The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Hey I really like the thread but I need some help. I don't have chickens yet but when I do what is the best bedding and what is some good feed for 4 to 6 week old laying hens.

Good to meet you!

-Are you wanting to do organic or non-gmo... or are you looking for just a regular feed?

On the litter, I like the wood shavings best and a deep litter. There are lots of links about deep litter throughout the thread but I know it can be daunting to read the whole thing to find it. If you go to the top of the page, there is a place to search JUST THIS THREAD and you may be able to find some of those posts quicker.

 

[Vigar49]

Just a regular feed that still is good for the hens.

 

[LoveChickens123]

Just a regular feed that still is good for the hens.

Yeah that is fine also

 

[LoveChickens123]

But vigar49 my laying mash is natural so is the corn the feed store makes there own

 

[Quailsong]

Hey all!

I may never catch up here, but I'm sure trying. This move has sucked away a lot of my free time. Although, it's worth it to have a real home.

My coturnix quail eggs will be ready to pick up in two weeks (or less). And chickens; managed to convince my very understanding DH that silkie hens would be great mothers/broodies to teach the quail how to brood. Nope, it wasn't just an excuse to get chickens. Not this time at least. I think.

Going to be installing a fence in the back this August which will let the future silkies free range beside the not-yet-built quail tractor full of future quail. Got my homemade incubator already made though, had a lot of help from DH & I must say it's fantastic. Not as 'natural' as I'd like to get one day (ie, real broody quail), but a gooooood starting point. Not sure of the exact size but it's touted to hold "66 cans of soda & ice!"



I reckon I can fit 48 quail eggs in there easily enough...

 

[MumsyII]

Hey all!

I may never catch up here, but I'm sure trying. This move has sucked away a lot of my free time. Although, it's worth it to have a real home.

My coturnix quail eggs will be ready to pick up in two weeks (or less). And chickens; managed to convince my very understanding DH that silkie hens would be great mothers/broodies to teach the quail how to brood. Nope, it wasn't just an excuse to get chickens. Not this time at least. I think.

Going to be installing a fence in the back this August which will let the future silkies free range beside the not-yet-built quail tractor full of future quail. Got my homemade incubator already made though, had a lot of help from DH & I must say it's fantastic. Not as 'natural' as I'd like to get one day (ie, real broody quail), but a gooooood starting point. Not sure of the exact size but it's touted to hold "66 cans of soda & ice!"



I reckon I can fit 48 quail eggs in there easily enough...

Wow! I am impressed. I want to make one too someday. Good job on that!

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Had to bandaid boot the Silkie chick. Middle toes were curled a little. Should correct in a day or two.

 

[aoxa]

My barred rock chicks have been moved to the bigger brooder FINALLY. They are 4 weeks old and so need to get outside. I would have moved them last weekend, but since Susan was away, it is hard to catch them all with only one person. Anyway. They are moved and after a few days they will be allowed out.

This is a true heritage Barred Plymouth Rock chick. Check out that precise barring! They feather out SOOOO slowly.

 

[Kassaundra]

My barred rock chicks have been moved to the bigger brooder FINALLY. They are 4 weeks old and so need to get outside. I would have moved them last weekend, but since Susan was away, it is hard to catch them all with only one person. Anyway. They are moved and after a few days they will be allowed out.

This is a true heritage Barred Plymouth Rock chick. Check out that precise barring! They feather out SOOOO slowly.

All that presicion takes time! lol (measure twice grow once)

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

My barred rock chicks have been moved to the bigger brooder FINALLY. They are 4 weeks old and so need to get outside. I would have moved them last weekend, but since Susan was away, it is hard to catch them all with only one person. Anyway. They are moved and after a few days they will be allowed out.

This is a true heritage Barred Plymouth Rock chick. Check out that precise barring! They feather out SOOOO slowly.

Justine, they look beautiful!