Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[HiEverybirdy]

@MrsNorthie – How'd you all make out in this weather? Hope it wasn't too rough.

The weather was kind over this way last night (for once, this year). An inch of rain chipped away at the wildfires.

Drone shot with the chickenyard in the bottom corner. Nearest fire is a mile away Expertly contained the first night but still smoldering when the wind kicked up yesterday.

Much bigger one burning on the other side of the county:

 

[BDutch]

I don't want to get too involved in the feed and food debate but...
Things are not as clear cut as the supporters of organic food would have us beleive.

https://www.iatp.org/news/poison-risk-is-greater-from-organic-foods-says-scientist

https://www.brusselstimes.com/11418...-organic-food-have-more-toxins-in-their-blood

In the Netherlands we have an institute for farmers that claim all kind of things to keep doing what they are good in. Their goal is not to be honest. They pay researchers to get the outcome they like and publish those. If they don’t like the outcome they bend it or discard it.

They just want to continue with;

• Importing cheap GMO feed from overseas.
• Abusing chickens, ducks, cows, pigs, sheep, and goats.
• Ignore health issues from people who live nearby farms (a typical goat disease is just one of them)
• Killing and processing meat in a way that is as cheap as possible with people who are put under pressure - low paid labour (and housing) - is a form of slavery.
• Illegally dumping manure and other things that pollute the environment.

There are research journalists (like in Follow the money) that investigate their practices (and other industries/governments). But it’s hard to compete with big money/ billionaires. Nevertheless its clear that the agri-industry bends the thruth and do nothing to clear the abuse/pollution.

Just looking at a plot were the farmers used lots of poisons to concur the weeds for several years, and compare it with a plot were the owners grows organic food says enough.
Another statement: The food used to make baby food has to be without poison because there is proof that poisoned food is unhealthy for infants and toddlers. A research institute with independent health researchers advice pregnant woman to eat organic food too, for the same reason.

Edited typo’s

 

[BDutch]

Probably not. She developed leg problems last time she sat and while she seems to have overcome them I think the risk of an injury repeat is high.

And if Mow gets broody?

 

[ChaosMom]

Tax for preaching on a Sunday

Pullets encountering common vetch (Vicia sativa) for the first time:

Lil and Trudy contesting for the same stalk:

Just chickens chickening:

 

[BDutch]

I have a broody… Kraai sits.
Or better she was sitting. I don’t need more chicks.

The run with Katrientje just before I discovered the broody. The others except Kraai were free ranging.
I added a bucket with sand/earth and diatomaceous earth in the sand-bath spot in the run.
Not in this picture. Just showing off.

The free rangers

 

[Shadrach]

And if Mow gets broody?

I'm not sure. I would like Mow to sit and hatch should she want to. But, I have to think of what's best for all and more chicks probably isn't. Four hens for Henry is a good number; not too much work and all family (Fret is family now by virtue of being mum and top hen) This is the kind of arrangement I've found works best. All the hens seem strong and confident. Tull pecks her sister Sylph on principle every now and then. The pecks hardly move the feathers so there is no intention to hurt, it's just the usual heirachy stuff.
I think Tull is likely to go broody and father to daughter is a reasonably sensible breeding line.

One of my stated aims for the field chickens was to see Henry to his grave if possible; to be there when he dies would be wonderfull. After that I have ideas but I'm not convinced they're realistic

 

[Shadrach]

It's still cold. Two hours today. Everyone went out on to the field but they all returned to the area where they get fed and the run up to the old goose pen.

 

[BDutch]

…

One of my stated aims for the field chickens was to see Henry to his grave if possible; to be there when he dies would be wonderfull. After that I have ideas but I'm not convinced they're realistic

Why don’t you share your ideas and let us dream with you.

 

[ChaosMom]

View attachment 4074221

How did you match the curve of the Solway coop when you added the extension?

Did you just wrestle the cattle panels around, with or without loud cursing, or did you make a template of some kind?

I foresee something like this in our future, and I like the idea of echoing the existing roof curve. Thanks!

 

[MrsNorthie]

Tax

I’m pretty sure that watching chickens chicken is the best therapy ever

View attachment 4073279

That is an absolute fact! Spending time in their company just makes everything, if not better, easier to deal with.