The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[bluebirdnanny]

Will Groundhogs kill chickens? One got under the shed in the small spot I did not get barrier wire attached yet. The only other part that is not protected comes out UNDER the coop deck attached on the other side. There is evidence it tried to dig out ... or make new entrance.. near corner which does have wire. Don't know if it is still under there. The only way out is that unprotected spot and the side that is open to the enclosed chicken run from under the attached platform the coop sits on. The shed is an Amish built that sits on a mound of limestone pieces. The hardware cloth wire goes from the shed bottom down to limestone... out and then down. Can't get the stuff on the coop side.

I know if I close that gap the only way out would be into the run/coop area! So poor babies got cooped earlier so I can watch for it to leave and close the gap afterwards. But if it will hurt my chickens I want to get it gone and barrier it out.

 

[aoxa]

5 new to us Khaki Campbell's on our farm. 2 of them are camera shy and not pictured

We had two khaki campbells and they were egg laying machines. I'm sure you will enjoy them They are the leghorns of ducks.

 

[stonykill]

Will Groundhogs kill chickens? One got under the shed in the small spot I did not get barrier wire attached yet. The only other part that is not protected comes out UNDER the coop deck attached on the other side. There is evidence it tried to dig out ... or make new entrance.. near corner which does have wire. Don't know if it is still under there. The only way out is that unprotected spot and the side that is open to the enclosed chicken run from under the attached platform the coop sits on. The shed is an Amish built that sits on a mound of limestone pieces. The hardware cloth wire goes from the shed bottom down to limestone... out and then down. Can't get the stuff on the coop side.

I know if I close that gap the only way out would be into the run/coop area! So poor babies got cooped earlier so I can watch for it to leave and close the gap afterwards. But if it will hurt my chickens I want to get it gone and barrier it out.

no there are vegetarians

 

[Mumsy]

Have only seen one Eagle fly over in the last four days. It was high up and didn't even pause over our place. This is a huge deal. They were cruising in closer and closer a couple times a day before putting the ribbons, whirlygigs, and such around the barnyard. It's working!

Osprey never really worried me. They are protected and even allowed to nest on top of cell towers here. They eat mostly fish. I've seen them take salmon out of the bay while crabbing with my husband. They were circling my place in pairs and sometimes four at a time and it was really making me nervous. I haven't seen even one since flying the ribbons from poles. I found some very reflective long foil and it sparkles and reflects even when there is no breeze.

I don't have a mammal predator problem. My biggest worry is from loose dogs and feral cats getting into the runs at the back of the barn. I bought cheap tennis balls at the dollar store and put them in plastic cups with straight ammonia. Then put covers over them for rain protection. I haven't seen a cat in months nor a dog.

 

[pickitfarm]

I would love to use your experiment story to convince people to eat ethical eggs. I know plenty if people who eat commercial eggs because they are cheap but if I told them your personal story they would be appalled and hopefully make a few changes.

Actually commercial eggs are getting pricier for less value, at least around here. Once I had a eggs from chickens that were humanely and naturally raised, I won't eat any other and I believe most people would say the same, if they get over paying a few dollars more. I think the best comparison I heard was people pay over a $1 for a soda which adds no value to your health, so how can you scoff at paying less than a dollar per egg and it can be a meal.

 

[starlingdaly]

Actually commercial eggs are getting pricier for less value, at least around here.  Once I had a eggs from  chickens that were humanely and naturally raised, I won't eat any other and I believe most people would say the same, if they get over paying a few dollars more.  I think the best comparison I heard  was people pay over a $1 for a soda which adds no value to your health, so how can you scoff at paying less than a dollar per egg and it can be a meal.

Commercial eggs are by far the cheapest here, especially in my area that is mostly military so they shop at the commissary and get their commercial eggs even cheaper.
But I completely agree with your soda comparison!
I usually compare to bottled water and ask how many eggs they would be willing to trade for a bottle of water and the answer is usually two.
I can also explain that eggs are the cheapest form of complete animal protein readily available.
And there's also explaining the true value of an egg, including how commercial egg companies are subsidized by the government so they are not sold as their true value.
Not to mention a hen does not lay an egg every day of her life but you still have to feed her on her non-laying days.
Usually, once you go over a couple of points they get the idea and realize "expensive" eggs aren't that bad after all..

 

[Quailsong]

Will Groundhogs kill chickens? One got under the shed in the small spot I did not get barrier wire attached yet. The only other part that is not protected comes out UNDER the coop deck attached on the other side. There is evidence it tried to dig out ... or make new entrance.. near corner which does have wire. Don't know if it is still under there. The only way out is that unprotected spot and the side that is open to the enclosed chicken run from under the attached platform the coop sits on. The shed is an Amish built that sits on a mound of limestone pieces. The hardware cloth wire goes from the shed bottom down to limestone... out and then down. Can't get the stuff on the coop side.

I know if I close that gap the only way out would be into the run/coop area! So poor babies got cooped earlier so I can watch for it to leave and close the gap afterwards. But if it will hurt my chickens I want to get it gone and barrier it out.

A groundhog will not kill them, HOWEVER weasels are likely to use the burrows to gain access. They do this with rat holes as well. So best to deter groundhogs anyways.

Edit: Whoo, Mumsy I'm cheering & dancing for you (literally, just did a little jig for ya!). So glad those eagles are flying over & not in your coop area.

 

[lalaland]

feather mites in 4 week old chick?

the coopermaran chick has something funky going on with an eye, when I caught it for a closer look I saw that the tail feathers look like lollipops - the feather shaft is bare til the tip, so it looks like a lollipop on a stick. This is not the feather casing covering the feather part. I didn't see this in any of the other chicks.

They have wood ash to dust bathe in, but some prefer to bathe in the shavings. I don't know if this one uses the wood ash or not. I'll give it an ash dust bath tomorrow.

I checked over the hens, who are at the other end of the coop, and found two hens with some missing feathers on the side of the neck - some feathers are just gone, no shaft or anything, and then there are some shafts without the feather part. I've never seen this. The strange thing is that these fwo hens have the feather problem in the very same spot.

Isn't there a feather mite that eats feathers? Skin looks fine on everyone. No sign of lice, vents are fine,....

dang it, I think this is the year I am going to experience every weirdo thing that can go on with chickens.

 

[starlingdaly]

I need your opinions on a chick I have:
A while back my vitamin supplement for the chicks oxidized from improper storage and with the weeks of nearly nonstop rain we had, they didn't get to go outside so they developed a vitamin D deficiency.
The older chicks pulled through once I figured it out and some of the younger ones died but overall, I fixed it in time.
However, one chick (a speckled Sussex) had spent too much of it's vitamin deficiency time laying down and when the deficiency was fixed, her bones strengthened in a bent form that renders her possibly permanent unable to walk.
She does get around with her wings and beak and eats and drinks like a normal chick. She does have stunted growth but several of the deficiency chicks do. She is the worst though and the only survivor to not make a full recovery.

My dilemma is, should I continue to allow her to exist in my brooder because she does not seem to be in any obvious discomfort, nor is she lacking in anything other than the use of her legs.
Or is it more humane to euthanize?

I need opinions because I keep questioning my motives either way as selfish (selfish to force her to live in less than ideal conditions or selfish by ending her life when she could continue on just fine)

It saddens me everytime I see her. I made a sling recently to see if a gradual standing practice would help, but her bones are bent to the point her legs cross when relaxed, preventing normal standing or walking.

Thanks guys, for your thoughts...

 

[maryhysong]

I need your opinions on a chick I have:
A while back my vitamin supplement for the chicks oxidized from improper storage and with the weeks of nearly nonstop rain we had, they didn't get to go outside so they developed a vitamin D deficiency.
The older chicks pulled through once I figured it out and some of the younger ones died but overall, I fixed it in time.
However, one chick (a speckled Sussex) had spent too much of it's vitamin deficiency time laying down and when the deficiency was fixed, her bones strengthened in a bent form that renders her possibly permanent unable to walk.
She does get around with her wings and beak and eats and drinks like a normal chick. She does have stunted growth but several of the deficiency chicks do. She is the worst though and the only survivor to not make a full recovery.

My dilemma is, should I continue to allow her to exist in my brooder because she does not seem to be in any obvious discomfort, nor is she lacking in anything other than the use of her legs.
Or is it more humane to euthanize?

I need opinions because I keep questioning my motives either way as selfish (selfish to force her to live in less than ideal conditions or selfish by ending her life when she could continue on just fine)

It saddens me everytime I see her. I made a sling recently to see if a gradual standing practice would help, but her bones are bent to the point her legs cross when relaxed, preventing normal standing or walking.

Thanks guys, for your thoughts...

If she is that far gone I personally would cull. If it looked like she would just need a little assistance for a period of time and would recover, then I would wait and see. Around here, I do not do extraordinary measures. I will care for animals that need some help and watch to see if it looks like they will be able to recover or not, but I am not the sort to do special setups for long term living. For instance, I don't do misters, ice bottles and things like that in the heat. I do make sure they have shade, cool water and make them mud holes so they can cool off in the afternoon, but my personal feeling is that this is the climate they live in and they need to adapt to it. Same with sick or injured birds, I don't do the vet for a chicken, if keeping it clean, keeping them calm and well fed and watered is enough, then I give them a fighting chance.