The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

Delisha, I'm still have an issue with my Roo to Hen ratio. I've got 7 LF hens and 2 Roos, but my older girls don't let the boys mate much (we got them 6 weeks before the cochins) so that leaves 3 Cochins girls and they're starting to lose the feathers on their backs. I don't know what to do. Do I get rid of one of the two boys left? We're talking about getting more hens, but obviously they won't be mating anytime soon, and we aren't getting any till after hubby gets home. Just two weeks ago my blue and black girls had big fluff on their backs and tails and now I'm seeing their grey down...I'm worried about my self blue girl ending up the same way.
I did not enjoy culling my blue Roo, but no one out here wants them so that's about the only option. We're thinking of just getting rid of the males all together and only having hens, even though my self-blue Roo is so good with the hens. It's starting to take the fun out of having chickens when I'm constantly worried if I'm doing things right or wrong.

Don't cull..they are young and that will not happen as much when they get older. You could set up a temporary pen and put the males in. Let one out for two days with the girls then switch. You are getting more birds eventually. You are doing nothing wrong. All young males are horrible to certain girls. I have one now I am watching because the male is on her 10 times a day. He has plenty of girls and he takes care of all of them, but for some reason he really like this one girl. Next year he will settle down. I just make sure I watch her. If worse comes to worse I will put her in another coop for her protection and give her a break if I have to. He has 9 girls all to him self and he still is really ruff to that one. Stop worrying and stressing. Again you are doing nothing wrong.

Quote: If I get some nice Marans I would eventually like some blues

 

[delisha]

Its a slow day today and I am roaming thru the forums on here randomly...........I read on one thread the person sands their BCM eggs to remove the color then sprays with an acv mix to hydrate them. That way they can see inside easier to see if they are viable and it makes it easier for the chicks to get out with a thinner shell.

Now I have NEVER incubated/hatched eggs. And I know everyone has different methods for how they hatch eggs and I respect that.

But somehow this goes against what I have learned. There is apparently a reason why Mother Nature made these eggs so dark and thick. And I have always been told not to help a chick hatch out of an egg since that's what helps them get stronger.

I know some people had said they have poor hatch rates with them. Does a broody hen have a poor hatch rate as well with their eggs?

Just curious on what others thought? Or their experiences with BCM.

If this person has a healthy flock and it works for them ..OK
I would not do this for the reason sanding the egg will push bacteria in and remove the bloom. Who knows what that potentially will do for the flock years down the road.
Again..each person needs to do what works for them. I have no problem seeing what I need to see, and that is the air cell.

 

[Sally8]

Now I have NEVER incubated/hatched eggs. And I know everyone has different methods for how they hatch eggs and I respect that.

Just curious on what others thought? Or their experiences with BCM.

I've only incubated 4 BCM eggs and all 4 hatched. All 4 turned out to be pullets. Once I saw the tiny hole, it was no time, an hour or so, and those chicks were out. On other threads, some people agree and I've read where they say they took longer to hatch than others. Not sure what would make the difference. I have nearly 24 BCM that are due to hatch today. I looked quickly this morning and didn't see anything. My temps ranged right around 99-100 whereas before it was 101-102. I'll let you know.

Turkey eggs seem very hard and they pop right out too. sue

my EE's seem to take longer.....

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: Thanks I was just curious what others thought. Just seemed *weird* for some reason.

 

[kian]

Your CMs, where did you get them? Hatchery? How dark are their eggs?

Yes, they're basically hatchery. There is a local ranch that breeds and sells chickens, and that's where I got mine. Their eggs are the color of coffee with creamer in it: dark, but not the deep dark that BCMs lay. One is laying speckled eggs right now, that's pretty, but she varies with them.

 

[kian]

My whole objective in having BCM is for the dark eggs but I've read a lot where the Cuckoo Marans actually have the darkest.

Mine are not very dark. The place where I got them told me that the longer they lay, the darker they'll get, but one of my CMs has laid 54 eggs since the beginning of February and they haven't gotten any darker. HOWEVER mine are basically hatchery quality so that probably influences the colors heavily.

 

[kian]

Justine, here are the eggs from my two CMs, next to two NH eggs. See what I mean? It's a bummer. I am thinking of getting some Welsummers for the darker eggs (of course, those will probably be hatchery too so.....)

 

[aoxa]

Yes, they're basically hatchery. There is a local ranch that breeds and sells chickens, and that's where I got mine. Their eggs are the color of coffee with creamer in it: dark, but not the deep dark that BCMs lay. One is laying speckled eggs right now, that's pretty, but she varies with them.

Justine, here are the eggs from my two CMs, next to two NH eggs. See what I mean? It's a bummer. I am thinking of getting some Welsummers for the darker eggs (of course, those will probably be hatchery too so.....)

Yes those aren't dark at all! My Pennies laid darker eggs :/ Bummer...

I don't particularly like the look of the CMs. I find their barring distracting.. I like nice lined up barring.

Did I mention someone the breeder of these guys is GIVING me a trio of these guys?


He had a barn fire 20 years ago and knows how we feel. So nice of him.

I'll be quarantining in my garage in May, though word of mouth (Jamie and a few others) is that he has very healthy and sound birds. I am really stoked!

 

[bluebirdnanny]

My Chickens are here!!! Not good shots. But Bossy Glossy, Charlotte (bare behind comb from picking used to be top Hen), other not named yet. I wrapped all but front screened part with plastic wind block until warmer.

I think they like it as I got an egg already!!

What is she doing?

Kiss my rump lady! See It is clean!

Hurry up this new food (FF) is good. Charlotte is too busy laying an egg!

I'm too busy eating what they splashed! NO Photos now!

Glossy Boss' shiny neck after a strawberry.

close up

 

[Leahs Mom]

They look pretty happy and healthy from your photos!!!