The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[jendodd79]

You are so sweet

I've been working at it quite hard. We already have 41 likes on our FB page that we created on Friday.

Going well! I have like 150 chicks on order already. My head is spinning, and I need to build those breeding pens!!

@_@

My nephew's here today too. Talk about distraction lol.

What's your FB page?

 

[Mumsy]

You are so sweet

I've been working at it quite hard. We already have 41 likes on our FB page

Make that 42.

 

[Sally8]

What's your FB page?

 

[jockeyeba]

These are my pure Araucanas. I only have two ameracauans and they are a brow/black color and lay a green egg. One is a crossbeak but she lays pretty green eggs and gets fed in a special deep feeder. I have some pure blue ameracauna hatching eggs coming this week. Their parents have the beards/muffs and are just gorgeous! I can't wait to get them. From what I understand, they lay a blue egg. Angela

You have a hen with the same name as my ewe! hehehe (Fancy)

These are my pure Araucanas. I only have two ameracauans and they are a brow/black color and lay a green egg. One is a crossbeak but she lays pretty green eggs and gets fed in a special deep feeder. I have some pure blue ameracauna hatching eggs coming this week. Their parents have the beards/muffs and are just gorgeous! I can't wait to get them. From what I understand, they lay a blue egg. Angela

You have a hen with the same name as my ewe! hehehe (Fancy)

Someone said they have a hen named Reba. I have a ewe named Reba (McEntire) placed 2nd in the costume class-Painted Desert Sheep Society Cyber Show

 

[jendodd79]

Does anyone have any idea what's up with my Lavender Orp's feathers?

We've been noticing over the last few weeks that they aren't straight and smooth like our Buff. They look kind of frizzled, but not?

Any ideas?

 

[Sally8]

Found it! Very nice.

 

[Mumsy]

Does anyone have any idea what's up with my Lavender Orp's feathers?

We've been noticing over the last few weeks that they aren't straight and smooth like our Buff. They look kind of frizzled, but not?

Any ideas?

Does she dust bathe outside in wet dirt?

 

[jockeyeba]

In relation to the feeders for ff, I have been using glass casserole dishes as that's all I had on hand. I had the regular chicken feeders for dry feed but not sure those would work very well with ff... anybody have experience with those. they are the plastic feeders with the red tray on the bottom, also suitable for hanging. Also, how often do you clean your feeders when using ff??? I gave the first ff to my ducks this morning and they were less than impressed... waiting to see if they will eventually take a liking to it. Chickens seem fine.

 

I use an old pig trough for my WR & Wyandottes & I keep a scraper outside the door to scrap any that is stuck to the bottom before I put more in. I pitch it out to the freerange AG's

 

[Sally8]

Found it! Very nice.

OK Now I need help. I have in excess of 50 chicks due to hatch soon. ( I've always used a heat lamp (with ceramic socket) but hatched 30 or so) So, have any of you hatched many and what did you use? I was planning on using the old turkey pen but Chuck and Rosie are still with me. I am going to keep my blue egg and Frizzle hatches separated from the others. It should work out somewhat half and half. In the past I put them in my large dog crate but will need 2 separate places. What are your thoughts?

 

[Bulldogma]

Does anyone have any idea what's up with my Lavender Orp's feathers?

We've been noticing over the last few weeks that they aren't straight and smooth like our Buff. They look kind of frizzled, but not?

Any ideas?

Mine is like that too - I think with the coloration comes poor feather quality. I know breeders of self-blue cochins have the same kinds of issues.