The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Mumsy]

I am talking about what I put in the FF bucket not in the water.
Every thing I say is just what works for me. I have had birds from the time I was 11 or 12 years old and I am now 53. I have not always done the FF but have used ACV I think for-ever at my place. I don't really measure it for the water in the summer just put in a little. If I put to much I see they don't drink very much if they are not drinking why bother. So I say put in what your birds will tolerate and drink readily.
I am not even watering now they get enough water from the FF and don't drink from the water-er so why bother would I recommend it heck no it has only been two weeks not long enough to know if it works. Will I tell you about it heck ya that is what we are doing sharing what works for us.
Many years ago I heard to put a table spoon ACV to a cup of water for my own consumption. I cant drink that it taste terrible so I kept cutting back till I could drink it I decided 1 teaspoon is OK for me so that is what I do.
Since you can't see me for body language I want you to know this is all said in a nice tone. I appreciate your opinions as much as anyone.

I appreciate you adding your personal experience in this post. So often this is the truth for many. I read the many different ways people coop their birds, mix and feed the FF and all the rest. Many of those methods have not worked for me or could not work in my circumstance. That doesn't mean one way or the other is superior. It proves there are a lot of successful ways of raising poultry.
The reason I'm still reading this thread and contributing occasionally is the friendly helpful folk that frequent it. I've enjoyed your contributions very much pigeonguy.

The Natural Chicken Keeping thread is my favorite on BYC. The information shared here by well meaning folk is superb.

 

[lalaland]

dang.

made soup for the chickens today - leftover spinach, taco meat, a sweet potato soup. Mixed it with mash, and would you know they turned up their beaks to it!

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

What?..there's other threads?

Who'd a thunk it

 

[aoxa]

Aoxa I just love that barn scene but only to look at lol, I couldn't take all that Ice in some of those pictures

I just love "Bonnie's" coloring

Thanks!!

Aww congrats. seems I heard 2-3 weeks with being fertile but don't quote me on that one.

You're right Miss Lydia. I've had them hatch as much as 3 weeks after being separated from a rooster.

I wanted to let everyone know we have 8 roosters processed this morning. Total time is around 3 hours. First two weren't as quick as I would have liked, but by #3 I had it down perfect. I am very proud of myself. I bet my girls are happy as well. That's 8 less roosters to jump them. 8 less roosters crowing and fighting. Not that they were doing that yet, but it was a matter of time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks!!
You're right Miss Lydia. I've had them hatch as much as 3 weeks after being separated from a rooster.

I wanted to let everyone know we have 8 roosters processed this morning. Total time is around 3 hours. First two weren't as quick as I would have liked, but by #3 I had it down perfect. I am very proud of myself. I bet my girls are happy as well. That's 8 less roosters to jump them. 8 less roosters crowing and fighting. Not that they were doing that yet, but it was a matter of time.

 

[Leahs Mom]

dang.

made soup for the chickens today - leftover spinach, taco meat, a sweet potato soup. Mixed it with mash, and would you know they turned up their beaks to it!

DON'T GIVE UP! leave it out there for awhile. I've done like that before and they didn't eat it immediately. Then after it had the chance to sit around a bit and soak in, they ate it! I'd just leave it out there - even over a couple days if need be.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Well...momma finally came out again today and I got a look at the other eggs. No activity I can see at all. They were all placed on Friday, Dec. 7 at about 8:30 pm. I only looked for any outside signs of activity.

Based on the time and date I put them under her I had thought not to expect any action until today and into tomorrow but baby 1 hatched pretty early yesterday. I'm still hoping for something in the next 24 hours but not sure since there seems to be no visible signs of anything at all.

Today baby followed mom out but I did not see baby eat or drink. At first I was concerned baby wouldn't get back into the nest and would get too cold so I picked it up and put it back in. Baby just PROMPTLY came right back out! Mom went back to the nest and baby followed her back okay.

 

[Mumsy]

X 2! Great job!

 

[Sally8]

How long after introducing hens to a rooster for the eggs to be fertile? I'm cracking one open for lunch and after 1 week together,I'll see.

It sure is snowing here again. It makes it harder on the chickens. They haven't come out today at all. Yesterday a few did, Thursday, no one did in that storm. They eat almost double without coming out foraging. We now have nearly 15 in of snow, so it will be a while before they can. I've shoveled a path along the perimeter for them to walk in the last storm. Time to do it again.

 

[pigeonguy]

dang.

made soup for the chickens today - leftover spinach, taco meat, a sweet potato soup. Mixed it with mash, and would you know they turned up their beaks to it!

I would not eat it if it had sweet potato in it either. Very few thing in this world I won't eat sweet potato is one of them. LOL
seriously now did you leave it out there? Have you gave them soup before? Sometimes it takes a while with new foods.