The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

I rarely have extra eggs. I take them to the feed store and they sell them for me for $3.00 a dozen. I use that money to buy feed. I will have more than enough eggs later in the year. In the beginning of the year I am always lite on eggs. I cull my flock down to bare minimums starting in late October.Right now I have two dozen eggs I sell at the feed store a week. By July I might have a dozen a day if I decide to keep anything this year. I think my new orp pullets will not be laying till late in the year, and I doubt my BLRW or SLW will lay this year at all. I am selling my HRIR.

 

[Loghousemom]

GOOD NEWS! Our barn has been approved by the insurance company!!!!!!!!!

That is awesome! We went through a fire caused by a neighbor over a year ago. Our insurance covered some, but lots was left unpaid. We didn't loose all that you did, but it was scary for sure.

 

[Bulldogma]

I rarely have extra eggs. I take them to the feed store and they sell them for me for $3.00 a dozen. I use that money to buy feed. I will have more than enough eggs later in the year. In the beginning of the year I am always lite on eggs. I cull my flock down to bare minimums starting in late October.Right now I have two dozen eggs I sell at the feed store a week. By July I might have a dozen a day if I decide to keep anything this year. I think my new orp pullets will not be laying till late in the year, and I doubt my BLRW or SLW will lay this year at all. I am selling my HRIR.

Why are you selling your HRIR?? Did they all turn out to be boys?

 

[delisha]

Quote: no..They are beautiful! one male and the rest females.
I need to narrow my focus. I am keeping it for now ..less breeds..I had to make a choice. They are going to a great home and a little boy really wants to show them.


Orps(2 quads)
Wyndottes (2 quads)
Silkies (probably 4 pens)
Marans..(one pair for now)
Ameracuana (a quad)

 

[chickiemomy]

Mumsy and Aoxa so glad your chickens are better. Mumsy, another litter option for your silkie would be Sweet PDZ granules (not the powder.) It looks like white clumping kitty litter and is non-toxic to chickens. It is kind of like sand, and a 25lb. bag is about $10 at Tractor Supply (probably more where you live.)

I second that -- I have sand in my covered run - and top it off with some PDZ -- I can get it for $16 or so for a 40 lb bag over here on the mainland (I second get granulated - don't get the powder as it is too dusty) shouldn't be too much more $$ for you - aren't there a lot of horse people over on whidbey?? Just to add to the mix - I toss my fireplace ashes into a corner of the covered run - not a separate tub for dusting - they work it all up together - community baths - quite a scene with a pile of prone chickens in the corner. The PDZ is great over the summer to keep the sand fresher smelling - use a kitty scoop I duct-taped to a long handle to scoop out the poo from the run.- comes up pretty easy. Crumbs are left behind, but think I'll just plan to top everything off with the extra sand DH has been hauling around in the back of his truck for winter traction - then retop with more PDZ. And the PDZ is ok if they happen to eat it. Over this first chicken winter, I ended up spreading a bale of straw over the sand because I couldn't keep the ground in the run dry enough to suit me. But am going back to sand & PDZ when it dries up (July 5th LOL)

Sand/PDZ may be worth a try for you Mumsy

Really happy Mumsy's chick is on the mend - so hard when they can't tell you what's wrong. I don't post too much - but I want you all to know I'm REALLY loving all the chicken hatch pics. And all the chick pics, for that matter - am really liking horse trailer coop too. And so glad Justine's barn building is moving along - spring & summer will be here too soon for you I'm sure!
o for extra eggs - you might try a senior center also. It's a good protein that's easy to eat & digest, for the older-crowd. My eggs don't last beyond us & family - need more chickens

 

[71stbrew]

What kinda world is this when people refuse fresh eggs, I will never understand I have family and friends standing in line for mine. Granted I only have 10 hens but am adding 'cause I can't keep up with demand.

 

[hotrodflash]

What kinda world is this when people refuse fresh eggs, I will never understand I have family and friends standing in line for mine. Granted I only have 10 hens but am adding 'cause I can't keep up with demand.

I know, crazy right? I gave my neighbor a dozen today, she was thrilled. I owe her for letting us take what we wanted out of an barn, barn wood, gates, doors, window and plywood, that they were tearing down and then she gave us two truckloads of tin for the roof of my coop and enough tin to cover my sisters coop and leftovers as well. Great neighbors so providing her with eggs is the least I can do.

 

[Leahs Mom]

just caught up with this thread. so now i will partake.


HELLO ALL

Bruce! Soooo good to see you!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Loghousemom]

Hi Bruce! I too remember reading much advice from you in the other threads! So glad to "see" you again.

I am over run with eggs! I've got about four dozen right now, the cold weather has not slowed these girls one bit. Luckily my MIL takes a lot, especially while my husband is gone, but there has to be something I can do with them all. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a women's shelter, or homeless shelter? But I'm not sure if they'd accept eggs that aren't certified, or whatever store bought eggs are. What does everyone do with all their extra eggs?

I thought about donating eggs too, but around here the food banks couldn't take them unless they were from an "inspected" farm, so here is what I did. I volunteer with a Preschool that does integrated classes for Head Start (low income families) and early childhood special education. I also could not donate them straight to the program for their needy families for the me reasons as above. so I spoke with the program director and we worked it out to have the family advocates that work with the families asking those neediest families if they would like farm fresh organic eggs. (We have our land certified organic for produce, but not for chickens or eggs.). Those that did were put onto a list. When I have an overflow that I want to donate, I call the families on that list till they are all gone. I bring the eggs to the school, the advocates hand them out to the appropriate families. I think everyone should have access to healthy food, and if I can help a couple families have yummy breakfast for a few days then I will.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Aoxa!!!! Can't wait to see that barn up and running!

And so glad to hear about your little silkie, Mumsy.

When I was researching bumble foot (which I have to update y'all on what I did and how it turned out when I have time), I ran across Nettie and her neoprene chicken shoes. The purpose of these things was to keep the feet clean while healing. She makes them for ducks too. Thought I'd post a link in case they may be helpful for the feet your dealing with. Some have open toes so they can scratch and some have closed toes - depends on what they're needed for. Nettie will make them to order and fit your bird's feet. She'll work with you to get it right.

Here's a couple photos and the link:
Silkie Shoe: http://www.etsy.com/listing/106873441/neoprene-silkie-chicken-shoes-1-pair?ref=correlated_featured
Chicken Shoe: http://www.etsy.com/listing/106158021/1-neoprene-chicken-shoe?ref=pr_shop
large fowl shoe: http://www.etsy.com/listing/1219886...eoprene-shoe-for-fowl?ref=correlated_featured

She'll make them in whatever color you want and may even be able to fit them to the disability you're dealing with. I hear she's very good.

Silkie shoe:

Regular Chicken shoe