The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

Thank you, delisha.  This morning they were fine.  The very tips of my rooster's comb is a little blackish, but it has been that way for a couple of weeks. I don't see any blisters and he and the hens seem fine.  They are not appreciating the snow at all.  

I am really not too impressed with the little coop.  It seems too small for my 5 chickens, especially when they won't come out because of the snow.  I am grateful that the run has a little roof, so they can at least spend time there, snow free.  I still feel like they don't have enough space though.  I am working on plans for a much larger coop and run.  I will be adding at least 15 more layers and would like to butcher meat birds as well.  I am thinking that the little coop may work better as a brooder.

Merry Christmas!  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

I started out with one of those small coops the summer before last when I started with 4 hens. It was great when they were small but as they grew it seemed cramped even with an attached run. Last spring I made a hoop coop for them and they seemed lost in all that room but I added 4 more hens and its a great size for 8 hens. On snowy days when they don't want to venture out they have more than enough room to stay out of each other's way.

Bigger is def better in my opinion. I am limited bu the number Of hens I have because of local laws but if I wasn't I would make an open air style coop that would hold everyone well. And have a large run with roof and half covered sides to ensure plenty of room for the winter months.

 

[TeaChick]

Happy Holidays to each and everyone of you..

And to you too, Hon!

That would be awesome!!
Hahaha. You should finish it!

We will. I reminded DH last night, so he'll take care of that. ;-)

 

[Scott H]

I agree with Delisha... With that small of a coop that's the only place they can get away from the open door. .. And if that's your only ventilation. ...

 

[Shan30]

Leah's mom, I love the baby chicks dustbathing with mom.  The plastic tote looks like it would work, I'm just trying to spend less....
AFL, wonder why they wouldn't use the cardboard box.  I think I could find one about the sizeof leahsmom's plastic tub...could cut down the sides maybe.

Looks like you have peat moss in there, that would help the extend the wood ashes

I used a cardboard box once, within days there was a chicken shaped hole in the bottom. I use a dresser drawer now. Mine never leave anything in the dust box for long. They fling it, eat it, a whole bucket full of ash lasts 2-3 days tops.

 

[armorfirelady]

Merry Christmas from our hen house to yours

Girls are not impressed with the snow falling today. But its nice to have a white Christmas

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Quote: Relatives...traveling..ugh..it is bitter cold.
Yeah.

 

[Scott H]

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Merry Christmas

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to both of you!

 

[Pozees]

Aoxa, today I gave DH his gift - a camera like yours - and he was wondering whether you can get much video on a 16gb memory card. He is also a bit overwhelmed at how much information is on the pdf manual that came with it, but I suspect over the next several days he will wade through it Do you keep an extra set of batteries for yours?