The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[sunflower4you]

Multi purpose and easier to clean as the water bowl never has to be unplugged. I was originally going to use the bowls a different way but found that I could use them with what I already had to keep the water from freezing. I have several of the screw-on water bases so when the jar needs to be refilled, I just carry a new one out, take off the old one and put on the new one. Done. The used jar is then in the house to be washed and ready to re-set whenever it needs to be switched.

I had read several reviews of the plug-in waterers not lasting long too. Not sure if that's the case, but it sure does make it easy for me not to have to unplug something and bring the whole apparatus inside to clean and refill and then take back out and re plug.

Agreed that unplugging is a bit of a hassle, but since I only have 5 birds and a 3 gallon waterer, I don't have to unplug too often. Bottom line that I am learning is that winter chicken keeping is a bit of a pain and anything you can do to make it easier helps! Even though I have tarps on one side and the top of the run, I still had to scoop the snow out of their feeder. Could just put the feeder away each night and bring it out in the morning. And I was disappointed that I couldn't keep FF going through the freezing weather. The heated dog bowls look like a good idea for the FF. Good thing us new chicken keepers get to start in the spring!

 

[Leahs Mom]

We're getting our tail.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Oh...and just in case anyone was wondering...Yep....I can reach my tail.

 

[hennible]

Lol cute

 

[LindaB220]

I have only heard one other person say that theirs didn't lay as new pullets at this time of year. So what age are yours?

Mine are 7-7.5 mon old and still not doing anything. Neither is the rooster. Bummmer.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@ Leah's Mom--you should enter your pin-cushion girl into the "worst molt picture" contest. I think you'd have a really good chance at it. And maybe the prize would be a chicken sweater she could use.

@mlowen

I would if they had a great prize!

 

[RedRidge]

 


I have only heard one other person say that theirs didn't lay as new pullets at this time of year.  So what age are yours?

Mine are 7-7.5 mon old and still not doing anything.  Neither is the rooster.  Bummmer.

We have a 26 week to pol rule here or you don't get to be a breeder. But out of all fairness? That is best accomplished by those hatched in Feb and March. Those late May hatches just get pushed back until the days start getting longer again.
Lesson here... for good fall laying and choosing breeders, only hatch in Feb and March. I rarely hatch past April 1st unless it's to compress my genetic project for my project birds. My purebred breeding pens get put together the week of Christmas and eggs at in Jan. Sure enough... they lay at 26 weeks.
So they need to be given a fair chance to lay before the days shorten.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: We have a 26 week to pol rule here or you don't get to be a breeder. But out of all fairness? That is best accomplished by those hatched in Feb and March. Those late May hatches just get pushed back until the days start getting longer again.
Lesson here... for good fall laying and choosing breeders, only hatch in Feb and March. I rarely hatch past April 1st unless it's to compress my genetic project for my project birds. My purebred breeding pens get put together the week of Christmas and eggs at in Jan. Sure enough... they lay at 26 weeks.
So they need to be given a fair chance to lay before the days shorten.

Thanks. That's helpful. I've never had any hatch at that time of year before so no experience. I'll keep that in mind for the future!

 

[Lacy Blues]

Welcome back Ron! I had been wondering where you got off to.

 

[tjo804]

We're getting our tail.

is this her natural molt?