The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Pozees]

Has anyone here ever had Egyptian Fayoumis? I am wondering about differences in growth rate on this particular breed. I got 27 of them and split them with a friend, subsequently she gave some to a relative and I gave some to a young man whose father keeps chickens who was interested in them. There are only 2 differences I know of between our flocks. 1 - I am at a lower elevation - I'm at about 5400, and the rest are probably at least 1000 feet higher. 2 - I started giving FF when they were about 5-6 weeks of age, which they instantly took to and continue to eat VERY well. They have free access to dry crumble, which they also eat, but love that FF. They are active birds, and the breed is known for tolerance of heat, great foraging, and early maturity, with cockerels crowing as early as 4 weeks (mine waited until 8 weeks) and pullets laying as early as 4 months of age. It is a small breed with stature similar to Leghorns.

I kept a total of 10, haven't lost any, they have been out in the unheated, uninsulated coop since 5 weeks of age and we have had nights as cold as 11 degrees F since then. My birds are growing nicely and probably weigh ~3 lbs or so. The others - 3 different keepers - have had losses apparently due to cold and the birds are smaller, one is perhaps 1/2 the size of mine based on the description I got when I brought 4 of mine to one of the keepers who had a dog attack that took out a good bit of her flock. I suggested that one may just be a runt, and she said that the others weren't a whole lot bigger.

When I split them up there was no selection - nothing to select for - I just picked up 13 chicks and brought them to her, then when I gave away 4 more, again was only making sure I got 2 males and 2 females. They were 5 weeks old at that time and had just moved to the coop, so it was right after that I started them on FF.

I have three theories: 1 - the bioavailability of proteins in FF at that age made a difference in size and survivability; 2 - the fact the FF is moist gives these desert birds better growth and survivability; 3 - the elevation difference negatively affected growth rate and survivability.

Open to other theories.

 

[chikenscratch]

have you ever read michael pollan? Some of his work on food is pretty dense, I would highly recommend it. He also came out with a small paperback called food rules. Its hilarious but true. "avoid food with ingredients that a 3rd grader can not pronounce." "don't eat breakfast cereal that changes the color of milk" "don't eat anything your grandmother wouldn't recognize as food" and my all time favorite "eat only foods that will evenutally rot" a funny reference to the experiments of various folks on leaving food on the counter that never molds or spoils - like burger king hamburgers or twinkies.

These are some of my favorite phrases from Omnivore's Dilemma!!! Good book, but yes dense.

 

[CoopChick719]

No...
pandas.

It used to be a chicken coop 25 years ago.. than it was a playhouse, and after that a green house. The walls were rotting so Susan's parents tore all but the base down. We bought her childhood home, have I mentioned that?

We bought my husband's grandparents' houses. I love that my children are the 5th generation to live here. DH's grandfather kept chickens too and had a prize rooster he used to show.

Hahaha I was trying to figure out exactly WHAT part of that WAS WHAT!

Well BBN...we were looking at the backside in that pic. I was at work when I read Child of Noah's reply and burst out laughing. I'm sure my co-workers think I'm crazy.

 

[delisha]

Has anyone here ever had Egyptian Fayoumis? I am wondering about differences in growth rate on this particular breed. I got 27 of them and split them with a friend, subsequently she gave some to a relative and I gave some to a young man whose father keeps chickens who was interested in them. There are only 2 differences I know of between our flocks. 1 - I am at a lower elevation - I'm at about 5400, and the rest are probably at least 1000 feet higher. 2 - I started giving FF when they were about 5-6 weeks of age, which they instantly took to and continue to eat VERY well. They have free access to dry crumble, which they also eat, but love that FF. They are active birds, and the breed is known for tolerance of heat, great foraging, and early maturity, with cockerels crowing as early as 4 weeks (mine waited until 8 weeks) and pullets laying as early as 4 months of age. It is a small breed with stature similar to Leghorns.

I kept a total of 10, haven't lost any, they have been out in the unheated, uninsulated coop since 5 weeks of age and we have had nights as cold as 11 degrees F since then. My birds are growing nicely and probably weigh ~3 lbs or so. The others - 3 different keepers - have had losses apparently due to cold and the birds are smaller, one is perhaps 1/2 the size of mine based on the description I got when I brought 4 of mine to one of the keepers who had a dog attack that took out a good bit of her flock. I suggested that one may just be a runt, and she said that the others weren't a whole lot bigger.

When I split them up there was no selection - nothing to select for - I just picked up 13 chicks and brought them to her, then when I gave away 4 more, again was only making sure I got 2 males and 2 females. They were 5 weeks old at that time and had just moved to the coop, so it was right after that I started them on FF.

I have three theories: 1 - the bioavailability of proteins in FF at that age made a difference in size and survivability; 2 - the fact the FF is moist gives these desert birds better growth and survivability; 3 - the elevation difference negatively affected growth rate and survivability.

Open to other theories.

I really wish everyone would buddy up with someone and do this exact thing. Compare food cost and healthy/size of bird. No one would ever feed dry again.

 

[Eggcessive]

A question about moults.......my girls never did have a full moult last fall. I assumed it was because they were only 5 months old in October & with the temps getting lower they didn't moult. They all lost a few feathers but nothing much. The last couple of weeks I noticed their feathers look out of place/ruffled and I have seen some feathers in the coop and the run. Will they ever have full moult? They are a year old this month.

Ive seen pics of hens that barely have feathers from moulting & others that just look raggedy. I know every hen/breed is different but I was just curious what your thoughts were. Thanks

Most chickens will have their 1st big molt at about 18 months of age--then every year after that. Since many get their chicks in spring they will molt in the fall the next year. I just had 2 chickens molt 6 months early in march--one was 1 year old and the other two, so they must have been stressed in some way or just different.

 

[Pozees]

I really wish everyone would buddy up with someone and do this exact thing. Compare food cost and healthy/size of bird. No one would ever feed dry again.

That is right now what I think has made the difference. They have access to dry and do eat it, but when I put down the FF they dive into it. When I brought them to her today her jaw dropped when I opened the box. She kept telling me previously they were small, and compared to other LF they are small, but not bantam sized, and it sounds like hers and the others' are. I am torn between the protein and moisture theories, mainly.

 

[Mumsy]

What are potager beds? I know you have mentioned them before but I have a heard time getting a visual of them. Are they the same as raised garden beds? P.S. I am a little jealous that you have most of your veggies in already.....

Potager is a French word meaning soup garden. Usually it means a charming enclosed garden space close to the house. I grow old European roses, vegetables, herbs, fruit, and cut flowers for the kitchen in mine. There is a Red Bartlet tree growing in it as well as a couple apple and plum trees on the edges. There is also a Raspberry row and ten Blueberry shrubs under-planted with strawberry plants, lettuce, and pansies. I've been growing in raised beds for decades because of our legendary rain fall and short growing season. I use the intensive growing method of vegetable gardening. As one crop is nearing maturity, I plant a new crop in between plants. No dirt goes un-planted in the beds. Some beds with extra heat needs get a plastic tent to speed things up. My Gooseberry shrubs are setting fruit right now!





Blueberry beds under-planted with lettuce, herbs, and strawberry plants. I collect garden knick knacks for my Grandchildren to discover.


The big hoop tent in the back is planted with tomatoes, cucumbers, and Basil. The smaller tent is planted with peppers and acorn squash plants. Roses and flowers are in every nook and along the fence.



Five month old pullets taking a break from foraging. They tend to like people places best.



A few chicks would rather help themselves to a drink out of the garden pool rather than a clean bowl.





Glorious 78 degrees and blue skies above! I watched chickens and worked in the potager garden all day.

 

[bbsnooks]

Oh.. I'm caught up too.. whew.. !!
pozees great idea on the Egyptian Fayoumis? wonder if your right .. and good idea.. for some one to do the trial..
my neighbors and i will be getting guinnea's from TSC -- and maybe we'll try the compairision study..
they feed pellets.. and i FF.

I've been taking the chicks. ( 3weeks old now) out for the past week in a protected area where their new coop will be. ( soon I hope ).
they come in and eat.. and crash.. now.. I think there cutest when they sleep.. ( haha.. )

love that whidby garden : )

 

[camilleathome]

Potager is a French word meaning soup garden. Usually it means a charming enclosed garden space close to the house. I grow old European roses, vegetables, herbs, fruit, and cut flowers for the kitchen in mine. There is a Red Bartlet tree growing in it as well as a couple apple and plum trees on the edges. There is also a Raspberry row and ten Blueberry shrubs under-planted with strawberry plants, lettuce, and pansies. I've been growing in raised beds for decades because of our legendary rain fall and short growing season. I use the intensive growing method of vegetable gardening. As one crop is nearing maturity, I plant a new crop in between plants. No dirt goes un-planted in the beds. Some beds with extra heat needs get a plastic tent to speed things up. My Gooseberry shrubs are setting fruit right now!





Blueberry beds under-planted with lettuce, herbs, and strawberry plants. I collect garden knick knacks for my Grandchildren to discover.


The big hoop tent in the back is planted with tomatoes, cucumbers, and Basil. The smaller tent is planted with peppers and acorn squash plants. Roses and flowers are in every nook and along the fence.



Five month old pullets taking a break from foraging. They tend to like people places best.



A few chicks would rather help themselves to a drink out of the garden pool rather than a clean bowl.





Glorious 78 degrees and blue skies above! I watched chickens and worked in the potager garden all day.

Can I move in? Our grow season is so slow. I want to plant now! XD

 

[jlynnet]

Mumsy, can you come for a visit? I could use gardening help! I have 4 acres. 4 messy acres with lots of trees. I just have too little time to make it beautiful.