The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Bulldogma]

The Question:

If you are using branches, what size diameter works best?
Give me some "branch roost testimonies"

I use branches. Mine are between 2'-3 1/2"... because a 4" would be a log and I wouldn't be able to lift it easily - LOL!

So far so good with ours. If given the choice between a 2"x4" or a natural branch, they all pile onto the natural branch.

 

[kian]

I don't have a branch (heck, I don't even have any TREES) but I use a two by 2x2 square dowel. It seems to be fine, so that's an idea for you as well

 

[delisha]

Quote: http://www.foginfo.org/

 

[veryberry]

I use round wooden closet rods inside the coop, 2 inch diameter. Unfortunately I bought and installed the closet rods before I realized I could do free roosts with branches! I set up branches outside in the pen area that are 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 inch diameter. Even though they have been free ranging for 6 months now they still hang out on the tree branches late in the day.

 

[jendodd79]

Well, I may have a new layer today. Elphaba, the EE, was waiting for me to unblock the nests(I forgot before I left for work last night). She jumped right in one and made herself all comfy. She is only 23 weeks, I was not expecting her to be at POL so soon(was looking more like 28-32 weeks). The only thing I can attribute to her laying early is the FF. It is the only thing different with the teens. I will post a pic of the egg(if it has a good shell).

I'm excited for you! I remember seeing your EE gender posts right when I first got my chicks, so the fact that yours are getting close mean that maybe mine will too!!

 

[delisha]

Mine are quite a bit larger..They are about 4 inch diameter to about 5 inch. The ducks are even larger They are closer to 8-10 inch diameter. I do have to cut more this spring. Mine broke in the freezing temp. Having that serious ton age on it snapped it at a juncture. My juvie pen is about 3 inch diameters. I keep those about 12 inches off the ground. Right now mom and the chicks are in that part too. I opened up a door so she has access to two rooms. Today I opened up to the galley and she did step out a few times to scare a couple of hens, but, went right back in.

I hope all this slop dries up soon so I can get chicks outside.

The Orpington hatched out her chicks. I heard peeping.

I will check her tomorrow to see if she is done. I was thinking of giving her some of these chicks in thee house.

One o the chicks in the house has a slipped tendon..never had one of those..I hate culling chicks.

 

[delisha]

Garedella makes red and dark chocolate chips for valentines...I just made cookies. The are disgustingly good..I might have to post some picks and make you all jealous

 

[jendodd79]

I'm excited for you! I remember seeing your EE gender posts right when I first got my chicks, so the fact that yours are getting close mean that maybe mine will too!!

Speaking of that, I just realized that my girls are 20 weeks today! Wow, time flies! I'm excited, the days are getting longer and it's getting warmer out. Bring on the eggs!

 

[kian]

I have 3 layers right now, with one more sooooo close. She hasn't done the little 'curtsy' for me, but everything else says POL. The other three that are laying are the same age as she is.

I have gotten eggs every single day from my first two layers and now the third is up to that schedule as well. One of them is a Cuckoo Marans so I'm especially pleased with her performance! Methinks it's all the FF and good stuff they've been getting with it. And their yolks are just about pumpkin orange they are sooooooooo dark. Love it!

I know what the little curtsy is for, but I always pet them and tell them what nice eggs they're laying

 

[ocap]

That I dont know but I can see what I can find out from my friends in the fire service. I would think hard wired smoke detectors would be the best. And I would think you could get an alarm box in the house for them. I will have to do some investigating.

Now if you really had extra $$ or won the lottery....sprinklers in the ceilings would be the way to go. No worries except some soggy hay and birds if those go off.

sprinklers will freeze, would not have helped in Canada in the winter. I do like the idea of blowing the dust out of the electrical outlet, use a can of gas that is used on computers