The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

For entertainment and for horse lovers

 

[armorfirelady]

Lea

Do you keep Jack outside at night?  I have fencing around most of the property I'd keep a dog in but they could easily wiggle under gates and jump some of the lower fence that the neighbor doesn't maintain but belongs to him.  Do you think if I had one it could be trained to stay in it's area (even if it was easy to get out) or would I need to beef up the neighboring fence line?  I have a highway bordering the front and they just decided that it had to have a sidewalk - on our side .  Now in the warmer weather there are folks walking out there.  I put up a 6 ft. chainlink fence along that sidewalk line but the side fence on the neighbor side is short and would be easy to just leap right over. 

As you can see, I've been considering a dog but it must work well in this busy highway areas with one close neighbor....

have u considered a underground fence for a dog? I purchased one when I bought my house and the best investment I made. The dogs can only go where I want them to yet they can run freely with no fear of them getting injured or taking off. I live on a main highway and it was one of my biggest concerns. We are on our 3rd dog with the system, love , love love it.

I agree Aussies are barkers and while hey are herd animals they are to focused. My bear would kill every chicken if he could. Apparently he thinks they are like the squirrels we trained him to chase off/kill. We're working on leave it with him but........way to focused.
Now my lily an blue heeled cattle dog is the best dog we have had. Follows commands, lerns quick, can be off leash, returns when called. She would be even better if I worked with her more but she is still awesome. We go camping and doesn't need to be tied stays right in the site, and she always has me within her site. A real mommas girl but I think it's the breed as well. But she has chased the hens. Didn't get them but still has prey drive. But she is not as focused enough to watch them non stop like bear. Only barks when someone she doesn't know is at house or walk by. But will stop when commanded to. Crate trained easily.

When we get another dog will be another blue heeler puppy that learns chickens are a no-no.

Bear on left Lily on right watching & waiting for me as I clean the bathroom. They are my shadows

 

[aoxa]

Aoxa,
When they first kid, you do not milk them out all the way till the kids get a solid 2 weeks old and is eating hay. I had a kid trainer on my milk stand and all the does I fed on the stand no matter what age. The bucks I never fed grain. They stole grain from the ground and out of chicken feeders. They had hay and pasture. I fed the goats very little grain. Yes it takes a good 1/2 hour to milk a goat. Good quality goats should give you a gallon a day with a kid. Two kids..maybe a splash of milk. Trips and quads you need to give milk and bottle feed. Two milkers is essential. It would be nice if you found a flock close to you. You buy two does and drop them off in October for breeding. Pick them up end of November. You need a piglet or two..or a bred sow. They do not need much room. Nothing more wonderful than birthin baby pigs. They are so tiny its a wonder they are so feisty. I loved my pigs..

All of this info is invaluable. Thank you Vicki!

We had an AWESOME meeting with a contractor today. Good news. We can get the barn for under our price covered by the insurance AND he will put in a fence for the goats.

We had to rework the outside because of the supports needed for the peak we want. It will have the one side. I am so excited. He is even going to build the exterior runs for the breeding pens!

So this is what we are going to do.. Insulate the chicken area and put in a mini split to heat it just above freezing (for waters and feed) Yes I know there are risks to heating for the acclimation, but our weather varies so much that it won't make a difference. We're not talking heating to 50 in there.. just 32.. to make our job easier. Our power is rarely out. I think the longest was 1/2 an hour this year. I've never been alive with more than a 4 hour power outage. So there is that. In the summer we can use it to cool off the area. Also a bonus.

Whoever said the fuse box should not be in the tractor room was right, That will be in the wash/brood room. There will be concrete throughout all of the barn other than the chicken and large livestock area - which will be dirt.
We were talking about doors.. He had the same ideas about the snow being a pain in front of them. We are going to do smaller lift up garage type doors around the goat and the tractor area. That problem is solved. The entrance and exit will both have doors going in, and the chicken area a door swinging out. So we will have to keep that ploughed. We would anyway, so that's fine.

Now for the siding.. He recommends a steal type sheeting. He says that it will involve less labour and last for years. It comes painted. Now my first thought was that it would heat the building up too much in the summer... but if it is a light colour, and the barn is insulated, it wouldn't be an issue. There is that or clap board (we would have to stain to make it last) or vinyl.

Okay this is becoming a novel... lots to think about. He's going to build the baby barn ASAP for the chicks too until we can get the barn up. He says it will be done by the end of MAY!! The barn! He's a client of mine and he is very trustworthy. I'm so happy with our meeting.

Plus they have two puppies and I got to cuddle with them during the meeting. Only a few tears. It was much better than I thought. Thank you all for the suggestions!

 

[Arkansas81]

All of this info is invaluable. Thank you Vicki! 

We had an AWESOME meeting with a contractor today. Good news. We can get the barn for under our price covered by the insurance AND he will put in a fence for the goats. 

We had to rework the outside because of the supports needed for the peak we want. It will have the one side. I am so excited. He is even going to build the exterior runs for the breeding pens! 

So this is what we are going to do.. Insulate the chicken area and put in a mini split to heat it just above freezing (for waters and feed) Yes I know there are risks to heating for the acclimation, but our weather varies so much that it won't make a difference. We're not talking heating to 50 in there.. just 32.. to make our job easier. Our power is rarely out. I think the longest was 1/2 an hour this year. I've never been alive with more than a 4 hour power outage. So there is that. In the summer we can use it to cool off the area. Also a bonus. 

Whoever said the fuse box should not be in the tractor room was right, That will be in the wash/brood room. There will be concrete throughout all of the barn other than the chicken and large livestock area - which will be dirt. 
We were talking about doors.. He had the same ideas about the snow being a pain in front of them. We are going to do smaller lift up garage type doors around the goat and the tractor area. That problem is solved. The entrance and exit will both have doors going in, and the chicken area a door swinging out. So we will have to keep that ploughed. We would anyway, so that's fine. 

Now for the siding.. He recommends a steal type sheeting. He says that it will involve less labour and last for years. It comes painted. Now my first thought was that it would heat the building up too much in the summer... but if it is a light colour, and the barn is insulated, it wouldn't be an issue. There is that or clap board (we would have to stain to make it last) or vinyl. 

Okay this is becoming a novel... lots to think about. He's going to build the baby barn ASAP for the chicks too until we can get the barn up. He says it will be done by the end of MAY!! The barn! He's a client of mine and he is very trustworthy. I'm so happy with our meeting. 

Plus they have two puppies and I got to cuddle with them during the meeting. Only a few tears. It was much better than I thought. Thank you all for the suggestions!

So happy for u and the family! It warms my heart to see such a wonderful ending to such a horrible beginning. I just love hearing happy - blessed stories

 

[Bulldogma]

Aoxa - I'm so happy to hear your news!! Your future barn sounds amazing, and how wonderful he can help make this a reality within your budget!

 

[ChickChickChicky]

Now for the siding.. He recommends a steal type sheeting. He says that it will involve less labour and last for years. It comes painted. Now my first thought was that it would heat the building up too much in the summer... but if it is a light colour, and the barn is insulated, it wouldn't be an issue. There is that or clap board (we would have to stain to make it last) or vinyl.

Don't know how available it might be in Canada, but Hardiboard is another alternative. It is made of concrete so lasts virtually forever, is vermin-proof (important if you have porcupines, insects or other critters that like to chew) and highly fire-resistant. At least check it out.

 

[jendodd79]

All of this info is invaluable. Thank you Vicki!

We had an AWESOME meeting with a contractor today. Good news. We can get the barn for under our price covered by the insurance AND he will put in a fence for the goats.

We had to rework the outside because of the supports needed for the peak we want. It will have the one side. I am so excited. He is even going to build the exterior runs for the breeding pens!

So this is what we are going to do.. Insulate the chicken area and put in a mini split to heat it just above freezing (for waters and feed) Yes I know there are risks to heating for the acclimation, but our weather varies so much that it won't make a difference. We're not talking heating to 50 in there.. just 32.. to make our job easier. Our power is rarely out. I think the longest was 1/2 an hour this year. I've never been alive with more than a 4 hour power outage. So there is that. In the summer we can use it to cool off the area. Also a bonus.

Whoever said the fuse box should not be in the tractor room was right, That will be in the wash/brood room. There will be concrete throughout all of the barn other than the chicken and large livestock area - which will be dirt.
We were talking about doors.. He had the same ideas about the snow being a pain in front of them. We are going to do smaller lift up garage type doors around the goat and the tractor area. That problem is solved. The entrance and exit will both have doors going in, and the chicken area a door swinging out. So we will have to keep that ploughed. We would anyway, so that's fine.

Now for the siding.. He recommends a steal type sheeting. He says that it will involve less labour and last for years. It comes painted. Now my first thought was that it would heat the building up too much in the summer... but if it is a light colour, and the barn is insulated, it wouldn't be an issue. There is that or clap board (we would have to stain to make it last) or vinyl.

Okay this is becoming a novel... lots to think about. He's going to build the baby barn ASAP for the chicks too until we can get the barn up. He says it will be done by the end of MAY!! The barn! He's a client of mine and he is very trustworthy. I'm so happy with our meeting.

Plus they have two puppies and I got to cuddle with them during the meeting. Only a few tears. It was much better than I thought. Thank you all for the suggestions!

That sounds so positive, I can't help but feel excited for you to see how it will all take shape!

 

[pigeonguy]

LED lights have some problems yet to work out.

I have seen strange similar things with all kinds of light bulbs florescent being the worst. Because of ballast melt down. I'm not going to try and sell you on them. everyone has to make up there own mind. Personally I don't like the flicker of fluorescent light. some can't see the flicker I can. LED are also brighter now than last year but you have to make sure you buy the new technology. Also a LED built like a florescent is built different than the one in the video. I don't like the one like was in the video either. Last thing LED is pure light instant of instant off and can be run with a dimmer switch florescent can not. I'm sorry I said way to much on this subject.
I gave the chickens the last of the squash I had saved from fall today. I am going to have to plant more acorn and butternut squash this year than last year. Those 2 seem to keep the best for me.

 

[countrygirl74]

Aoxa - I'm so happy to hear your news!! Your future barn sounds amazing, and how wonderful he can help make this a reality within your budget!

X2!!!!!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
So...are you saying you LIKE and would use the LED? I also HATE florescent. I actually feel sick if I'm under them for very long...hurt my eyes. I had checked out some LED motion lights but they were all too dim to even light a small area.

I've had thoughts of purchasing whole skids of regular light bulbs, filling a storage area so I don't have to be stuck w/the florescent!