The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Didymus]

All those darling chicks! It is now about 64 degrees in CO and about 40 at night. Time to plant. And i am making a big list.

Problems with my 4 hens, to laid all winter long with no light or encouragement. They are 1 years old now. We were getting 4 eggs daily, and now we are lucky to get one or maybe 2 a day. They all seem healthy and still get thieir treats of meal worms, oatmeal, sunflower seeds, veges and everything we have given them for a year. So why now this defiance?

Is there something we can give them to get them to laying again?

Sincerely,
Didymus

 

[Scott H]

Offered my broody fresh corn and BOSS last nite and she would have nothing to do with it.....left over prime rib tonite...yep, she gobbled it right up.

 

[hellbender]

Offered my broody fresh corn and BOSS last nite and she would have nothing to do with it.....left over prime rib tonite...yep, she gobbled it right up.

I know everyone does things differently ....I just make sure there's plenty of good food and fresh water available to the 'broody gals' and mine do fine. They get plenty to eat and drink, even if it's not as much as might wish. After all...they aren't working on making eggs now so a couple or three days or even a week of fasting will not kill them...in fact, I think it makes them more keen and watchful.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I would call that a very lucky escape! She must have been able to get away to some safe space?

She was apparently able to get away and get into the chicken house. Wound is very bad.

All those darling chicks! It is now about 64 degrees in CO and about 40 at night. Time to plant. And i am making a big list.

Problems with my 4 hens, to laid all winter long with no light or encouragement. They are 1 years old now. We were getting 4 eggs daily, and now we are lucky to get one or maybe 2 a day. They all seem healthy and still get thieir treats of meal worms, oatmeal, sunflower seeds, veges and everything we have given them for a year. So why now this defiance?

Is there something we can give them to get them to laying again?

Sincerely,
Didymus

The twin!

Sounds like by their age they were on their first laying year and they usually do lay through the winter then because of age.

If I"m not mistaken, they will do a bit of a slow-down now naturally then pick up in a few weeks. Don't panic as long as they look healthy. It's good for their system to get a little rest to rebuild.

Anyone else want to chime in?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
I also think the fast is good for them. Cleans out the system just like it does with people.

Strangely enough, my girl that has brooded twice (8 mos apart) always looks the healthiest...more healthy than all the others a few weeks after the brood and continuing on. She has the shiniest feathers and looks the best physically.

I'm guessing it's because her system gets that rest - even from eating.

 

[CoopChick719]

I've already posted on the emergency thread but looking for advice from my trusted friends here. I have a 3 week old meat bird who is not standing. No obvious illness symptoms. What can I do for him? Separate him? Vitamins? Molasses? I have been putting ACV in one of their waterers. Plain water in the other one. Any advice?

 

[Scott H]

 
Offered my broody fresh corn and BOSS last nite and she would have nothing to do with it.....left over prime rib tonite...yep, she gobbled it right up.  

I know everyone does things differently ....I just make sure there's plenty of good food and fresh water available to the 'broody gals' and mine do fine.  They get plenty to eat and drink, even if it's not as much as might wish.  After all...they aren't working on making eggs now so a couple or three days or even a week of fasting will not kill them...in fact, I think it makes them more keen and watchful.  

Yep....but when you got three chickens and they do actually live in your backyard, you are allowed to give them a little more attention.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

I've already posted on the emergency thread but looking for advice from my trusted friends here. I have a 3 week old meat bird who is not standing. No obvious illness symptoms. What can I do for him? Separate him? Vitamins? Molasses? I have been putting ACV in one of their waterers. Plain water in the other one. Any advice?

Yeah do all that. Your instincts are good.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Yeah do all that. Your instincts are good.

And hope for the best

 

[armorfirelady]

@Leahs Mom
So sorry to hear about mrs gray. But I am glad to hear she made it safely in the coop. Are you going to continue putting Nustock on it for a few days to see how it heals. I would try some coconut oil for her to eat. I've had good luck with it on my face where I got stitches. Why I suggest she eat it instead is because it melts so fast I don't think you could get enough on her and I didn't want the other hens to try and eat it off her.

A little humor for the day. My son was home,today & was helping me with yard work. He asked me if he could put our oldest male cat in with the hens. I said sure. We went in with him and poor max was more worried about the hens then they were with him. They kept an eye on him and Edie & Stella wandered close enough to check him out. Max just wanted back in the yard. I found it amusing since in the house he is king & even the 2 dogs are Leary near him. He bites them when they chase him.

No hen was in danger- max is an inside cat who we put out on a harness when we are out. He is a great mouser inside but I knew he would have no interest in the hens. To bad really since I could put him in their fenced area for him to roam a few hours a day. I also forgot my phone so no pics. I swear Edie made herself look 2 times larger. quite entertaining