The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[flyladyrocks]

The "girls" are 11 weeks old today. I would love any input on Breed if you look at a picture and any - oh that's a roo! Not exactly sure of Breed b/c the urban farming store just gets a mix and they were pretty clueless as to what they had. I can't believe how hard it was to get these pictures. Every time I would squat down to take one they would run over "OOO mommy must have a treat!!"
The Flock (wasn't it nice of them to line up so perfectly for me!):

Queen Elizabeth - Barred Rock (I know what those are!):

Rose Tyler - Barred Rock (Son got to name this one! Big Dr. Who fan!) Had to share two to get all of her:



Nina - Black Australorp?? She has pinkish grey feet bottoms, in the past few weeks her legs seem to have gotten really big, which makes me wonder is "she" possibly Nigel not Nina?

Clara Oswald - Jersey Giant - she has yellow feet bottoms (the other one my son named)

Rhoda - Sexlink?? We were told Rhode Island Red, but we know that's not right! Her head is a ton redder than the rest of her body but that is not as noticeable in this pic.

Rhonda - SexlinK?? Another one were were told was a Rhode Island Red NOT! "She" is much redder than Rhoda. Someone said they thought she was a Production Red, but they are all from Meyer and I don't see Production Reds on the website. About 2 weeks ago "her" Comb and Wattles suddenly got much bigger and redder which left us wondering is Rhonda is actually Rodney. Two pics b/c I love the second one but you can't see all of her!

 

[aoxa]

The "girls" are 11 weeks old today. I would love any input on Breed if you look at a picture and any - oh that's a roo! Not exactly sure of Breed b/c the urban farming store just gets a mix and they were pretty clueless as to what they had. I can't believe how hard it was to get these pictures. Every time I would squat down to take one they would run over "OOO mommy must have a treat!!"
The Flock (wasn't it nice of them to line up so perfectly for me!):

Queen Elizabeth - Barred Rock (I know what those are!):

Rose Tyler - Barred Rock (Son got to name this one! Big Dr. Who fan!) Had to share two to get all of her:



Nina - Black Australorp?? She has pinkish grey feet bottoms, in the past few weeks her legs seem to have gotten really big, which makes me wonder is "she" possibly Nigel not Nina?

Clara Oswald - Jersey Giant - she has yellow feet bottoms (the other one my son named)

Rhoda - Sexlink?? We were told Rhode Island Red, but we know that's not right! Her head is a ton redder than the rest of her body but that is not as noticeable in this pic.

Rhonda - SexlinK?? Another one were were told was a Rhode Island Red NOT! "She" is much redder than Rhoda. Someone said they thought she was a Production Red, but they are all from Meyer and I don't see Production Reds on the website. About 2 weeks ago "her" Comb and Wattles suddenly got much bigger and redder which left us wondering is Rhonda is actually Rodney. Two pics b/c I love the second one but you can't see all of her!

You are right on all the breeds. They are also all girls. Looks like the last one will be giving you eggs sooner than later!

Production Reds do not have white in their down. This is a sex link. Some second generation males may look like this, but if it is from a hatchery - it's a red sex link pullet. Will lay around 14-16 weeks.

 

[flyladyrocks]

I forgot the picture of our Honorary roo - keeping watch over his flock - this is Judah he is a Giant Schnauzer but we shaved him to keep him cooler for the summer:

 

[subhanalah]

I forgot the picture of our Honorary roo - keeping watch over his flock - this is Judah he is a Giant Schnauzer but we shaved him to keep him cooler for the summer:

that dog looks strikingly like a great dane puppy

 

[misbhaven]

well that cornish got over her thing i guess she figured everyone else was up there being broody she would try for a few hours..thank god what are the tricks for breaking a broody just in case i don't need a 15 lb chicken getting an attitude when there is no eggs for her...

 

[flyladyrocks]

that dog looks strikingly like a great dane puppy

Standard Schnauzers were crossed with Great Danes and Bouvier Des Flandres so, that is why when he is shaved he looks so much like a Great Dane puppy. When my husband posted pictures on facebook right after we shaved him and had people guess, that is what they guessed!

 

[flyladyrocks]

You are right on all the breeds. They are also all girls. Looks like the last one will be giving you eggs sooner than later!

Production Reds do not have white in their down. This is a sex link. Some second generation males may look like this, but if it is from a hatchery - it's a red sex link pullet. Will lay around 14-16 weeks.

 

[subhanalah]

Standard Schnauzers were crossed with Great Danes and Bouvier Des Flandres so, that is why when he is shaved he looks so much like a Great Dane puppy. When my husband posted pictures on facebook right after we shaved him and had people guess, that is what they guessed! 

so they get the crazy from the French side of the family tree? I hope this is received in jest as these dogs are way too much energy for me!

 

[flyladyrocks]

so they get the crazy from the French side of the family tree? I hope this is received in jest as these dogs are way too much energy for me!

Completely received in jest, and yes there is a lot of crazy energy in this boy! Fortunately we have a large fenced in yard for him tear around. He was a rescue who was abused. - he had been passed around from member to member of a family and none of them knew how to deal with his energy, they were in small postage stamp yards or apartments - therefore he was hit from a young age. He was 18 months old when we got him. Took a little bit to gain his trust. Kinda sad when every time you go to pet your dog he flinches and cowers, but we gained his love and trust and he is part of the family now. He loves us and we love him! And he loves the chickens too, nice to have a good guard dog around. just found out from a chicken owner down the street that we have a a hawk in the neighborhood - yikes!

 

[LindaB220]

well that cornish got over her thing i guess she figured everyone else was up there being broody she would try for a few hours..thank god what are the tricks for breaking a broody just in case i don't need a 15 lb chicken getting an attitude when there is no eggs for her...

Dunk her in water. It really cools her off. Then put her in a cage where air can flow under her for a day or two. You can have it in the coop if you want. This is just what I've read.