The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

This year we have totalled 1,238 hatched chicks (any we culled are not included in this total).

 

[Leahs Mom]

This year we have totalled 1,238 hatched chicks (any we culled are not included in this total).

So....whatcha been doing with your free time?

 

[aoxa]

So....whatcha been doing with your free time?

Free time? What is that? lol

 

[lalaland]

more than a thousand chicks....thats overwhelming. What are you at now? are you selling most of them? i hope...I know you have a big beautiful barn but not that big

 

[joyfulkeeper]

I am so excited I can't stand it!!!!

At least 2 of 8 hatched, I thought last night I might have heard cheeping but thought it was wishful thinking and my imagination.  ditto this morning, and then....I saw her feathers move  and then... a beak poked out.  I am totally crazed, thank goodness there aren't any neighbors or I would be locked up, running around jumping and screaming "I GOT CHICKS"!!!!

You've got chicks! Did I call it or what? I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!

We hear lots of peeping, but we haven't seen a thing yet. I can't stand it!!! I've been out there practically all morning, but not even a little beak appeared yet.

 

[Kassaundra]

Yes, you can put the eggs from off the counter under a broody. Chances of hatching them are great if they are fertile.

 

[lazy gardener]

Coop chick: I don't think that's purslane. Purslane is more prostrate with more of a succulent leaf and stem. Think Moss Rose, or Portulaca, but the plant is more delicate, with a more rounded leaf shape.

 

[CoopChick719]

I am so excited I can't stand it!!!! At least 2 of 8 hatched, I thought last night I might have heard cheeping but thought it was wishful thinking and my imagination. ditto this morning, and then....I saw her feathers move and then... a beak poked out. I am totally crazed, thank goodness there aren't any neighbors or I would be locked up, running around jumping and screaming "I GOT CHICKS"!!!!

HOORAYY HOORAYYY!!

Congrats on the hatch, lala!!

I was at work when mine hatched. I ran into my boss' office and said, "I gotta go...I've got chicks!!" Thankfully it was a Friday and only and hour before my normal quitting time. Loved seeing those little beaks & heads pop up from under Momma's feathers!!

It is so amazing!!!! I felt exactly the same way the first time. Just wait till you see how mamma communicates with and takes care of those kiddos.

Oh...and be prepared....when mamma first meets up with any of her flock mates there will be a brawl.... and they'll quickly learn not to mess with her.

Loved hearing those little clucks of momma to the babies!!! And I didn't know my little Sizzle could make herself look that big when the other girls were trying to investigate the babies!! It was like a cat puffing up to twice it's size!

This year we have totalled 1,238 hatched chicks (any we culled are not included in this total).

HOLY MOLY!!!!! You've got such a great setup for that kind of operation!! Barn envy here!!!

Coop chick: I don't think that's purslane. Purslane is more prostrate with more of a succulent leaf and stem. Think Moss Rose, or Portulaca, but the plant is more delicate, with a more rounded leaf shape.

DAGNABBIT!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I finally bought the book "Backyard Foraging" to help me identify some of the plants. I have to carry a book around to compare. There are tons of books like this if you google "edible plants".

http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Fora...=1400265541&sr=8-1&keywords=backyard+foraging

ETA: When I look at the photo it reminds me of chickweed....but I can't tell from a photo.

 

[lalaland]

ok, took a break from laying on the ground with my head in the coop watching the broody. she and I both snoozing a little. 5 chicks so far!! the two sulmtaler eggs that got snuck in there are left, maybe probably not fertile since the rooster was culled a week or so before they were laid, and one other egg left. mama hasn't kicked the eggs out yet. Babies are still in feathers, but peek out. I'm still over the moon.

anyway, look at what I just found in mother earth news:

this is new to me, I sure would have liked to have tried it with this hatch. Writer said they got 23 pullets out of 23 eggs by going for the oval eggs and not anything slightly pointed.