The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Kassaundra]

Surprise!

One of these...


gave me this...

First. Egg. Ever.

At work I was just telling my friend I was going to make nesting boxes this weekend since my Legbars are about 20 weeks old. When I went to check on them today, I spied this little egg in the corner behind the waterer. So excited - just had to share since no one around me has chickens (or would even want chickens!)

Wooo Hooo congrats, that first egg is always exciting.

 

[mlowen]

Surprise! e First. Egg. Ever.

So excited - just had to share since no one around me has chickens (or would even want chickens!)

YAY!!! I just can't wait for my turn!

 

[Sophia5]

I remember my chicken layed her first blue egg!!
I was so excited!!

 

[nicole63021]

making the hard decisions for the health of the chickens is not always easy...always choose for them and not for you. Culling is one of those hard choices. We think in emotions. We give chickens emotions. Chickens need fresh air, water, exercises, and good feed. It sounds like you will be a good chicken stewart. Welcome to the group.
cross blue game hen

Mine did not start till they were 8 months old. I have a few now that are 7 months old that are coloring up. They take longer once they color to start laying. Look for a moist vent.

Thank you. Hope that they will do well with us, just wishing they could be out more. Also forgot to mention that we are using (started all chicks on them) nipple waterers, they just seem so much cleaner and healthier for them. It also seems an easy system when you need to add anything to the water supply (we will have an external storage that connects to the PVC pipes in the run). No one seems to be able to agree on whether or not to put a water supply in the in coop as well. Wondering if I should use some sort of diverter, that way if they need to stay in the coop during a bad storm or things like that.

 

[armorfirelady]

I broke down and turned the poults out into the yard with the flock. I lured them with a can of dog food. They ignored the flock but a couple of the HRIR cockerels got into a bluff sparing match with a couple of the female poults. They displayed and jumped up in the air and scared the cockerels away. I herded them into the potager garden and they are making 'happy' noises and browsing away. I need to run back out and keep an eye on them.

They are beautiful Mumsy......they look so healthy, happy...............and good enough to eat

(when they fatten up some lol)

First. Egg. Ever.

At work I was just telling my friend I was going to make nesting boxes this weekend since my Legbars are about 20 weeks old. When I went to check on them today, I spied this little egg in the corner behind the waterer. So excited - just had to share since no one around me has chickens (or would even want chickens!)

Congrats !!! first eggs are the best

 

[armorfirelady]

My ceramic bowl cracked. I thought it was just a fluke and bought another one. Lasted a couple weeks and cracked in the exact same place. I came to the conclusion that the top part of the ceramic was still very cold and that it cracked due to the change from hot to cold.

I was organizing my chicken binder and came across some plans for a heated waterer that uses the chicken nipples
http://www.avianaquamiser.com/posts/Heated_chicken_waterer_experiments/

I have the step by step directions for one. I most of got them before they started charging for them? No idea but if someone wants them I can scan them and email to you. Just PM me

 

[AletaG]

Asked something similar on the Fermented Feed page but, since some people using LAB (I figure filtered scoby (the fermented feed broth) probably similar) to spray on mildewing plants in the garden... I'm going to try that... Also, what about a 'living' foot bath, vs. using Chlorheximine or bleach water on your 'chicken shoes' for quarantined birds, or any other more natural choices? I'm upping my game in that department, but was wondering what else might be out there that would be a little more friendly. I had a chicken try to drink out of the foot bath with Chlorheximine in it (must smell great, 'cause she REALLY reached for it) I caught her just in time and moved the bath a bit further away from the gate. That stuff would really mess her up. Plus, I've got 2 young children who are pretty good at following directions, until they aren't. The volume of bath wouldn't poison them, but sure would make them feel pretty icky. Ideas?

 

[MumsyII]

That sound means they are content. It's often the sound they make when feeding and just talking to one another. It's called purring.

I love that sound! They make it when they are dusting in the wallow too.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Hi there, all y'all smart experienced chicken keepers!! I've been skimming over your chats but have had really nothing eventful here, so no ?s nor advice to offer...

... But today, over on the Duck side, somebody has a duck with wounds and maggots. Did I read y'all discussing maggots a few days back?

Can any of you pop in to offer any support and/or advice please? https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/815756/help-with-beaten-up-infested-pekin-duck#post_11844389
As always, thank you.

 

[delisha]

Quote: You purchase a kit, or you put it on ice after drawing.
I purchase antigen and supplies with a vet friend who raises chickens.

Surprise!

One of these...


gave me this...

First. Egg. Ever.

At work I was just telling my friend I was going to make nesting boxes this weekend since my Legbars are about 20 weeks old. When I went to check on them today, I spied this little egg in the corner behind the waterer. So excited - just had to share since no one around me has chickens (or would even want chickens!)

I love first eggs!!
Congrats~

Quote: I live in WI and do not water indoors. We have bad storms sometimes and they just have to wait like I do. I blow a path to the coops and open up the doors as soon as i can. If it is too deep for the blower..I hand shovel.

Asked something similar on the Fermented Feed page but, since some people using LAB (I figure filtered scoby (the fermented feed broth) probably similar) to spray on mildewing plants in the garden... I'm going to try that... Also, what about a 'living' foot bath, vs. using Chlorheximine or bleach water on your 'chicken shoes' for quarantined birds, or any other more natural choices? I'm upping my game in that department, but was wondering what else might be out there that would be a little more friendly. I had a chicken try to drink out of the foot bath with Chlorheximine in it (must smell great, 'cause she REALLY reached for it) I caught her just in time and moved the bath a bit further away from the gate. That stuff would really mess her up. Plus, I've got 2 young children who are pretty good at following directions, until they aren't. The volume of bath wouldn't poison them, but sure would make them feel pretty icky. Ideas?

I toss my shoes in the dishwasher. I have a different pair at the quarantine building when I have new birds in. I ware rubber shoes for easy sanitation.