The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

 

[mg15]

I just bought some chicks and they are starting to look like yours there in the photo.
Can you tell me what breed she is.
Thanks.
mg

 

[bluebirdnanny]

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.

I'm not the only one the chickens laugh at!!!

She could live in the country with me!!!!! I don't care if they crow or not. Mine Whine pretty loudly!

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

I thought the same thing and laughed and laughed! Cute it peeking back. But are you sure it is just mooning us or saying "Well KISS MY...."

This kills me. I almost want to get a turken just for the funny factor now.... they look kind of buzzard like.... dead buzzard like in this particular shot...


Ok, so this is a work in progress, I'm still reading everything I can get my hands on. Harvey Ussery's (sp??) articles have been most helpful....
1 part whole oats
1 part barley
1 part field peas
1 part scratch
1/2 part flax seed

comes out to about 16% protien. I ferment the whole shebang, and then I top dress with kelp meal and ground eggshells. I think it's low on animal protien, especially at this time of the year, so I give them a chunk of raw meat once or twice a week, and a half a can of mackerel once a week. this is reasonable because I have so few birds. For the little people I've just been putting batches of fermented feed through my food processor. I just process enough for that day and keep it in a tupperware on top of my fridge. I top dress theirs with kelp meal, but only eggshells once a week. I also give a chunk of fodder every day, since there's still nothing green ANYWHERE, and all my kitchen vegetable scraps. Hard stuff like broccoli stalks and carrot tops I've been running through the food processor and stirring into the ferment. Everything else I throw out for them to pick through. They especially love things liek squash guts and green pepper guts it seems. I would like to replace the scratch with something else, because I'm not so excited about the GMO corn in it, but my options are limited. I asked for wheat at the local feed store and they looked at me like I'd grown two heads....

I'm going to try another less local feed store for my next round.

I let the 6 week olds loose in the fenced "play area" we have for the kids outside today. It's a tall fence and I don't think even the leghorn can get over it. They're having a great time out there, alternately scratching around and cuddling down in the leaves to nap. My stupid rooster had to go over and attempt to terrorize them, but he was foiled by the fence. HAH. He also attempts to chase the songbirds away from the birdfeeder.

they ignore him.




the kids scratching around.



Jade supervises free ranging activities.


Mr. Bennet being a poop. I'm not really sure what to do about it, but figure that he can't get to them, and they'll eventually sort it out. Look at those wings! He looked more like a turkey than a stupid chicken.

Nice job Jade!!! She is so cute!!


I had mine out for real free roaming today! Baldy was UP ON TOP the coop peak roof watching me put screen at base of foundation to keep critters from digging!

They went crazy over earthworms as I tried turning some mud/clay sod at garden edge!!!! Stayed right near me if I had the shovel or dirt spade in my hands. If they went too far for me I called them and was able to get them to come back near so gave each a sunflower kernel.... But to go into the confined area I had to shake the sunflower kernels bag and toss a few in. Bossy was a little more difficult. She went UNDER the coop platform. So had to shake the bag and drop a couple in front of coop door.... then I stood back and when she went in I stepped behind her.... option then was in with the other two eating or the kennel.... she made wise choice. Next I was going to roooooo at her.

 

[BlueMouse]

I take back all the nasty thigs I said/thought about Mr. Bennet earlier today! He's out there now "standing gaurd" while the little guys catnap in a pile (you can't really see them, they blend into the leaves in the corner, lol. believe it or not that white blotch is actually three chicks.) I apologize for the crappy photo, our digi (which I wasn't great friends with anyway) died and I'm forced to fall back on my cellphone camera.

as per the feed recipe, take it for what it's worth. I've done a lot of research but don't have much in the way of on the ground experience. I'll be able to say at the end of the summer how I like it, how I want to change it, and how it works out from a financial standpoint.

 

[loanwizard]

Quote:
I am, but it is safe. I am in Ohio and She is in AZ. She has a hubby (Who is an Excellent Photographer btw) and I have a significant other that I love dearly.
Y'all are a perceptive bunch, or I ain't nearly as slick as I think I am

Besides, in real life we'd never get along.... she likes Silkies if I am not mistaken.....

Why can't we call someone BM? That's a bunch of... er.... Crap!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Why can't we call someone BM? That's a bunch of... er.... Crap!

 

[Bulldogma]

Your Russian stinks! I had to slow down to read it.

Here is my super secret recipe....

Bringggggg, Brinnnggggg!

Hello? Zanesville Feed Supply?

Um Yes.....

This is Shawn up in Coshocton.... I need some of that 16% Hog feed.....

You mean with corn, wheat yada yada yada....

Yeah, whatever you normally give me.... I need a ton and will be there in an hour or two....

Ok....

Ok, bye, thanks

Cranky lady

He is such an *****.....

That said, I am thinking hard about raising Barley Fodder this summer and next winter.

LOL!

This kills me. I almost want to get a turken just for the funny factor now.... they look kind of buzzard like.... dead buzzard like in this particular shot...


Ok, so this is a work in progress, I'm still reading everything I can get my hands on. Harvey Ussery's (sp??) articles have been most helpful....
1 part whole oats
1 part barley
1 part field peas
1 part scratch
1/2 part flax seed

comes out to about 16% protien. I ferment the whole shebang, and then I top dress with kelp meal and ground eggshells. I think it's low on animal protien, especially at this time of the year, so I give them a chunk of raw meat once or twice a week, and a half a can of mackerel once a week. this is reasonable because I have so few birds. For the little people I've just been putting batches of fermented feed through my food processor. I just process enough for that day and keep it in a tupperware on top of my fridge. I top dress theirs with kelp meal, but only eggshells once a week. I also give a chunk of fodder every day, since there's still nothing green ANYWHERE, and all my kitchen vegetable scraps. Hard stuff like broccoli stalks and carrot tops I've been running through the food processor and stirring into the ferment. Everything else I throw out for them to pick through. They especially love things liek squash guts and green pepper guts it seems. I would like to replace the scratch with something else, because I'm not so excited about the GMO corn in it, but my options are limited. I asked for wheat at the local feed store and they looked at me like I'd grown two heads....

I'm going to try another less local feed store for my next round.

Thank you!! Hopefully peer pressure will have some of our other members posting their own recipes soon!

Hint! Hint!

BTW, I wanted to thank everyone for all the good info on this thread. I'm pretty sure it's why my chicks and poults seem to be doing so well. I mostly lurk, but I've read the whole thing and learned a lot! Maybe I'll try to post some pictures one of these days.

We love pictures!!

Today marks the last batch of Johnny chicks I will hatch. They all came from two barn yard pullets that just started laying a few months ago. Phoebe and Edith lay every day without a hiccup. Phoebe lays very fast and actually runs from the nest to get back to the garden as fast as she can. Edith takes a couple hours. I hatched six chicks from their first pullet eggs that first week of lay. I just processed two males out of the six. I thought for sure most of them were cockerels because their legs were so thick and the combs so pronounced from a young age. Looks like four are pullets now. They are growing very quickly.

Wonderful update and pics! Thank you!

Wait - Is this fowl or 'possum?

LOL!

 

[BlueMouse]

Why can't we call someone BM? That's a bunch of... er.... Crap!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Sounds like DEEP LITTER to me

 

[loanwizard]

Sounds like DEEP LITTER to me