The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[loanwizard]

I'll be back to address several things Aoxa, namely fear of electric. Gotta be at my office though in 14 minutes and it is a 12 minute trip.... got internet there too lol!

 

[aoxa]

Okay, here's my opinion, take it for what it's worth. Electric poultry netting (as we've been discussing) would be a poor choice for your perimeter fence. It's designed to be mobile, not permanent (even the one with "perma" in the name). It isn't going to handle weeds or brush well at all, and if I'm looking at your image correctly, you're going to be fencing right at the brush line. It also, according to the manufacturer, should be taken down for winter, working poorly in snow, ice and extremely cold temperatures.

I think 4' tall 4" opening woven wire would make a better perimeter for your turkeys and sheep. Then, if you wanted to separate them, a couple sections of electric netting could be used to sub-divide the pasture.

Yes you are right, I did want it along the woods where there is A LOT of growth going on, but out back on the end of the lot, practically nothing grows on the ground, as it gets no sun.

So I could just fence like so:


A lot of brush does not grow around that area. The most growth is to the left of the property line (we own in the woods to the left as well)

We don't have a lot of cleared land to work with, but I think it's enough for only 2 ewes and my 4 turkeys. I could always go up a bit more if I find them wearing down the grass.



Some of the growth along the woods looks like this.

 

[Leahs Mom]

But...I think Jeff is right for what you are saying, Aoxa. You are saying you're not worried about preds but you want to keep the sheep, dog and turkeys in.

Do you really need electric for that? I think the main reason I'd use electric is to keep preds out. If I weren't worried about that, I'd put up a permanent perimeter fence.

The permanent fence will cost more initially, however.

 

[JeffOeuf]

Two ewes and four turkeys? You don't need to fence the entire property for that. Just get some of the netting, set up a square for them to graze in, then move it when they get it eaten down a little.

As for fear of electric fencing. Electric fencing has been used about as long as electricity has been used. One freak accident, however tragic it may be, is not reason to abandon the idea of it as a safe, humane and effective way of corralling animals.

That said, if you read Premier's site you will find that they specifically mention to keep the fence charged all the time. I would say this is particularly important with sheep. This is a physically weak fence. If it isn't hot, the sheep will just walk right through it.

 

[delisha]

http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodeggs.html

I was going to post information about the history of the egg and production. Instead of just doing a brief outline I am posting a great link that is not Government sponsered.It will allow people to read it with out me taking up so much space and forcing people to read it who are not interested. It has some very good informaton about other cultures, some cute stories and tabuu's about egg eating too.

 

[aoxa]

Two ewes and four turkeys? You don't need to fence the entire property for that. Just get some of the netting, set up a square for them to graze in, then move it when they get it eaten down a little.

As for fear of electric fencing. Electric fencing has been used about as long as electricity has been used. One freak accident, however tragic it may be, is not reason to abandon the idea of it as a safe, humane and effective way of corralling animals.

That said, if you read Premier's site you will find that they specifically mention to keep the fence charged all the time. I would say this is particularly important with sheep. This is a physically weak fence. If it isn't hot, the sheep will just walk right through it.

That's what I was hoping to be told. When I first addressed fencing in part of the property, I was told by someone I'd rather not mention (coughBeecough), to fence in the entire area. Pretty much saying they would not have enough room if I didn't. I have never had grazing livestock like sheep before, so I don't know how fast they will eat down the grass. I don't ever want more than 2 ewes. Once they are bred I will sell off their lambs and send the boys to be slaughtered for meat. I won't keep them around long at all. I want milk from my two girls, and fibre.

Now.. having said that... the area I indicated on the map, is that too small for what I'm considering? Moving the fence often is not an option, as our ground is terrible for inserting fence posts. I can move it twice a year, but that's about all I can take for maintenance.

 

[Leahs Mom]

That said, if you read Premier's site you will find that they specifically mention to keep the fence charged all the time. I would say this is particularly important with sheep. This is a physically weak fence. If it isn't hot, the sheep will just walk right through it.

Definitely keep it ON. Otherwise don't put it up. It's not supposed to be a visual, it's supposed to be reinforcement.

Quote: I guess Aoxa needs to decide if she wants to completely fence the property so they can just run freely, or if she wants to move the sections regularly. That should help her decide what kind of fence to get!

ETA: Wrote that at the same time you were writing the post just prior to it!

 

[aoxa]

Definitely keep it ON. Otherwise don't put it up. It's not supposed to be a visual, it's supposed to be reinforcement.

I guess Aoxa needs to decide if she wants to completely fence the property so they can just run freely, or if she wants to move the sections regularly. That should help her decide what kind of fence to get!

As long as they have enough room to keep grass alive, I'm good with that.

 

[Mumsy]

The Shipped Silkie eggs are attaching air cells.

I think half are good. I am so relieved. The other half should attach today. I will be turning them on tomorrow. Now fertility is the next hurdle. I cracked open the two cracked eggs and one was and one was not. I hope that is the only *not* one.

YIPPEE! I'm going to try and keep up with your hatch. It's hard for me to keep up with the goings on in this thread because it moves so fast.
But...I simply adore Silkie chicks and my own hatch was such a bust, I'd like to see something great come out of yours.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
I'm bumping this back up... Can you comment on this, please?