The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Crafty-Duck]

Today's Natural Chicken Keeping Blog post was written by Delisha and is a fantastic overview of the Rhode Island Red. Thank you to Maven and Stonykill for allowing me to use your RIR photos!

good post!!!

 

[AlivianAcres]

where do your hens lay the eggs?

 

they lay in the bedding under their roosts ;/

 

[delisha]

Quote: I can't tell by your pictures how high your boxes are, hens like it close to the ground. Can you lower the boxes? I see you are doing the NYD hatch along. I am also. It should be fun. Did you find out about your chicken feet? How are they doing?

 

[AlivianAcres]

I can't tell by your pictures how high your boxes are, hens like it close to the ground. Can you lower the boxes? I see you are doing the NYD hatch along. I am also. It should be fun. Did you find out about your chicken feet? How are they doing?

the boxes are on the ground (attached to the floor so they don't shift). I am . I also have eggs in lockdown (my first hatch EVER). With our first external pip...I'm SO excited!!!! It eventually went away...I think it was maybe an accident or possibly from the extra straw I gave then because they were having a blast playing in it! What are you hatching for the NYD hatch? I have quail and chickens

 

[Bulldogma]

In two weeks I can post pictures of heritage RIR chicks!

What are you hatching for the NYD hatch? I have quail and chickens

Ooooo... I can't wait to see chick pics!

 

[delisha]

Quote: Heritage RIR from Mr Heintz
He also sent me a blue egg He said it is from show quality Americauna I think
I have 12 of my own RIR/mix in there too. I also tossed in one of my WR eggs to check fertility. It is a pullet egg so I am not keeping it. I will butcher it out.

 

[aoxa]

Very interesting read, thank you!

Agree!

Delisha, What colour is the Ameraucana? I find they are so often misrepresented. It's sad. They are extremely rare. I could only find the bantams. I am working on getting white Ameraucanas. I have two pure white EE hens who lay sky blue eggs, but have yellow soles to their feet, and yellow beaks - Disqualifications. I have an EE roo who is 1/2 brother that has slate legs and a red horn beak. I'm just hoping he carries recessive white so I can get a few white chicks with the right coloured legs.

I will continue breeding for a few years until I breed true.

I showed my hens. The judge said they were really nice type.. Except the feet. Those dang feet!!

 

[rowerjen]

Hi All,

I've mostly lurked here and on the Road and OT threads. Here's the feather posse. Can't remember who posted those lovely snow pictures but I'm so jealous. I live in New Hampshire and so far we've only gotten a little bit of snow. Didn't get much at all last year either. Really appreciate the knowledge, and pictures everyone is sharing. Got my first chicks in May so this is all new to me. The biggest lesson I've learned from this and the other two threads: don't make it more complicated than it needs to be.

Well, that and don't hold a chicken up to your face or you will get your eye poked out. The white thing on the wood shed is instructions for my neighbor for when he takes care of my birds. That piece of wisdom is right at the top.



Jen



Three barred rocks on the deck railing


Easter Egger


Dixie Rainbow (mutt breed), Buff Brahma and BO (+the ee)


Gratuitous dog picture. Working? What do you mean you're working? I want to go out.

 

[delisha]

Quote: The hen is white and the roo is splash I think. It could be blue and splash. I would have to look at what he said. He shows his birds they have the beard and muffs so I am pretty sure they are the real macoy. He knows I show so he sent the egg as a prospect. I think it was to try to get me to love the breed and buy more...lol

 

[aoxa]

rowerjen,

Adorable pictures! I especially love your EE's beard! So neat!!

It was me with the picture I believe.




This one?

Uh yeah.. Snow stopped. 35 cm total. It is the really heavy snow too. The kind that's awesome for snowmen, but terrible for shovelling/snow blowing. Ah well. It's done. Saturday is supposed to go up to 8 degrees (46 F) - so we'll have some of it melt. Hopefully not all. I do like a white Christmas. Just as long as it's boxed up and gone the next day