The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[hotrodflash]

That's all normal for naked necks. It does look sunburnt, but that is how they look.



She would look a whole lot drier if I used a flash. If you zoom in it looks dry as well. Wrinkly little things! Most think they are ugly, but I don't

Ok, thanks. I was hoping it was normal, I got very lucky to find them in a local feed store. I had to fight with the employee at the store to just buy the 3 naked necks. He Thought that something was wrong with them and didn't want to sell them to me. I made him go talk to his manager and get permission to sell them to me.

 

[maggiemo]

I got my Welsummers April 2012. Mine forage like crazy. They almost never are in the run where I free feed. I feed fermented food in the morning and the Welsummer walk by and go to the compost pile. They come back when the crowds is gone and see if they are interested in anything left. I work at a farm and one day I litterally brought a truck load of kale home to my chickens. Everyone went crazy except the Welsummers. They walked right by to the compost pile to look for bugs and whatever else they eat there.
The Welsummer hen who I gave chicks to on Friday throws the food out of he feeder and shows them how to scratch and eat. It is super cute.
I wonder if it just has to do with how chicks are raised? A friend was over today to see the chicks and she commented how these 4 day old chicks are already being chickens by scratching and pecking in the ground. It's just because thier momma showed them that is how to do it.
I ordered 4 more Welsummer to get in late summer because I really want to have a good rotation of these birds. I hope the second round is as good as these girls.

 

[hotrodflash]

No it will soak in the skin. Doesn't stay wet for long. Melts right on contact with warm skin.

I will try to coconut oil and I added the bacon drippings to the dry food. You would think I put a monster or the cat in the brooder with them rather than a little bowl of food.

 

[aoxa]

I will try to coconut oil and I added the bacon drippings to the dry food. You would think I put a monster or the cat in the brooder with them rather than a little bowl of food.

You want to rub it on the neck. Coconut oil is an amazing thing!

 

[hotrodflash]

You want to rub it on the neck. Coconut oil is an amazing thing!

I will rub it on their necks and then try it on my own super dry hands.

 

[Bulldogma]

I too love to see the pictures of everyone's coops and runs. It really helps me connect to all of you here on this thread. Even though we may live thousands of miles apart from each other. Pictures of your flocks and set ups makes it feel like we are friends and neighbors.

One of my favortite things I saw at Catdance farm was the use of so many double condo units for breeding pairs. My barn isn't very large but I really wanted one of those units. I love how they used peg board for the back and sides for ventilation. I love how they are free standing and can be moved from one area to another. I love how the top can be more storage space and the under can be used by the chickens to dig around in. I love how easy it is to put birds in and take them out. I am only five feet tall and don't have a long reach. That's an important feature.

My husband is really good at slapping stuff together from my scribble sketches and in just an afternoon he built me this! The floors of the pens are cedar fence boards. The front is 1/2 in hard ware cloth. I need to staple wire to the doors tomorrow and they are finished! My husband built it custom to fit under my storage shelf.

Getting ready for a barn full of Silkies and HRIR in a few months. I can use this unit for breeding pairs or chicks. Love my husband! He's a keeper.

You have a real keeper! Love the pegboard idea... I think I'll use that for my next brooder build in the trailer.

I learn the best stuff on this thread!

Oh - and another way to get suet is to save what you drain from ground beef while you're cooking it. I have a George Foreman grill and I just dump the melted fat from burgers into a jar and refrigerate it until I want to make suet cakes. It has been working wonderfully!

 

[Sunflowergirl]

Just wanted to jump in and say

to all! I have been lurking for a while and have been enjoying all I am learning! Thanks!


Leahs Mom, I got bit by the dark egg bug. I have ordered for the end of April, 2 black copper marans, 1 cuckoo marans, 2 barnevelders and 1 welsummer (all pullets). But I am like you in that I am really wanting the Cream Legbar!!! But that will be much later on!!!

 

[animallover2202]

ok Leahs mom sent me here
ok so i have 3 baby chicks (2 weeks and few days) and they have bald bellys where the bone is any one know why????( there moveing around eatting good has clean water and has corn bedding)


(pic was tooken saturday)

 

[delisha]

Quote: I have 4 Marans..It will be interesting to see how they do. I think I have two boy and two girl..

Just wanted to jump in and say

to all! I have been lurking for a while and have been enjoying all I am learning! Thanks!


Leahs Mom, I got bit by the dark egg bug. I have ordered for the end of April, 2 black copper marans, 1 cuckoo marans, 2 barnevelders and 1 welsummer (all pullets). But I am like you in that I am really wanting the Cream Legbar!!! But that will be much later on!!!

Hello Sunflower girl..welcome to the group!! looking forward to your input!

 

[delisha]

ok Leahs mom sent me here
ok so i have 3 baby chicks (2 weeks and few days) and they have bald bellys where the bone is any one know why????( there moveing around eatting good has clean water and has corn bedding)


(pic was tooken saturday)

That chick is fine.