The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[bbdal]

I see no reason not to eat the bird if he was healthy. I do not worry about food withdraw before butchering.

Some fish meal might have high sodium..they are all different..good advise!! and you should always check

So, the possible impaction and crusty bottom wouldn't bother you? He was 8.5 months old by the way. Thanks!

 

[delisha]

That pup is adorable..looks like he is helping build and measure!

 

[armorfirelady]

Thank you red ridge for the explanation. I like to learn new things even when it doesn't pally to me. I'd live to watch dogs like yours in action some day. Most be an awesome sight to watch them patrol their area

Got some neem oil this morning and sprayed the roost I saw mites on. Pulled out other wood I could and sprayed the base of the hoop coop. Then decided to wash the inside canvas down as well with vinegar and water. Looks so much better. ESP since I get rid of all the cobwebs as well. Thank goodness the nest boxes are plastic!! Cleaned them out as well and put in fresh grass & herbs. Raked out the little bit of shavings in the coop as well and threw them out.

Thankfully the rain stopped and the sun came out. Everything can dry while I run out to get feed for them to make their new grain feed.

I blocked the pop door for the day so the coop can dry. Girls are not happy but got a big serving of eggs with garlic, cayenne pepper and herbs to entice them. They have plenty of places to hide from the hawks if they come around. Nice to see then outside finally. Maybe a day forced in the yard will encourage them to be out more. I wish I could have a rooster (I miss George) so they would feel more secure.

Should be interesting if they use the temporary nest box I put out in the yard for the day or they wait till after dinner to lay.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Just had a funny thought, AFL. They "debark" some breeds of dogs by clipping the vocal cords because they are obnoxious barkers. They still bark, but sound like they have laryngitis. Wonder if you cd do that w/a rooster?

Now I'm not advocating it, but it was a funny thought of this rooster standing top of the dog house in the "crow stance" and having a laryngitis crow come out.


Okay..forget it. Move on.

 

[iwanaplae2]

I have a few questions about the fish meal having high sodium. Is that because it's manufactured and the use it as a preservative? If I were to make my own, wouldn't it be better for my girls? I have a sister (and her husband) that go fishing all the time. And are happy to share with me... To cook them slowly I would probably use my BBQ outside cause of the smell lol
So next question, how much do I give the girls?

 

[Leahs Mom]

I have a few questions about the fish meal having high sodium. Is that because it's manufactured and the use it as a preservative? If I were to make my own, wouldn't it be better for my girls? I have a sister (and her husband) that go fishing all the time. And are happy to share with me... To cook them slowly I would probably use my BBQ outside cause of the smell lol
So next question, how much do I give the girls?

I'm wondering why you would cook it at all? You could store it in the freezer and thaw to use as you go. Unless, of course, you were hoping to dehydrate it to store dry. If you dehydrate, you don't need to cook at a high heat.

 

[Mrs Hutcherson]

Got a question about a cockerel, he is about 20 weeks old and up until the past couple days he has been the sweetest onne out of the flock of 9. Have had him since he was a day old, likes to sit on my shoulders and play in my hair or just look around. The past two days he has been biting my feet, and hard, holding on too persistantly. I have to push him away and kinda square off with him. Is this his way of trying for dominance? Could it get worse? The other cockerel I have gets a fluffed up and studder syeps sideways at everything, other chickens, us, cats, but has never done anything and he's the head roo. Just wondering if the one biting is just trying to show dominance... I've grabbed him and held him when he tries , but this is a complete 180 of his normal behavior and started 2 days ago out of nowhere

Advice please and thank you!

 

[FridayYet]

Just had a funny thought, AFL. They "debark" some breeds of dogs by clipping the vocal cords because they are obnoxious barkers. They still bark, but sound like they have laryngitis. Wonder if you cd do that w/a rooster?

Now I'm not advocating it, but it was a funny thought of this rooster standing top of the dog house in the "crow stance" and having a laryngitis crow come out.


Okay..forget it. Move on.

There is a vet that has been working on his technique and puts one up for sale occasionally. Not saying that I'm advocating it either, but it can be done.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/816511/quiet-decrowed-blue-andalusian-cockerel

 

[armorfirelady]

Leah's mom that's a neat idea. I liked when George was practicing his crows. But if he had no sound how would he warn the girls?

Good news !! The feed store I prefer is going to order fish meal for me !! it will be 40 pound bag but much cheaper than ordering online just waiting on fish meal and peas to get new batch going

Girls are still in yard complaining. Guess I should go see if the ground has dried enough to let them back in. Hopefully the neem oil has dried more to. And hopefully killed all those mites !! But I got another bottle to keep on hand. Dang creepier crawlies

 

[Leahs Mom]

Mrs. H - I don't have much rooster experience and I know there are others that do so what I have to report is just "hearsay".

Everything I've read from experienced folks says that they will try to establish dominance about that age. Most say they won't remain friendly. But I have heard from a few folks that theirs are friendly and never change. I think those with that experience have a single roo, however.

I'll be that Aoxa, Delisha and a few others will have something to say from experience.