The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Thanks.... Keep us updated!

 

[stonykill]

It's a comfort thing. It makes me laugh every time.

true. I also think it is instinctual from chicken life before humans decided they could be better chickens than chickens. I compare it to a cat going in circles before laying down. Just instinct.

 

[aoxa]

true. I also think it is instinctual from chicken life before humans decided they could be better chickens than chickens. I compare it to a cat going in circles before laying down. Just instinct.

Do you seem to find that those hens that do this most are better moms? The ones I have seen do it are extra broody hens. They do it when they aren't broody, just much more than a laying hen would. My laying hens are fast. 5 minutes. Done. Egg song sometimes.. If they've already eaten before they laid, otherwise they go straight for the food.

 

[Sally8]

My nesting question was directed to anyone. I also read that the average number of nests was 4 hens to a nest. I HAD planned on 12 laying hens so 4 nests should be ok. I think I'm going to try making nests out of the totes. Easy to clean out if needed and very movable. I'm going to add 4 more because

OH MY GOODNESS, I'M INCUBATING 40 EGGS. WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY HEAD!!!!!! I'm so excited

I have a Frizzle that likes to lay her eggs in a hidden nest. I've seen her pull dead leaves over her trying to hide herself. It's been over a month since I've seen any eggs from her. I've gone rooting through the deep litter myself looking.

 

[stonykill]

a few nests. The top 2 are ones I built. The others ones they chose.

 

[aoxa]

My nesting question was directed to anyone. I also read that the average number of nests was 4 hens to a nest. I HAD planned on 12 laying hens so 4 nests should be ok. I think I'm going to try making nests out of the totes. Easy to clean out if needed and very movable. I'm going to add 4 more because

OH MY GOODNESS, I'M INCUBATING 40 EGGS. WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY HEAD!!!!!! I'm so excited

I have a Frizzle that likes to lay her eggs in a hidden nest. I've seen her pull dead leaves over her trying to hide herself. It's been over a month since I've seen any eggs from her. I've gone rooting through the deep litter myself looking.

Go Sally! That's a lot of eggs! Keep us updated When did you set?

 

[stonykill]

as you can see corners and random boxes or compartments are the prefered nests. Miss Penelope and her 6 lil ones are just pictures because

 

[aoxa]

Stony, those runner ducks are precious. Ducks are so cute. But need a lot of space, and water not in the coop. I can still smell those little duck farts in the brooder. Only broody raised ducklings from now on.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I swore I only wanted eggs out of this whole adventure. I never wanted to incubate - certainly didn't want broody's. And now all these adorable pictures. And stories of roo's feeding babies.

Oh, my gosh . . . I feel myself weakening!

 

[stonykill]

Stony, those runner ducks are precious. Ducks are so cute. But need a lot of space, and water not in the coop. I can still smell those little duck farts in the brooder. Only broody raised ducklings from now on.

thanks! Oh no kidding. We raised our Pekins from chicks in a brooder. Messy lil buggers. Stinky too. Broody raised is simply the way to go.

I don't put water in any coop, chicken or duck. Water and food are outside.