The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

They sure do look like they're in good condition from the photos! Pretty exciting

Well my new adoptees got it for lunch and loved it. Since then they absolutely tore up a romaine lettuce core and some sunflower hearts.
Weren't as energetic with the layer dry... picked out what they wanted. One of them (she said is now the dominate) is making different noises that the other two. I am wondering if it is a crooning or if she is breathing funny. She isn't doing it all the time. Just an awful lot. I am hoping it is a purr or something normal and not respiratory.

I think they can't wait to get out and free range. Should have seen the necks stretching and the talking/yelling as they looked toward the field!!!

look at all that space to play here!!!! But if I open one end the watch me, but if hand goes in they clear it through the opening to other side... (barn side or caged side). Think I will let them settle for tonight and check the feet, etc tomorrow. Then go get supplies for better shed construction and a run for them.

I AM HOOKED!!! Now for them to get hooked to me and their new home so they will return to it when I need them to.

 

[Sally8]

bluebirdnanny - they look very nice and healthy! Congratulations!

 

[BlueMouse]

bluebirdnanny, your birds are absolutely beautiful! Such a beautiful glossy red! Wishing you the best of luck going forward with them

 

[Mumsy]

What with watching over 38 chicks, thirteen juvies, and ten adults chickens...Planting the potager and cottage garden...Caring for house and husband...I have hardly any time to come on here any longer. Not complaining. Loving every minute of my life.

Three days ago I started running the twelve Catdance Silkie chicks and the eleven HRIR shipped chicks together in the chick house.They are about three weeks old. Running out of brooder space made this move a necessity of urgency. Imagine my surprise and delight to find these two groups of completely opposite in type chicks thriving together! No fighting. No bullying. No pecking on each other. I turn off the heat in the chick house all day. They hang out in the chick run together in the sun or shade. They scratch up pieces of flotsum and jetsom that I need to retrieve. But other than that, they get along beautifully!


About the eating of FF. These chicks started out just eating itty bits and now I can hardly keep up with their appetite! I fill their feeders three times a day! That's three to four cups of FF for twenty three chicks. I think it is because of growth spurts. I have not lost one chick. They are all so healthy and look great to my eye.

 

[countrygirl74]

What with watching over 38 chicks, thirteen juvies, and ten adults chickens...Planting the potager and cottage garden...Caring for house and husband...I have hardly any time to come on here any longer. Not complaining. Loving every minute of my life. Three days ago I started running the twelve Catdance Silkie chicks and the eleven HRIR shipped chicks together in the chick house.They are about three weeks old. Running out of brooder space made this move a necessity of urgency. Imagine my surprise and delight to find these two groups of completely opposite in type chicks thriving together! No fighting. No bullying. No pecking on each other. I turn off the heat in the chick house all day. They hang out in the chick run together in the sun or shade. They scratch up pieces of flotsum and jetsom that I need to retrieve. But other than that, they get along beautifully! About the eating of FF. These chicks started out just eating itty bits and now I can hardly keep up with their appetite! I fill their feeders three times a day! That's three to four cups of FF for twenty three chicks. I think it is because of growth spurts. I have not lost one chick. They are all so healthy and look great to my eye.

They are all so pretty!!

 

[gevshiba]

Ok, I caved. I have poults coming in the next day or two. I bought 5 chicks today to help teach them to eat and drink. That's what I'm telling myself, anyway. They just found the FF (actually, I don't think it's FF yet). They are having a big, fun time. I think they are playing in it as much as eating. My dogs are beside themselves, especially my Shiba Inu, Quick. He can't believe I brought live prey in the house. The chicks are fenced off, but I think Quick will need to be crated while I'm not home. How often should I feed the FF? Do I keep some out all the time or offer it at certain times? Should they have dry feed available too? I have some pureed veggies with canned mackerel and quinoa in the freezer for the dogs. It's pretty liquified since dogs can't break down the cell wall of vegetables. Can I thaw some out and mix it with the FF? I need to bump up the protein for the poults. How often should I feed meat to them and when should I start? Sorry for the questions. I think I've read the answer to most of them before, but I think I'm panicking a little now that they are in the house.

 

[Arkansas81]

here's an updated photo of one of my mixed flock babies...she is the sweetest one, and seems to be the calmest. I like to think she is from my basque hen but im still not sure about who came from whom yet..except for the easter egger chicks.

buttercup...

my little ones are enjoying their ff...the big flock seems to love theirs. I see less consumption of water and their dry food when I feed ff regularly. my babies are doing great...the silkies are chilling in their new coop...so happy all has settled in so well.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

We have babies!!! chicks.. Went out to check the coop for eggs, stopped by the broody...I saw 2 little tiny heads pop out from behind her wing.

My first hatch...I have no clue about any of this...lololol

 

[Arkansas81]

We have babies!!! chicks.. Went out to check the coop for eggs, stopped by the broody...I saw 2 little tiny heads pop out from behind her wing.

My first hatch...I have no clue about any of this...lololol

ohhh congrats!!! so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Angelight]

Ok, I caved. I have poults coming in the next day or two. I bought 5 chicks today to help teach them to eat and drink. That's what I'm telling myself, anyway. They just found the FF (actually, I don't think it's FF yet). They are having a big, fun time. I think they are playing in it as much as eating. My dogs are beside themselves, especially my Shiba Inu, Quick. He can't believe I brought live prey in the house. The chicks are fenced off, but I think Quick will need to be crated while I'm not home. How often should I feed the FF? Do I keep some out all the time or offer it at certain times? Should they have dry feed available too? I have some pureed veggies with canned mackerel and quinoa in the freezer for the dogs. It's pretty liquified since dogs can't break down the cell wall of vegetables. Can I thaw some out and mix it with the FF? I need to bump up the protein for the poults. How often should I feed meat to them and when should I start? Sorry for the questions. I think I've read the answer to most of them before, but I think I'm panicking a little now that they are in the house.

I haven't read the answers to those questions! LOL! I'd love the answers. Congrats on your babes and good luck with the pup!