The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[ki4got]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/857376/dorking-importation-project I started a page specifically to discuss the dorking importation, if anyone is interested, but the primary work will be on facebook...

 

[NanaLynn]

I haven't witnessed this personally. My kids (old enough to understand) are telling me that she's doing "the same thing" as my rooster does. I think she's showing dominance (like puppies mounting each other, not mating, just acting out I'm bigger than you or stronger or whatever, better and higher in the pack, at any rate).
Thank you very much!!!
I don't think fluids are being exchanged, but the main concern is whether Marigold is a pullet or a cockerel.

I have a White Rock that does the same to some of the younger pullets that we have. She hops on their backs and pulls their feathers on their necks. The younger pullets are scared of her and try to avoid her. They seem okay after she is done, but I thought it was a bit strange at first too. She is for sure a hen and she lays a nice extra large egg. She will probably be one of the first to go here since she is the most aggressive hen, everyone else seems to get along fine together, she is the only one who adds trouble of my 22 chickens. (Well for now, anyway)

 

[Jewelwing]

Finished digging out the chicken door end of the coop. Drifts were 3-4' high, and no sooner did I have the chicken door open then there were hens coming on out for some sun and fresh air. Some even were dustbathing in the powder snow that had blown under the coop.

That reminds me of this video. Cows are just big chickens, I guess!

http://blog.petflow.com/a-group-of-...lieve-what-the-cows-did-when-they-were-freed/

 

[armorfirelady]

Got my billboard for free.............now it just needs to warm up so I can take the tarp of the hoop coop and put the billboard on it

Stella's head still looks the same but there doesn't seem to be any more feather loss. Hopefully the big girls leave her alone after a beak full of Nustock

 

[Scott H]

What's on the billboard!? :-D

 

[lalaland]

Got my billboard for free.............now it just needs to warm up so I can take the tarp of the hoop coop and put the billboard on it

Stella's head still looks the same but there doesn't seem to be any more feather loss. Hopefully the big girls leave her alone after a beak full of Nustock

thats great! good score.

Funny, I have a hen that looks like stella now, but she also has a little blood around the area. I think it is from the rooster, as she won't quat for him. I haven't gotten the new nustock yet to replace the gunk full of glass shards from the cats mishaps.

I finally found some hay - it has been difficult to find any small bales this year - and hauled them out to the coop today. The girls think it is christmas and are working hard on the bales. I'm thankful to have some to replenish the nests, as the sulmtalers seem to like to empty the nest out of hay.

Also opened the people door so the sun could pour in, and there is a mass of hens sunbathing in the sun. makes for a happy sunday! they aren't going out on their own today because of the high winds.

 

[armorfirelady]

What's on the billboard!? :-D

Volunteer firefighters from a campaign they ran last last fall. So excited I got it. Of course they want me to have the people on the outside when I put it on the coop but I told them it couldn't be seen from the road so the girls will have people staring at them as they roost And any leftover big pieces will be used to cover fire wood.

Lala my girls are enjoying the sunshine today as well. It's a good deal warmer in the coop today, I bought some plexiglass to put more windows in the coop when I put the billboard on. I like the light inside and I think the girls do also. They like to sit on the middle of the roost & gaze out their picture window at night.

If your girls don't eat all the hay you could repurpose it this spring. I read in a magazine about using hay bales to start plants earlier in the spring. So that what my hay bales will be used for this spring. Then they will become compost in the fall. I'm big on waste not want not this year. My nye resolution was to use more and waste less. So far so good

Eta I put my Nustock in a different container that can easily be shook since the tube it comes in is always so runny. Then I just squirt it where I need it. I used a mustard container last year but I need something smaller. I am thinking of one of those travel size shampoo containers from the dollar store

 

[Kassaundra]

I posted this on another thread and was asked to repost it here, so here it is.








The computer is having a seizure and won't let me paste, but these are groups of feather dusters suspended in a brooder, they allow you to have less heat light, the chicks to have a natural action of ducking under mom, a way to stay warm and be out of the light. It makes them less noisy more seemingly content. They LOVE it.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Got my billboard for free.............now it just needs to warm up so I can take the tarp of the hoop coop and put the billboard on it

Stella's head still looks the same but there doesn't seem to be any more feather loss. Hopefully the big girls leave her alone after a beak full of Nustock

YAY~!!!!!!!

I have a thought on the head and face feathers. I hope it's not right. I remembered Delisha talking about mice and rats running all over the chickens on the roosts at night if you have an infestation.

Check this out:

RATS
Quote: http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyar...I-need-to-know-about-rats-if-I-keep-H177.aspx And this video...
This is a pretty disturbing video. At least when they go towards the chickens they peck them away. Chickens can't see at night, however, so if there are enough of the rats you can see how this could be a problem.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I posted this on another thread and was asked to repost it here, so here it is.








The computer is having a seizure and won't let me paste, but these are groups of feather dusters suspended in a brooder, they allow you to have less heat light, the chicks to have a natural action of ducking under mom, a way to stay warm and be out of the light. It makes them less noisy more seemingly content. They LOVE it.

Thank you. I LOVE THIS!!!!!