The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[loanwizard]

Just came in from the barn. Gonna go back out in a few after dusk to put the stragglers on the roost. Pigeon, I am awfully close to amish country and maybe that is what these are. I know I just bought 50 for $3.50 each and can probably sell 20 for $10.00 each, making 30 free.

Birds condition report- A little thin, found the feeder fine, fought a little with the flock, not too much, welcomed the roosters, or the roosters welcomed them lol!, they found the spring/puddle fine. Very long toenails.... I suppose caged birds?

I honestly didn't check the beaks, but look to be in decent condition. Floppy tops..... Suppose that's what Comets look like. I am used to their thigies standing straight up....

 

[armorfirelady]

Thank you Del for the website great info.

Finally got all the pieces and parts to complete the hoop coop. Now if the snow would just stop so I could get everything attached I would be a very happy person. I think the girls would be to. Doesn't look like they came out of the run at all today since it was snowing so much. I think Mother Nature forgot today is the 2nd day of spring :/

 

[pigeonguy]

Just came in from the barn. Gonna go back out in a few after dusk to put the stragglers on the roost. Pigeon, I am awfully close to amish country and maybe that is what these are. I know I just bought 50 for $3.50 each and can probably sell 20 for $10.00 each, making 30 free.

Birds condition report- A little thin, found the feeder fine, fought a little with the flock, not too much, welcomed the roosters, or the roosters welcomed them lol!, they found the spring/puddle fine. Very long toenails.... I suppose caged birds?

I honestly didn't check the beaks, but look to be in decent condition. Floppy tops..... Suppose that's what Comets look like. I am used to their thigies standing straight up....

I probably shouldn't say this but. "That's what she said"

 

[Bulldogma]

 

[Leahs Mom]

 

[Leahs Mom]

Good to have pg and lw around

 

[mrsamplias]

Yes. This is one of my favorite topics.
In my still air LG I use any where between four to five thermometers. One on the floor on the right and the left. This is so I can see them through those small windows. One level with the tops of the eggs. One inserted into my home made water weasle for interior egg temp reading using the probe. In the still air I need to get a rounded temp reading from all the thermometers in all corners. Some will read lower, some higher. The one I never ignore is the dual reptile expensive one. Twice a day, whether I am using the LG or the Genesis incubator, I will move the dual one from the left side of the bator to the right. I run both my bators so that the temp reads about 99.8 to 100 degrees.

Good news, because I have a lot of questions!!

Is that temperature the one at the floor or the one that is level with the tops of the eggs?

 

[Bulldogma]

Well - when my daughter got home from school, I had her go get her injured pullet - it had been a pet since we got her this summer. My daughter brought her in and offered her some meal worms - the pullet ate 1 or 2 and lost interest. My daughter set her down and the pullet tried to walk and fell over.

My kid made a hard decision, but I'm proud to say she made the right decision all on her own. They sat together for about an hour and then my daughter brought her to me and said, "I don't want her to hurt any more."

I offered my daughter choices about her pullet's remains, and she chose to have me skin her and cure the hide, and to not waste the meat.

The skin turned out pretty well for my first time skinning (thanks PeepsCA for the tips). I messed up the tail (now a separate piece) but got the rest off just fine and it is now salted and pinned up, hanging to dry. It was a Mille Fleur bantam cochin, so it really is pretty as a wall hanging... though I admit, every time I turn around and see the hide hanging there, my first thought is that the chicken is in the house. Working on getting over the "slightly creepy" factor of such a life-like piece of artwork in the home...

What I found was a seriously "Omega" shaped keel... this would have kept the pullets body from ever being straight or balanced. I knew there was something going on with (what I thought was) a hip - - turned out to be a dislocated pelvis. A week or so ago after some rest she seemed to be getting better, but then declined after being put back in the coop. Well - what I think happened was she went from sleeping on the floor to perching again, and reinjured that pelvis when she jumped off the perch.

No doubt - we did the right thing. Kiddo didn't watch the actual cull, but came in right after and wanted to help with the necropsy.

When I can afford it, I'll have this photo done pretty large and frame it to hang by the hide (per my daughter's request).

 

[jendodd79]

This was Post 10'000 I don't have fancy smiles but here go'es.

Oh no, a terrible picture was 10,000!! If I was paying attention, I would have posted something nice

 

[Leahs Mom]

Wow. Beautiful photo. Makes me want to cry looking at it and thinking about the loss.

My entire life any animal we had was a pet rather than a farm animal for food purposes. It's still a little strange trying to find the line between pet/friend and livestock/food. It's all I knew growing up until now.

I know 3 little boys who are growing up with farm/food animals and when it's time for the animals to go they're ready and able. I think this is a good thing.

Your daughter is mature beyond her years. Tell her we're proud of her.