The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

My coop has different levels all over the place for chickens to roost. They never roost at the same place. It seems that when a new member joins they all move around. I never worry and let them work it out.

 

[ChickChickChicky]

Someone asked "what is a debeaked chicken?". It's a chicken that has had the tip of its beak chopped off. The procedure is performed on chicks (usually at 1 day old), and since it's done by holding the chick up to a machine, assembly-line style, the results can vary widely; anything from just the tip of the top beak cut off to not much more than a stub left of either top or bottom, many times with the tongue permanently hanging out through the gaping hole (if it didn't also get chopped off). I've tried several times to insert photos to illustrate, but they won't upload. If you go to Google, type in "debeaked chickens" and hit the images button (top left) you'll see what it is. I can tell you up front that if you try to have any type of discussion on this subject here on BYC that the moderators WILL intervene.

 

[pigeonguy]

Somebody mentioned chicks and pasty butt- Apple Cider Vinegar, and IMO only, Braggs, with the mother, is not necessary. I have used Heintz.... no more pasty butt. I do have some Braggs.... yet to open it, yet to ferment some feed for 100 birds.

Country Girl- 3 Roo's 2 Silkies, 17 girls= just fine. Who calls a Silkie roo a roo? In fact, Is a Silkie a chicken? (Just an FYI, I had one, a predator got her, I was mad at the time and miss her)

Sally- A debeaked bird has half to very little upper beak. I am not sure how they will ever peck works or grubs, but sweet little creatures they are. Out of the 50, I only had to reintroduce the roost area to 6. Now I had about 20 on the ground but as long as they were in the roost area.....

Pigeon- Aren't ALL turners moving 100% of the time? Mine is a yellow thing that goes into the styrofoam bator. It has a tiny electric motor and 2 plastic cogs. I can't see, in that cheap little set up a timer. I "assumed" that as the cog turns, that little plastic lever starts the turner back the other way at some point. That said, I am thinking this out with just a picture in my mind and, I am NOT an engineer.

And yes, I remove the turner at day 18. If I have time this weekend, I will post pics of my turner. It is not shut off for 18 days.

Thanks for the impute I thought those store bought ones turned one way stopped for a couple hours and then turned them the other way. I know the motor only goes one way and the cogs and cam made it reverse. Just did not realize they never stopped.
Question for all. Do your egg turners turn all the time or turn then stop a while then turn again?
If they stop. How long between turns?
I'm no engineer either but I figure you have that farm common sense thinking that I like.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I have several posts to read to catch up but I wanted to post a couple photos and a story.

I was running errands this morning and while I was out I talked to my husband on the phone (who was at home). He said he was outside by the chickens and, "Wait till you see what I did."

Then he said the had "done something" out there with the chickens but didn't tell me what "something" was. I thought about a couple of possible "somethings" that he may have done but quickly forgot about it in the busy-ness of doing stuff.

As I was driving up, I look up and see FLAGS.. 3 FLAGS FLYING UP HIGH by the coop. They are flags from "who knows what" nations flying way up high.

I literally

(except I wasn't rolling on the floor). HE REMEMBERED WHAT I TOLD HIM THAT PG TOLD US ABOUT FLYING FLAGS UP HIGH TO DETER HAWKS - AND HE DID IT!

Then, all of a sudden I thought, "whoa...I hope the neighbors don't think we joined some cult or something ... or what if those are flags from some terrorist nation... then...well at least they're not confederate...

)


So I went in and he told me that last week someone at work was going to throw away some flags and asked him if he had any use for them (he designs sets for a TV station/studio and does graphic design, backdrops, etc.) So he brought home these free flags and up they went!

Here's a photo...PG...are they high enough?










So I immediately went to the next door neighbor to tell them we hadn't joined some cult or the Nazi's or something

(He was very gracious and told me he thought it was probably a hawk thing.

I better go find out what nation those flags are from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Belgium & Italy.

But I have Swedish Flower Hens...

PS: This is right on a state highway with lots of traffic and no privacy hedge at the front (yet)

 

[Mumsy]

Belgium & Italy.

But I have Swedish Flower Hens...

PS: This is right on a state highway with lots of traffic and no privacy hedge at the front (yet)

Hah! I love what your hubby did so much! I happen to be a big fan of European futbol (soccer) The Italian leauge is one of my favorites. If anyone asks you could feign being an ultra! (super fan) Although, I really don't remember if Belgium has a team.

I have a friend in Omaha, Nebraska that flys flags on his porch of his favorite teams during the World Cup. Not an uncommon practice. Anyway. I love it. May have to do the same in my orchard. Hawks and eagles circling overhead today. Flags is an awesome idea!

 

[rambunctious]

I have (15) 6 week old chicks. Heavy breeds. They're feathered. Can I put them outside if we're expecting highs in the mid 30s? I certainly don't want anything to happen to them- but their brooder box is too small for them. Their coop is ready enough for them to go out tomorrow.

Should I supplement w/heat lamp. I know it won't be enough to heat the coop- but it would give them a warmer corner. Or do they need it? I don't want chicken ice pops.


We'll have doors on and the spots for next boxes and clean covered. I just wanted to give you an idea of what they'd be in.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

I have (15) 6 week old chicks. Heavy breeds. They're feathered. Can I put them outside if we're expecting highs in the mid 30s? I certainly don't want anything to happen to them- but their brooder box is too small for them. Their coop is ready enough for them to go out tomorrow.

Should I supplement w/heat lamp. I know it won't be enough to heat the coop- but it would give them a warmer corner. Or do they need it? I don't want chicken ice pops.


We'll have doors on and the spots for next boxes and clean covered. I just wanted to give you an idea of what they'd be in.

Just my opinion here, but if it is more than a 20 degree change from where they are to where they will be, I would use the lamp at night and raise it every couple of days to wean them off it.

 

[loanwizard]

My opinion is they will be fine. My soft side says put 1 heat lamp in there, not high, not low.... they probably won't use it.... Nice digs!

 

[OohLaLa]

I'm a Mama Two little girl Ameraucana's came home today. My other 8 assorted breeds will arrive Mother's day week. I'm soooo excited and hubby (much to my surprise is to). I ran up to the store and came back to have him tell me he checked the heat and held them. awwwwww.