The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

My only broody so far was a hatchery RIR. Very unexpected, but she raised 2 clutches for me then hasn't gone broody since.

I am a little concerned about a silkie in my flock as it would have to "hold it's own" in the pecking order and range outside. The area does have some wooded area that affords great "hidey places" from hawks, but crests are a major concern for me...and I don't want to have to trim them! I did consider a silkie at one point, however.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I haven't been on here for a while, but thought I would jump in and answer.

My bielefelders have turned out to be broody. I have let two of them raise chicks. The first one did a great job. The second has had a little trouble, but is doing fine now. Her sister hangs out next to her and encourages her. Bielfelders are not crested, are not feathered, and are cold hardy. They lay more in the winter than any other time, though we are in Texas, so we don't really have much of a winter. The heat is hard on them.

@texasmomma

Do you think that a single Biele would be happy in a flock of other breeds...or would she need a companion? In the past I've always purchased 2 of a particular breed and, interestingly enough, the ones that were the same breed hung out together. You'd think they had seen a mirror somewhere to know what they look like.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I've heard Orpingtons tend to go broody a lot and usually make pretty good mothers

 

[texasmomma]

@texasmomma

Do you think that a single Biele would be happy in a flock of other breeds...or would she need a companion? In the past I've always purchased 2 of a particular breed and, interestingly enough, the ones that were the same breed hung out together. You'd think they had seen a mirror somewhere to know what they look like.

Bieles are very gentle chickens. I haven't ever had one by itself, but I would imagine, despite the large size, she would be on the bottom of the pecking order. So, I don't know if it would matter if she had a companion or not.

IKWYM about the mirror. It's weird how some chickens just know which ones are slightly different. Maybe someone who has just one of them could pipe up. My flock is mostly bieles and biele crosses these days.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have a question for y'all:

What particular breeds have you found to be most consistently broody and good at raising chicks?

My only parameters:

NO CRESTED BIRDS
NO FEATHERED FEET
Cold-hardy breed

Dominique. They don't lay the biggest eggs, but they are extremely friendly, excellent foragers, have a nice small rose comb, beautiful soft feathers, and I've had a gal go broody. They are also auto sexing, and when paired with the right roo, will give you some beautiful black sex links. My avatar roo produces nice green/olive egg layer BSL with the Doms.

 

[circlehouse]

Your sound like when I started... 2 BR; 2 EE, 3 RIR (Hatchery Quality All). That was in 2012 and all those birds are still alive except 1. I have 3 of them here and they all lay very well. Just in case: BR= Barred Rock; EE= Easter Egger (They sold as Araucanas but really EE); 2 RIR (Also not the heritage quality). I love the variety of color in the eggs!

I love your eggs! Beautiful!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Thought some of you might be interested in looking through this article (and maybe even the video) regarding antibiotic use in livestock. Always makes me glad I have my own and/or know folks that I can buy meat from that raise their animals in a natural, healthy way.


http://articles.mercola.com/sites/a...=20160319Z1&et_cid=DM100455&et_rid=1408304950

 

[mlowen]

Dominique. They don't lay the biggest eggs, but they are extremely friendly, excellent foragers, have a nice small rose comb, beautiful soft feathers, and I've had a gal go broody. They are also auto sexing, and when paired with the right roo, will give you some beautiful black sex links. My avatar roo produces nice green/olive egg layer BSL with the Doms.

I just want to sing the praises of Lazy Gardener's flock. I have three of her girls from the EE too and Dominique mom. No broody, yet. (I' rather they didn't) But they ARE beautiful, have lovely rose combs, do very well in the cold and though they are not interested in hanging out with me, do very well with the other hens.

 

[slordaz]

I've heard Orpingtons tend to go broody a lot and usually make pretty good mothers

so far I have a BR and a Buff broody, leghorn is thinking about it too, Think the roosters will run away all 20 hens go broody lol

 

[ShrekDawg]

so far I have a BR and a Buff broody, leghorn is thinking about it too, Think the roosters will run away all 20 hens go broody lol

Aww. Mine are only 20 or 21 weeks so none have gone broody yet but we did get our first eggs today. Well, 2 anyway. Lol an EE green one and a nice brown one but that could be anyone. They were both tiny tiny but adorable lol and hahaha the poor roosters if that happened!