The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[stonykill]

I see everyone posting their flock numbers. Last I counted, and I have killed a few since, it was 74 Sumatra's (5 broody's sitting on eggs right now as well so the Sumatra number will increase) 20 large foul chickens, and 10 ducks. A Runner is going to go full on broody any day now as well.

I probably have killed 5 or 6 roosters since that count. With more to kill because without a doubt more are about to hatch. Also I don't know if I counted everybody the day I counted. Every try to count upwards of 100 free range birds? Not easy

 

[smccuen]

I have 3 production reds, a bantam leghorn, a bantam white cochin and a bantam partridge cochin along with four mallards.

 

[jlynnet]

Stoney, great to see you on here! If only you lived closer, I'd get some Sumatras from you. Really what's a few more chickens. I'm not sure of my actual number either, but around 65 total. Maybe.

 

[CoopChick719]

This is like being a proud grandma or something...showing everyone my photos

Here are the 16 week old Swedish Flower Hens

Miss Grey






Miss Sweden




Rooster Boy




And the Mystery Breed...
Miss Black

LM--Love..Love...Love your SFH's!!! I hope you figure out what Miss Black is because my Pitch could be her sister! I know Pitch's father was a Barred Rock Cross--crossed with what I don't know. Mother could be an EE, Barred Rock or Plymouth Rock.

 

[amberr]

My chicks came today one day earlier than expected trying photobucket to post photos here goes: Need to figure out what kind of bantam my daughters fav chick is, grey with light underneath four toes feathers on legs Here are some of the other unknown bantams, maybe EE's maybe Brahmas.....they have FF all over them even worse when checked on before bed like massive hair gel going on. Then I have some BR and SLW and GLW BR that I have nicknamed Cat Eyes

 

[Leahs Mom]

LM--Love..Love...Love your SFH's!!! I hope you figure out what Miss Black is because my Pitch could be her sister! I know Pitch's father was a Barred Rock Cross--crossed with what I don't know. Mother could be an EE, Barred Rock or Plymouth Rock.

I'm planning to get eggs from some mostly black and dark gray stock in June so I hope to have some real sfh black/dark gray soon too! Can't wait for these kiddos to start laying to see how they do egg-production-wise.

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Stony -
Could you give a little run-down on why you got the Sumatras? What are their strong points? Weak points? How "meaty" are they - do you like the meat? Do they have enough meat that they are worth butchering? Considered dual purpose or egg only? What color eggs? Apx how many eggs/yr?

I have always loved the look - especially of "mamma". (But I am softie for "birds of color", especially the dark grays and blacks.)


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Ambrrr - you always have the "last word" before everyone is out in the early morning hours! Good to see your new kiddos!

 

[stonykill]

Stoney, great to see you on here! If only you lived closer, I'd get some Sumatras from you. Really what's a few more chickens. I'm not sure of my actual number either, but around 65 total. Maybe.

thanks. I have an add on BYC for hatching eggs. The broody madness here hasn't gotten out of control .....yet . Only 5 out of about 40 something Sumatra hens are broody. And a Runner duck is about to go full blown broody. She has been toying with the idea for a few days now.

I've sold 20 dozen Sumatra eggs in the last 30 days

 

[OohLaLa]

Another night f chicken wrangling because my spoiled babies wont go in the coop at dark. Seriously are they normal? They act all upset when the light goes and yet they they are in the grass or up against a corner of their run instead of in their 4x6 coop with perches and a baby ladder so they can get on the perches (yes thats how I got them to use the perches, I made a ladder our of 1/2" dowel rods)

 

[jlynnet]

Stoney that's awesome! Good thing you got so many sold before the broody season begins.

 

[aoxa]

I see everyone posting their flock numbers. Last I counted, and I have killed a few since, it was 74 Sumatra's (5 broody's sitting on eggs right now as well so the Sumatra number will increase) 20 large foul chickens, and 10 ducks. A Runner is going to go full on broody any day now as well.

I probably have killed 5 or 6 roosters since that count. With more to kill because without a doubt more are about to hatch. Also I don't know if I counted everybody the day I counted. Every try to count upwards of 100 free range birds? Not easy

Yes I have, and I bet you missed a few!