The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[lalaland]

I have Buckeyes. Just getting started with them. I got them as day-olds last spring. Right now, I'm getting maybe 1-2 eggs a day from the 6 of them. OK, I have 15 pullets of mixed breeds and am getting only 1-2 eggs a day at all, but I know that I get at least one Buckeye egg a day. Mine are great at foraging, and from what I've read are wonderful mousers. Out of my 8 chicks, I had 2 cockerels that we butchered. They take awhile to mature, but they dressed out at over 5 lbs. each. Lots of leg meat, not as much breast meat as you'll find on a Cornish or Cornish X. They are very friendly, curious birds. There is a Buckeye breed thread if you want to check it out. Lots of good info there. 

Thanks! I can't believe I didn't think to go look for a thread on them. Maybe I can find someone who breeds them near me - I don't need show quality, but would like hens that didn't burn out so fast.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They certainly aren't themselves yet. But....this is kinda funny. Duck lock up tonight. 1st night for the Runners in the new to them coop. My Runners are pretty much scared of everything, including me. So I walk in the fence. Typical night quacking, grunting running around...etc. The Pekins go in their coop. Then STAND at the door, face out wing to wing. Blocking the door.

. Then the one who challenged the boys today, jumped out (yes jumped) and stood outside the door. The Runners are just standing there looking at me...quacking. I had to go to the door, shine the light in the back of the coop, and the Pekins went to the back (where they always sleep anyway at their nest) and I herded the Runners in. I lock 3 more coops up and still hear quacking (typical) Curiosity got the best of me, so I unlock the door and open it. 11 ducks running in circles. Pekins and Runners funky ducking to each other.

. I just look at them, tell them they better sort it out and close the door, set traps and all was quiet.

Silly ducks. Constant entertainment.

So ...anyway to answer the question, the Pekins certainly aren't themselves but seem to feel safe in their run. My ducks don't free range. I'm afraid with all of the options for water around, I'll never get them back to the coop. So they seem to feel safe in their home.

That account is hilarious, would love to have seen it on video. those Pekins must look like Sumo wrestlers to the Runners.

 

[stonykill]

I am thinking of adding Australorps next year does anyone raise them? would like to hear what you think about the breed personally.

I have 1 Miss L. I just call her Black Girl (she was my 1st black chicken, got her before I got Sumatra's. Black girl must be 5 now, still lays nice eggs regularly and has a great personality toward people. She is a little bossy sometimes with her clan of 7 she hangs with. And is the 1st to lead them away from her rooster. She is head hen of her bunch. I would get more Australorps. Nice birds...at least based on the one I have. We have a local breeder of nice ones 35 miles away. I should get some eggs from her in the spring.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have 1 Miss L. I just call her Black Girl (she was my 1st black chicken, got her before I got Sumatra's. Black girl must be 5 now, still lays nice eggs regularly and has a great personality toward people. She is a little bossy sometimes with her clan of 7 she hangs with. And is the 1st to lead them away from her rooster. She is head hen of her bunch. I would get more Australorps. Nice birds...at least based on the one I have. We have a local breeder of nice ones 35 miles away. I should get some eggs from her in the spring.

Going to put them under Mama? I kept a couple Bantams to do my hatching,

 

[lalaland]

    They certainly aren't themselves yet. But....this is kinda funny. Duck lock up tonight. 1st night for the Runners in the new to them coop. My Runners are pretty much scared of everything, including me. So I walk in the fence. Typical night quacking, grunting running around...etc. The Pekins go in their coop. Then STAND at the door, face out wing to wing. Blocking the door.  . Then the one who challenged the boys today,  jumped out (yes jumped)  and stood outside the door. The Runners are just standing there looking at me...quacking. I had to go to the door, shine the light in the back of the coop, and the Pekins went to the back (where they always sleep anyway at  their nest) and I herded the Runners in. I lock 3 more coops up and still hear quacking (typical) Curiosity got the best of me, so I unlock the door and open it. 11 ducks running in circles. Pekins and Runners funky ducking to each other.  . I just look at them, tell them they better sort it out and close the door, set traps and all was quiet.   Silly ducks. Constant entertainment. 

    So ...anyway to answer the question, the Pekins certainly aren't themselves but seem to feel safe in their run. My ducks don't free range. I'm afraid with all of the options for water around, I'll never get them back to the coop. So they seem to feel safe in their home. 

Yeah, it always amazes me the amount of commotion that can go on at roosting time - and merging flocks really really really does it.

 

[stonykill]

That account is hilarious, would love to have seen it on video. those Pekins must look like Sumo wrestlers to the Runners.

you just can't make this stuff up

. Any time I really need to relax during the day I'll sit on the back deck with a cup of coffee and watch the ducks play. Always something entertaining going on

 

[bobbi-j]

Thanks! I can't believe I didn't think to go look for a thread on them. Maybe I can find someone who breeds them near me - I don't need show quality, but would like hens that didn't burn out so fast.

I'm in MN, too. I got mine from a breeder near Owatonna.

 

[stonykill]

Going to put them under Mama? I kept a couple Bantams to do my hatching,

a mama. One of the RIR's who would be a really good choice if they go broody again. I suspect they will with my "enabling"

 

[dawg53]

Quote: I butcher my chickens..and have for over 30 years. I am pretty sure I would recognize a tape worm. I have seen pictures of others who have butchered out there own chickens and seen tapeworm in the pictures. Not hard to miss.

However, I am glad you have stopped over..You have some good knowledge to share. I don't always agree with it, but, you are certainly knowledgeable.
I dont butcher my birds, mine are layers. If yours ever get tapes, let me know...they come in quite a few shapes, sizes and lengths. I know how to get rid of them.

 

[stonykill]

Yeah, it always amazes me the amount of commotion that can go on at roosting time - and merging flocks really really really does it.

my duck integrating experience has always been they greet each other with open wings. My ducks at least don't do the whole pecking order thing. I honestly feel if the Pekins hadn't recently gone through what they did, tonight would have been smooth. Ducks are much easier than chickens. At least I think they are.