The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[arkansaschicks]

Sorry about the double post!

 

[zinia8]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003E1Q952
Rv hose Fresh water.

 

[delisha]

I have silkies hatching...two so far are out..three pips and three nothing.

 

[OffGridMAMA]

A video tour of my horse trailer chicken coop... I forgot the show the storage area, but it'll give you an idea of the rest:

Love love it fantastic job!

 

[Pozees]

I have silkies hatching...two so far are out..three pips and three nothing.

 

[OohLaLa]

Hi Y'all So new to having my own flock that all I have is my nearly finished coop. My assorted chicks wont arrive until May (unless I just can't wait and pick up 2 from the local feed store). My intent is to keep them as natural as possible. There is so much conflicting information out there, can any one start a gal off right here?

 

[mlowen]

Welcome, OohLaLa! Jump in anywhere...but reading the entire thread is worth every minute! There is SO much information and wonderful people & stories; you don't want to miss anything.

 

[Leahs Mom]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003E1Q952
Rv hose Fresh water.

Thanks! The one I got was about half way down this page - white w/blue stripes and is only 25 ft. for RV: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=lead+free+hose

It was the only one at Lowes/Menards at the time except for the red ones that Turtle talks about and at the time they were pretty pricy! I think I'll have to look into getting another different kind that's longer. I currently use it for water that will be drunk and for watering the garden.

I have silkies hatching...two so far are out..three pips and three nothing.

Yay!

Hi Y'all So new to having my own flock that all I have is my nearly finished coop. My assorted chicks wont arrive until May (unless I just can't wait and pick up 2 from the local feed store). My intent is to keep them as natural as possible. There is so much conflicting information out there, can any one start a gal off right here?

In addition to hanging around places like this that have experienced folks to learn from I recommend reading at least 2 books.

If you only read one book, I HIGHLY recommend Harvey Ussery's book and website. Here's the book: The Small Scale Poultry Flock http://www.amazon.com/The-Small-Sca...2919025&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Harvey+ussery

The website...scroll down on this page for a list of good articles. His book was compiled from these and more info to: http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Poultry.html


Secondary book: Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens
This one will familiarize you with "conventional" chicken raising but the newest edition has also come back to a little more natural approach. It will give you a broad view / education in many areas as a starting place so that you get a basic understanding. I just don't use a lot of the "not natural" advice but in general, worth reading in my opinion.

 

[delisha]

Hi Y'all So new to having my own flock that all I have is my nearly finished coop. My assorted chicks wont arrive until May (unless I just can't wait and pick up 2 from the local feed store). My intent is to keep them as natural as possible. There is so much conflicting information out there, can any one start a gal off right here?

Welcome to the group! Please keep us posted on your progress..take pictures of your set up! Perhaps we can make some suggestions. You are going to find conflicting information no matter where you look. Do some reading and use information that is sound and will work for you and your environment.
1. You have started off the best! You are getting prepared BEFORE your chickens arrive! Good job!
2. You are asking for help to make sure you do it the best you can..this shows you are more than willing to do what you need to do.
3. Wait for your order to arrive. It is best for your first chickens to be the same size and age.
4. Follow simple rules.
a. good food
b fresh water
c exercise and plenty of room
d safety
e. fresh air and sunshine

Quote: I agree with these books..they are a great read and the second best is to go to a poultry show in your and pick the brains of people who raise chicks successfully.




I have 5 silkies out and two pips!!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I put this on the blog post about lead and zinc, but wanted to pose the question here too:

I had never considered zinc issues with galvanized before on the feeding pans and chick feeders. I wonder how much is leached into DRY FOOD in a galvanized pan?

The next thing I'd like to hear is how does RUBBER affect chickens? I'm thinking of those large rubber feed pans and floor mats. I've always wondered about the fumes from rubber too. It is a natural product but I've not read anything on it's effects!

I have a rubber floor mat on the people side of the coop to scrape my feet on when I come out. It is a mat that had set outside in the fresh air for several months before moving it into the hen house so there are virtually no fumes at this point. However, I have another small mat that sits under one of the feed bowls that gets feed on it and they peck on it to pick up the dropped feed.



I've moved to using GLASS (Pyrex or Anchor) pie pans for feed pans. They're heavy enough that they don't get knocked over and were shallow enough for the chicks to eat from.

ETA: In the winter I need the pans to be round to set on a heater to keep the ff from freezing. In the summer I'll use 13x9 pyrex/anchor pans for the feed.

Anyone know anything about rubber?