The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Miss Lydia]

I hatched 2 cream legbar cockerels in my incubator last week, and since I was brooding, I went and picked up a four euskal oiloa/marraduna basque chicks as well. 2 were about the same age as the chicks I hatched and the other 2 are a little bit older. All are doing well and getting along just fine. I had my dd takes some pics today since I am not any good at taking pics. They move so fast, it's hard to get a good picture of them. They are eating the fermented feed like it is going out of style. I changed out the brooder material this afternoon and hopefully it will stink less. I gave the new chicks some time to get the old feed/smell out of their systems.

Their adorable

 

[stonykill]

Stony - how cold is it where these little cuties are?

today it was sunny and about 30 degrees F. Light wind. Last night it was 15ish for a low. Their mama had them out in the fresh light snow 1st thing this morning when it was around 20 degree's. People worry too much about chicks needing lots of heat.

 

[Leahs Mom]

today it was sunny and about 30 degrees F. Light wind. Last night it was 15ish for a low. Their mama had them out in the fresh light snow 1st thing this morning when it was around 20 degree's. People worry too much about chicks needing lots of heat.

Wow... so it was in the teens when they hatched? I keep wondering if I should put out a heat lamp for the first couple weeks but that's pretty impressive.

 

[stonykill]

Wow... so it was in the teens when they hatched? I keep wondering if I should put out a heat lamp for the first couple weeks but that's pretty impressive.

the hatch started on the 23rd. Similar weather. Mama does all of the work and provides all of the heat and care. All I did was make sure she only had a few eggs, this way she would be able to keep them warm. That was my only interference in her brooding. No heat in shed they and about 20 other Sumatra's call home. Born and raised total free range in with the entire free range flock. No fences, no heat... just mama hen

. A good broody is an impressive thing to watch. This is daughters 3rd brood oft the year. I see her being like her mother "Mama" and pretty much living to raise lil ones.

 

[armorfirelady]

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !!!!!



From our hens to yours.....girls enjoying the leftover bacon & sausage from breakfast this morning after spending the morning scratching through the snow.

Next few days we are suppose to get a big snow storm (last one wx men were wrong about) so looking forward to the hens enjoying more snow

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Merry Christmas to everyone and congrats on all the lil' peeps.

I received several chicken themed presents but one of my favorites is the Natural Chicken Keeping mug that DH got me. I was truly surprised!! BTW, it's a great looking mug - large and very solid.
Thinking I need to fill it with eggnog now that all the kids and grandkids are gone and I have some quiet time. Finally . . .

 

[WillowChick]

-30C today. Merry CCCCCCChristmas everyone! Brrrr!

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

This is sooo off-topic (not Natural or a chicken), but everyone with a patient (to a point) spouse will get it.

My dear friend brought us presents this morning, and one of them was a teeny little toy chick, that when pressed "peeps". She pressed it and I busted out laughing, and said "awww how cute!".
My husband came running in from another room, with a major look on his face, yelling "Oh Amber you did not bring her ANOTHER chicken!!!".
The look on his face was priceless.
She said, "yeah, I did, but this one doesn't need to be fed...and doesn't even poo!"
We had such a laugh.

Hope everyone's Christmas has been merry!

 

[Miss Lydia]

This is sooo off-topic (not Natural or a chicken), but everyone with a patient (to a point) spouse will get it.

My dear friend brought us presents this morning, and one of them was a teeny little toy chick, that when pressed "peeps". She pressed it and I busted out laughing, and said "awww how cute!".
My husband came running in from another room, with a major look on his face, yelling "Oh Amber you did not bring her ANOTHER chicken!!!".
The look on his face was priceless.
She said, "yeah, I did, but this one doesn't need to be fed...and doesn't even poo!"
We had such a laugh.

Hope everyone's Christmas has been merry!

I bet that was priceless. wheres the camera when you need it.

 

[Leahs Mom]

This is sooo off-topic (not Natural or a chicken), but everyone with a patient (to a point) spouse will get it.

My dear friend brought us presents this morning, and one of them was a teeny little toy chick, that when pressed "peeps". She pressed it and I busted out laughing, and said "awww how cute!".
My husband came running in from another room, with a major look on his face, yelling "Oh Amber you did not bring her ANOTHER chicken!!!".
The look on his face was priceless.
She said, "yeah, I did, but this one doesn't need to be fed...and doesn't even poo!"
We had such a laugh.

Hope everyone's Christmas has been merry!

Hubby:

Rachel: