The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Alibabe: if hubby is saying that the run is too small... I'd listen to him... and I'd follow that up with a conversation with him... encouraging him to decide that the coop needs to be bigger too. If my hubby so much as suggested that anything related to my "farming" was too small, I'd take it and run with it so very fast that he'd wonder if a tornado just passed through!

@Alibabe and @lazy gardener

I agree. I'd let him build it as large as he'd make. You will NEVER be sorry for having too much space because there IS NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH SPACE.

Most people also end up fining that they want more birds than they originally thought so if you're in the building process I'd say to plan for at least double what you are not thinking if you can. More if possible.

You'll never regret that.

 

[Scott H]

Thanks! My wife had the day off yesterday and it was actually sunny.....she took them.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Okay. I want one of those.

One that will scare away bad guys and will NOT eat the chickens for fun.

 

[delisha]

I am getting an LGD. Maremma female in a few weeks .My DH does not know yet..and he might not be happy. But I figure the dog will save me money in birds in the long run. She might kill a few in the beginning. I lost 11 chicks and 8 juveniles last year to predators. It was an expensive year.

I have much to learn about them in the next few weeks..I am a little worried..they are with *people*. I hope that my picking the puppy up at 10-12 weeks and keeping it outside with the chickens it will bond with them right away. I was told I could pick her up at 6 weeks..I am afraid to pick her up that early. They miss many things moms can teach.

We lost power in one of the big storms and I lost a bunch of eggs. I sure wish spring would arrive. It is -18 with the wind chill. My poor birds treat this like nonsense.

 

[Scott H]

Vicki, experts reccomend 7 weeks.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Del - are you getting her locally?

 

[armorfirelady]

I am getting an LGD. Maremma female in a few weeks .My DH does not know yet..and he might not be happy. But I figure the dog will save me money in birds in the long run. She might kill a few in the beginning. I lost 11 chicks and 8 juveniles last year to predators. It was an expensive year.

I have much to learn about them in the next few weeks..I am a little worried..they are with *people*. I hope that my picking the puppy up at 10-12 weeks and keeping it outside with the chickens it will bond with them right away. I was told I could pick her up at 6 weeks..I am afraid to pick her up that early. They miss many things moms can teach.

We lost power in one of the big storms and I lost a bunch of eggs. I sure wish spring would arrive. It is -18 with the wind chill. My poor birds treat this like nonsense.

How exciting to be getting an LGD. I am sure you will do your research on how to bond them with your chickens.

And I agree with birds. I thing this weather is nonsense also. I'm out of wood & had to turn the furnace up to 65 because it was only 55 in the house when I got home. I walked around with my hoody hood up and my winter hat on. I really need to move somewhere warmer. Brrrrrrrrr

 

[lalaland]

I am getting an LGD. Maremma female in a few weeks .My DH does not know yet..and he might not be happy. But I figure the dog will save me money in birds in the long run. She might kill a few in the beginning. I lost 11 chicks and 8 juveniles last year to predators. It was an expensive year.

I have much to learn about them in the next few weeks..I am a little worried..they are with *people*. I hope that my picking the puppy up at 10-12 weeks and keeping it outside with the chickens it will bond with them right away. I was told I could pick her up at 6 weeks..I am afraid to pick her up that early. They miss many things moms can teach.

We lost power in one of the big storms and I lost a bunch of eggs. I sure wish spring would arrive. It is -18 with the wind chill. My poor birds treat this like nonsense.

wow, thats amazing news about an LGD coming to you. Very exciting, and great that so many people on this thread seem to have so much experience with them!
sorry about the power loss, and I'm with you on the S-word.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I am getting an LGD. Maremma female in a few weeks .My DH does not know yet..and he might not be happy. But I figure the dog will save me money in birds in the long run. She might kill a few in the beginning. I lost 11 chicks and 8 juveniles last year to predators. It was an expensive year.

I have much to learn about them in the next few weeks..I am a little worried..they are with *people*. I hope that my picking the puppy up at 10-12 weeks and keeping it outside with the chickens it will bond with them right away. I was told I could pick her up at 6 weeks..I am afraid to pick her up that early. They miss many things moms can teach.

We lost power in one of the big storms and I lost a bunch of eggs. I sure wish spring would arrive. It is -18 with the wind chill. My poor birds treat this like nonsense.

Would you please give us a journal on what you do as you're getting this kiddo? Mistakes and all!

It will be a great learning experience for us all and may encourage some of us to get one too!

 

[lalaland]

How exciting to be getting an LGD. I am sure you will do your research on how to bond them with your chickens.

And I agree with birds. I thing this weather is nonsense also. I'm out of wood & had to turn the furnace up to 65 because it was only 55 in the house when I got home. I walked around with my hoody hood up and my winter hat on. I really need to move somewhere warmer. Brrrrrrrrr

I just turned down my heat because of my second monthly bill in a row that was $200+. I know some of it is those danged lights for Booster's comb, and the heated water bowls. I keep the house at 62, now it is turned down to 56 or so - with infloor heat it is like a radiator - gets cold and takes a while to heat up, and once it hits temp and turns off, the heat still radiates out so it keeps getting warmer. Polar fleece and stocking caps!

Danged winds drifted over the path to the coop when I got home, so had to shovel that out tonight. Not sure if I will make it out of the driveway in the morning. I am so done with winter! My daughter pointed out that this is the coldest winter in her life, she is only 32...and it is the coldest winter in 36 years here so far.