The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Sally8]

I did get some frost bite (not bad) on some of e cockerels combs this winter.. I don't know if this is typical but I give eggs to my dad and he said they tasted great but the shells were so hard I had to use a chisel and hammer to get them out. They are hard takes a good whack on the side of the counter to crack them. Oh mine are feather footed.

This is my first year with an adult BCM roo and his comb got frostbite too. Not terribly. My coop doesn't have moisture but it's been very cold for long periods of time and they do like going out. Yes , it's true about the hardness of the shell. lol forgot about that, but since I have a soft shell layer, I'd rather have the hard shell. Mine are feather footed too. I'm not sure about the egg color. Mine isn't terribly dark, but much darker than brown. I read somewhere where the roo plays a big part in egg color. Wrinkles get's his try this year, next year we'll move on to another. Does anyone know where to find a true chart color? When you compare on line, are those colors true?

Another question. Why is it so hard to find beautiful, brightly colored buff anythings? My neighbor has buff orpingtons, but the color is dull When I first started searching, I read buff colors are pretty common, then someplace else, I read that it is a hard color to perfect. sue

 

[Sally8]

I am so drooling!

 

[farmerfogg]

What do you guys think of this barn? Just a bit bigger. http://blog.mcmurrayhatchery.com/2011/09/29/chicken-coop-photos-and-description-from-maria-beason/ Someone has asked us to take images of the loss. I have documentation, but didn't think anyone would ever want to see it. What is everyone's experience with Black Copper Marans? I want to know how they forage. How well they lay. What their personalities are like, etc. I am considering adding them when we rebuild. I have always wanted dark eggs.

I love this barn. I saw it on the mcmurray site a few weeks ago and drooled like crazy over it. I imagine it has Lot's of room for all of your needs/desires. Best of wishes to you in your rebuild. And,again, I really am sorry for the devastating loss you suffered. My heart is broken for you.

 

[lalaland]

Whatever decisions you have to make- or help her make - the one piece of advice I freely offer, is that when you have cancer, there are many decisions you must make with imperfect information. Often you get more complete information long after that earlier decision was made, and you may find you made the wrong decision. Do not second guess those past decisions, do not play what if, do not guilt yourself. Make the best decision you can in the moment it must be made - then don't rethink it. Move on to the next decision -with what is now known - you can drive yourself crazy playing what if. It's much less stressful, and more healing to say - this is where I am now- what can I do in the future, what can I make with what I am today. Say, "I made the best decision I could with what I knew at the time" -- & repeat.

This is intended with good wishes for you & your mother - nothing else ...

\This really struck a chord with me, as my family struggles with eldercare (terrified 86 yr old mother and 92 yr old dad with alzheimers - I will leave you to guess who is easiest to deal with). Thank you for posting it.

And Sally, I am so sorry to hear about your mom.


About off topic stuff, I personally appreciate the little insights into everyone's lives here - and do not think there is any OT problem. In my mind no need to apologize for being alive!

 

[lalaland]

I always wanted BCM's for the egg color until i got these ratty looking welsummers from the guy's bedroom - they lay pretty dark eggs, and two of them are incredibly dark - so much that I've had people ask if they were BCM eggs. I have never had welsummers before, and don't think I will again, but love the egg color.

Its a dangerous time of year, can't go into a feed store with out pics of chicks and chick ordering forms. Think I might have to stock up on stuff so I can stay far far far away when there are actual peeping chicks in there!. Although around here, there are only pre-ordered chicks and unless someone failed to pick them up, you cant have them.

Of course, if i cleared out the trailer coop store room, I would have room for a dozen more hens.....oh oh.....

 

[pcappy2]

The pictures of those different new barns, really has me wishing and drooling. Both look very very nice.

Very sorry to hear of a mom with cancer....have nonhodgkins myself. I agree with the advise you were given, do what you canto make your best decision today and don't second guess yourself.

Thank you to those that posted about dogs loving FF,,,,just thought mine was crazy. He's certainly crazy for it!!

Someone posted a verse,,,I know we need to be very careful here but wanted you to know...I googled it, printed it and taped it to my bathroom mirror. It has helped me many mornings thank you

Great looking chickens playing in the manure pit. Really like the pic of that rooster. I'm a sucker for a handsome roo every time.
Really enjoy this thread...on topic and off

 

[rambunctious]

I absolutely love that barn look! Is there a guest bedroom in there someplace? lol Share with us anything you want to share. Sometimes, talking about things, helps bring about healing.

I've had BCM for about a year now. I bought 5 eggs off ebay. 4 hatched. The chicks popped out of those shells after 19 days. They've been healthy, very calm temperament and friendly. They probably lay 5 days a week. I usually get 3 eggs a day out of 4 hens. They become broody easily. I they are good foragers. I don't have a lot of experience as I only have an acre. They are the first out of the coop in the morning. I have a very beautiful roo, very attentive to his ladies. My vote is yes.

My Mother was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. She'll be 77 Friday, has a bad heart and her lungs are already compromised. Not sure how aggressive treatment can be.

Very sorry to hear this. I hope for as much of a comfortable time as possible for her.

I am so drooling!

This is amazing. LOVE it. We have an area we could build in (if we had the money to do it!) it would be on the front part of my husband's range...I wonder if he'd notice...lol!

 

[farmerfogg]

Welcome to all the first-time posters on the thread. We're happy you have joined us. Keep those questions coming! And just for fun, here are some of the silly things I did with my new babies today. Grumpy Chick See? You can housebreak a chicken! (OK - no... not really.) Racing stripes! Hula, anyone? Look at all those toes!

Oh how ADORABLE! I love your photos!

 

[farmerfogg]

FINALLY! I have Chick Pics

They are so cute!

 

[Bulldogma]

My Mother was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. She'll be 77 Friday, has a bad heart and her lungs are already compromised. Not sure how aggressive treatment can be.

I'm sorry to hear this.
HUGS! (And don't apologize - we have developed some amazing friendships on this thread. We're all here to help and support each other, and we care about you.)