The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

My silkies roost with the BCM's. That roost is only about 3 feet off the ground and I have it for heavy breeds so they don't break a leg. The heavy breeds still use the higher roosts, but jump on the lower roost before getting off.
My silkies are not on the bottom of the pecking order, my cornish crosses are. The silkies are basically ignored. *George* has free range with all of the LF and he is constantly trying to breed everything. The other males put up with his obnoxiousness unless a girls screams in fright or frustration and than they come running. George leaves them alone when he sees the other males and pretend he is innocent of all charges and that the girls are at fault. I have never seen one of my males get after George ever. He needs a good trouncing but the size of a 12 lbs male against a 3lb male is not a fair fight and I think they know they would injure him.

 

[RedRidge]

I need to do leg bands. I know we've talked about this before but I wanted to ask a question or 2.

I have some of the very small zip ties in colors. I could use those but one think I'm concerned about is that they free range through wooded area and was worried that they might catch those on something that would pull them too tight.

Any comments? Should I use something different?

I've been using narrow strips of different colored vet wrap on my chicks until they are old enough for bands.
I LOVE the vet wrap... if you pinch it ever so slightly in the back as you wrap it then it is so easy to clip off (I use blunt ended cuticle scissors).
You also don't have to worry about it getting too tight too fast... there is a lot of give.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: if it is just a temp thing there are elastic bands on ebay for $6 shipped.
I'm looking at the spiral bands for once they reach laying age but I have not settled in on any listing yet as I really only need 1 color a yr and they seem to come in sets of 8 colors.

 

[armorfirelady]

I need to do leg bands. I know we've talked about this before but I wanted to ask a question or 2.

I have some of the very small zip ties in colors. I could use those but one think I'm concerned about is that they free range through wooded area and was worried that they might catch those on something that would pull them too tight.

Any comments? Should I use something different?

I use zip ties on the PRs. I dont pull them tight on them but leave enough room so it can go up the whole leg. I check them frequently when they roost. Mine dont free range in the woods but they havent caught them on anything else. I dont think they would tighten if snagged. You usually have to pull the tail end to tighten them & I cut that off right at the part the tail goes thru.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
Maybe get her some feather dye? Maybe she would like being a redhead or brunette better?

sorry couldnt resist
Too Funny !

I did think of that ...Some people said it would make it worse coz nobody would recognize her ..& she'd be pecked more
She is looking awful ...hardly any feathers on her head ...this pic is a while back... Her Feathers are worn down on her wings ..I see blood on her sometimes

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: How old can they get before they remove them themselves? Will they work for the 5 week olds and older or just for new hatched? I like that very well. I tried putting some vetwrap ones on when they were newly hatched and the next time I'd go out they were off...several times

They were hard to get on well when they were little!

 

[aoxa]

LM all your chicks look like girls so far. You'd be very lucky!

 

[Leahs Mom]

LM all your chicks look like girls so far. You'd be very lucky!

I'd LOVE it if that were the case!

I've been looking for wattles and so far they're pretty much the same on all and not very pronounced. 5 weeks.... I figured that by 6.5 - 7 I should see something more definite!

 

[BlueMouse]

I have been using the small zip ties. I just cut of the tail completely even with the latch, and it can't get caught and pull tighter. I keep an eye on them to make sure they're not getting too small. Normally I use it to mark a bird that has been injured and will need re-checking, or to remembver which guineas are girls and which are boys. I've put them on quite loosely, and not had a problem yet.

 

[aoxa]

I'd LOVE it if that were the case!

I've been looking for wattles and so far they're pretty much the same on all and not very pronounced. 5 weeks.... I figured that by 6.5 - 7 I should see something more definite!

I really think they are.. You've had such good luck with your ratios.