The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

Quote: I did not see feathers on the other rir or feet..for me feet are a tell

 

[delisha]

I sometimes cant tell in some of my birds the sex..i have a couple right now that they are wayyyyyyyyyy too pink and are way to young to be so pink in the comb..but every one said they are hens. They have small combs..and they are cornish crosses and should have very large combs by now..it is weird how red they are.

 

[lalaland]

For those of you that sell eggs, do you wash them? If so, with hot water? Only about half the time do I find perfect eggs that do not have something on them. Since I collect them 2x day, I wash them with hot water and use them first. I give eggs away but worry that I'm doing something wrong. 20 years ago I don't think I ever gave this much thought.

I don't wash them. If I need to , I wipe them down with a damp rag if I am selling them or giving them away. I like to keep the bloom on the egg, which would be removed if you wash it - at least that is what I have believed for years! One of my egg buyers likes it if there is a stray downy feather or a bit of straw stuck to the eggs - says she knows it "come from a farm".

Hi,

I'm 200 pgs behind tryiny to catch up but I have to ask: I was warned that feeding chickens garlic will cause a funny taste to the eggs. Have you (or anyone who uses garlic) found this to be true?

I have never noticed any flavor to the eggs from what they have eaten. I do routinely put garlic in the water, and sometimes top dress their feed with crushed garlic.


Aoxa, the most common question I get is how hens can lay eggs without a rooster!

 

[delisha]

I have three pips ....

 

[jendodd79]

I'm wondering if you have some ideas! I stopped and picked up some marans from a heritage breeder and after the long travel home, the splash has a wet nose. It would have been hot in the car, so it could be stress. I'm sprinkling cayenne in her food, giving her sips of colloidal silver and have fresh garlic slices in her water - any other natural ideas? It seems very mild

 

[Chesterchook]

Hey folks, I've read so many things about the wonderful deworming effects of pumpkin seed, just wondering if other squash seeds would have the same effects or does it have to be pumpkin?

 

[Mumsy]

I did not see feathers on the other rir or feet..for me feet are a tell

This is Bazinga. I think this chick is female. This was the first BRIR to hatch. This chick has noticably shorter legs than the other two. Slowest to feather out. I'm really happy with the type on these three chicks. So far they are looking good.

 

[delisha]

Eggs have a protective bloom. If you wash them you remove it. It you are just eating them and not storing them , wash away.

 

[delisha]

Quote: nice color on the legs too..that is a pullet

 

[delisha]

Just had a hawk attack, Coopers Hawk. Chased it off. Got my "Peep"(EE). Just a small gash at base of skull. She is in shock and inside. Hopefully she make it through the night. Missing another EE and GSL teens that have flown out of the yard. Hope they make it back before dark.