The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

I'm going to be having the brown (read ugly brown) pole building re-painted in the next couple seasons. I wonder if I could do it in barn red and change out the doors to make it look more "barn-like". Add a cupola on top and maybe even an addition like the one at the side (right) to use for animals....

Hmmmm all this has me thinking. Are you able to ethically send me a scan of the final floor plan that shows elevations on this? I'd like to have someone take a look and see what an addition would cost. Then I could move the kiddos in there and use the current hen house for brooding, or whatnot.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Quote: I have the powder mix of elecrolites I will add to the water. They will be broody raised on FF from day one. I will add some eggs to the mix for them.

Would fermented feed cause my Easter Egger's feathers to fall out? Or could they be moulting at 22 weeks?

I noticed 2 days ago that their beards looked sparce, and then today it looks like their necks are bare! The only thing that seems to be missing is their fluffy beards?

Do you think that the other pullets could be picking their fermented feed beards out when they are in the coop at night?

So weird!

They are picking it out of the beards. My Silkies are doing that, good thing they are not going to be shown.

 

[Bulldogma]

Did you use an exterior paint? It is so shiny and beautiful!

It's Rustoleum paint... it looks purty and it helps stop (additional) rust too.

Thank you for the compliment. It looks good in pictures... but close-up and in person you can see the places I messed up - LOL!

So far I haven't used the polyViSol vitamins - though I did go out and get some to have on the shelf. I just have this "thing" about using synthetic vitamins (and plastic and....ya, ya, I know.....

)

Anyway...I have been giving them a good amount of meat and liver from time to time. I probably should give them MORE liver than I have.

So far doing okay with the natural source. Hopefully it continues that way.

LM - the natural way is always best! (IMHO) I just can't afford to feed liver and good organ meat at this time. Someday...

 

[Leahs Mom]

LM - the natural way is always best! (IMHO) I just can't afford to feed liver and good organ meat at this time. Someday...

I hear you!

It just happens that we have a local butcher shop who carries local, non-hormone meats. His prices for items such as liver are WAY GOOD (bad grammar) or I wouldn't be able to do it either!

I'm thinking that you need to get that bulldog of yours to catch a few coons and let the chickens clean 'em up!

Can't beat free meat!

 

[Angel16]

was it the dog that killed the coon??

 

[Bulldogma]

I hear you!

It just happens that we have a local butcher shop who carries local, non-hormone meats. His prices for items such as liver are WAY GOOD (bad grammar) or I wouldn't be able to do it either!

I'm thinking that you need to get that bulldog of yours to catch a few coons and let the chickens clean 'em up!

Can't beat free meat!

LOL - a raccoon would have to walk right up and invite my dog to dinner to become one itself. I'm not saying my girl couldn't, but at 10 years of age, she's up there for a larger breed. I may just have to start keeping a snow shovel and box in my car and pick things up that look "fresh." LOL!

 

[PeepsCA]

was it the dog that killed the coon??

Looks like a German Shorthaired Pointer to me... if so, I'd say yes. A friend of mine raised them and they are coon killers

 

[delisha]

Quote: Nope..they show love that way.its called grooming...if you are showing your stock you need to seperate.

Quote: I start feeding tiny pieces at day one..one chicken liver last a week for 10 new hatch. I save all off my livers, gizzards, hearts. I butcher about 60 chickens a year for myself and about 20 ducks for consumption. I toss all organ meat in a container in the freezor for the chicks and in ziplock bags for myself. I love chicken liver. We eat chicken, duck, fish and for a treat..beef.

was it the dog that killed the coon??

Many dogs kill coons. Mine sure tries. She is better at rodent and bunny killing.

 

[Angel16]

LOL

 

[TexasLisa]

Yes. In the article I wrote for that other thing about tips for using a LG, my images show all the extra 'stuff' I needed. It worked. I could get 100% hatches but with the new Genesis, there is nothing in there but the eggs and my temp/hygrometer. With the LG I can never ignore it for six hours at a stretch. With the Genesis I keep checking it and smile because nothing changes. It is just percolating away. I love it. I will be setting up the LG again in another week. I expect the Heritage RIR eggs then and don't I don't want to do staggered with the Catdance eggs. There is going to be some incubator/egg shuffling going on here.

Mumsy, did you put an extra temp/hygrometer in the Genesis or used the one they supplied? I just bought my Genesis and hope to start hatching eggs soon.

Thanks,

Lisa