The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[loanwizard]

I was told if it is good growing hay I could expect 100 bales per acre? Is that accurate for 2 cuttings or 3?

 

[Leahs Mom]

I read something that I'd like those of you that are using a brooder lamp to try out for me to see if it works. (Unless you already have experience to know...)
Someone on the organic chickens group on facebook said that they had a "trick" that they used to help figure out if they had cockerels. She said she'd wave her hand under the lamp to make a shadow which would simulate a shadow made by an areal predator (hawk, etc.) She said she'd watch to see which ones "stretched up tall"or "stood up straight". It was her observation that the cockerels would stretch up straight like you would see a rooster doing when it's on guard.

Anyone else notice that? If not...would you try it when they're a couple weeks old and let us know your results?

 

[aoxa]

I read something that I'd like those of you that are using a brooder lamp to try out for me to see if it works. (Unless you already have experience to know...)
Someone on the organic chickens group on facebook said that they had a "trick" that they used to help figure out if they had cockerels. She said she'd wave her hand under the lamp to make a shadow which would simulate a shadow made by an areal predator (hawk, etc.) She said she'd watch to see which ones "stretched up tall"or "stood up straight". It was her observation that the cockerels would stretch up straight like you would see a rooster doing when it's on guard.

Anyone else notice that? If not...would you try it when they're a couple weeks old and let us know your results?

One of those things that would be right...

50% of the time.

 

[loanwizard]

I have tried it several times with no results.

 

[Leahs Mom]

50% of the time

 

[Pullet Surprise]

Quote: Yes!!!! Exactly what is needed!

 

[delisha]

You guys crack me up..it was an enjoyable laugh

as far as predator above and clapping..it is not accurate..all of mine would be male.

as far as ACV in the water..yup..I think most of us do it.

I shoveled out to the coop..wow it is coming down.. A few of the chicks came out to eat and dashed back in. It is pretty cold. I was hoping for warmer with the snow, but, holly cow it is in the teens. Going to warm up though..I am so glad some are eating.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote: Did you leave the cut grass where they lay and gather it all up after it was dried or put them in your barn to dry?

For drying, I raked mine up and put it in rows to dry. Just one afternoon did it. Sometimes I put it on the cement drive and sometimes I just left it in the grass depending on how wet/dry the grass base was.

But.... I have a 2 acre area that I've just been mowing and not using the clippings. I'd like to find out if there is someone in the area that would mow and bale it in small bales. I've never checked on that before so I don't know if 2 acres is too small and if the price to have someone do it too high. I have no idea of what to expect.

Any of you farm-experienced folks know anything about that? I just keep thinking that it's just going to waste and I'd like to use it.
I could put it on my very long driveway... good idea thanks! Someone local may do it while he's doing his own...(for a few dozen eggs lol)

 

[Mumsy]

One of those things that would be right...

50% of the time.

DOUBLE HAH! Took the words right out of my mouth!

This kind of reminds me of the waving a weighted string over an egg and getting a Male or Female reading. It will be accurate for some. Not so much for some others. Parlor tricks. Boy. Does that date me.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I was told if it is good growing hay I could expect 100 bales per acre? Is that accurate for 2 cuttings or 3?

I'd like to know that too.

Also...has anyone done a "seed injection" into a pasture rather than plowing and replanting? I'm wondering if I can find someone to pay to do that on the 2 acres so that I can get it growing more of what I'd like in there. Right now it's just whatever comes up. The property there had a house on it years ago but the electric company took it out and they put the high intensity towers on it. Then after all that, my parents purchased that lot but the elec co has a right of way through it.

It's the 2 acres that my hen house is sitting on - then right next to the hen house is a gate that opens into the main 10 acres that was my parent's original property. It is 12 acres altogether....but the 2 acres is open and just grass. That's what I want to use for hay.