The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

Thought I'd share a pic... this is Victor - Rhodebar cockerel.
Rhodebars, for those unfamiliar, are a barred, autosexed version of the RIR.
They are a rare breed from Britian... my current HRIR breeding program involves improvements in the US Rhodebar genetics also.
Victor is now 22 weeks old...he is one of two cockerels who will be breeding this coming season...
One to current Rhodebar hens, the other to a group of excellent HRIR hens to create the first generation
of what I hope will be some vast improvement to the Rhodebar genetics.
He is quite young still, but he's coming along relative to many other Rhodebars I've seen - I think he'll be a good one.

Just watch his tail isn't pinched - it looks like it may be in the photo. That is hard to breed out in my experience. His colour is beautiful! I don't know much else about the breed though

 

[aoxa]

You know you want to smooch her!

 

[RedRidge]

Thought I'd share a pic... this is Victor - Rhodebar cockerel. Rhodebars, for those unfamiliar, are a barred, autosexed version of the RIR. They are a rare breed from Britian... my current HRIR breeding program involves improvements in the US Rhodebar genetics also. Victor is now 22 weeks old...he is one of two cockerels who will be breeding this coming season... One to current Rhodebar hens, the other to a group of excellent HRIR hens to create the first generation of what I hope will be some vast improvement to the Rhodebar genetics. He is quite young still, but he's coming along relative to many other Rhodebars I've seen - I think he'll be a good one.

Just watch his tail isn't pinched - it looks like it may be in the photo. That is hard to breed out in my experience. His colour is beautiful! I don't know much else about the breed though

oh his tail is pinched... And he is not near brick shaped enough. .. that's why the girls who were chosen for him Excel at those two characteristics. That said. .. I have yet to see one as nice as he is so... I'll take it. ;-) And I could go on. .. He needs better type all the way around, more chest, better horn color on both beak and legs, and comb ... And I could go on. Hoping my HRIR girls will work wonders with him. LOL

 

[lazy gardener]

You know you want to smooch her!

Oh, yeah! And hug her and squeeze her and call her George.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
Thanks, I will look into those. I think I will need a base but that should be easier than building all new pallet feeders. our pallet feeders worked great but they only lasted 6 months at most. They were just a flat bottom and 4 short sides so very similar in design to a gutter feeder, I'm guessing.

 

[lalaland]

update on Mrs. Murphy:
she is still here, but not really improving. Very very emaciated. I've been feeding her lots of fresh garlic, yogurt, buttermilk, eggs, canned cat food, oat groats. ACV in the water. Dosing with vitamins every other day for 3 days. I notice she does spend time on her hocks, and one foot is usually curled up tight.

What I'm thinking:
1. I made a big mistake butchering the roosters - I never cut into an intestine. I wish I had to see if there was evidence of worms, as I am thinking that is Mrs. Murphy's issue.
2. Cocci would not explain the emaciation.
3. She had access to food, so flock dynamics don't explain near starvation
4. she has an appetite and seems to be eating well, but very thirsty.
5. droppings now a little watery with a peasoup colored pasty to solid turd, white urates there too. some cecal poops. .


So, I'm going to do the unnatural thing and go with a wormer. Here's why:
1. I should do a fecal test, but with my work schedule, I can't get that done til Monday, not sure if she can last that long. And I would have to take off work Monday too....
2. I thought about doing the kerosene on water, or soapy water, but she is very ill.
3. I can get safeguard paste for about $8 today, and get it in to her tonight.

Future thoughts:
1. I really have to give serious thought to moving the coop and run to new, clean ground. They have been in the same place for 6 years, and although it is a very very large run, I have had enough problems this year that perhaps I need to do it. It will be a horrible hassle, and a big investment, but I am going to try hard to do it next spring when I can lay the new fences, etc.


By the way, flock has good feed, acv, garlic, access almost daily to free range for at least a couple of hours, etc.
Not a happy camper today.

 

[lindz8504]

I am on page 144! YAY, only a couple thousand more to go!

I saw where someone was going to tell how they sprouted BOSS... but I haven't found it yet.... I am wanting to figure out ways to stretch our feed costs out this winter, and still provide the girls with greens and goodies! What else can I sprout that is easily found and doesn't cost a fortune?

 

[CoopChick719]

I want one... Doing gutter feeders again this winter, and I think it would be great.. if it was fire safe. Definitely not around the goats though. I can see them chewing it :|

We had some old gutter from the house that attached to the run. Long enough some everyone has a spot. Angled down so even the Silkies can reach a portion of it. When I went into the garage looking for gutter hangers, DH says "WHAT you doing now?!"

Try googling Blue Yurt Farms. She is having a hen bag giveaway


I'd totally collect eggs in it.

X2--wicked cute!

The 5 gallon buckets has been fermenting in the house and I just moved it next to the wood stove to see if it starts to ferment faster.
Thanks!!

Hi AFL, Be careful of moving your FF next to the stove. I did that last year and had a whole batch mold on me. Just keep an eye on it.

Scary day today. Pretty sure they knew the hawks were out there.

So glad everyone is okay!! Very scary stuff!

gutter feeders? Do you have a picture? is it as simple as going to the hardware store and buying a short section of guttering?

Mine were old pieces of leftover gutter from the house. Found some endcaps & gutter hangers, we were all set!

 

[Alibabe]

update on Mrs. Murphy:
she is still here, but not really improving. Very very emaciated. I've been feeding her lots of fresh garlic, yogurt, buttermilk, eggs, canned cat food, oat groats. ACV in the water. Dosing with vitamins every other day for 3 days. I notice she does spend time on her hocks, and one foot is usually curled up tight.

What I'm thinking:
1. I made a big mistake butchering the roosters - I never cut into an intestine. I wish I had to see if there was evidence of worms, as I am thinking that is Mrs. Murphy's issue.
2. Cocci would not explain the emaciation.
3. She had access to food, so flock dynamics don't explain near starvation
4. she has an appetite and seems to be eating well, but very thirsty.
5. droppings now a little watery with a peasoup colored pasty to solid turd, white urates there too. some cecal poops. .


So, I'm going to do the unnatural thing and go with a wormer. Here's why:
1. I should do a fecal test, but with my work schedule, I can't get that done til Monday, not sure if she can last that long. And I would have to take off work Monday too....
2. I thought about doing the kerosene on water, or soapy water, but she is very ill.
3. I can get safeguard paste for about $8 today, and get it in to her tonight.

Future thoughts:
1. I really have to give serious thought to moving the coop and run to new, clean ground. They have been in the same place for 6 years, and although it is a very very large run, I have had enough problems this year that perhaps I need to do it. It will be a horrible hassle, and a big investment, but I am going to try hard to do it next spring when I can lay the new fences, etc.


By the way, flock has good feed, acv, garlic, access almost daily to free range for at least a couple of hours, etc.
Not a happy camper today.

See if you can get hold of some of this product - completely natural and organic and very good for your chickens. Available in US - http://www.ropapharm.com/global/animal-species/poultry I
http://www.ropastore.com/us/ropapoultry

 

[Leahs Mom]

Lala...I'm watching both places to see how it turns out.

Lindz - I'll send you a link so you can find it quicker.