAPE GALORE!!!) and many of my neighbors are also illegal poultry stewards..I think someone just turned out a flock in the canyon and they found homes throughout the 'hood'. I want to be able to let her free range and help out in the yard detail as we have a HUGE garden each year and was contemplating trying to make a 'chicken tractor' but want to have the water attached to the structure. QUESTION: can chicken learn to drink from a tube feed waterer? then I could hang it from the wire side and roll the thing like a wheel barrow to where she was safe, happy and away from prying eyes. <grins>
Before I moved to Idaho from Calaveras County CA I had a mixed flock of various range chickens and as many here know they cluck and scratch their way deep into your heart and never leave even if the birds are no longer physically present. Late last summer, much to my surprise, a very tired, skinny bare necked and poorly feathered hen jumped/flew over my 6 ft fence (I live well within city limits) and squatted down panting. My two old dogs were curious but not aggressive and the hen allowed herself to be gently herded to the 10 x 12 kennel. I got her water and some of the wild bird seed we have on hand and she began her life of pampering she enjoys now...I still get a jumbo brown egg a day and even with this severe winter we had she had an insulated nest, fresh chopped greens and herbal water, she only took 3 weeks off of laying! We do NOT feed layer crumble, just a good pellet and quality scratch. I have not filed with the city for a permit for her (RED TAPE GALORE!!!) and many of my neighbors are also illegal poultry stewards..I think someone just turned out a flock in the canyon and they found homes throughout the 'hood'. I want to be able to let her free range and help out in the yard detail as we have a HUGE garden each year and was contemplating trying to make a 'chicken tractor' but want to have the water attached to the structure. QUESTION: can chicken learn to drink from a tube feed waterer? then I could hang it from the wire side and roll the thing like a wheel barrow to where she was safe, happy and away from prying eyes. <grins>
