The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

We actually breed superworms and mealworms for our lizards so cant wait to see how my chicks react to that when their big enough to eat them! I also always have healthy greens for the bearded dragons and the blue tongue skink.

Camille, they are big enough now. They will be thrilled!

Might take them a few seconds to realize it's edible though. I haven't fed them anything other than FF yet. Not out of choice. I just never think of it.

 

[camilleathome]

Camille, they are big enough now. They will be thrilled!

Might take them a few seconds to realize it's edible though. I haven't fed them anything other than FF yet. Not out of choice. I just never think of it.

I cant wait to see their reaction! Ill get my video camera ready for when I offer it to them Actually im gonna see if my friend would be willing to lend me her camera. Or even sell it to me. She got a galaxy s3 and the camera on her phone is better than the one she has lol

 

[delisha]

Quote: OMG aoxa..you let that cow near those silkies?
They will be interesting to say the least. we defiantly need pictures
congrats on the chicks.

I tried again for the third time to get that chicken off the nest. I thought the first time she was broke. Well the last two nights she snuck out of the pen and was setting on that nest. I took the nest apart all three nights and today I just put her in a box with some Orpington cross eggs and if she sticks, she does and if not i really was not going to keep crosses any way. They will be pretty birds and taste good anyway.

Loosing children... even now sits like a brick in my chest. I am fortunate that I had beautiful foster children and Jessica to keep me a little sane at the time.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:

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I was going to say the same thing... do it now! And it may take a bit of time...you may have to "peck with your finger" and pick up and drop them several times...but once they figure them out, you better GET OUT OF THEIR WAY!

 

[camilleathome]

I was going to say the same thing... do it now! And it may take a bit of time...you may have to "peck with your finger" and pick up and drop them several times...but once they figure them out, you better GET OUT OF THEIR WAY!

Their not with me yet Im picking them up at aoxa's this saturday . But I will DEFFINETLY post a video when I do!

 

[texasmomma]

You shouldn't use the galvanized, but you can use stainless steel. The acid level is high in ff and in acv and it does leach the metals into the food or water. You can also use glazed ceramic BUT BE SURE IT IS LEAD-FREE. The older crocks - including crock pots still being made new - had lead in the glaze. If you have old ceramic, don't use it for food and be sure the new stuff you buy specifically states "Lead Free". I feed my ff from a ceramic dog bowl - purchased new and lead free. It fits right into my heated (plastic) dog bowl.

This is a very good article on the issue.

http://www.terminalverbosity.com/2009/11/09/the-skinny-on-lead-in-crock-pots-it-may-surprise-you/

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Yes...I read that - and several others - when I was looking for inert items to store in (for us) and for feeding from. Think, too, of all the ceramic casserole dishes we've used for years!! Especially when using acidic items like ACV, FF, etc., you have to be really careful what you're putting them in.

I'm a cheesemaker (in another life!!) and the acidity issue leaching into the foods is when I started trying to find inert containers for short-aging cheeses that I don't wax on. I had originally thought that I could pick up old crockery items (and did) for that purpose but then found out the bad news....

very frustrating...especially since you can often pick up glazed ceramic items that fit really great for cheeses at goodwill, resale shops, salvation army, etc.

I finally settled for using mostly pyrex-type containers for most my food storage and even sometimes for the chickens! And...now that the lead issue is more "out there" in the public eye, many ceramic glaze makers are advertising their items as lead-free. I only buy them if it's clearly stated.

 

[chickiemomy]

Quote: My sil prefers duck eggs, but I've never tried them. I could have ducks, we have acreage & even a small seasonal stream & pond - do they coexist with chickens - how do you protect from predators - or can you leave them loose? (I've heard guineas can be left loose - thought about those as well) I've heard they don't lay in nest boxes, or in the same place each day? -sorry, guess I should be over on another forum for duck questions - just a quick reply would more than suffice.

 

[Bulldogma]

I would assume egg bound also

Might be a good idea to insert olive oil in her vent after the bath if that has not worked.

The warm water usually helps. it at least helps them to relax.

I'm not sure... her comb really hasn't started to develop or redden that much, and the roos haven't been interested... but perhaps a bath wouldn't hurt just to be sure. She feels very empty back there, so if it's egg binding, it would have to be way up in there and not knocking at the door, so to speak.

All the other chickens are perfectly healthy - even Lady Silvia Runnybutt...
(knocking on wood)

 

[aoxa]

Their not with me yet Im picking them up at aoxa's this saturday . But I will DEFFINETLY post a video when I do!

So your friend confirmed?