The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[jendodd79]

That's why I wanted to use pellets from the get-go. The crumble is wasted a lot. It's a pain. I do not care for it, but the pellets are big for bantams. I have been there when a little silkie was struggling to breathe and had a pellet lodged in her throat sideways. I got it out and she was fine, but it was terrifying. Bigger birds probably don't have this kind of issue.
If I were you, I'd try a one and two bucket system and see what works best for you. I have tried both, and much prefer the two bucket system. It isn't all soupy like the 1 bucket system can get.
You're from Ontario right? We're not THAT much different. Most of our coldness comes from the wind. Definitely not like out West!!

Our weather looks to be going up after this weekend. That is definitely a blessing.

Nope - BC! I'm definitely a wimp. It's SO damp out here right now. Wet, wet, wet! Very hard to feel warm even thought it is mild!

 

[Kacey's Krazee's]

Remember the great score we found with the free chicken coop? Well, we brought it home today. It will need some work, but the main bones are good, and DH has plans on incorporating it with our original coop..... He sure isn't afraid of work... just finding the time to do what we need to do here. We work 6 days a week as it is.... but, I have PICTURES, and God Bless those boys who have big toys !! We wouldn't have been able to get it home without them

 

[Melabella]

Oh my heck... seriously people....92 posts since this morning!


Going to brew a cup of coffee....

I'm a nervous wreck, sent my oldest back to University for winter session, he just called from the dr. office... he has Mono....grrrrrrrr


I told him 3 hours a sleep a night isnot going to cut it... but what do I know?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Remember the great score we found with the free chicken coop? Well, we brought it home today. It will need some work, but the main bones are good, and DH has plans on incorporating it with our original coop..... He sure isn't afraid of work... just finding the time to do what we need to do here. We work 6 days a week as it is.... but, I have PICTURES, and God Bless those boys who have big toys !! We wouldn't have been able to get it home without them

I'll bet you're really excited!!!!

When we moved our (former yard barn) we also knew a boy w/toys...including an old Farmall tractor and trailer.

 

[delisha]

yeah!! I am so glad you got your coop home!!!

 

[Sally8]

Again, my thoughts on this Histplasmosis; the only reason I brought it up this morning was because we've been going through many dr app't and tests with my Mom. (She has lymphoma). They questioned her in detail about being near chicken coops going back to when she was a child before she's was diagnosed with cancer. She was raised on a dairy farm and they had a large poultry business.
I'm not changing anything about the way I clean my coop. I don't wear a mask but I'm not a stupid person either. I wouldn't say that it might only affect those with compromised immune systems, but we have to be smart about what we do. Think washing hands or bio security. Just be aware of what's out there. My feet are just starting to turn pink again from going barefoot all summer. I heard all my lfe "you'll get worms from not wearing shoes" There is so much to be afraid of out there if you let it. I'm not going to. My opinion. I am going to enjoy my chickens!

Edited to correct spelling.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I sometimes laugh so hard tears run down my leg too..funny stuff..

It is even funnier in a store and you are a long way from the bathroom and can't stop laughing on the way. You feel like a 4 year old holding it and laughing as you run, purse swinging off your arm..reticules..


OK guys..last posting for a while..

I know you are sick of me bragging about the chicks..I mean showing the chicks.


This is my first brooder set up..It is a cheap greenhouse I bought at a rummage sale for .50. It is old as dirt and it still works. I usually keep them in here for three days.

These sable delights make my RIR chicks look almost yellow.

Oh my goodness they are so cute..

 

[Miss Lydia]

Remember the great score we found with the free chicken coop? Well, we brought it home today. It will need some work, but the main bones are good, and DH has plans on incorporating it with our original coop..... He sure isn't afraid of work... just finding the time to do what we need to do here. We work 6 days a week as it is.... but, I have PICTURES, and God Bless those boys who have big toys !! We wouldn't have been able to get it home without them

KK that is just so cool, Congrats and living in Texas at least you won't freeze your bottoms off while working on it.

 

[Sally8]

I am so drooling over all the new chicks. The incubator has been up and running for 3 - 4 days. My temps are steady. I'm ready and excited. I've been saving eggs for a week storing in temps higher than I should have, gathered eggs only 2x a day, might have froze, i'm still going for it. Every egg I cracked open for eating has been fertile. Going to take obscenely accurate notes, this hatch is mostly learning for me. Most will turn out to be mutts but of breeds I like (to eat, ha ha). So excited! So excited. So excited!

 

[delisha]

I am so drooling over all the new chicks. The incubator has been up and running for 3 - 4 days. My temps are steady. I'm ready and excited. I've been saving eggs for a week storing in temps higher than I should have, gathered eggs only 2x a day, might have froze, i'm still going for it. Every egg I cracked open for eating has been fertile. Going to take obscenely accurate notes, this hatch is mostly learning for me. Most will turn out to be mutts but of breeds I like (to eat, ha ha). So excited! So excited. So excited!

Go Sally Go!!

In two months I will be gathering Orpington eggs..I hope..that Cockerel is just about as slow as can be about breeding. He grabs a mouth full of feathers, hops on and as soon as the hen makes a noise, he hops off. I put the other cockerel in the pen, just to show him how it is done. My barnyard cockerel got the job done in less than 5 minutes including the wine and dinner before the special moment, reminded me of my X.