The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Jewelwing]

My girls LOVE grass clippings in the nest boxes. I rake some up in the summer and store in garbage bags. They love making nests in it. I just refresh it with more from time to time. Maybe next summer you could save some up.




In the broody box too.

Great idea! Too late for this winter, but definitely on my list for next summer. Whose dark brown eggs are those?

Thanks for everyone for the tips on looking at the vents. I'll try to see what I can!

 

[Jewelwing]

We use shavings and leaves and stuff for bedding, and hay in the nesting boxes. We tried shavings in the nesting boxes, but the hay works a lot better in our opinion ... our girls are vigorous scratchers, so just kick the shavings out of the boxes, which might be because the boxes are pretty big so they *can* scratch around in them.

I'm not sure about using hay, because I don't think I could find any around here that hasn't been sprayed. I'm going to hang on and see what happens when (if) they start laying in the boxes. Maybe it'll be fine to use the shredded paper...

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I'm not sure about using hay, because I don't think I could find any around here that hasn't been sprayed. I'm going to hang on and see what happens when (if) they start laying in the boxes. Maybe it'll be fine to use the shredded paper...

No organic hay in your area? I hadn't thought of that ... I admit I haven't worried about that yet. The last batch of hay I got from "our" land and it was cut from an unsprayed weed field ...

 

[Sally8]

Hope everyone is having a great Christmas. My Mom knew how much I missed my George so she got me a Roo that I could have

The light inside is on a timer. And he is very quiet

Afl - I am just amazed at how much like George it looks. Your mom did a great job at the likeness. lol

 

[armorfirelady]

LM my plastic bottle in the heated dog bowl is not freezing. But I need to find a smaller bottle. I don't think there is enough room for them to drink from it. I think the OJ bottle will work. Just waiting on my son to finish it up.

I moved the A frame about 3 feet from where they exit their covered walk way & as long as I keep the snow shoveled to the ground they will come outside to eat their veggies. There is a bale under there as well so they tend to roost on it also.

It seems after some consideration the wreath holder dust bath is a hit. I had kicked most of the DL to the center into a big pile so the others are busy digging thru it as she dust bathes. It def keeps them busy on these cold blustery days.

Its suppose to get back in the 40s this weekend so I am hoping to get their food moved outside if possible, my fingers don't work well in cold wx so it's been hard to try and get extension cord unwoven from the cattle panel.

 

[Leahs Mom]

AFL - you'll have to show us a photo of how you did your bottle for the water.

What store did you get your wreath holder dust bath at?

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

We are having to by eggs for the first time in a long time because we are getting about three-nine eggs a day.

Lay chickens, LAY!!!!!!!


Argh!

 

[armorfirelady]

AFL - you'll have to show us a photo of how you did your bottle for the water.

What store did you get your wreath holder dust bath at?

Ok I will take pictures when I do the OJ bottle. It was super simple just drilled a hole in the bottle just below where I wanted the water to stop.

The wreath holder is from Big Lots. I only put one side out for the winter but in the spring I can put both halves out so the tots can dust in peace. I know they dust now since Edie is grey instead of white but I think the big girls tend to harrass them.

We are having to by eggs for the first time in a long time because we are getting about three-nine eggs a day.

Lay chickens, LAY!!!!!!!


Argh!

I get 1 egg a day maybe 5 days a week if I am lucky. I just keep thinking this natural slow down will mean come spring I will have more eggs than I will know what to do with.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Quote: Yeah.

 

[TeaChick]

We are having to by eggs for the first time in a long time because we are getting about three-nine eggs a day.

Lay chickens, LAY!!!!!!!


Argh!

Our production just took a dip too.
Plus, we just had a hawk (or something) scare this morning, so...... IDK how many eggs I'm going to be getting (just one today).