The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

Motion activated sprinklers work wonders for keeping birds off of or away from things/areas they shouldn't be on or near... and it's pretty entertaining to watch until they learn to stay away

Wow that's a great idea. Unless you have ducks. That would really encourage them

 

[aoxa]

Here is that feeder I promised to take a picture of. Susan was in charge of morning chores and for some reason she filled both of them TO THE BRIM with feed. I stirred it back into the bucket.

Anyway.. As you can see, no place at all to roost

 

[RedRidge]

Here is that feeder I promised to take a picture of. Susan was in charge of morning chores and for some reason she filled both of them TO THE BRIM with feed. I stirred it back into the bucket.

Anyway.. As you can see, no place at all to roost

This is a great feeder! Where do you find these? Did I miss that?

 

[jlynnet]

BDM & LM, here are some of my SFH.

 

[lalaland]

We free range during the day, but I needed a good brood area for both hatchlings and broodys, so...
we converted an old rabbit hutch that was in our barn when we moved in.
We divided the top half, enclosed the bottom half with wire, then added corrugated plastic to the floor of the upper half (rot prevention).
It's working out quite well and I thought may give some others some ideas...

for the top row, how do you open it up to get in? I'm curious if the "wall" that has the hardware cloth is the door, and if it swings out, up or down...?

 

[aoxa]

This is a great feeder! Where do you find these? Did I miss that?

I spoke about them a few days ago, so you may have missed it.

I bought them online through Stromenberg. They were pricey, but it was covered under insurance (I had cheaper ones, but they quoted a higher price to replace, so I did.)

Anyway.. These are heavier, and are meant for adult chickens, rather than the red ones or metal ones meant for chicks.

I really like them, because they clean very easily, don't allow the dog to get in and eat away, the cover lifts like a dream and they can't roost on it at all.

 

[lalaland]

My run addition is finished

We started out letting the girls free range during the day but had to keep them in the fence all the time because of stray dogs. The tall part and the actual coop was all we had to begin with. I wanted them to have plenty of room plus I wanted to get more so here she is! It goes around behind the back too

There is also a sliding door where I can close off the new part from the old part in case I need to keep one separate of maybe for the new babies coming in July

Nothing fancy but I'm so happy with it!

MrsSB, that looks like a great set up. I envy you your sky, I bet you can really see the storms come. I have too many trees...

 

[Bulldogma]

My run addition is finished

We started out letting the girls free range during the day but had to keep them in the fence all the time because of stray dogs. The tall part and the actual coop was all we had to begin with. I wanted them to have plenty of room plus I wanted to get more so here she is! It goes around behind the back too

There is also a sliding door where I can close off the new part from the old part in case I need to keep one separate of maybe for the new babies coming in July
Nothing fancy but I'm so happy with it!

Great setup! Thank you for sharing!

A large "stray" dog (it belongs to a neighbor, but he doesn't take care of it) came into my yard today. Of course the chickens were out, roaming free, doing their chicken-y things. My dog ran the stray off, and alerted the chickens to run for cover (which they did).
Good dog.

Very good dog!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/fireguy56s-chicken-coop

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/598152/does-a-log-firewood-make-a-good-perch-for-chickens

Thank you. That is some set up he has!

BDM & LM, here are some of my SFH.

So pretty! I absolutely love this breed!

 

[Leahs Mom]

BDM & LM, here are some of my SFH.

Sounds like a mysterious code...

(Only the "initiated" know for sure...)


OH...and those SFH are VP. Do you know if they're P's or C's??????

And...where did you get yours? The coloring on the far left and far right look very close to my cockerel and one of the pullets.

 

[jlynnet]

They came from Greenfire in a grab bag! I had no idea what was getting. Looks like I have 3 or 4 crested. They can really squeal like a pig! I love their crazy color.