The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Jewelwing]

that's true but when you get a puppy-- you get a small tragedy.... chances are, you are going to outlive that thing.... and it is going to end in heartbreak! (Not that kids don't break your heart....cause they definitely do......)

Your kids are young yet, just wait and see...

Oh, wait, maybe that was just my kids!

Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love my pets, but I've gotten higher highs and lower lows from having kids. I guess with pets, the heartbreak is inevitable, whereas with children, you don't see it coming.

 

[CourtsCacklers]

Your kids are young yet, just wait and see...

Oh, wait, maybe that was just my kids!

Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love my pets, but I've gotten higher highs and lower lows from having kids. I guess with pets, the heartbreak is inevitable, whereas with children, you don't see it coming.

Oh... I know... trust me.... I have seen my parents go through more than most can even imagine with 2 of my 3 siblings....some of the moments I've hardly understood how my parents have made it through. Both of these siblings have made such terrible decisions that no parent ever dares to dream that their children will make. I have told my husband over and over that I feel like this is the biggest fear I have about having kids is that you reach a point that you have little to no influence over their decisions. That is why I said that kids hurt you too... but like you said...with kids you know it is inevitable. It is going to happen. One can hope that you have kids that can give you more joy then they take from you.

 

[armorfirelady]

quote name="Leahs Mom" url="/t/729605/the-natural-chicken-keeping-thread-ots-welcome/27420#post_12723117"]I've never used basil but I have used oregano.
[/quote]
Ooh maybe I got them mixed up? I use both when I have them.

 

[lindz8504]

Had to share this video of my Dane and my kids' new puppy playing together! When I first noticed them, the Dane had the puppy's whole head in his mouth, and all I saw was his nose on one side, and his body on the other! LOL...... AND NO, I don't worry about the Dane hurting the puppy! He is amazingly gentle!

 

[Scott H]

Stinkin cute!

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
sorry, I don't do girls. they tend to be stubborn and demanding. the boys are the snuggle bugs and way easier to house train IMO. the only place he's ever marked is at mominlaw's, because a few fosters also marked the same spot and now everyone does periodically... once the smell is there it's hard to get rid of. so I just didn't allow it to start. summer's easier for a pup too, because the screen door stays open and they can come and go at will so learn easily where they are supposed to go, and just do.

 

[TeaChick]

I found my new junior rooster pecked to death this morning.
Separated the other new chickens; I could just see walking in to each of them dead the mornings in a row & there's no need of that.
I'm so ******!
I guess I have two separate flocks now. Wish I weren't. so nice and hast let them basically kill/starve for innocent chickens before I figured out that they're just....like this.
I'm just so ******!!!!!
Sorry.

 

[Turkeytruff]

So sorry to hear that teachick! (( ))

 

[fenwickchic]

My girls finally decided to come out into the "new" covered run yesterday but I probably won't even open the door today-- it is much too cold--I am trying to establish a good deep litter system in that covered part of the run so it is a good ecosystem for them to dig around in no matter what part of the year. In the coop it just stays really clean besides the poop boards and that poop I just take out to the compost. I can't see throwing it on the floor-- I don't like them scratching through their own poop excessively for treats when I throw them on the floor. We talked about a tractor when we first got chickens because we had a very old lab who's retriever instinct always got excited when she saw the chickens-- they couldn't free-range at that time because of her. We never built one but would love to have one for when I have to separate a chicken or if I ever had a hen go broody (and I got her some fertilized eggs) she could have her own space and some foraging with her chicks undisturbed!

I do NOT have a sewing machine.... I could sew if I needed to but I have little experience-- unless it is hand sewing.... Strong or not-- I am sure that no hawk would want to be "tangled" up in it!!!!
I need to get some curtains for my nesting boxes. So I might have to muster up my sewing skills! They use the boxes fine-- but I know curtains are a nice addition....Maybe I just need you to live near me!

That is what I am hoping; that the hawks/vultures would get tangled if they tried to get in. I would love living near you! Unfortunately, when I move it will most likely be south where it warmer. LOL Speaking of curtains... As for curtains for the nesting boxes, I sewed some and the hens pulled them down. I don't know whether they didn't like them or just thought it would be fun to peck at them. If I try it again, I'll need a better way to attach them and that part is DH's job (tractor repair/renovations in Spring). I will be the one cleaning and painting it.
I just sewed a set for my kitchen windows and even my husband liked them! He rarely cares about how the house looks, so I was amazed. I tried to take a picture tonight but they turned out dark. I am also sewing matching chair cushions. That picture turned out great. I've got other fabric that I've made a table cloth out of and will make toaster cover and mixer cover, etc. I'll show you a piece of that fabric too. I am also just thrilled with the Rooster jar(?) that I bought to hold food scraps to take to the compost pile. My DH was just putting them in an open bowl and it looked disgusting. I am really loving this chicken stuff too much. I've started sprouting for them too. Not sure how this is going to turn out. I've also been fermenting their feed so they are making me pretty busy. LOL

 

[Leahs Mom]

I found my new junior rooster pecked to death this morning.
Separated the other new chickens; I could just see walking in to each of them dead the mornings in a row & there's no need of that.
I'm so ******!
I guess I have two separate flocks now. Wish I weren't. so nice and hast let them basically kill/starve for innocent chickens before I figured out that they're just....like this.
I'm just so ******!!!!!
Sorry.

Don't be sorry. I'd be *#@ too!

I think you'll find that you can integrate them better when they can get outside and have plenty of space in the warmer weather. In the meantime, it seems we're all having to make adjustments during the winter when they're under closer quarters.

It's very upsetting and I'm sorry you had to go out and find that. :|