The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[kian]

My broody is sitting on her eggs, doing quite a good job but now.... my other CM thinks she wants to be broody too and my NH who just started laying 10 days ago is acting the same way. She was in the broody's box trying to steal eggs. I blocked off the broody but she was flipping out trying to get into the box. I think it may be that she just wants to lay in there as that is the favorite box and she's always laid her eggs there. I unblocked it to see if she'll go in and lay and then I'll get her back out of there. I really don't want the other CM to go broody, but she's sitting (on nothing), hasn't laid yet today and when the NH came over to *her* box she was all fluffed up and pecking. But she didn't do that with me so maybe she's just taking a long time to lay today.

If the other two do decide to go broody what are some suggestions on breaking them of it? I'm happy with *one* broody hen for now.

I have heard about soaking their bottom half in cold water? Or setting them in a crate with the air flowing through to "cool" them off?

As always, I so appreciate the advice here.

 

[aoxa]

My broody is sitting on her eggs, doing quite a good job but now.... my other CM thinks she wants to be broody too and my NH who just started laying 10 days ago is acting the same way. She was in the broody's box trying to steal eggs. I blocked off the broody but she was flipping out trying to get into the box. I think it may be that she just wants to lay in there as that is the favorite box and she's always laid her eggs there. I unblocked it to see if she'll go in and lay and then I'll get her back out of there. I really don't want the other CM to go broody, but she's sitting (on nothing), hasn't laid yet today and when the NH came over to *her* box she was all fluffed up and pecking. But she didn't do that with me so maybe she's just taking a long time to lay today.

If the other two do decide to go broody what are some suggestions on breaking them of it? I'm happy with *one* broody hen for now.

I have heard about soaking their bottom half in cold water? Or setting them in a crate with the air flowing through to "cool" them off?

As always, I so appreciate the advice here.

Both of those are known ways to break them.

I have a friend who successfully broke two with ice baths. She had no rooster and they were losing condition after over a month sitting with multiple attempts at breaking them.

I always try blocking nests and access first. If that doesn't work I give in and give her eggs lol no but try the wire kennel off the ground first. She won't want to brood in there, and after 3 days she should be broken.

 

[kian]

Both of those are known ways to break them.

I have a friend who successfully broke two with ice baths. She had no rooster and they were losing condition after over a month sitting with multiple attempts at breaking them.

I always try blocking nests and access first. If that doesn't work I give in and give her eggs lol no but try the wire kennel off the ground first. She won't want to brood in there, and after 3 days she should be broken.

Awesome! thank you! If I had more than 6 layers (well 5 now due to the broody) I'd let them go nuts. But I don't (not to mention we're not actually zoned for a zillion chickens!)

 

[aoxa]

Awesome! thank you! If I had more than 6 layers (well 5 now due to the broody) I'd let them go nuts. But I don't (not to mention we're not actually zoned for a zillion chickens!)

When one goes broody, others usually go broody too. Especially this time of year. Broody season!

 

[rowerjen]

Yikes. Better get on breaking mine before the other girls start getting ideas.

 

[Leahs Mom]

If anyone with some splay leg wouldn't mind sharing their wisdom, it would be greatly appreciated.

I picked up 18 chicks from the breeder on Sunday and noticed that one of the nicest blues was limping on one leg which was held out to the side quite a bit.

I picked up some vet wrap on my way home yesterday but as the leg seems much improved I am not sure if I should just let her be. She gets around fine, eats, drinks and doesn't get picked on.

We have them on papertowel over shavings. The breeder had them on some type of paper that looked much slipperier.

Should I watch for a couple days and see if the better grip continues to help her improve? Or should I hobble when I get home?

This link is helpful if it IS splayed leg. http://poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html except I like the idea of using the vet wrap better!

Is the chick walking on it's FEET or on it's HOCKS? (Just trying to determine if it's spraddle leg or not.) It doesn't sound like splay to me from your description but not sure by what you're saying.

 

[armorfirelady]

This is just pasty butt,,,not gleet??  I"m confused

Neither just hens with messy bums. I think they have to much fluff back there lol. I trimmed up the messy feather and In a week or so will see if the problem resolved itself. There poops are normal they just haven't learned to wipe well

Oh and Lily was the first to touch the netting......she cried for half an hour afterwards.....she really is a baby. And bear apparently forget about Lilly's episode so of course he went up & touched the netting :/ Hopefully that's the last of it.

When we got back from picking up pallets I noticed the fence making a clicking noise. We turned it off and walked the fence line making sure it was taunt and not touching ground. It stopped and we did some more errands and I just noticed its making the clicking noise again. Anyone have any idea why?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Yep! It clicks like that when the pulse is sent. Just means that it's working. Sometimes that clicking can signal your animals to remember not to put their nose on there again!

The electric pulses - it's not a steady "on". It goes in an "on" "off" pattern.

 

[armorfirelady]

Hahaha bear stayed away at first but me entering the area has always made both dogs excited. I guess cuz they know the hens are getting leftovers they want lol

Good to know w clicking is normal. We thought it was because that the bottom wire was touching the ground but it looks like its made to do that.

LM do u ever get standing water where ur fence goes so that the fence maybe in water? My yard floods so often but after the last torrential rains we moved the fence so its not where it flooded but some areas are still low and occasionally get puddles in spots

 

[Shan30]

This link is helpful if it IS splayed leg.  http://poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html  except I like the idea of using the vet wrap better!

Is the chick walking on it's FEET or on it's HOCKS?  (Just trying to determine if it's spraddle leg or not.)  It doesn't sound like splay to me from your description but not sure by what you're saying.

I honestly have never dealt with either so I'm guessing by other peoples pictures and descriptions.

She/he was walking with a limp with the bad leg slipping out to the side and the center of the foot arched up a bit but was walking on the foot. When she stopped she would rest back on the hock. Wish I could figure out how to post pictures from my iPhone.

The next day the leg was still a bit to the side but definitely better, limping less and moving faster. The foot it less arched too.

Thank you for your help!