The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

Tomorrow I can take a pic of all the eggs I have collected since Christmas.......I think I am up to 6 eggs? That will give u the eggs on the days I got 3 eggs.

Wen I began I kept thinking I would get me 4 eggs every day.......but have learned since then that's not true lol. And I do know their laying will change in the spring once their is more day light.

Pics to follow tomorrow

 

[delisha]

I am considering starting FF, do you guys feed a specific amount per day? I have a 30# auto-feeder I built so they have feed access all day. Do you just not feed them regular feed anymore? Can I replace the regular feed in the auto-feeder with FF? It takes about 2 weeks for my 9 LF birds to go though the feed(they free range all day). How long does the FF last before you need to throw it away?

All birds are different and have different needs. in the beginning they will eat so much because there body's are telling them they need the added nutrients. Eventually they will get to a point where they do not need as much and will taper off. In the beginning I would recommend you run out of dry feed. The day before you run out , start your FF. You never need to throw out your FF. With 9 adult LF you should feed a 2 lb can in the morning and just observe for 15 minutes. If it is all gone you will need to feed at night too. (I doubt it will be gone) Do not feed again till it is gone. You are not starting till spring so you do not need to worry about heated bowls. I just dump it on the ground. They eat it in 5 minutes and it does not have an opportunity to get cold. I have 14 LF and 4 Muscoveys. I feed about 2 1/2 lbs a day.

 

[delisha]

Tomorrow I can take a pic of all the eggs I have collected since Christmas.......I think I am up to 6 eggs? That will give u the eggs on the days I got 3 eggs.

Wen I began I kept thinking I would get me 4 eggs every day.......but have learned since then that's not true lol. And I do know their laying will change in the spring once their is more day light.

Pics to follow tomorrow

Looking forward to it!

 

[Shan30]

Thank you Delisha and Oaxa!

Just inspected the girls and was going to dust up the pale one but she has done it herself! Smart chickie!

Spot checked a bunch of the others and they are all dusty, must be happy for a nice dust bath after all this rain. Wish I could have seen them all at it. Probably lined up in pecking order to wait their turn . (made them a dust bath in a box)

I'll keep an eye on it. We are planning on thinning the population come spring if we can figure out who's still laying and who isn't.

As our first flock (since I was a kid on the farm) we just have used and abused old battery hens. They lay way more now than they did at 18 months when we got them, guess there is something to be said for sunshine and fresh air.

Thanks again!

 

[Shan30]

Axoa* sorry! Evil iPhone!

 

[Shan30]

Ahh! Axoa*! please don't hate me haha! Can anyone tell me how to edit my posts after the fact or can you?

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Ahh! Axoa*! please don't hate me haha! Can anyone tell me how to edit my posts after the fact or can you?

There is a little "pencil" icon in lower left corner on your post. Click on it, then you can edit your post

 

[Shan30]

There is a little "pencil" icon in lower left corner on your post. Click on it, then you can edit your post

Thank you! Learn something every day!

 

[delisha]

Thank you Delisha and Oaxa!

Just inspected the girls and was going to dust up the pale one but she has done it herself! Smart chickie!

Spot checked a bunch of the others and they are all dusty, must be happy for a nice dust bath after all this rain. Wish I could have seen them all at it. Probably lined up in pecking order to wait their turn . (made them a dust bath in a box)

I'll keep an eye on it. We are planning on thinning the population come spring if we can figure out who's still laying and who isn't.

As our first flock (since I was a kid on the farm) we just have used and abused old battery hens. They lay way more now than they did at 18 months when we got them, guess there is something to be said for sunshine and fresh air.

Thanks again!

Your very welcome, and , so glad you posted!

 

[Melabella]

I think it's so fascinating that after Melabella posted the link this morning, I shared it on the blog! Great stuff, and thank you for sharing it again!

WOW,, so glad I could be helpful! I knew the NCK gang would love reading it!

xo
MB