The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

Quote: When we go fishing, we toss the smaller ones in the big pool. I love to watch the ducks go fishing. It is tons of fun when you have ducklings and watch them..it is priceless.

 

[aoxa]

I forgot my buckeye and NH on my list

How could you! The horror!

I have a lot of birds. I like having examples of the heritage breeds roaming around. The variety is appealing.

 

[delisha]

Quote: I think so too. I only have one of each Heritage breed except the RIR's. I think i will be showing them with the Orpingtons.
Did I miss your answer to my question?

 

[memechick]

For some reason I thought you'd of had a lot more.

I sure hope you get a good hatch out of your incubated eggs.

I need to do a small test run in my new Sportsman before spring. Think I'll add in all the BBS Ameraucana eggs I have.. Maybe a few barred rocks.. I just find bantams so much easier to house in the winter.

Aoxa ........ Why do you find bantams easier to house in the winter? Just curious ... I've never owned any bantams. Also, what size egg do bantams lay? Are they small like a guinea egg? I'm just wondering if they would be worth adding to my flock of 7 this spring.

 

[delisha]

I had a lot more..I sell a lot of birds. i like to be at minimum levels come winter. I reciently sold 30 met birds and 20 pullets. I packed my freezor with 12 cockerels and 7 ducks.

 

[delisha]

In case you are wondering..met birds are the same as meat birds..just spelled different when your fingers don't work.

 

[aoxa]

Aoxa ........ Why do you find bantams easier to house in the winter? Just curious ... I've never owned any bantams. Also, what size egg do bantams lay? Are they small like a guinea egg? I'm just wondering if they would be worth adding to my flock of 7 this spring.

They require a lot less room, and eat a lot less. Which is key through the winter when free ranging is limited (by their choice).

I get a lot more eggs for the amount of feed they eat. 2 bantam eggs are the size of one extra large egg for my bantam Ameraucanas.

You can get most standard breeds in bantam form.

Delisha, go back one page. That's where I answered your question

 

[aoxa]

In case you are wondering..met birds are the same as meat birds..just spelled different when your fingers don't work.

 

[delisha]

I want some bantam partridge cochin eggs
I also forgot my Americauna egg (from BOV winner in Atlanta show last month)egg is viable

 

[Eggcessive]

I have 7 banties (old english gamehens, silkies, mille fleur d'uccle, and golden sebright. They are housed in with my large fowl, and if they are not broody, they lay very well. Their eggs are small-2 equals 1 large egg, but the yolks are much bigger in size. When I sell eggs at the local farm produce store here I include a banty egg extra as a bonus, and people really get a kick out of that for their kids.