The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Kassaundra]

Awesome video aoxa, they sure can run, a funny run, but a run.

 

[aoxa]

Awesome video aoxa, they sure can run, a funny run, but a run.

They run like me

 

[RedRidge]

Well - let's just say I'm not THAT curious.

Welcome to the group... I am over the state line from you.

I'd say they are just "settling in" to a decent laying routine... although not all will lay every day.
I have both production reds and HRIR, and the production reds tend to be an all or nothing layer.
They lay frequently and heavy after they settle in or they just aren't worth diddly.
You won't know for another month or two... and maybe not for sure until after they molt.

BTW... the production reds do have a little white leghorn in them.

 

[aoxa]

I woke up to the strangest thing this morning.. half of my birds were outside. The geese were split up, one in the barn, one out. I am going crazy trying to figure out how this happened.

My initial thought was: Oh I must have left the door open a crack and they pushed out.
Nope.. Door is closed

There is no way I left 50+ birds outside all night. Especially the goose without the gander.

My second thought was: The guy that came to get our RIR yesterday came back and stole my Ameraucana bantam(he really wanted her). Nope. Nora is still there.

Another thought: Maybe a predator? Nope.. Nothing gone. Not as far as I can tell anyway. No feathers. My important breeding birds are all there. Everyone calm and collected (except the geese who were screaming at being separated).

My last thought: The neighbour kids... But at 6:30 am?

Can you guys help me come up with some other possible scenarios?

I am so confused!

I haven't slept walked since I was a kid...

 

[Leahs Mom]

Have the goats figured out how to open the doors?

Oh...and was the door closed so that the ones inside couldn't get out and the ones outside couldn't get in?

 

[aoxa]

Have the goats figured out how to open the doors?

Oh...and was the door closed so that the ones inside couldn't get out and the ones outside couldn't get in?

Nope. The goats were inside the barn, but one goose, and probably 40 some chickens were out ranging when I looked out. If the goats opened it, they also closed it back up after letting them all out. How weird is that?

It sounds human involved to me to be honest... I just can't figure out who would have did that.. especially that early. I need a game cam...

 

[armorfirelady]

Have the goats figured out how to open the doors?

Oh...and was the door closed so that the ones inside couldn't get out and the ones outside couldn't get in?

Nope. The goats were inside the barn, but one goose, and probably 40 some chickens were out ranging when I looked out. If the goats opened it, they also closed it back up after letting them all out. How weird is that?

It sounds human involved to me to be honest... I just can't figure out who would have did that.. especially that early. I need a game cam...

The meaties probably bribed the goats to open the door to let them out to free range thinking there might be more tasty treats so early in the morning

Was there a pop door or window open? Maybe the door was left open a crack & they pushed it open & the goose closed it trying to get back in? (My door didn't latch right and one of the hens pushed on it & let everyone out into the veggie garden)

 

[aoxa]

The meaties probably bribed the goats to open the door to let them out to free range thinking there might be more tasty treats so early in the morning

Was there a pop door or window open? Maybe the door was left open a crack & they pushed it open & the goose closed it trying to get back in? (My door didn't latch right and one of the hens pushed on it & let everyone out into the veggie garden)

I'm going to ask Susan to check the front pop doors. Maybe... just maybe...

 

[lalaland]

thats a mystery!

in minneapolis and st paul, there is a rash of chicken thieves and people have taken to locking up their backyard coops with padlocks. I'm glad I live where I don't need to lock anything including home and car. But clearly it wasn't a thief....I like the poop door idea.

Hopefully you will figure it out!

 

[BlueMouse]

I've had the wind close my pop door and shut all the chickens out of the coop, or half the chickens out of the coop. I now prop it open with a brick. But my pop door is weird too. I had these old cabinet doors sitting around....