The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[lalaland]

I haven't posted a whole lot of new pictures on this thread in a while, as I do most of that from my Facebook Farm Page now, but had to share this girl. I think she is really something

she is gorgeous!

 

[lalaland]

Because of the big storm, I got to work from home today. So when it got light out, I went and thoroughly shoveled out the coop and a good portion of the run. And do you know those stinkers wouldn't come out? So, I tried to bribe them with seeds, got 4 out,.....went back in the house.

Came back out at 10, and there were 15 still in the coop! So I had to go chase them out. Some I can pick up and carry out, some fly out in panic because I am in the coop, and some I have to shoo with a broom, going in circles. Geesh. I keep telling them, this is your new normal and you better get used to it!

Come Thursday I won't be here to shoo them out and they will be on their own. I keep telling myself they won't starve to death or dehydrate, they WILL come out on their own. But!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Lala - I go out w/a broom and try to sweep back enough snow that they can see some of the ground through the snow. I think that helps some but they were all coop potatoes when it snowed last week. They did end up coming out some after a couple days of getting used to the new look.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Has anyone used heat tape to keep waterers or ff containers from freezing? If so, please give us a review:

-How did you use it? On what kind of container and what were you heating?)
-Did you like/dislike it? Would you recommend it or warn against it?

 

[delisha]

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.

There is always risk ..if you leaves are damp..mix them with dry straw or wood chips or toss in corn and let the birds stir it in.

Quote:
The young birds are still an issue. I am still medicating and have 10 days left. I have a few young birds exibiting wry neck symptoms. I am considering stopping treatment. Frustrating to say the least. I have not lost any more birds, but some of the younger birds have be very concerned.

I feed non-soy. Originally had it formulated by the feed mill and now I just make my own using their recipe. I can send the recipe by pm if you want. The recipe is very basic. In addition they get all kinds of other things including ranging when it's available.

The GM organisms may not be the biggest issue in GM feed. One of the main problems I see with it is that it is designed to handle a huge uptake of glyphosates which conventional grains can't handle. The pesticide issue isn't an "on the surface of the item" problem which can be washed off; it's a problem "in the structure" of the plant that we or our animals are ingesting. It has definitely been proven that it affects reproductive organs causing the animals tested (and some people) to have problems reproducing which becomes more pronounced in offspring and further generations.

That is one of the main reasons I want to avoid GM products if I can. There are plenty of studies on the effects of glyphosates on the endocrine system.

I also feed soy free..for my health too since I eat my birds. I always try to purchase grains for farmers who have tons of weeds. I do have weedy grains..but I am not worried about that.

Quote: I do not purchase corn myself..I try to grow enough to last the winter. This year was horrible for corn and I have non. I am considering to purchase it after my bagged experience.

Thoughts and advice, please.

Here are the dynamics:
6 hens 1.5 yo
2 Pullets will be 1 yo end of December
3 (I think Pullets) 13 wks old
1 Roo will be 1 yo end of December

Mom has ditched the 13 week olds. They're fending for themselves.

The 2 pullets that are coming up on a year old are seeming to be at the bottom of pecking order among the adult group but one is more protected by the Roo. The other has trouble getting feed and runs if any of them even looks her way. If I'm throwing down individual pieces of meat she WILL get her share. She's quick that way. Just doesn't seem to be able to stand and eat feed at peace.

I have 2 feed stations inside the coop and I throw feed outside in the run on the ground as well. She still runs and doesn't seem to get her share of the feed.

The older girls take all the good stuff out of the feed and leave the peas. It seems that she always misses the other stuff. I wish I had that second coop ready. If I did, I'd divide this group into 2 anyhow. But I don't.

I have a protected area that the 13 week olds can go into that the others won't fit so they are faring okay that way.


Any ideas on how I can be sure the one pullet in particular - and her sister - get their share of the regular feed?

How much does she weigh? Is she thin? Are you seeing health issues? If she looks and acts healthy..stop worrying.

Check these hawk shelters out. I really like! Reminds me of AFL's little huts.

Reposted from the Indiana Thread:


Perfect idea..

Has anyone used heat tape to keep waterers or ff containers from freezing? If so, please give us a review:

-How did you use it? On what kind of container and what were you heating?)
-Did you like/dislike it? Would you recommend it or warn against it?

I would like to know too..

 

[Kassaundra]

We have always used a cookie tin water heater. It has always worked well for us.

 

[CRSelvey]

Hi All, Leahs Mom told me about your thread, so I wanted to say hello. Here is an updated photo of the pallet hut for the chickens after my DD and I covered it with more branches. I'm not sure how long it will take to turn into a big mess out there, but it should work for awhile.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Quote: Not much. Been really busy and the cold doesn't help much either. Its below zero now.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Quote: Agreed!

 

[armorfirelady]

My little huts but the dust but I didn't expect them to last long since the wood was so detiorated anyways. The large a frame is working fine and I out plastic on the long sides to keep the wind and snow out, the leaves under there are dry & the girls love going under there to scratch