The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

I could just cry! Not only do I have 40 eggs in incubator, I now have 3, (three) hens setting. Oh, the humanity of it all! I'm certain the only, maybe 1/3 of the incubating eggs will hatch, for a variety of reasons. One of the hens kept jumping nests, so not sure how many of those. The 2nd hen got on her nest and hasn't moved. The 3rd in on hers only 3 days but I put some of my pretty wooden begs under her and pull the real ones every day.

I already asked if they would accept day old baby chicks, but am wondering, hen #1 was found with egg yolk on her beak the other night.. Does she know if some weren't going to hatch or when they were double decking, another hens eggs got under her? Can she tell?

She would know if they are bad, and would eat any as their instinct is to keep nests clean. If she just tossed it outside the nest, it could potentially attract predators. Or it broke while other hens were getting in to lay with her, and she was just disposing of broken egg.

 

[delisha]

I also want to say how much I have enjoyed this thread and pictures. I am especially interested in raising chicks with a broody. I have tried before and she was good until they started hatching. She started killing them as they hatched so I had to brood them. I'm going to try agian this spring. What are your thoughts about not separating the broody and chicka from the flock? Mine mostly free range but I ocasionally still have to keep them in their run.

Welcome to the group!!

Sometimes chickens are just not good mothers.You know she is a good brooder. I would try one more time myself. I think we all do it differently and you need to find what works for your set up. My broodys have the chicks somewhere in the woods, or under one of the building usually. I have brooder boxes and have a hen in one now. I keep her locked up at night and after all the girls have layed eggs I let her out. After the chicks hatch I will continue the same thing until she decides when to take them out.

 

[delisha]

I am so excited!! My daughter and I are going to the Northeastern Poultry Congress in Springfield, MA on 1/19! It's on the Big E Fairgrounds and admission is free. Saturday 9-3 and Sunday 9-noon. Thank you, thank you, thank you...Delisha, for the link to shows & stuff.

You are welcome and please take a camera!!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I posted this on the broody thread but thought I'd put it out here for comment as this is often a different group. Miss Lydia weighed in over there. So...here it is:

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Question ... hopefully this will make sense.

So far I've kept the kiddos and mamma in their separate area of the hen house because it's been very cold and they can't be out for a long time. If it had been a warmer time of year, I think I would have opened the door to the other side so they could get used to each other.

I was afraid if the babies got onto the other side they may get separated, get cold, and have a hard time finding mom...not all of them...I was just worried about a stray getting separated from the group.

When one of the other ladies has been able to get in their side it has been peaceful and mom lets them know not to come near but I usually catch and take out the sneaker before too long.


Now this week it's in the mid 30s - Low 40s I think I'd like to open the door between and observe how things go. But that leads me to my question.

My hen house is up off the ground about 2 ft. w/a pretty steep ramp. I'm concerned that if a baby gets down there by itself, it may not be able to find mom and mom would have to hunker down to warm up the group and a baby may be lost. Of course, I'll hang out at first and watch everything and won't let that happen.

But I'm wondering - considering the temperature swings and the fact that it's going to be cold again shortly.... should I even open things up between the 2 sides at all right now? Perhaps the smart thing would be to open the door between the sides when the pop door is closed and not have the possibility someone will get separated outside.

Experienced folks...thoughts?

Photo: although it is finished differently now (this was an early photo) this is what that ramp looks like. This is an 11 week old hatchery RIR going up the ramp. It's a long way down/up for a tiny little one in cold weather if they get out there!

 

[armorfirelady]

I could just cry! Not only do I have 40 eggs in incubator, I now have 3, (three) hens setting. Oh, the humanity of it all! I'm certain the only, maybe 1/3 of the incubating eggs will hatch, for a variety of reasons. One of the hens kept jumping nests, so not sure how many of those. The 2nd hen got on her nest and hasn't moved. The 3rd in on hers only 3 days but I put some of my pretty wooden begs under her and pull the real ones every day.

I already asked if they would accept day old baby chicks, but am wondering, hen #1 was found with egg yolk on her beak the other night.. Does she know if some weren't going to hatch or when they were double decking, another hens eggs got under her? Can she tell?

Congrats !! If they all hatch are you going to be selling any? I will be looking for a few pullets this spring......no rooster here so no fertilized eggs for me. Id like to get a few more rocks.

 

[aoxa]

Sue, I would let them out. How old are they? They should be able to navigate ramp by now.

 

[Arkansas81]

Ok so after reading this thread I think I want to start fermenting some feed. All I need to do is to put in enough feed for a few days..a glug or two of Asv...stir couple times a day. Can this sit outside? What I usually give mine is layer crumbles, mixed in is stratch, oyster shell. They seem to enjoy it, ive been thinking about giving them some night crawlers, cricket's, some extra protein. They do get out in a covered run when the weather allows.

It seems like to worm farm is easy to do. I would love to learn about being able to feed my chickens all natural goodies and be able to do it myself, feed bill is killing me!!!!!!! Any suggestions would be great

 

[Leahs Mom]

Ok so after reading this thread I think I want to start fermenting some feed. All I need to do is to put in enough feed for a few days..a glug or two of Asv...stir couple times a day. Can this sit outside? What I usually give mine is layer crumbles, mixed in is stratch, oyster shell. They seem to enjoy it, ive been thinking about giving them some night crawlers, cricket's, some extra protein. They do get out in a covered run when the weather allows.

It seems like to worm farm is easy to do. I would love to learn about being able to feed my chickens all natural goodies and be able to do it myself, feed bill is killing me!!!!!!! Any suggestions would be great

When I think of folks wanting to do their own feed, I think of Harvy Ussery's book: The Small Scale Poultry Flock. He has lots of ideas and his goal is to be able to grow most of his own feed. So far it's my favorite book on raising chickens.

His web site has several articles on raising your own food that may be of interest: http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Feeding.html

 

[delisha]

Sue,
Let them out.Baby's can scream really loud if they get left behind. She does not have that many..she will be fine. You will feel better observing and checking on them occasionally.

 

[Arkansas81]

When I think of folks wanting to do their own feed, I think of Harvy Ussery's book: The Small Scale Poultry Flock. He has lots of ideas and his goal is to be able to grow most of his own feed. So far it's my favorite book on raising chickens. His web site has several articles on raising your own food that may be of interest: http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Feeding.html

Ok, thanks I will check it out. I Dentist knownif I will do the whole food growing thing myself but to do some should be able to help..thanks again!