The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Nickeyo]

I love this thread

 

[Leahs Mom]

I love this thread

 

[Chrysolinsbirds]

ooh I love the nest boxes I have some almost just like that that my grandpa made 20 years ago they don't have the roof piece and half of them are half the size so I have bantam boxes and standard nest boxes =) those boxes will last/be sturdy for a long time, but wherever you place it keep in mind then chicken dust and regular everyday humidity will add a lot of weight over then years, I had to move mine last month =/ should of had more then two people for then job. Could of used some wheels lol

 

[Shan30]

It is mangled looking. All I see is black goo. I'm thinking it was cut into and is still there, but definitely can't be usable. I'll have to take a picture. It's not swollen shut (yet anyway)

It will probably start itching and bothering her over the next few days. I had this happen with a Barred Rock and put an antibiotic ointment for eyes in it every day for at least a week. After a few days she was scratching at it like crazy and one day when I got home it was gone and she was clearly more comfortable.

Hers was caused by a hawk attack.

She was separated from the flock by wire and hanging out with a few young pullets who were terrified by her. She never did regain her status as top hen.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Leah's Mom ~ the run is going to be on the small side for me. Kind of a back up for when I don't feel great about free ranging the adult chickens. The only thing is I don't think I want it to be a tall run. I am having trouble with that part. If it is tall, then it will end up having to have the top attach to the coop at a point that has windows creating an issue there. But us being able to enter the run is a plus too.

 

[Nomibear]

MY Grandfather is AMAZINNNG! Check out my new nesting boxes!!

Congrats on the nesting boxes! Those are awesome! Although I like the smaller set too. I might have to save that pic also.

 

[Highcotton]

The chickens found their way up to our house for the first time today! DH says he may revise his opinion of them if they start eating the "wrong" plants around the house. They were pretty happy with themselves for finding this fun new foraging spot. They probably got curious about where it is that I always go when I walk away from them! Notice their admirer in the window! It's just the sort of scene I imagined when I first thought of getting chickens.

I love it! My chickens just started meeting me out from when I come home from work this week. I come outside with the goodies and call and they follow me to the coop to get fed. I feel like the Pied Piper.

 

[lalaland]

MY Grandfather is AMAZINNNG! Check out my new nesting boxes!!

love them! is it just the photo, or are the rows at a slant so there are different sizes?

 

[Highcotton]

Books

Go to Gutenberg.org and search for "Poultry by Hugh Piper". There are a lot of good old books free on that web site.

 

[aoxa]

it will really help with the broken eggs..and yes..they are very food aggressive with lack of foraging material..try sectioning off an area in your yard at about September and plant some greens. Keep it fenced off from the birds and just let the heavies in after they get established later in the year. (spinach, kale, lettuce, cabbage, collards, squash). It will help next year this time of year. I just opened mine up..they have all of the leaves off the peppers and squash and the rest they are working on. I need to get some garlic over there like last week.

What about the goats?

Goat proof garden? lol

ooh I love the nest boxes I have some almost just like that that my grandpa made 20 years ago they don't have the roof piece and half of them are half the size so I have bantam boxes and standard nest boxes =) those boxes will last/be sturdy for a long time, but wherever you place it keep in mind then chicken dust and regular everyday humidity will add a lot of weight over then years, I had to move mine last month =/ should of had more then two people for then job. Could of used some wheels lol

Thanks

It will probably start itching and bothering her over the next few days. I had this happen with a Barred Rock and put an antibiotic ointment for eyes in it every day for at least a week. After a few days she was scratching at it like crazy and one day when I got home it was gone and she was clearly more comfortable.

Hers was caused by a hawk attack.

She was separated from the flock by wire and hanging out with a few young pullets who were terrified by her. She never did regain her status as top hen.

Yes it was itching her today after I applied the ointment. She can see the silkies in their pen, but does not have direct contact. She doesn't seem lonely right now.

Congrats on the nesting boxes! Those are awesome! Although I like the smaller set too. I might have to save that pic also.

Thanks

love them! is it just the photo, or are the rows at a slant so there are different sizes?

Just the photo. There are 3 nest boxes on the end that are an inch larger than the others (the fat girl boxes) But it's not crooked like the photo. My grandmother is not the best photographer. They are coming tomorrow, and I will take pictures of them all installed! I can't wait!