The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Bethel3330]

You should always give water.  Chickens can go a week or more, depending on the size and age, without food, but they need water constantly.  From what I've ready, even a blocked crop will allow some water through, which is better than none.

Good luck with your bird, and God Bless.

yes, and staying hydrated will help get that junk moved through. I had one that did that. It took about 3 days then it got better.

 

[Bethel3330]

It is hard to find a good feed. It might be worth the time invested to find a grainer close to you and have them mix you an all flock feed. This is the time of year to find a place. In a few months they will have fresh grains and you can stock up for the year.

the mills are usually cheaper too. The one here is about $3 a bag less than tsc. It's not worth the drive for me, but area farmers get a bunch o a trailer and buy together oftentimes.
I lucked out in that there's a Hiland Naturals dealer right up the road from me. We've been very pleased with their products

 

[aaggjg]

Hi everyone! I too have been away from the thread for a few months.... Mumsy good to see you poke your head in. Sorry to hear about your health problems and that stupid coyote!! I just saw one a few days ago a few feet from my fence. The little wild birds were going CRAZY and my hens froze... I looked and looked and finally saw the coyote lurking in the shrubs. I hurled a rock at it and it ran down the creek a little while later it ran past up the creek. (Up creek is where it's wild.... Down is urban) I'm glad to see you still have some lovely silkies and what fun that you got that variety from your paint??? Splash?? Can't remember now .... Genetics are such a cool & amazing thing!!

Delish you were right about my little frizzle bantam who molted late... The other hens did start to pick on her!!! Ugh. She is one of my original girls but has always been very neurotic. I got all her feathers to grow back and she looked great!! Next thing I knew they were gone again. UGH!!! She had to be tricked to go back into the run after morning free play.... Now she seems to be being bullied less and the feathers are starting to grow back. So I am hoping we are past the bullying phase.

I do have a question about Silkies molting. My silkies are all just over 2 years old.... I don't believe that any of them have ever molted. Spook my lavender just finished a broody spell and I've noticed a bunch of lavender feather in the coop run & yard .... She doesn't look like she's molting... She's still a little fluff ball. Just curious as it seems like an odd time.

Lastly, a fellow chicken owner here just got her day old chicks in the mail yesterday.... At the worst time ever as she has a family emergency. I offered to raise the babies for her until she is ready to take them back. I will probably go get them today. Should I try and stick them under one of my broody hens?? Or should I hand raise them away from my flock as they are going back to hers? If I hand raise them I did skim through and saw kassandras felt bucket??? I guess I can go back and look for that.... Do you just use that or supplement with heat lamp?? I'm in Southern California so it's warm here....

Love seeing everyone's pictures of their mama hens & babies!! So cute!!!

Hope everyone has been well!!!

 

[armorfirelady]

There's a baby hatching !!!! 2nd pic it's beak is sticking out of hole.

I just got home from work & decided to check on the co broodies. From above I said hi and hear a peep. Went inside and lifted up Lucy but saw nothing. Lifted up Sophie and found the chick peeping in its egg

@Sally8 its one of the blue eggs from Edie's sister. I might just be able to see the chick before I leave tomorrow I have the game cam on & facing the nesting box. I can't wait to check again in a couple hours

 

[armorfirelady]

One baby is out and 2 more pipped

 

[lazy gardener]

How sweet! Love those little peeps.

 

[armorfirelady]

Total 4 chicks hatched tonight. Still 2 eggs that didn't hatch. They were ones I was unsure of.
@Sally8 2 blue Edie eggs hatched and 2 light brown eggs. The 2 left are dark like BCMS. 3 chicks are black coloring. One is grey. I think the grey came from a light brown egg. Any ideas on what the chicks may be? Well beside so darn cute my mom said if they would of started hatching tomorrow we would be late leaving on vacation lol. I'm betting I will find her out in the coop early in the a.m. Visiting with the co broodies & hoping for a peek of the chicks. So far Lucy & Sophie are not keen on the other hens getting close. So I'm hopeful they will take good care of them while I am gone. My friend chick sitting promised to send a lot of chick pics.

I figure once the chicks get out of the raised nest box the Moms will keep them in the temporary one at night that's on the floor. I told my friend to toss the towel in the nesting box once the chicks are out of it. It stinks horrible in there & I traced it to a giant broody poop. You guys were not kidding when you said they smelled lol

Eta to add I am holding Sophie up so my mom could get a pic. I know the pic looks like she is either floating or about to step on the babies lol

 

[lalaland]

AFL, I'm so glad you got to see the starting and a chick before your trip. Bet you are over the moon!

 

[Wasson6Pack]

I have been reading and trying to figure out three FF thing and I'm not getting it right. I tried with ACV with mother and without. My feed is a mix of pellets and something my feed store mixes together called whoop'em. Is there a little more step by step directions? I'm not usually inept, but this is escaping me.

 

[subhanalah]

I have been reading and trying to figure out three FF thing and I'm not getting it right. I tried with ACV with mother and without. My feed is a mix of pellets and something my feed store mixes together called whoop'em. Is there a little more step by step directions? I'm not usually inept, but this is escaping me.

have you seen this?
http://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/
Food, water, stir and wait.