The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Melabella]

I do like it and for some odd reason I have one that hatched out of my own flock. Well not a wyandotte..but similar markings. Actually bad markings..but it reminds me of yours. I love Wyandotties, so that is probably why I really love that bird. I am getting SLW's from a breeder in April.

Oh, love that silver lacing pattern as well. I am lusting for some silver pencilled Rocks.... sooooooo lovely.. Are they not gorgeous?

ps.... I can ship him to you if you'd like,,, he needs you Delisha... teach him a few things...lol. Actually, he's been a lot better lately.

MB

 

[aoxa]

Personal barn dreams:
no outside stairs in fact no stairs at all, I have been living in a home with outside north facing stairs and either slip on the ice in winter or the algae in the summer, my age is creeping up and I have difficulty even climbing stairs without falling over backwards

Cross shape with "breed" rooms on both sides of all four legs that way each breed room has access to outside, each leg can be extended to expand my flock, and while I am at it fire retarding walls so each section will contain the fire. Center of the cross is my "man cave or" dog house when I am in trouble with the dear wife.

the two center halls big enough to bring in a truck into loaded with feed

I wish I knew how to draw a picture and post it here

Easy to go above any budget when dreaming, I even ordered seven breeds of chickens for this summer (when I am getting back into the hobby) when I probably only have time for one breed.

I'm 25 so it will be quite some time before stairs become an issue. I do get the shovelling madness. That is something I didn't really think about, but I could manage it. Hmm.. How about making it covered above so I have shade in the summer and less snow in the winter... ideas..

My grandfather has a barn with stairs leading to the upstairs loft outside where there is a little guest area.

I do plan to get goats and a donkey for protection. I need enough space for them downstairs.

I can't train another LGD. We are planning on starting a family soon, and it takes so much time and dedication. A donkey doesn't need all that.. However, I am concerned about a donkey and our existing dogs, so I'll have to research that a little more.

I have heard of Llamas for protection as well. Any other suggestions on guard animals for flock protection?

We also want pigs, but I don't want them in the barn. I think we will make a whole separate area for them.

 

[Melabella]

Personal barn dreams:
no outside stairs in fact no stairs at all, I have been living in a home with outside north facing stairs and either slip on the ice in winter or the algae in the summer, my age is creeping up and I have difficulty even climbing stairs without falling over backwards

Cross shape with "breed" rooms on both sides of all four legs that way each breed room has access to outside, each leg can be extended to expand my flock, and while I am at it fire retarding walls so each section will contain the fire. Center of the cross is my "man cave or" dog house when I am in trouble with the dear wife.

the two center halls big enough to bring in a truck into loaded with feed

I wish I knew how to draw a picture and post it here

Easy to go above any budget when dreaming, I even ordered seven breeds of chickens for this summer (when I am getting back into the hobby) when I probably only have time for one breed.

I have a similar ideas of that... I actually have an amazing aerial photo of a chicken farm set up a lot like that. Huge sweeping runs attached in NSEW directions attached to each coop, (which were the size of small barns. LOVED IT. Love the man cave inside...lol...
What 7 breeds are you getting?

MB

 

[Melabella]

I
Using Guard Animals to Protect Livestock from Coyotes

Do you own livestock like sheep, cattle or other range animals that need to be protected from predators? Are you looking for a non-lethal solution that will reduce your livestock losses and will be on the job 24 hours a day? Then consider this booklet.
The Missouri Dept. of Conservation has produced a booklet entitled "Using Guard Animals to Protect Livestock.
This 8 1/2 x11 inch 14 page booklet covers all aspects of using guard animals in a simple and easy to understand way. Drawing from the field experiences of farmers in Missouri and in the U.S., the authors discuss using

• Guard Dogs
  ​
• Guard Donkey and Mules
• Guard Llamas
• Interspecies Grazing

Guard animals can provide an efficient and cost effective way of protecting your sheep and other cattle from coyote predation. This booklet helps you find out if guard animals will apply to your situation. Guard animals are not a panacea. But they can be part of the solution to coyote predation control.
Cost is $11.95 post paid using Priority Mail. MA residents add 42 cents tax.

 

[Bulldogma]

the two center halls big enough to bring in a truck into loaded with feed

Yes! A drive-through aisle with direct access to the feed room!

And you also need storage for hay and bedding while you're at it.

One other thing... Aoxa, once you get your new barn built you may feel as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking-chairs. Go out and buy a long-range baby monitor and quite a few inexpensive smoke/fire detectors. Put up the detectors up every 20 feet or so and put the sender-unit of the baby monitor central in your barn. Then keep the receiver unit of the baby monitor in your house... by your bed while you sleep. You might sleep better knowing you would hear any kind of problem early on.

HUGS!

 

[ocap]

I have a similar ideas of that... I actually have an amazing aerial photo of a chicken farm set up a lot like that. Huge sweeping runs attached in NSEW directions attached to each coop, (which were the size of small barns. LOVED IT. Love the man cave inside...lol...
What 7 breeds are you getting?

MB

silver penciled wyandotte
white jersey giant
australorp
buff orpington
buff brahma
buckeye
and silkies to be my brooders, I tried incubators and it hurt too much to fail, too many crooked toes
I have learned a lot from all of you about golf balls and broodiness so maybe each breed will brood their own

saw some photos of a mule/donkey killing a mountain lion
My brother has LGD(s) for his goats and barking never stops at night, I learned to sleep through it when visiting

 

[Melabella]

Speaking of pigs... OFF TOPIC VIDEO OF THE DAY......

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10151450711230733

 

[delisha]

My DH is a big believer in donkeys..he said no LGD..get a mini..still working on it however. i do not want a donkey. I do not have room. I have lived without an LGD. He does have a point. I really do not have tons of land. It is only a few acres. I have the fence now and that should help at night. I have never seen foot prints inside the fence line...except rabbit.

 

[delisha]

I love silver pencil birds of any variety..they are beautiful if you find a good breeder. I have a SP Cross and he is going to be dinner soon..My DH is going to be sad. He is growing into a really nice male, but, I have my RIR and that is what they are for.

 

[delisha]

Speaking of pigs... OFF TOPIC VIDEO OF THE DAY......

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10151450711230733

OMG too funny