The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[camilleathome]

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

Awww they are just so gorgeous!

 

[armorfirelady]

Justine they are beautiful !

So today I came home to one of new plants dug up and others missing soil. So I put more soil around them and put up netting to keep the hens & tots out.
Here's how well it worked.......

I don't know who figured out how to lift the netting but apparently everyone can get along when good digging spots are available :/. My mom stopped by scolded them all after laughing for awhile & then moved the electric netting so the plants are on the outside.

My friend is helping me dig trenches and out pipe down to alleviate my drainage issues. Wen its done I can move the netting around more into new areas ......can't wait !!

 

[jmarie]

Hello I have a question,
I had to butcher one of my astrolorps the other day because of a injury (sigh, the one my daughter named and carried around...NO more named chickens)

my question is this... she was about 9 months old and a great layer, but she was very fatty. Is this good or bad. I dont know if she was fatty due to breed or because she ate well.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

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.

For bedding, I use pine chips or ground up stumps from the local tree trimming places.
For food I use medicated chick started until the chick is 14-16 weeks old then either an all flock or layer. Layer can be hard on roosters so I'm switching over to all flock but still have some layer I need to use up.

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.

The barred rock the hatchery sent me sure don't have that much white yet. But they are not 3 weeks yet either. Your chicks are so pretty.

 

[MumsyII]

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.

I feed my chicks fermented unmedicated chick starter from day three. I keep them on 'wee' pads sold for house training puppies for first twenty four hours to make sure all have correct looking toes and are passing the contents of their gut before first feeding at 36 to 48 hours. After they start eating I put pine shavings in the brooder. I don't change the shavings, I just keep adding and stirring. Their first introduction to DL (Deep Litter) My barn and all pens are the DL system. First layer is shavings on dirt. Then yard leaves if I have them. Peat moss during wet season, local grass hay, and more of the same. I partially clean out my pens and barns in winter if it is too thick for me to maneuver around in and early Spring. I never strip it all out at one time so the old can jump start the new into good microbe action. I fork everyday if it seems to be packing and the flock is spending all day free ranging. I like the exercise. I ferment Turkey/Game bird grower. All of my flock get it. The turkeys, three month old HRIR, Silkies, and layers. I use a lot of natural additves to my ferment in herbs and seed. I never medicate or give antibiotics orally. I will use Nu stock, Blue Kote, and Blood stop power for injuries or skin problems.

 

[Leahs Mom]

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[delisha]

Hey all! Excited to find this thread! I have 4 11 wk old chickens right now. I started them all on homemade soaked feed and they are doing so good! I am about to leave town and was stressing on time to go buy the grains to make more food when I found good food at my local feed store (finally!!) So if you have a russel feed store in your area (mostly a north texas chain i think) they are now carrying soy free non gmo feeds! Yea!

Hello and welcome to the thread..pictures would be nice of your birds when you have time too..we love pictures

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.

Vigar,

Welcome to the thread and congrats on doing it the right way. Asking questions and getting ready BEFORE you get chickens.
At 4-6 weeks female birds are called chick/ pullets. They are called hens when they reach one year old.
Because they are young and still chicks they need to be on chick feed. You can make your own or for ease, purchase an all flock chick grower. Add meat proteins to the diet if you purchase bagged feed that does not contain meat proteins.
The best bedding is all natural bedding and free!! Save your grass clipping, rake up your leaves, ask neighbors for wood chips when they cut trees or grind stumps. Layer it in the coop and just add a few handfuls a week, stir daily. If you do not have access to free materials, you can purchase sand, dirt, or wood chips or all three. (NEVER cedar).

Hello I have a question,
I had to butcher one of my astrolorps the other day because of a injury (sigh, the one my daughter named and carried around...NO more named chickens)

my question is this... she was about 9 months old and a great layer, but she was very fatty. Is this good or bad. I dont know if she was fatty due to breed or because she ate well.

Fat chickens are never good. It leads to injury and internal organ failure. Hatchery Astrolorps and hatchery Orpingtons have a tendency to be fat. They like to hang out at the water cooler and gossip and eat.

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[delisha]

Justine,
Love your bared baby

 

[Eggcessive]

Justine congrats to you and Susan, and that is a pretty barred rock baby.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Justine congrats to you and Susan, and that is a pretty barred rock baby.

x2