The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

My chickens do something weird when they accidentally step in belly deep snow. They freeze stock still and won't move until I rescue them. I left one for 15 minutes and she wouldn't move. What gives?

I've seen this before as well. I can't answer this question. Just it is what it is. Not sure why they put themselves in that situation

 

[stonykill]

Okay...so if I want one of these do I have to go to a "fancy pants" breeder? If I went to a shelter or rescue, how would I know if it was that breed? (I'm "cat illiterate" as far as breeds go).

Oh...and I already have the mouse (several, actually) so I won't need any of those.

like Axoa said....just get a mix. Maine coon mixes are everywhere. Both of our current ones were free and one we had for 15 years was also free. This is Baby girl....right now as I type this...sleeping in my spot on the couch

She is average for a Maine coon mix wiehging 15 lbs and not overweight. Just a big girl. Our friend still has her handsome brother. He is considerably bigger

 

[OffGridMAMA]

OXA: Charlie was beautiful I am searching for two kittens at the moment, Maine coon mix just went to the top of my list

BULLDOGMA: thank you my three year old loves all the chickens and is always carrying one or another

My house is full of sickness today three sick kiddos and me too! Just coughs and colds, but still no fun... other than chicken soup, what is your best remedy?

 

[jlynnet]

Sleep! When you're sick sometimes your body craves sleep. Give in. Drink lots of fluids.

 

[aoxa]

like Axoa said....just get a mix. Maine coon mixes are everywhere. Both of our current ones were free and one we had for 15 years was also free. This is Baby girl....right now as I type this...sleeping in my spot on the couch

She is average for a Maine coon mix wiehging 15 lbs and not overweight. Just a big girl. Our friend still has her handsome brother. He is considerably bigger

Stony. Oh my gosh. This must be a Maine Coon position.



Here is my last boy who just went missing a month ago. I miss him..

 

[stonykill]

Stony. Oh my gosh. This must be a Maine Coon position.



Here is my last boy who just went missing a month ago. I miss him..

going to break my own rule and copy these pics

. To cute!

 

[Sally8]

AOXA: Charlie was beautiful I am searching for two kittens at the moment, Maine coon mix just went to the top of my list
BULLDOGMA: thank you my three year old loves all the chickens and is always carrying one or another
My house is full of sickness today three sick kiddos and me too! Just coughs and colds, but still no fun... other than chicken soup, what is your best remedy?

I'm so sorry. I quit working 2 yrs ago to watch my twin 2 yr old granddaughters who were born over 2 mo early. They were in incubators of their own for over a month at the NICU. They are both sick today, running high fevers, croop, whinny, crying. It's a good thing I have 2 legs so I can sit on the floor and rock them. The dr has them on 2 breathing treatments, (Budesonide, Albuterone), Prednisolone, Motin and Claritin. I am one that will not suffer through an illness if I can help it, but wow, that seems like a lot. I just saw a show where a dr said that children get on average, 12 cold a year. That also seem like a lot. I always let my kid's eat whatever they would because usually they didn't want to eat. Fluids, Popsicles. I would make a tent with blankets and put the vaporizer under with us and made it fun. Pillows, blankets and lots of stories. Again, so sorry. Hugs.

Incubator being the link to tie this to chickens. Sorry for the post but couldn't help myself.

MAINE COON CATS. The cat we just came home and found dead was a beautiful MC. He was 11 and had never been sick. He looked like a seal point with beautiful blue eyes and was given to me as a kitten. He couldn't be sold due to his color but he was huge and I never, ever heard him meow. RIP Precious.

 

[Sally8]

​

Back to chickens. I have 16 laying hens and 4 nests. Every morning at 7:30 am, I have 6 hens, on top of each other even, laying eggs. I have 2 brooding right now.
My question, how many do you have and how many hens?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Right now I only have 6 pullets that will officially be "hens" (1 year olds) at the end of March: 2 BR, 2RIR, 2 Aracaunas...all hatchery birds from Townline Hatchery in Michigan (the "local").

1 RIR went broody and is now taking care of 4 chicks - swedish flower hen chicks.

So my overall total at the moment is 10.

Sally.... As far as everyone using the same nest, I wonder if just putting the golf balls or fake eggs into the other nests would help them go to the other nests too. Aoxa just said she still keeps the fakes in the nests she wants them to lay in ... maybe that would do the trick?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Jeff - any updates on how your water heat-a-magig is working?