The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: I believe they are made from maple. It is a very hard wood that's often used for fermenting and for items like cheese boards, etc.

Since you have an Amish community somewhat near you, you may be able to find them there. Here in our area there is one of the men that makes them and supplies them to one of the hardwares where a lot of the Amish community shops. They are well-made (look like Lehman's who also employ an Amish man to make those) and the price is reasonable.

 

[aoxa]

Why do you want to keep bugs out?
I don't cover mine at all.

I only try to avoid bugs in summer. The fruit flies were insane. So much so I stopped fermenting and just soaked.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Well I guess I'm a meanie... my chicks (in jan and feb) go from incubator to outside brooder.
They can get under heat lamp, or walk away...
They stay in brooder #1 for 3 weeks (probably around 90 if you are "right under" light.
Then they go to brooder #2 for 2-3 weeks... much higher light, about 70 right under light.
Then they go to grow out pens... YES in Feb...
Last year I did not loose one chick... they are hardier than most folks think.

Not a meanie! When they're ready, they're ready!

I'm always surprised how quickly they don't need supplemental heat. If you read some sources, you'd think they would drop right over dead but mine have always been ready earlier than I thought they would be.

 

[armorfirelady]

I just dip the feed I'm going to use into my (PLASTIC

) bucket that has a handle, carry it to the feeders and put it in.

OMG I need to copy & save this.......PLASTIC???? YOU???
(actually I remember you saying you used a plastic bucket but its still amusing as anti plastic you are.......

)

 

[ki4got]

The inverted black can is perfect! Allows for off-gassing and keeps the buggies out too

Here's a 10 gallon one: http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11930039

that 10 gallon one makes me wonder, has anyone found a stock tank de-icer that's maybe enamel coated that could be used IN the ferment, outside, to keep it from freezing? has anyone looked? LOL (cropped quote for space saving)

 

[armorfirelady]

that 10 gallon one makes me wonder, has anyone found a stock tank de-icer that's maybe enamel coated that could be used IN the ferment, outside, to keep it from freezing? has anyone looked? LOL (cropped quote for space saving)

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/SolarHorseTank/SolarHorseTank.htm

This is what my Friday morning project is going to be................but I am making a smaller version for my FF bucket

If this doesn't work then I am probably going to get a heated feed bucket for the FF

 

[ki4got]

Quote: Well I guess I'm a meanie... my chicks (in jan and feb) go from incubator to outside brooder.
They can get under heat lamp, or walk away...
They stay in brooder #1 for 3 weeks (probably around 90 if you are "right under" light.
Then they go to brooder #2 for 2-3 weeks... much higher light, about 70 right under light.
Then they go to grow out pens... YES in Feb...
Last year I did not loose one chick... they are hardier than most folks think.
I agree... 2 years ago my guys went outside in jan/feb. moved into the doghouse, with a 40 watt heat emitter inside and a horse blanket draped over the top of it. they did just fine all winter.

last year I turned off the incubator for a couple months, so babies went out in march when it started warming up again.

 

[Leahs Mom]

AFL...Can't wait to see if that solar contraption works. You'll have to give us updates throughout the winter.

And...I'm surprised you didn't just

At my mention of plastic

 

[ki4got]

re-reading my last post it occurred to me, at this rate i'll have babies all winter. leigh keeps giving me sfh eggs to incubate. LOL

 

[aoxa]

re-reading my last post it occurred to me, at this rate i'll have babies all winter. leigh keeps giving me sfh eggs to incubate. LOL

I haven't hatched manually since July. I have been so good. Someone needs to praise me.. This is really an amazing accomplishment. I may have stopped two weeks last year LOL