Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[lightm]

Hello, I just wrote my very first article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/another-remedy-for-slow-impact-crop-problems.79871/

It is on treating slow or impact crop. I'd appreciate it you want to give it a review and give me suggestions!

 

[ChaosMom]

@Perris - I didn’t want to further clutter up your article. I saw this post about another way of fermenting.

Is this at all similar to what you do, at smaller scale? I especially liked her explanation of why she does this, as it describes me well.

 

[Perris]

@Perris - I didn’t want to further clutter up your article. I saw this post about another way of fermenting.

Is this at all similar to what you do, at smaller scale? I especially liked her explanation of why she does this, as it describes me well.

yes I'd missed that one - thanks for linking. It is very similar to my set up in terms of timing - it's ready in time for the next meal.

I use plain natural yogurt to start rather than sourdough typically, though I have used that before too when I had some spare.

And if I feel the need to assess whether it's ready (hardly ever these days) I look for bubbles between the grains; rock the jar and they'll force their way to the surface, moving grains en route, so it's not hard to spot.

You're welcome to clutter up the comments on my article with this sort of thing btw; Shadrach might prefer that to us cluttering up his thread with it

 

[fuzzi]

That depends on why someone wants to keep chickens.
All I've done in some 20 plus years of caring for chickens has been to try to look after chickens that others have got and found that it wasn't all quite as simple as they were led to believe. It's been a job for me, or in more recent circumstances, a commitment out of concern for the poor creatures.


One of the things I've found interesting about BYC is from what I've been able to gather, most of the educators on the site, who one assumes are at least experienced in chicken keeping and most, reasonably knowledgeable about the species, keep their chickens free range/ranging. Kind of odd considering the chicken keeping model promoted by the site.

I think many people start off with mainly wanting the chicken's eggs. After some time during which some observe and get to understand a bit more about the complexities of chicken keeping and discover that the chicken is a highly intelligent creature with a social structure and individual personalities, their view of how chickens should be kept changes.

So, my view of what makes ideal chicken keeping conditions will be biased towards the chicken. I'm not interested in the human/keepers point of view.

I'm wanting to breed my Sussex, not for money, but to help improve the breed. There aren't a lot of bantam Speckled Sussex around, it's unusual.

So, I have planned a second coop so the ones I breed are separate from the Dominiques. I haven't asked the chickens for their input, but I suspect having a separate living arrangement with your own hens would be appreciated by Silas.

I know there will be some changes in flock dynamics once I split them into two tribes.

 

[BDutch]

I'm not so sure 'most people' keep them confined all the time, even here on BYC. If you look at the photo competitions, for example, there are lots of photos from many different members in many different places where the birds appear to be out and about; see e.g. one of the recent ones that focussed on the birds rather than people, pets, eggs, food, art or whatnot, https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/some-poultry-are-red-some-are-blue-but-lets-not-forget-they-can-be-barred-too-—2025-valentines-day-contest-series.1650790/page-19#post-28422915

People with permanently cooped birds perhaps post more threads looking for answers to problems, in the health or behaviour of their birds. Which figures, but also gives a false impression. The usual silent majority problem.

Yes. You point it out well. It sure is difficult to make nice photos in a run.
And just as you, I believe that chickens who have access to fresh greens and insects, who have an active chicken-life, are healthier (in general).

It would be interesting to make a poll and try to combine health /health problems with confined/free ranging. Keep in mind the answers are not reliable if the answers are public.

 

[notabitail]

That depends on why someone wants to keep chickens.
All I've done in some 20 plus years of caring for chickens has been to try to look after chickens that others have got and found that it wasn't all quite as simple as they were led to believe. It's been a job for me, or in more recent circumstances, a commitment out of concern for the poor creatures.


One of the things I've found interesting about BYC is from what I've been able to gather, most of the educators on the site, who one assumes are at least experienced in chicken keeping and most, reasonably knowledgeable about the species, keep their chickens free range/ranging. Kind of odd considering the chicken keeping model promoted by the site.

I think many people start off with mainly wanting the chicken's eggs. After some time during which some observe and get to understand a bit more about the complexities of chicken keeping and discover that the chicken is a highly intelligent creature with a social structure and individual personalities, their view of how chickens should be kept changes.

So, my view of what makes ideal chicken keeping conditions will be biased towards the chicken. I'm not interested in the human/keepers point of view.

I used to be all about the eggs as well, but I quit caring as much after those birds proved they had brains.

 

[notabitail]

This photo is from 2022. We had the coop right outside my door, and the chickens seeing me inside thought that meant that they could sleep in here.

 

[no fly zone]

 

[ChaosMom]

yes I'd missed that one - thanks for linking. It is very similar to my set up in terms of timing - it's ready in time for the next meal.

I use plain natural yogurt to start rather than sourdough typically, though I have used that before too when I had some spare.

And if I feel the need to assess whether it's ready (hardly ever these days) I look for bubbles between the grains; rock the jar and they'll force their way to the surface, moving grains en route, so it's not hard to spot.

You're welcome to clutter up the comments on my article with this sort of thing btw; Shadrach might prefer that to us cluttering up his thread with it

I owe SOOOOOO much tax!

But I'm picking up the pullets Friday morning!

 

[Perris]

I owe SOOOOOO much tax!

me too! so here's Fforest enjoying the sun today, and feeling the sap rising...

I was re-laying an overgrown hedge today, and his gang of older, maturer hens came over to have a rummage even though work was in progress... until they nearly got clonked on the bonce by the next piece coming down

There will be plenty of time for that when I've finished girls! Just wait!