The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Melabella]

Hey Leahs Mom - thank you for that story you sent me for the thing. After not hearing back from the Poultry Cup Drinker people, I went ahead and put it up in that place. I looks great!

X2,, great job Leahs Mom and Leigh!

I'm gonna get me some of those cups!

 

[Leahs Mom]

OH... you could also put more of the cups on the waterer. I just started with 2 for my experiment. You could have them all around the perimeter if you wanted!

Here's a link that has more photos too: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...keeping-thread-ots-welcome/1000#post_10109510

 

[Melabella]

OH... you could also put more of the cups on the waterer. I just started with 2 for my experiment. You could have them all around the perimeter if you wanted!

great idea, and hang it from the ceiling of the run! I am starting to notice a very bossy pullet girl who is chasing everyone away from the waterer when she is drinking... bossy _itch!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Since you can't have the lid shut tight, I was thinking you could also just drill a couple small holes either in the lid or on the sides of the bucket up near the top to provide the air flow. That way you wouldn't need to worry about shutting the lid on it!

 

[Melabella]

Since you can't have the lid shut tight, I was thinking you could also just drill a couple small holes either in the lid or on the sides of the bucket up near the top to provide the air flow. That way you wouldn't need to worry about shutting the lid on it!

Another great idea, I like around the top of the sides, that way less dust to drop down into it.

Great ideas LH,
you da bomb too!

 

[aoxa]

aoxa,,

What are the complications from frostbite? One of my PR's has a fairly large comb with nice pronounced points. I noticed the other day after several single digit nights, one of the points looks a bit grey, and shriviled. Not the whole point, but the very tip. Is there something I should be doing, or is that a risk to her?

Nice pictures. I love looking at the roosters,, so beautiful. I saw some neat ones at our little local county fair....

Well I was just speaking to someone who has really good ventilation in their set up, yet their rooster still got frost bite. I had a hen that developed it last year as well, only one who did. She had no ill effects other than the comb looking gross for a while. The points just shriveled up and fell off. She did not seem to be in pain. She continued to lay. I did not have proper ventilation last year. I am not going to lie about that. Everyone made it through the winter, and with only one having any issues (the frost bite only).

We discussed that Vaseline does not make a difference. I have heard from other folks that the massaging the vaseline on did more than the product itself - allowing better bloodflow to the comb. I have some frost bite on a polish rooster's wattles from the FF he gets caked all over them. Not too worried about it. Nothing to do with ventilation, just the cold weather and his messiness.

Oh, no, no, no!! Not in the show!! My husband even asked me, "Is a Poultry Show for people like us?", i.e. newbies who know nothing!!

We have the weekend free so it should be a fun drive. I'll take my camera, but (HUGE DISCLAIMER) be aware, I have not the skills of some of you who post such lovely artwork!!
Are there eggs/chicks available for sale at these events? Thanks for your help!

Newbies have to start somewhere!! I was so nervous my first show.

Now all my friends say "sweating like chicken day" because I was sweating something fierce. I was nervous and excited, and it showed

One more thing on the Joel Salatin books...

My youngest daughter (age 24 at the time) got a cc of his book, Folks, This Ain't Normal and she and her husband read it. That was the first book she read in which she learned about factory farming and the more regular farm alternative. It launched her into learning more about healthy vs. unhealthy ways to raise animals and the issues around using confinement vs. pasturing animals, etc.

It has totally changed their outlook on the foods they eat and where they buy their meats, etc.

Some of you read one of her blog posts from the newspaper that she works at. Part of the reason she is even doing that is because reading that book started her on that journey to learn more about healthy and local food sources. She also got to write for one of the "local food movement" magazines here for awhile.

Although I'm sure you'll find things in his writings that you don't agree with, there's a lot of good in there. And I think that particular book was a good one to give to someone that's mildly interested as it's an interesting read. You never know what flames it will spark!

And one correction to my former post. I don't have his book: Everything I Want to do is Illegal . I forgot that one...but it sounds like it would be interesting too!

Thanks Sue for your input. I am going to order one of his books. Sounds like something I'd like!

Aoxa...what is this breed? He's a pretty guy! And I'm wondering...I keep hearing people refer to a tail held in this manner as "squirrel tail". On this guy... is the tail stance good? I sure think it's fancy-pants...and if I were a lady chicken, well...I'm sure he'd catch my eye!

He's a Japenese Bantam. Tail is supposed to look like that, and he is fabulous.

i recall it all being negative....all the more reason to read it myself and make up my own mind

 

[Leahs Mom]

I'm excited!!!

We have a young couple that go to our church that had told my husband some time ago he was going to invite us over the next time he processes chickens. He just called and said he's going to do some roosters tomorrow and we're supposed to go in the afternoon to take part and learn hands-on.

These folks are immigrants from the Ukraine. They connected with some of the farmers in the area who pretty much GIVE them their spent layers and these folks value them and butcher them whenever they're available. This time it's a group of roosters. Not sure how old they are but I don't care at this point...just want the experience!

 

[aoxa]

I'm excited!!!

We have a young couple that go to our church that had told my husband some time ago he was going to invite us over the next time he processes chickens. He just called and said he's going to do some roosters tomorrow and we're supposed to go in the afternoon to take part and learn hands-on.

These folks are immigrants from the Ukraine. They connected with some of the farmers in the area who pretty much GIVE them their spent layers and these folks value them and butcher them whenever they're available. This time it's a group of roosters. Not sure how old they are but I don't care at this point...just want the experience!

That's awesome!! Please take pictures!

 

[OffGridMAMA]

X2. We are such chicken nerds LOL

That's awesome!! Please take pictures!

 

[Leahs Mom]

X2. We are such chicken nerds

LOL

Yep...that about sums it up...

never thought I'd be excited about the opportunity to kill anything

I even have trouble running over wooly worms that are crossing the road!