The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

@aoxa

You are the "chicken gender queen".... Seems like every time you are right.

Did you see my comparative photo of "Mister" and the new kid at 9 weeks? Do you still say the new kid is female?

Please re-post. No didn't see.

 

[aoxa]

It's probably been a while since I posted these.. For those new to the thread, and for those who have seen them - a new one at the bottom for Barred Plymouth Rocks.

 

[armorfirelady]

@aoxa


You are the "chicken gender queen".... Seems like every time you are right. 

Did you see my comparative photo of "Mister" and the new kid at 9 weeks?  Do you still say the new kid is female?

None have combs to speak of as of yet. I was just going by tails for now. When they get a little bigger going to use your pullet/Roo pic for comparison. I remember last year with George it was easy to tell after 6 weeks on the BCM. since 2 are BCM I'm curious to see if its the same. I'd be happy if even grey was the only girl. She has such pretty markings even with being half baby fluff and half feathers. The babies look ratty looking as they lose their fluff waiting for feathers to come in. And apparently those new feathers are warmer. Last few nights when I have checked on them they are not sleeping under either Momma. And poor Lucy is always warm so she is standing to sleep panting lol. Guess she is over snuggling at night

 

[armorfirelady]

Haha we posted at the same time. Those are the pictures I was referencing to. I saved them last year.

 

[Leahs Mom]

A couple more photos of brown at 9 weeks:

 

[aoxa]

None have combs to speak of as of yet. I was just going by tails for now. When they get a little bigger going to use your pullet/Roo pic for comparison. I remember last year with George it was easy to tell after 6 weeks on the BCM. since 2 are BCM I'm curious to see if its the same. I'd be happy if even grey was the only girl. She has such pretty markings even with being half baby fluff and half feathers. The babies look ratty looking as they lose their fluff waiting for feathers to come in. And apparently those new feathers are warmer. Last few nights when I have checked on them they are not sleeping under either Momma. And poor Lucy is always warm so she is standing to sleep panting lol. Guess she is over snuggling at night

I have two BCM ( a pair) this year, and the boys were pretty clear early on. I lost 3 of them to a dog attack - and one blue girl (so angry about that one!)

I think you have all girls by the picture. How old are they? They look 4-6 weeks.

 

[armorfirelady]

Aoxa they turned a month old this past Saturday, I never knew how easy chicks were. Of course the co-broody mommas did all the work all I had to do was watch '

I gave them yogurt for the first time today. They certainly seemed to approve

I,also removed the small waterer today. I never see them use it, they usually use the rubber bowls I fill when it's hot out. But kI put a few bricks around the big one so they hop up to it.

Even watered the DL down in the coop some so it will break down easier. Even with the sides up the rain never makes it in there except around the edges. I even pulled out the temporary nesting box since the co-mommas and babies never use the real nesting box for anything other than to sleep in at night.

 

[flyladyrocks]

Thought y'all may be interested in reading this short article and the shenanigans that go on to cover research.



Research on effects of GM Corn and Roundup republished after an attempt to silence it.

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[ChickInDelight]

It's all different when chickens are not confined to a small area. In the interest of best dust-bathing, I took a BYC suggestion and bought 500 lbs. of sand for Henway Beach - a shade shelter I just built. The girls still prefer Peat Moss, or any fresh dirt. I now have a kitty litter box where I want my chickens to be.

Also, my new farm, like my last rental farm, has tons of hawks, owls and even an eagle or two. My girls naturally stay along the fenceline or under cover (most of the day). The birds of prey seem content with their old diet of mice, and don't seem to dive for my girls. When the hunters are close to the coop, Crows or Mocking Birds drive the predators away.

I don't have chickenwire on the fence closest to the road, but the chickens seem naturally afraid of the traffic, and don't go to that part of the field.

 

[misbhaven]

I am not sure if my Cornish cross pullet is going broody or just trying to lay her first egg she has been in the box for 2 hours...hopfully just the first egg.. earlyier she was singing an egg song now she she is hissing and growling , tried to peck me when i walked in to see if anyone else had an egg and of course right in the nest box by the door..I could have broodzilla on my hands!!! I seen the other one squat the other day for a big white rock so maybe... currently they still live with the dorkings as those hens won't give anyone the time of day except their Roo..the hens attack the younger boys anytime they even come close..