The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[kian]

I tossed out some strawberry tops to the babies... scared them to death! They stood in line staring! They must have learned from the big girls who just do not like strawberries!



It was also a little chilly for them this morning, as you can tell by the puffiness. Better than yesterday's 70 mph winds though!

 

[loanwizard]

Duh! I feel like a dork now - never even knew what the multi button was for...

You Are a dork! But a cute one lol!

 

[chikenscratch]

Ha ha!!!

I don't know about the dummies book, but my favorite book is The Small Scale Poultry Flock by Harvey Ussery. Natural in approach and lots of good info. Web site has a lot of the contents of the book in the articles at the bottom of this page. http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Poultry.html

I LOVE this book as well! We got the idea about DL (deep litter) from this book along with the details. DH is the one that was actually convinced, I hestitated (who'd have thunk it?). Anyways, he describes egg to cull and everthing in between including illnesses, etc!

I hear ya BBN! It used to be gardening that kept me outside...and not cleaning house...now it'll be that AND the chickens! It's not even summer and I'm out in the coop or pen watching/feeding/puttering around. Sometimes DH comes to find me!

Its amazing that DH will come looking for you when you are out of the house, huh? Mine does the same.

55 is chilly? We have not had 55 yet.my baby's are out and loving it. I have even had my week olds out for a while in the sun.
It will be OK..add more dry and water
Only one?

X2
awww sorry
woooo hooo!! Congrats..what did you set?
Good luck!! I know you are going to have a great hatch!..I have my BCM due this weekend. Those have not been candled since I really can't see.

I need to know where you are posting these conversational threads/posts that everyone is talking about. I'm completely missing them.

 

[countrygirl74]

Its amazing that DH will come looking for you when you are out of the house, huh? Mine does the same.

Mine too - although I think he just knows now and the kids just answer - "with the chickens" automatically when he asks.

You Are a dork! But a cute one lol!

Ok, that definitely makes me feel better!

 

[aoxa]

You CAN raise a single pig for meat, or for a pet for that matter. People do it with pot belly's all the time. That said, they are a pack animal and do like each other's company. 6 months, 800 lbs of feed gets them to 225, perfect for a family of 4. 100lb or so are the ones they use for hog roasts.... I think... maybe 150....

Thanks!

I tossed out some strawberry tops to the babies... scared them to death! They stood in line staring! They must have learned from the big girls who just do not like strawberries!



It was also a little chilly for them this morning, as you can tell by the puffiness. Better than yesterday's 70 mph winds though!

LOL

Gotta start them young! I fed my first batch of chicks greens from week 1. They would run up and steal a sliver of whatever I had at the moment and play keep away. I do notice they are fussier if you don't start them early!

 

[aaggjg]

3 Days in a row now I have seen & heard the crows chasing away a HUGE HAWK. Did I say HUGE?! Gotta love the crows!
I worry about the silkies being an easy target but it is amazing how much their personalities have changed! (well except for Spook, the youngest who still isnt laying at 11 months old.... ) They all took cover... They forage a lot farther in the garden and they come running for treats! These are all somewhat new behaviors ... The silkies are the ones who are whining pressed up against the door anxious to get out of the run in the morning! To think the white ones used to never leave the run. Its a total 180 in personality! I was wondering if anybody else has noticed that with their silkies. Mine are just 1 year old now ....

On another note my Splash Maran, Pearl, has decided she want to try and crow!!! 2 days in a row now .... This is not acceptable city chicken behavior

I pulled her neck feathers but she just laughed and me and tried again.... I hope she stops this or she might have to find a new home .... Silly chicken.

 

[countrygirl74]

I have baby pics to share today!! Took these over the weekend when it was nice and sunny - no wind for a change. Let all the big girls and boys out to free-range so the babies could have the run for a couple hours. Still working on building the grow-out pen for them. They range in age from approximately 3-6 weeks and will be going outside all together permanently by the end of the week.



Splash checking out the big girls house.



Monsoon found something yummy in the deep litter.



Interesting place for Wildflower to decide to dust-bathe and nap - LOL



I'm saving this one for a caption contest - "Dude - you dead?"







My Red "Esther" is the fav of all the boys and she decided my daughter's head was the best place to fly to get away.




Is this normal comb and wattle size for a 6 week blue cochin? I will be sooo upset if she turns out to be a boy. I only have one and I have been wanting one for a while. I will post this on the cochin thread too but thought you guys might have some opinions...

 

[loanwizard]

The things we allow you to get away with..... You just had your chick moon us......

 

[Bulldogma]

The things we allow you to get away with..... You just had your chick moon us......

 

[countrygirl74]

The things we allow you to get away with..... You just had your chick moon us......