The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[stonykill]

I may get in trouble for this but..... Is that an Indian Possum? I noticed the red dot in the middle of the forehead.....

lmbco (laugh my butt cheeks off) . That actually made me laugh out loud

 

[4Hgirl]

Do you use chick starter only and doesn't it just mush up? I've been feeding FF to older hens and using grain based layer feed which remains nice and grainy. I'm expecting a hatch on Wed. and started the chick FF but I find it so mushy, maybe I need to make it really thick?

I'm using country side organics chick starter. It's ground grains with fish meal powder and does get pasty thick.
I lost a chick last night. A polish bantam. I know they a weaker breed but I'm stressing about it anyway. They are eating a lot of pine shavings could that hurt them?

 

[smccuen]

Quote: Yeah....you may get in trouble for that....but it stills provokes a chuckle....

 

[BlueMouse]

ok, so I just saw my rooster mating my cuckoo marans, we think she's about 14-16 weeks now. Does that mean she should start laying soon or is my rooster just a jerk? I didn't expect her to start laying until the end of june at the earliest.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: Why do guys always have to go BIGGER when they build things?

Quote: Yeah....you may get in trouble for that....but it stills provokes a chuckle....
LW you wont get into trouble with me.......def provoked a chuckle out of me

 

[brandislee]

Do you use chick starter only and doesn't it just mush up? I've been feeding FF to older hens and using grain based layer feed which remains nice and grainy. I'm expecting a hatch on Wed. and started the chick FF but I find it so mushy, maybe I need to make it really thick?

Also I'd like to use the bottom of the feeder (on the right). Do you think if I fill it to the top and maybe block the middle section so that they don't poop in it, that it would work?

I ferment my chick starter and my broiler feed (both have the same consistancy). Yeah, it's kind of like mush, only it's grainier looking than you would think. And I've noticed it depends on the brand- when I buy the brand name (that I won't name, because I hate the brand) chick starter it is much more grainy looking, while the feed mill brand of broiler feed I get is more mushy. But it still works and they still eat it, so.... It's just about getting to know the mix and adding enough water. The crumbles absorb a LOT more water than grain-y feeds. But I don't really think the amount of water depends beyond what you're comfortable with. I use a large metal slotted spoon for stirring and scooping, maybe that helps...

I tried feeding them FF in the above feeder (only the water one on the left) an it wasn't super successful. The best way to keep them out of the middle is to put the empty jar on, but that makes it a tipping hazard and just makes a mess. Even if you don't have enough chicks to justify the size, I find those cheap plastic troughs with the holes (similar to the holes in the feeder on the right) to be best for feeding FF to chicks. Or, if you only have a few chicks, a plastic lidded container (like a cool whip tub) with a few chick sized holes cut in the lid would work well.

 

[loanwizard]

Why are gals always fixated on size?

The trailer is just a regular sized.... 6x9 I believe. Couple of 4x8 sheets of OSB, scrap wood front, ramp is the back door, some 2x4 braces and roof support.... Learned it all here somewhere....

 

[brandislee]

Congrats!!! I have no objections to seeing a lot of baby pics. I love this one. She looks like she has them lined up for a head count & to go over the rules before the field trip

That's what I was just thinking! And yes, never too many pics of babies!

 

[brandislee]

note one of them is on a small grden edging shovel. Also note the neck wound on that one. William the cat killed that one.

...good kitty.