The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[mlowen]

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...

I used a dog crate turned upside down, so there would not be a "floor." I lined the bottom with 1/2-inch hardware cloth, because the wires were spaced too far apart for her feet and put a roost bar in it. Since I have hatchery birds (both Barred Rocks who tried out the broody thing) it only took 2 days in the "breaker." I didn't dunk either of them, just picked them off the nest & put them in the cage with food & water. It was in the run part and up on pieces of 2x4 because I could not hang it. I put the crate's floor on top to keep her "sisters" from pooping on her.

 

[armorfirelady]

Mlowen that's a great idea. Thanks for sharing

 

[lalaland]

I used a dog crate turned upside down, so there would not be a "floor." I lined the bottom with 1/2-inch hardware cloth, because the wires were spaced too far apart for her feet and put a roost bar in it. Since I have hatchery birds (both Barred Rocks who tried out the broody thing) it only took 2 days in the "breaker." I didn't dunk either of them, just picked them off the nest & put them in the cage with food & water. It was in the run part and up on pieces of 2x4 because I could not hang it. I put the crate's floor on top to keep her "sisters" from pooping on her.

I used a wire dog kennel too - and it took 3 days for one hen and 4 days for the other. I've read that if you have a fan blowing on them it will make it go faster, but I had the kennel outside and didn't want to deal with electric fans in the rain. I put a plywood scrap on top for rain protection and hung a feed sack on the side to provide shade - this was last week when it was humid and in the 80's. This week is cold, had record lows for highs yesterday. In the 60's. There is a reason I need polar fleece in the summer here sometimes

 

[CoopChick719]

GRAPHIC POOP PHOTO BELOW
Does this look normal?

 

[SallyinIndiana]

looks not normal unless they have been eating red food ~ tomatoes maybe

 

[LindaB220]

I used a dog crate turned upside down, so there would not be a "floor." I lined the bottom with 1/2-inch hardware cloth, because the wires were spaced too far apart for her feet and put a roost bar in it. Since I have hatchery birds (both Barred Rocks who tried out the broody thing) it only took 2 days in the "breaker." I didn't dunk either of them, just picked them off the nest & put them in the cage with food & water. It was in the run part and up on pieces of 2x4 because I could not hang it. I put the crate's floor on top to keep her "sisters" from pooping on her.

Great job!!!! You did it just right. Kudos

 

[maggiemo]

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!

That's a Golden Comet if it is from Meyer. I have 2 who look just like that hatched on April 1st.

 

[subhanalah]

GRAPHIC POOP PHOTO BELOW
Does this look normal?

do you have a microscope? What kind of worming stuff is in your maintenance protocol?

 

[Leahs Mom]

GRAPHIC POOP PHOTO BELOW
Does this look normal?

@CoopChick719
I'm wondering if this may be shed intestinal lining. If it is, it's not a problem.

Are any of your birds acting sick? Do you know which one produced this poo?




Take a look at some of the photos at this link and see how they compare:


Quote: http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=17568.0

 

[CoopChick719]

Nope no one is acting sick! And intestinal lining was my first thought but I wanted a second opinion. I've been using Molly's Herbal Wormer since March. Thanks LM!!