The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

I've read where people breed up or upgrade their chickens and I was curious because again, I Read where some people as their chicks grow, when one exhibits undesirable traits, then "off with their heads". Someone posted that sometimes whole batches are nearly all culled. So, I'm thinking that breeders have a very long process ahead of them. It's obvious that i know nothing about breeding. I recently saw a beautiful Buff Orpington and thought I need one of those. After inquiring, it would cost me half of 1 months mortgage to purchase a doz eggs. I'm just going to admire photo's on here. lol. Everyday, I enjoy looking out across my yard and seeing a scattering of beautiful feathery birds. Although, I can't/don't cuddle them, they certainly are fun.
The 2 Silkie roo's I've acquired are for Cecilia but we are only keeping 1. The one I like best is very aggressive so K'm glad I brought 2 home. Around here I rarely see or hear anything about Silkies so I'm certain I can find the other one a good home. I'm not planning on breeding Cecilia but the larger hens sort of shun her. I thought maybe one of her own would be a companion. I didn't care if it were male or female.

I don't cull silkies if they have a flaw (unless it is a sickness of course). They all find pet homes. I had one that had a club looking foot, and now he's living the good life at my friend's place. She takes any of my mild disabled birds. As long as they are not suffering. Which he wasn't. Just a little odd.

After I read that everything else I was going to post went out my head. I will have to reread the post and answer the questions later..

Aoxa..my silkie eggs look delayed..the bottom half of the egg is clear..they are moving and active in 8 eggs.

Here's hoping all of the 8 moving eggs hatch!

I actually went to YouTube and have the Paul Harvey/ Dodge Ram/ So God made a Farmer on my website.

Loved it.

Loved the Clydesdale one with the exception that the way my mind thinks, it was not believable that the horse would escape it's handler and go through the streets of a city with no police, zookeeper, news crew chasing it......

I've seen my dog do it. I don't know much about horses, but there is that Christian the lion (but he didn't run through a city for his handler).

no..not at all..that is too hot ...90-95 is the hottest you should go if they are outside. Just make sure they do not have a draft.

Agree with this 100%! I find mine get too hot at 90 the first day, so I try to keep it at 85. I watch behaviour. It's much safer than having it too hot and them flipping over because they are uncoordinated and roasting under a heat lamp. That's happened to me unfortunately.. Which is why I only use my two setting heat lamp for new baby chicks. I keep it on the low setting.

Though I haven't checked temp since I first brooded chicks. I remember watching what temps they felt comfortable, and 85-87 was the best reaction to day olds.

A few will just stand there with their heads down..

They look fine in this picture.

 

[aoxa]

Has anyone ever had a few bloody poops from chicks without it being a cocci overload, and it clearing up on it's own?

 

[delisha]

Has anyone ever had a few bloody poops from chicks without it being a cocci overload, and it clearing up on it's own?

I have had that in fat chicks..that over ate. I attributed it to sluffing..since it was only one or two chicks..if it is cocci..it will stink to high heaven and more than one will be showing blood in stools. Try giving them just dry for a feeding and see if it stops. I bet it is piggy syndrome..add a few leaves of chopped up Oregano.

 

[aoxa]

I have had that in fat chicks..that over ate. I attributed it to sluffing..since it was only one or two chicks..if it is cocci..it will stink to high heaven and more than one will be showing blood in stools. Try giving them just dry for a feeding and see if it stops. I bet it is piggy syndrome..add a few leaves of chopped up Oregano.

I cleaned out the visible bloody poop, and no blood this morning after 12 hours of clean bedding. All chicks appear perfectly normal. I have no idea which one is pooping blood.

It's happened to me once last summer. I didn't intervene and didn't lose a single chick.

If I see any blood when I return home, I'll try dry feed to see if it changes.

 

[aoxa]

Reading this publication:


Quote: It indicates I would see signs prior to blood in stool. I have not. They act completely normal. Jumping around, roosting.. eating, etc. The poop is regular shaped and consistency, but with a little liquid blood around it. I may have noticed 3 bloody droppings, but I cleaned any area around them up as a precaution.

If any acted weak I would cull. However, all are fine. It's strange!

 

[delisha]

Reading this publication:


Quote:

It indicates I would see signs prior to blood in stool. I have not. They act completely normal. Jumping around, roosting.. eating, etc. The poop is regular shaped and consistency, but with a little liquid blood around it. I may have noticed 3 bloody droppings, but I cleaned any area around them up as a precaution.

If any acted weak I would cull. However, all are fine. It's strange!

I am sure it is normal sluffing..how old are they?

 

[aoxa]

I am sure it is normal sluffing..how old are they?

5 weeks old now.

 

[rambunctious]

This is them now..the thermometer reads 90.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Finally!!!!!!

Finally..now I just need to get mom to get them out to eat and drink

 

[Leahs Mom]

Look what the kiddos learned to do! (Must be watching mom.) 5.5 Weeks








They have their own canning jar waterer on the other side of the hen house and I never showed them that there was water in these cup waterers.

And...I DID find a way to keep these from freezing in the winter!

I'm going to do a blog post on winter use of the cup waterers when I get some time.