The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Mtn Laurel]

My nephew is obsessed with egg collecting. He said to me "You know. I want to be a farmer and have chickens when I grow up!" Nearly busted a tear duct. It was way too cute.

First egg!

Trying to catch up but had to chime in on your adorable nephew and his cuteness -

My 5 yr. old granddaughter is the same way. She walks in the door and the first words out of her mouth are "Can we go see the chickens?" Well, of course we can! The first time she saw them, there were two eggs for her to collect. She was cradling them - still warm - in her little hands and looked at me and said . . .

"Mawmaw's, every day is a little bit like Easter, isn't it?"
​

Oh, out of the mouths of babes! Couldn't decide if I should laugh or cry so did a bit of both. Wouldn't the world be a wonderful place if every day was a bit like Easter - or Christmas - or Thanksgiving - or any of the other holidays where we step back and look at the renewal of life, where we share our bounty, and where we take a moment to stop and reconnect with our families and others? I know she was talking about the finding of eggs but I think she may be onto something really big!

​

 

[Leahs Mom]

Yay! I'll be waiting to hear of you get more!

I know Bee was always against hatching this time of year, but if a hen of mine was to go broody, she'd get a few eggs. I've had them broody in February, and it is the coldest here in February. My hen successfully raised 3 chicks. Did not hatch them herself, but they thrived outside. Mama is there to keep them warm!

If you really don't want chicks, don't give her eggs. Just know she can do it. The biggest worry is if they get away from her and chill. This is where ramps and high nesting boxes could pose a problem.

Leahs Mom was letting a broody hatch some eggs. How is that going?

On the broody - I had communicated privately w/Bee regarding her opinion on the matter of my "DECEMBER BROODY" I was wondering if that was a terrible idea but I REALLY WANTED some chicks that would be coming into lay a little earlier than my spring chicks had next year. I had been really been considering purchasing some chicks anyway for that very reason and was trying to figure out how I'd keep them warm during the first several weeks. I had actually been hoping that one WOULD go broody but then wondered how smart that was at this time of year (!) Strangely enough, this is an RIR from a hatchery - which aren't supposed to go broody very much!

After some conversation, Here's what Bee had to say:
Quote: So...I DID!

She's still at it. She has 3 Swedish Flowers and 3 Black Copper Marens eggs under her as of December 7 so if we have any luck, they should hatch somewhere around a week from today - give or take a day or so. The eggs were shipped so that's another issue...never know what shape they'll be in after shipping.

 

[Melabella]

Thank you everyone. Love my Natural Chicken keeping peeps....

xo

 

[Toast n Jelly]

The winter pics are lovely aoxa! (not a fan of snow tho lol)

 

[Melabella]

Yay! I'll be waiting to hear of you get more!


On the broody - I had communicated privately w/Bee regarding her opinion on the matter of my "DECEMBER BROODY" I was wondering if that was a terrible idea but I REALLY WANTED some chicks that would be coming into lay a little earlier than my spring chicks had next year. I had been really been considering purchasing some chicks anyway for that very reason and was trying to figure out how I'd keep them warm during the first several weeks. I had actually been hoping that one WOULD go broody but then wondered how smart that was at this time of year (!) Strangely enough, this is an RIR from a hatchery - which aren't supposed to go broody very much!

After some conversation, Here's what Bee had to say:
So...I DID!

She's still at it. She has 3 Swedish Flowers and 3 Black Copper Marens eggs under her as of December 7 so if we have any luck, they should hatch somewhere around a week from today - give or take a day or so. The eggs were shipped so that's another issue...never know what shape they'll be in after shipping.

thanks for the update... Oh the pics we shall enjoy from that! So exciting! I have 2 RIR hatchery girls... funny she went broody!
Keep us posted!

 

[Leahs Mom]

It's not a bowl. It's a heated waterer. Maybe 2 gallons? It is annoying and hard to attach to the base. The ducks spill it everywhere, and it mixes with shavings and poop and stinks like you wouldn't believe.

It's not a bowl though.


It's this.

Hate it. Never waste your money on this one.

YES...I TOTALLY HATE WATERERS THAT HAVE TO BE FILLED FROM THE BOTTOM.

That was one of the criteria I was looking to AVOID when I was trying to figure out what waterer I wanted.

Also the STINK on those. I know Stoney said not to worry about perfectly clean water...that's not my problem with these. It's the STINK and the hassle of the screw-on base and ...no matter how high I put them, they always got shavings in the water and did I mention the STINK?

Those are just some of the reasons I love my waterer.

 

[aoxa]

Trying to catch up but had to chime in on your adorable nephew and his cuteness -

My 5 yr. old granddaughter is the same way. She walks in the door and the first words out of her mouth are "Can we go see the chickens?" Well, of course we can! The first time she saw them, there were two eggs for her to collect. She was cradling them - still warm - in her little hands and looked at me and said . . .

"Mawmaw's, every day is a little bit like Easter, isn't it?"
​

Oh, out of the mouths of babes! Couldn't decide if I should laugh or cry so did a bit of both. Wouldn't the world be a wonderful place if every day was a bit like Easter - or Christmas - or Thanksgiving - or any of the other holidays where we step back and look at the renewal of life, where we share our bounty, and where we take a moment to stop and reconnect with our families and others? I know she was talking about the finding of eggs but I think she may be onto something really big!

​

My nephew was running full speed with the egg basket with a couple of eggs and was so excited - huge grin. He did a faceplant right into the ground. Got up, shook off and continued running. He was so excited that he did it all by himself.

Not afraid of any bird. He was out there taking the deep litter and talking to the chickens while making them nests.

Him: "Okay, so who needs their spot cleaned now? You? Okay just a minute." *walks over, shovels it around* "There you go."

 

[Leahs Mom]

Please say a prayer for everyone who was taken too soon, and those missing from our lives.
Blessings to all,
Carmela

I am glad you shared...and will pray. Such a sad thing.

 

[aoxa]

YES...I TOTALLY HATE WATERERS THAT HAVE TO BE FILLED FROM THE BOTTOM.

That was one of the criteria I was looking to AVOID when I was trying to figure out what waterer I wanted.

Also the STINK on those. I know Stoney said not to worry about perfectly clean water...that's not my problem with these. It's the STINK and the hassle of the screw-on base and ...now matter how high I put them, they always got shavings in the water and did I mention the STINK?

Those are just some of the reasons I love my waterer.

I'd definitely do these come summer. Spring it would be too much to have in all the pens I need for breeding.



This is my favourite waterer we have. Is not heated. I love how it fills from the top. That black thing screws on to the bottom so when you are moving it from tap to where you set it down, the water does not fill in the base. Once in place, unscrew the little cap and place it where you see in the picture.

You know how some waterers get dirt all in them from waterfowl? This one doesn't!!!

 

[Melabella]

YES...I TOTALLY HATE WATERERS THAT HAVE TO BE FILLED FROM THE BOTTOM.

That was one of the criteria I was looking to AVOID when I was trying to figure out what waterer I wanted.

Also the STINK on those. I know Stoney said not to worry about perfectly clean water...that's not my problem with these. It's the STINK and the hassle of the screw-on base and ...no matter how high I put them, they always got shavings in the water and did I mention the STINK?

Those are just some of the reasons I love my waterer.

Leah, can you provide a link where you purchased these cups? Was this the water cups from when you got to test them, or do I have you confused with someone else? Forgive my swiss cheese memory...

thxs love,
MB

ps. Love the picture tutorial you posted on how you winterized them. Which cup was better and didn't freeze?