The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Chickens are strange. Mine won't even eat earthworms anymore. But they loved them when they were younger. I have yet to try some pumpkin seeds on them.

 

[Eggcessive]

I had my first chickens on medicated chick starter for 16 weeks, and they did fine. I no longer use it because I try to skip medications unless absolutely necessary, but if i had to buy a bag of it because they were out of regular, I would probably use it.

 

[Arkansas81]

Great to know about the pumpkin seeds -I'm always looking for ways to add protein to their diets. I'm putting on the list for tomorrow.

Thanks!!!! e

 

[bluebirdnanny]

Thankyou so much everyone for your help and advice. I spent most of the day outside. My closest neighbor loaned me their covered outside dog kennel to use as a run. A different neighbor (her dad) had a piece of pressed plywood I could use for a temporary bottom so I was able to turn the coop facing east and away from the prevailing winds.

One of the chickens kept flying into the fence and running up and down it while I was working. When I opened the door to change out/add litter and put a roll out blocking board on the nest box she tried sticking her head through the chain link fence... really a racket!!! Soon as I got the kennel door matched up to the coop door and opened the kennel door so I could open out the coop door she flew right into the coop door screening! As soon as I got it cracked open just a little she forced her way in the coop and went right to the nest boxes! Guess she really wanted to get that egg OUT!!!

That made 3 eggs today. Everybody laid!!!!!

The other two just stayed out there in the kennel even after I got the door opened all the way!

Had to make a loud roooo type sqeel several times to get them to all go in the coop when I was ready to come in. First two ran for coop, Bossy though froze until I went to other side of the kennel and "squeeled" right at him. Then he ran and jumped in. Had to move back around kennel quick to get door closed. That funny sound I was talking about before hadn't happened all day until after I shut them in. Guess it is a complaint noise.

 

[Shan30]

I had my first chickens on medicated chick starter for 16 weeks, and they did fine.  I no longer use it because I try to skip medications unless absolutely necessary, but if i had to buy a bag of it because they were out of regular, I would probably use it.

Haha now I'm researching all over the place of course. I'm going to give them the medicated for the two weeks and then go get the normal stuff. I try to be as natural as possible but I'm sure they will be ok.

Just got home from work, day 22, still can't see any babies. She does look like she's sitting a bit taller. I hope they hatch, we've been sooo excited.

 

[Leahs Mom]

It was in the upper 50's today...hard to work! I just wanted to sit outside and watch the "kiddos".

Mumsy - I also like turning the litter. Like you said - one of my favorite chores for some reason.

I think we'll need to make a new permanent roost this weekend. The littles don't like the temporary roost and one of them wants to roost on the edge of the nest box WITH THE PRODUCTIVE END HANGING OVER THE NEST. I've never had any of them poop in the nestbox ever! And now this kiddo is single-handedly breaking that record.

 

[lalaland]

ok, its official - I'm getting chicks - 4 each of straight run swedish flower hens, icelandics and super blue layers. Keep your fingers crossed for me on the gender ratio!

A little 6 year old shared one of her plastic easter eggs, putting it in one of the nests. I just left it there, only to find it out side the coop the next day. Not exactly sure how the girls got it all the way out to the end of the run, but they were clear - no pink eggs allowed!

 

[aaggjg]

Haha now I'm researching all over the place of course. I'm going to give them the medicated for the two weeks and then go get the normal stuff. I try to be as natural as possible but I'm sure they will be ok.

Just got home from work, day 22, still can't see any babies. She does look like she's sitting a bit taller. I hope they hatch, we've been sooo excited.

Do you hear any sounds??? She will usually start to talk .... also sitting higher is usually a sign of chicks

 

[Leahs Mom]

ok, its official - I'm getting chicks - 4 each of straight run swedish flower hens, icelandics and super blue layers. Keep your fingers crossed for me on the gender ratio!

A little 6 year old shared one of her plastic easter eggs, putting it in one of the nests. I just left it there, only to find it out side the coop the next day. Not exactly sure how the girls got it all the way out to the end of the run, but they were clear - no pink eggs allowed!

Yay!!!!!
Where are you getting your SFH?

 

[countrygirl74]

Okay, so when my favorite threads are really slow and I have some free time (ok, not really free time - just time I spend on here while neglecting other things I know I have to do), I go check out the day's posts and try to help people that are new to raising chicks, ducklings, etc.

So, someone is having issues with pasty butt and apparently is using acv in the water and nothing is helping - instead it seems that she is getting more chicks with it. Someone on there said that acv is useless for pasty butt. However, in my experience, on the batches of chicks I've given it to, I didn't have ANY pasty butt. But, I don't have anything scientific to back it up, just my experience with it.
This person also said this...
Yogurt is messy, time consuming, and has extra calcium that should be avoided in young chicks. High levels of dietary calcium in chicks ties up the phosphorus and renders it unavailable, and results in rickets, causes bone development problems, and damages the kidneys. Don't believe everything you read on this forum, for there are some people who don't know what they are recommending besides parroting some trend someone started. Consult with reliable sources like a Merck Veterinary Manual.

Any thoughts? I don't know how to respond to that one... I have always given my chicks and big girls plain yogurt.