The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Ashdoes]

My chicks are on the way..I should have 25 BLRW tomorrow morning. I also ordered SLW and more BLRW from others and they will be here at the end of April. Going to be a busy few weeks. Show season starts.

CG- your EE is cute!! Funny egg song story..thanks for sharing


Sue? was it you who said you are getting rid of your SLW? Can I ask why?

 

I'm getting rid of my SLWs. They peck at the other chickens constantly, no matter where anyone is standing, they peck. The Cochins can't eat if either cherry or rhino are anywhere near the food. I just find them to be really unpleasant. My SIL knows someone that might want them, since they're already laying eggs, otherwise it's the stew pot when hubby gets home. From what I've read the hatchery Wyandottes are mostly like mine.

 

[delisha]

Silkies..Ameracuanas, and BLRW

My next hatch is due the day before Easter

My DH is in TX right now..He should be home tomorrow I hope..that poor guy has been gone for almost two months and missing his girl. I bet I get a lecture about all the birds..and than he is going to laugh.

 

[delisha]

Quote: I guess I would do that also. I sure hope mine are not pickers.Mine are hopefully show quality. I am glad they are arriving in better weather. I will make sure they get tons of outdoor lessons from the big girls. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Sally8]

I don't mean to ask a silly question but for those of you that show, how do you show a chicken? I've seen huge bulls down to a cat being shown but whenever I've gone into the poultry barns, the ribbons are already on the cages. thanks. sue

 

[jlynnet]

Delisha,
That's a lot of chicks! So cute! I plan on picking up a dz hatching eggs this weekend. They will be 6 BCM and 6 Birchen Marans. I just set up the bator today. I'm afraid when I go pick them up I might come home with more eggs! Wish me luck!

 

[delisha]

I don't mean to ask a silly question but for those of you that show, how do you show a chicken? I've seen huge bulls down to a cat being shown but whenever I've gone into the poultry barns, the ribbons are already on the cages. thanks. sue

The conditioning comes before the show
They have to be used to people taking them out of cages. examining wings..so at home you have to handle them a lot. Take them out of a show cage, put them on a table, touch them and spread wings. Look at feet and toes..all kinds of things to get them used to contact.
At the show you place your bird in your assigned area in a cage. You fill out paperwork an entry forms before the show. Sometimes at the show. You might want to spray the cage with disinfectant. Your bird needs to be in top condition, free from pests and dirt. Clean cage before judging.. Wipe your bird with wet-ones if they have poo on feet or feathers.

Than you just wait for eternity.

Not a silly question

 

[delisha]

Delisha,
That's a lot of chicks! So cute! I plan on picking up a dz hatching eggs this weekend. They will be 6 BCM and 6 Birchen Marans. I just set up the bator today. I'm afraid when I go pick them up I might come home with more eggs! Wish me luck!

 

[PeepsCA]

Quote: Thanks BDM,
I was planning on just ordering 25 chicks from one of my local feed stores later this Spring after it's done raining here for the season (tentative order already placed). I haven't had the best experiences with eggs coming from that far

and even tho your packing method looks great I still don't want to risk ending up with only a small hatch. Plus I'd probably get attached to the giant moose-chicks I'd hatch from your eggs and not want to process them, lol. But I'm pretty sure I can stay disconnected from hatchery chicks. Appreciate the offer tho!

 

[Leahs Mom]

We don't have room to allow our broodies to hatch eggs, but even if we did I worry they'd just teach the chicks how to be stupid.

When I read that sentence I laughed so hard....I haven't had a good laugh in such a long time......

 

[bluebirdnanny]

My coop materials are scheduled to arrive on the 25th!!!! Yay! Then as soon as I get it together I can go get my 3 chickens!!! Already have grains fermenting! And my neighbor says I can have her old waterer! I have the containers for the wood ash bath. Making feeders out of old pvc pipes and topping it with a grid of plastic I trimmed away from filter support for my return furnace vent! Outside of a bulb & electricity for warmth (they are used to)I will be all set when I get some bedding.

It is real! the dream is real...I am going to have chickens!!!!!