The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

Speaking of predators.. Saw a big fox this morning. A very well fed looking fox anyway. I told Susan to close the coop for the morning, but it didn't come in the yard.. *knock on wood* we are so lucky when it comes to predators.

Henry does a lot of deep barking and poops all around the perimeter. Pees too.. I am hoping this is what is keeping them at bay.

I've seen both moose and deer on the property, but the only predator I have had is a cooper hawk.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:

 

[Scott H]

LM, you are the queen of the smiley faces!

 

[armorfirelady]

Ye

LM, you are the queen of the smiley faces!

Yes she is

 

[hellbender]

Been enjoying all this predator talk. And...just for clarification... when I originally posted about the guys staking out in the barn lofts it was because the yotes were coming right into the barns and taking their sheep and/or goats. So there was a need for them to stake out and do business.

Many people that keep chickens don't have the livestock numbers that RR has so the idea of running multiple LGDs is just impractical. Even so, I love hearing about how y'all handle things because maybe some day I'll (or others of us) will have multiple livestock and will be able to justify having the LGD too.

Now...the property I live on is 12 acres right now and perhaps I'll get to use this knowledge soon!

That being said, ...what do y'all recommend for the "small flock" people who are in an area where the same predators are present, but the lots may only be 2-8 acres with a good amount of population nearby?

I use Heelers (Australian Cattle Dogs) with great success. Even though these aren't large dogs, they can be quite rough and territorial so they have to be conditioned and trained to conform to what you want then to do. I raised mine from age 8 weeks in the chicken house (starting off in a large kenned crate) and they live there now.

There are other small tough breeds that can do a good job, like the Australian shepherd, if you get a working strain as opposed to dogs that have bred for show without emphasis on working ability, the old type English shepherd, if you can find one...

I don't like border collies for this sort of work but some might...Kelpies could do if you are patient and willing to put the time into training.

All in all...for small holdings...go with the Heelers. IMHO

 

[ki4got]

Question:
I see some ppl on here (BYC and/or NCK) saying that they incubate in an incubator, then they hatch elsewhere. I don't understand, can somebody please explain?
I was under the impression that the chicks hatched in the incubator.

my hatcher is just another incubator, without the auto turner installed. I set eggs weekly (or more often sometimes) so having a dedicated hatcher makes it easier to regulate the humidity for hatching without affecting the rest of the eggs that still need to lose moisture.

it's also more convenient because it can be cleaned out between hatches and disinfected thoroughly. the incubators don't get cleaned as often, because only clean eggs go in and come out of there.

if I have a stinker or leaker (rotten eggs incubating) then it's shut down, the remaining viable eggs are moved to one of the other incubators and it's cleaned thoroughly.

but for me it's just easier to keep a dedicated hatcher and separate incubators. they keep turning and cooking while the hatcher gets all the excitement.

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
my only problem with the herding breeds, is they try herding everything! at least as far as personal experience with friends' dogs goes...

i'll stick with my multi-purpose standard poodle. LOL he's part time lgd, pretty good wounded deer tracker, full time service dog (balance and mobility issues), and currently a mudball. LOL

grooming on Friday, thinking I should bring Annie a special gift because she's going to have to WORK on him. LOL hm. wonder if she eats eggs. LOL

 

[hellbender]

my only problem with the herding breeds, is they try herding everything! at least as far as personal experience with friends' dogs goes...

i'll stick with my multi-purpose standard poodle. LOL he's part time lgd, pretty good wounded deer tracker, full time service dog (balance and mobility issues), and currently a mudball. LOL

grooming on Friday, thinking I should bring Annie a special gift because she's going to have to WORK on him. LOL hm. wonder if she eats eggs. LOL

I know better than to sell the Standard Poodles short, having seen two of them compete successfully in ScH work!!!

 

[armorfirelady]

 



Been enjoying all this predator talk.  And...just for clarification... when I originally posted about the guys staking out in the barn lofts it was because the yotes were coming right into the barns and taking their sheep and/or goats.  So there was a need for them to stake out and do business.

Many people that keep chickens don't have the livestock numbers that RR has so the idea of running multiple LGDs is just impractical.  Even so, I love hearing about how y'all handle things because maybe some day I'll (or others of us) will have multiple livestock and will be able to justify having the LGD too.

Now...the property I live on is 12 acres right now and perhaps I'll get to use this knowledge soon! 

[COLOR=FF0000]That being said, ...what do y'all recommend for the "small flock" people who are in an area where the same predators are present, but the lots may only be 2-8 acres with a good amount of population nearby?[/COLOR]

I use Heelers (Australian Cattle Dogs) with great success.  Even though these aren't large dogs, they can be quite rough and territorial so they have to be conditioned and trained to conform to what you want then to do.  I raised mine from age 8 weeks in the chicken house (starting off in a large kenned crate) and they live there now.

There are other small tough breeds that can do a good job, like the Australian shepherd, if you get a working strain as opposed to dogs that have bred for show without emphasis on working ability, the old type English shepherd, if you can find one...

I don't like border collies for this sort of work but some might...Kelpies could do if you are patient and willing to put the time into training.

All in all...for small holdings...go with the Heelers.  IMHO

I have a. Heeler mix and she is a great dog. Listens well to commands but has chased a chicken when it got out. She will be turning 4 but I want to try her in with the hens this year (with me on a leash) to see how she does. I had her in there last year and when told to leave them she did. But I don't trust her alone with them. That will take time. She is food orientated & chicken poop yuck! But I'd like to see how she does. My dogs are house dogs. Not protectors of the yard. And she is such a baby she doesn't like to be in the dark alone. Always made me wonder if she doesn't see well at night? When we camp she is at my feet once it gets dark. But she does seem to hear exceptionally well.

Ay Aussie/lab mix is super energized & not trusted with the hens at all. He drools when he sees them. As dinner.

Thank goodness for electric netting keeps the dogs out. The heeler took 3 days of touching it to finally realize it stings

 

[hellbender]

I have a. Heeler mix and she is a great dog. Listens well to commands but has chased a chicken when it got out. She will be turning 4 but I want to try her in with the hens this year (with me on a leash) to see how she does. I had her in there last year and when told to leave them she did. But I don't trust her alone with them. That will take time. She is food orientated & chicken poop yuck! But I'd like to see how she does. My dogs are house dogs. Not protectors of the yard. And she is such a baby she doesn't like to be in the dark alone. Always made me wonder if she doesn't see well at night? When we camp she is at my feet once it gets dark. But she does seem to hear exceptionally well.

Ay Aussie/lab mix is super energized & not trusted with the hens at all. He drools when he sees them. As dinner.

Thank goodness for electric netting keeps the dogs out. The heeler took 3 days of touching it to finally realize it stings

Honestly, for this kind of work, 8 week old pups are almost required. Any dog that is older is simply too old to properly imprint to deal with chickens. As it was, It was 'nip and tuck' for a while.

A dog up to one year or more can be taught to live with birds in peace but I don't think they could ever bond with them and might likely give the impression that they were safe...until your back is turned and then...the feathers would certainly fly!