The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Alibabe]

Hi all

I tried to photograph some of my SLO babies but my photography skills are not that good. Here are some of my new babies.

 

[armorfirelady]

OK... these are REALLY crummy pics, and they are at that very awkward stage... but... here ya go...

I dont think they are crummy. Beautiful chics !!

 

[loveourbirds]

alibabe, beautiful chicks!

im a little late posting on this, but about the smell of "chicken fertilizer". most of those systems use concrete floors or a bin for storage. the ammonia doesn't get a chance to leave the manure like it does in most people's coops. also (going by meat birds) they are usually given antibiotics that mess with stomach flora. that makes the smell a little stronger yet. I know a lot of us as back yard farmers use ACV. that typically reacts with the ammonia, quickly converting it to phosphates. and the last big issue, have you ever noticed in dry coops and barns; if the chickens are sick there will be a smell. I could go on about this for days, my dad used to do the commercial meat bird thing. all of that is part of why I raise my own birds.

 

[Shan30]

I have a friend that was. It was not MG, but was basically pink eye in chickens. All the same symptoms. She had them sent off to the lab (for fear it was ILT) and it came back with conjunctivitis. It spread rapidly, and both eyes shut making some of the birds not able to find food. It was treated with antibiotics. However, I am not sure if it is a recurring infection. The vet told her it wasn't, and I haven't asked her otherwise since the initial diagnosis if her flock had reoccurrences. I should though.... Medical term for it:
Mild fibrinous exudative conjunctivitis

Thanks Justine...hopefully I am wrong and it is something simple. One of the sickest is one of my two remaining Silver Laced Polish Pullets and unfortunately the breeder I got then from had his entire flock wipe out by 1 mink. I think I will be scared to purchase birds after this...

 

[delisha]

Hi all

I tried to photograph some of my SLO babies but my photography skills are not that good. Here are some of my new babies.

They are really ugly...please pack them up and ship them to my house.

 

[hotrodflash]

Okay...strange question.

I keep reading about people using chicken droppings/litter from commercial farms as fertilizer on their fields saying it STINKS.

My deep litter does NOT stink.

Is the stink in the commercial litter due to meds? Undigested/poor feed? Dead chickens in the mix?

Yes, all of the above causes the "stink". And add in crowding and the litter not being changed out on a regular basis. It is also used as cow feed. I have a neighbor that uses it to feed his cows in the winter. They do not get enough nutrition out of the litter and they bellow all winter long because they are still hungry. And I can smell it when it is rainy or freshly put out.

 

[Alibabe]

They are really ugly...please pack them up and ship them to my house.

I wish you were closer cos everytime I look at them, I am convinced that they are all boys. sheesh

 

[delisha]

Quote: You have a few that are simply scrumptious. The low ones are probably pullets..mark them and I bet i am right..The ones that are standing taller are cockerels.

 

[Alibabe]

You have a few that are simply scrumptious. The low ones are probably pullets..mark them and I bet i am right..The ones that are standing taller are cockerels.

I hope you are right. The taller ones are already bumping with their chests and have an attitude already

 

[delisha]

Quote: My female Orps do that also. However they duck down more than males.