The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

Absolutely stunning birds, Aoxa!!!

Thank you!!

 

[armorfirelady]

Aoxa those birds are beautiful. I hope my Stella looks like them when she grows up

 

[Leahs Mom]

I had a few things I was wondering about that I thought all of you could help with, nothing urgent, I just was curious what others do or have done in the past.

Does anyone use nest pads in their nest boxes?

No

What do you use in your nest boxes? What have you tried and do not like and why?

I LOVE using grass clippings that I dry our after mowing the lawn. I put down a layer of wood chips, then grass on top. They love it and make the nicest nests in there. After cutting the grass, I just rake some up, lay it out in the sun to dry, then store it in a bucket. Put more grass in as needed. They keep it clean and it smells good. I also throw some herbs that are anti-lice/mite once a week or so.

 

[4Hgirl]

I have had several chicks die this week, I just posted lengthy Post to the emergency thread. It is titled one week old chicks dying.

I am looking for answers and stumbled across botulism information.

They get it from Moldy grain. I have been getting them fermented feed, could I have given them botulism by not fermenting quite right? I followed all the instructions on how to fermented text that I have not used the ACV. When I had a batch of FF go bad I just dumped it and started fresh. But I have had some white circles float on the top from time to time it does not look like mold I have seen before. Help!

 

[armorfirelady]

I use shavings and grass clippings also. With some wood ash mixed in there. I need more grass clippings but the darn rain prevents me from drying it out lol. But my plan is to dry grass to save up for the winter for use in nesting boxes and DL.

 

[RachaelS]

Okay sorry if this has been discussed, I am 4,000 post behind and don't think I will get caught up anytime soon. For those in HOT areas do you use ACV in your water? This was posted on my Texas forum and just wanted to get others input. I use ACV with mother in both my water and fermented feed. Should I back off during our SUPER HOT summer? I have noticed that my shells are getting thinner even though they have oyster and crushed egg shell.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/784410/do-you-add-supplements-and-or-electrolytes/10

 

[lalaland]

Absolutely stunning birds, Aoxa!!!

x2

 

[Eggcessive]

How big should we make each of our nesting boxes guys? I need some dimensions...


I want something like this (wooden) but can't find proper dimensions.. Needs to fit big breeds of chickens. I was thinking 12" x 12", but not sure if that is big enough. Thoughts?

Thinking of doing 15-20 holes. Would maybe do same as above with one more row at the bottom.

Please don't paint them those colors, LOL! I made some nest boxes 12x12 and a few 10x11 for banties, and my biggest fattest honker chickens like brahma and australorp like the tiny ones the best. 14x14 would be pretty big, i would think, but your little hens might not like all that room.

 

[RachaelS]

I almost died after I found out BYC has a bug that doesn't allow me to upload photos right now. I can still link, so I am okay lol. I have to share the Barred Plymouth Rocks we got this weekend. I am stoked. I LOVE them.







I hatched 19 HRIR for Camille 8 weeks ago. She just brought back a trio for me. I wasn't prepared to raise chicks 8 weeks ago, as I didn't have any place to put them, so she raised them for me in exchange for the hatch. They are adorable.

Wow Aoxa they look great!

 

[aoxa]

Please don't paint them those colors, LOL! I made some nest boxes 12x12 and a few 10x11 for banties, and my biggest fattest honker chickens like brahma and australorp like the tiny ones the best. 14x14 would be pretty big, i would think, but your little hens might not like all that room.

Oh no, never those colours LOL

My chickens lay in a tiny little pet carrier right now. I think 12 x 12 may be okay. They like to be in there tight..

Wow Aoxa they look great!

Thanks everyone!