The Front Porch Swing

[Triple Willow]

What does it mean if a hen has spurs? Would it possibly hurt the other hens? 

Shouldn't be a problem at all. She may never use them or she may need them.

 

[LindaB220]

Bwahahahaha.....

"Take that you possible Chick murderer... " She said as she turned and saw... "Oooh dust bath"

Bahahaha Called bird brained for a reason.

Never mind about the water wiggler. It's stabilized at 99.4

 

[Beekissed]

Some clever scientist futurist type of person should come up with a way to sex eggs.

x2 Wouldn't that be great?

I've heard that one can do that a little, depending on the temps at which you incubate but I haven't located any solid evidence of that from studies. One article said their grandma swore that eggs hatched in early spring were more male and those hatched later were more female....would be interesting to know if anyone has ever kept records on such a thing, especially noting that ratio, wouldn't it?

Since I'm very new to hatching artificially, I have no basis of experience on that but my broodies always go broody around about May-July...and I've had mostly females hatch in the past.

 

[lovingmyhens]

Shouldn't be a problem at all. She may never use them or she may need them.

ok Thanks.

 

[Triple Willow]

ok Thanks. 

You're welcome.

 

[LindaB220]

I've heard that one can do that a little, depending on the temps at which you incubate but I haven't located any solid evidence of that from studies. One article said their grandma swore that eggs hatched in early spring were more male and those hatched later were more female....would be interesting to know if anyone has ever kept records on such a thing, especially noting that ratio, wouldn't it?

Since I'm very new to hatching artificially, I have no basis of experience on that but my broodies always go broody around about May-July...and I've had mostly females hatch in the past.

I firmly believe that's because of the fermented feed. Just do. IMO

 

[Tomtommom]

What does it mean if a hen has spurs? Would it possibly hurt the other hens?

Very fertile hen, I was told once. They're the 'alpha' hen. I've got one like that. She has spurs and once upon a time she tried to crow too

It happens if you dont have a rooster.

 

[Beekissed]

I firmly believe that's because of the fermented feed. Just do. IMO

I used to blame it on the ACV in the water because, back then, I wasn't using the FF. I did have more females in meat rabbits and in lambs while using the ACV, so who knows?

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Yes, indeedy.  For most of the folks on BYC, I'm afraid that raising chickens is just another pet project or hobby...and then the shock hits them that they are actually raising farm animals, with all that that entails.  Farming is not for the faint of heart, even on a tiny scale and even if done as a hobby.  Farming and killing/death go hand in hand. 

I've been thinking about this all afternoon, and a long dog walk through the hayfield has been very mind clearing, so I have to say that I actually like all the people that are trying to be farmers, even though they weren't brought up to it, even though they are squeamish and sentimental about animal life, even though they know nothing about traditional ways of doing things.

It seems to me they, at some point in their lives, decided they wanted more control over the land they lived on and the food they ate. So they come on BYC looking for help, sometimes really exposing their ignorance, their inexperience, their vulnerabilities, admitting their mistakes, sorrowing over their losses, trying to figure out how to do it differently.

They come here because they didn't have the good fortune to grow up in rural families or on working farms, so they have lots of questions and lots of curiosity. They recognize a really good resource when they see it.

It's not faint hearted. It's courageous to go outside your comfort zone, to stretch your humanity, to unsettle your paradigms, because you think you can make your own life, your community, your planet, better.

There's a strong desire to learn from those that have been doing it for generations. But, must be said, some of the newcomers have gifts to share. But that's another story if anyone's interested. Truth be told, it won't get the skin off a deer any faster, ha!

 

[LindaB220]

I've been thinking about this all afternoon, and a long dog walk through the hayfield has been very mind clearing, so I have to say that I actually like all the people that are trying to be farmers, even though they weren't brought up to it, even though they are squeamish and sentimental about animal life, even though they know nothing about traditional ways of doing things.

It seems to me they, at some point in their lives, decided they wanted more control over the land they lived on and the food they ate. So they come on BYC looking for help, sometimes really exposing their ignorance, their inexperience, their vulnerabilities, admitting their mistakes, sorrowing over their losses, trying to figure out how to do it differently.

They come here because they didn't have the good fortune to grow up in rural families or on working farms, so they have lots of questions and lots of curiosity. They recognize a really good resource when they see it.

It's not faint hearted. It's courageous to go outside your comfort zone, to stretch your humanity, to unsettle your paradigms, because you think you can make your own life, your community, your planet, better.

There's a strong desire to learn from those that have been doing it for generations. But, must be said, some of the newcomers have gifts to share. But that's another story if anyone's interested. Truth be told, it won't get the skin off a deer any faster, ha!

Wonderful post. I'm stretching as fast as I can. But sometimes it's hard.