Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[RoyalChick]

They discovered seaweed this morning. It was like all their christmases had come at once!

I'm going to play about with a few different mini chicken tractor designs, to see what works for putting a few of the more amenable birds on someone's plot for a few hours when they're clearing out a bed.

I don’t know if this would work for you but in past years I have employed my chickens to clean up after I am finished harvesting whatever I was growing. I used puppy playpen panels to confine them to the work area and after a couple of days moved them to a different area.
In the spirit of full transparency I did have a strike (possibly from asking them to work on a Sunday) and haven’t tried again since.
The strike took the form of ignoring the call to work.

 

[kattabelly]

I don’t know if this would work for you but in past years I have employed my chickens to clean up after I am finished harvesting whatever I was growing. I used puppy playpen panels to confine them to the work area and after a couple of days moved them to a different area.
In the spirit of full transparency I did have a strike (possibly from asking them to work on a Sunday) and haven’t tried again since.
The strike took the form of ignoring the call to work.

They'll probably need something that isn't easily jumpable-overable, and provides at least momentary protection from any off-lead dogs coming through if they're down the bottom end of the field.

 

[RoyalChick]

They'll probably need something that isn't easily jumpable-overable, and provides at least momentary protection from any off-lead dogs coming through if they're down the bottom end of the field.

Yes. I covered the top with chicken wire. They were only on clean-up duty during the day and when I was also nearby outside. So definitely not predator proof but would delay a fox or dog long enough for me to get there.
At the end of the day I would turn them loose and they would sprint for home.

 

[Perris]

They discovered seaweed this morning

what sort did they have access to? if they're in the mood for minerals, mine like dulce or laver, ideally rinsed, dried and broken into crumbs, as a top-dressing. I haven't tried it fresh with them.

 

[kattabelly]

what sort did they have access to? if they're in the mood for minerals, mine like dulce or laver, ideally rinsed, dried and broken into crumbs, as a top-dressing. I haven't tried it fresh with them.

A mix of lots of different sorts. I'd have to check the scientific names for some that I only know by local names.

I think they're as interested in the grubs and bugs and whatnot living in it and underneath it when it's spread on the soil, as they are the seaweed itself. There'll be bits of grit and shell in there too.

 

[kattabelly]

Seaweed / grazing tax: awful photo because it was dark and I was juggling phone / head torch / filthy gloves, but look at this good boy letting the chicks roost next to him!

 

[kcan2]

The Most Marvelous, Fluffy Butted, and Deserving of the Title Head Hen Brahma Donna.

Bravo Since I can’t currently tour the Biltmore mansion in person, perhaps the next best thing is touring vicariously via your entertaining and informative write up. The only thing more stunning than Stilton himself would probably be the wig upon Lord Goldolphin’s honored head - funnily I have seen a movie where the selfsame wig is stolen by pirates for mischievous purposes involving a bet and a lady’s virtue…which did not fare well as the pirate was apparently very charming and the bet lost

I understand that somewhere in an obscure Biltmore hall hangs a letter written by George W. Vanderbilt recounting an “eleventh hour decision” to cancel their passage on the Titanic.

Not sure if your vague tie in to Brahama Donna will satisfy Shadrach’s stringent tax requirement but surely the conjoined Raisin and Stilton will appease it

 

[Shadrach]

They'll probably need something that isn't easily jumpable-overable, and provides at least momentary protection from any off-lead dogs coming through if they're down the bottom end of the field.

Being in a similar position the only method I've found that works is to stay with the chickens when they're on the field.

 

[Shadrach]

One and a half hours. Grey skies, lighter wind than yesterday, 4C.
They came out without any encouragement. Mow was firs to have enough; she is still moulting but it's more grow then shed now.
Sylph went back to the run once Mow had gone under the coop and stayed out for another fifteen minutes. Glai did his usual tear around for an hour and went and joined the hens for the last half hour.

 

[Shadrach]

Yes. I covered the top with chicken wire. They were only on clean-up duty during the day and when I was also nearby outside. So definitely not predator proof but would delay a fox or dog long enough for me to get there.
At the end of the day I would turn them loose and they would sprint for home.

That's a lovely clip.