The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Shan30]

actually, that's how he got his name...  he whacked his head during a coon raid when he was a chick, kept falling over sideways. 2 guineas I had in the brooder at the time kept huddling up to him for warmth and propped him up so he could eat and drink...  it took a few days before he could walk normally, but he got better. as you can see. he's going on 2 now.

That's so sweet I'm always amazed by how flock orientated the guineas are. Especially with the Chanteclers they were brood mates with. They follow the rooster everywhere. We call him king of the guineas. Unfortunately I got them for tick control and now they won't leave the run. They are perfectly capable:/ of flying out but they panic when they can't find one of the chickens. Should have heard the racket for days after we lost the three birds.:/

 

[Shan30]

Wow did you alter the colour on the first picture of Phoenix Justine? That's intense!

 

[lazy gardener]

Gorgeous silkie crosses BTW. Re: feed: I think and this is only my opinion that the current whoop re: corn and soy and GMO is a fad. I'm not saying that I'm not at all concerned, because I am, so much so that I'm choosing OP garden seeds and saving my own seeds where practical, and choosing to garden, and choosing to raise chickens for eggs, and choosing to butcher my own culls, and soon planning to grow chickens for my own kitchen use. IMO, the average American food diet is so far removed from the ideal, that GMO is just one more layer in the trend to produce food that fills the belly but does not provide healthy nutrition. To the OP: re: feed which contains soy and corn. You have to choose your own path. If you are going to get into making your own feed to satisfy the whims of one customer, you must do it for your own benefit, because you are convinced that it is a superior way to feed your flock. And if you are going to make your own feed, you probably should have a proven formulation in mind. Those recipes are out there. For my own needs, it would be prohibitive to make my own feed, as I would have to buy the grains in 50# bags, then crack them, and I only have 5 chickens. I'm far from convinced that feed store chicken feed formulations provide adequate nutrition for my flock, so, given the options available to me, I'm supplementing with BOSS seeds and sprouts, wheat and barley sprouts, allowing free range when there's vegetation to work with, plan to sprout dandelion roots as the winter drudgery continues, providing table scraps and occasional scrambled eggs. I'm sure my chickens eat better than the average American!On the other side of the discussion is the realization that past generations very successfully raised their back yard flocks without the advantage of prepared feeds.

 

[aoxa]

Wow did you alter the colour on the first picture of Phoenix Justine? That's intense!

The second one has a filter, but not the first. He is VIBRANT!



Here is a close up.


This is him at almost a year old. He was 5 months in the first shot.

 

[armorfirelady]

So excited that I just had to share........first 3'eggs on Sophie my BCM. it's fun to see how each one is darker. It's like a new egg layer every day

 

[Shan30]

He's beautiful

For those of you who collect leaves for your coops... Is there any risk to the birds with regards to mould or mildew?

I have the opportunity to get another 40 garbage bags from two sources but I'm a bit concerned. We live in a very wet environment.

 

[lalaland]

The second one has a filter, but not the first. He is VIBRANT!



Here is a close up.


This is him at almost a year old. He was 5 months in the first shot.

he is truly gorgeous

 

[lalaland]

So excited that I just had to share........first 3'eggs on Sophie my BCM. it's fun to see how each one is darker. It's like a new egg layer every day

ooooh, beautiful color! congrats

 

[lalaland]

Your legbar will be first - mark my words!! Followed by your Sulmtalers.

I'll keep you posted! Although I think Seaquist is in the running too since her comb is so danged red.

 

[lalaland]

I would say you leghorn cross is first..amelia, angelina, the other two on the bottom and your ameraucaunas last. They take 7-12 months.

OK, I have your bet and Justine's....here's hoping I will know whose egg is whose!

Delisha, any updates on your flock?