The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

So the pellets keep weeds from growing up too?  I could use them on an area that I want to make a walkway?

I think I pulled maybe 3 weeds from this area. It's the walkway to the coop. Where the shaving are not there are a ton of weeds. I used one whole bag for this area so it's pretty thick. Maybe 2-3 inches? Once I get a little extra $$ I'm going to buy a couple more bags for around the stones closer to the coop to keep weeds down & so it's not so muddy when it rains when going to the gate to the hens outdoor area

 

[LindaB220]

I think I pulled maybe 3 weeds from this area. It's the walkway to the coop. Where the shaving are not there are a ton of weeds. I used one whole bag for this area so it's pretty thick. Maybe 2-3 inches? Once I get a little extra $$ I'm going to buy a couple more bags for around the stones closer to the coop to keep weeds down & so it's not so muddy when it rains when going to the gate to the hens outdoor area

This is a good idea. What about under the electric netting to keep from having to mow so often. Just a thought

 

[Leahs Mom]

Hmmm... I do move my netting around somewhat, but perhaps under the permanent fence line that's not electric.

But I think the reason it is packed down is because people are walking on it and impacting it. Not sure if it would work the same way where someone isn't walking.

 

[armorfirelady]

Hmmm... I do move my netting around somewhat, but perhaps under the permanent fence line that's not electric.

But I think the reason it is packed down is because people are walking on it and impacting it. Not sure if it would work the same way where someone isn't walking.

I have found it stays damper longer but there is no smell. I think because I have it so thick. But its not hard to the touch like some things are when compacted. Reminds me more of spongy consistency. I am sure of the hens were in here it would be everywhere as they scratched through it.

I move my electric netting every time I mow. It gets them on newer stuff to explore on. But around other fencing might work under it. I just use litter from the coop

Finally grabbed a pick of the babies & the Momma's

Way in front of Lucy (Mom with copper at neck) is a little black chick next to the pallet. It has a grape piece & it took off running with both Mom's and babies in hot pursuit.


One of the babies with its tail feathers. They are 2 weeks old. I swear it sprouted overnight !!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I think those tails are an amazing appendage too!!! One day they're not there and the next day, "poof"!

I so love seeing the babies out on the grass. My poor kiddos are stuck in the kennel run w/the deep litter since they have no mamma. Booo.


*************

Here are my babies w/no mamma....

All SFH @ 7 wks

Brown kiddo










2 Black kiddos bottom kiddo w/band



Banded black









Black w/no band

 

[armorfirelady]

I think those tails are an amazing appendage too!!! One day they're not there and the next day, "poof"!

I so love seeing the babies out on the grass. My poor kiddos are stuck in the kennel run w/the deep litter since they have no mamma. Booo.


*************

Here are my babies w/no mamma....

All SFH @ 7 wks

Beautiful babies. They have gotten so big !!! Someday I would love to add a SFH to my flock. They are on my wish list. I have not seen one with bad coloring yet

I have to say the more I watch these chicks the more they make me laugh. They spend all day with their beaks to the ground foraging. Their Momma's taught them well. And the Moms are letting them venture further away from them more as well. I am kind of scared since there are hawks in the area tho I have not seen them in months. But I guess Momma knows best

 

[Leahs Mom]

AFL - the SFH are like a box of chocolates - you never know what they're going to end up like. These kids will make some very dramatic changes before they are adults and often you are really surprised that what they were like as kids is totally different from their adult coloration. One thing I like is the camouflage effect. They really blend in when they stay still.


On the wandering chicks...
I was afraid of hawks with the young ones. I felt like I didn't protect them very well on my prior 2 broody hatches so I decided I was going to be more protective in the future. Not sure just how that will look, but at least with these kids I haven't let them out of the deep littered run. Of course they don't have a mom and the other birds would likely attack them once they are out there so I'm waiting until they're a little older. Kind of frustrating not to have them out running free. I do see hawks here every day.

 

[armorfirelady]

AFL - the SFH are like a box of chocolates - you never know what they're going to end up like. These kids will make some very dramatic changes before they are adults and often you are really surprised that what they were like as kids is totally different from their adult coloration. One thing I like is the camouflage effect. They really blend in when they stay still.


On the wandering chicks...
I was afraid of hawks with the young ones. I felt like I didn't protect them very well on my prior 2 broody hatches so I decided I was going to be more protective in the future. Not sure just how that will look, but at least with these kids I haven't let them out of the deep littered run. Of course they don't have a mom and the other birds would likely attack them once they are out there so I'm waiting until they're a little older. Kind of frustrating not to have them out running free. I do see hawks here every day.

I think I could easliy become addicted to SFH. I like diversity in colors in my flock

While I would be sad if something got the chicks I still believe the strongest & smartest survive. The Mom's still keep an eye on them just from a distance. And those babies are fast & surprisingly while out in the open they are still close to something to hide under.

 

[Sally8]

...

I think I could easliy become addicted to SFH. I like diversity in colors in my flock  

While I would be sad if something got the chicks I still believe the strongest & smartest survive.  The Mom's still keep an eye on them just from a distance. And those babies are fast & surprisingly while out in the open they are still close to something to hide under. 
[/quote

AFL. Last year our neighbors' dog got the little Sizzle and chewed her behind badly. She had 9 small babies that she somehow communicated to to hide. They all survived. It took me an hour to find them. That was so amazing.
On the little (blue) gray chick. Almost all of my EE come out that color, if they aren't mimicking the BCM coloring. They usually grow up all one body color gray and their neck and heads are darker of the same color. I'm always excited when I get white ones. I did have one hatch that is a soft yellow with 2 brown stripes down it's back. Edie's Sister hasn't brought it out yet and I'm not willing to lose a knuckle to see.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I think I could easliy become addicted to SFH. I like diversity in colors in my flock

While I would be sad if something got the chicks I still believe the strongest & smartest survive. The Mom's still keep an eye on them just from a distance. And those babies are fast & surprisingly while out in the open they are still close to something to hide under.

I think you may be right on the survival. I keep tossing that back and forth in my mind.

The 2 birds here that did have a hawk strike were birds that had issues (in my opinion) that would have hindered either themselves or a flock in a natural setting. I think both of them would have been picked off by predators early in their lives.

I really debate on the young chicks without a mamma. It just seems like I need to be more protective of them. And I know that even the mamma couldn't protect all her kids.

Debate, debate, debate.

When the hawk does come around the new kids listen to the olders in the flock even though they're divided away from them. I saw all 3 of them run and hide when the signal was given. That's a good sign that they're listening even if they are separate.

I have them in this area and we cut out a new door on that side so they can go in and out from their own side of the hen shed.




Mister was in there temporarily before the door was cut.