The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Melabella]

The last couple of days have been tough on me friends. I raise pigs for my family and friends/customers. I understand that I raise them differently than institutions, and I tell myself that they have wonderful lives with 1 bad day.... but.... I raised them from when they were young, and when I hold out baked goods to coax them onto the trailer, they are only responding to what I have done with them from the beginning. I feel like a traitor. Worse yet, when we got to the processor last night, they didn't want to come off the trailer and who could blame them.... dozens of bawling animals in a strange place so far from home, lingering smells of the previous animals that had gone before.... I hunt, I fish, I kill and eat animals, but this time, when my treachery to them spells imminent death.... gives me pause, realizing the dominion we humans have over the lives of our charges. Yes, I will enjoy the fruits of my labor, but a part of me cries for my babies. Most remain nameless, but even so, when you have an animal that will take food from your hands, there is a measure of trust..... that I have broken.

Beautifully expressed... I can understand these sentiments...**hug**

 

[mlowen]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/acronym-list-for-byc
I added breed acronyms now.

IME (in my experience)
YMMV (your mileage may vary)

 

[Melabella]

Bulldogma;delisha;stonykill;Leahs Mom;Melabella;Sally8;Mumsy;Ashdoes

All of you guys can edit the article to add anything I missed. If you have some you want to add, or if I missed your name - I can add you to the people allowed to edit article.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/acronym-list-for-byc

SOP is another one that always confused me until I asked...

Standard Of Perfection in relation to judging birds against the particular breeds standard of what a perfect representation of the breed would be.

This is how they are able to pick a Grand Champion bird at shows... you can't compare different breeds of birds to birds.. the champion is the best representation of it's own breeds SOP

 

[mlowen]

The last couple of days have been tough on me friends. I raise pigs for my family and friends/customers. I understand that I raise them differently than institutions, and I tell myself that they have wonderful lives with 1 bad day.... but.... I raised them from when they were young, and when I hold out baked goods to coax them onto the trailer, they are only responding to what I have done with them from the beginning. I feel like a traitor. Worse yet, when we got to the processor last night, they didn't want to come off the trailer and who could blame them.... dozens of bawling animals in a strange place so far from home, lingering smells of the previous animals that had gone before.... I hunt, I fish, I kill and eat animals, but this time, when my treachery to them spells imminent death.... gives me pause, realizing the dominion we humans have over the lives of our charges. Yes, I will enjoy the fruits of my labor, but a part of me cries for my babies. Most remain nameless, but even so, when you have an animal that will take food from your hands, there is a measure of trust..... that I have broken.

You are why I love this thread. Yes, it's hard and I am so glad it continues to be hard. You recognize their "sacrefice" and our responsibility to them. Our food does not just magically show up...even those of us who only eat anonymous meats from the grocery store know that down deep inside. You make me proud to be a human being because I hope I'm more like you than not.

 

[Mumsy]

You are why I love this thread. Yes, it's hard and I am so glad it continues to be hard. You recognize their "sacrefice" and our responsibility to them. Our food does not just magically show up...even those of us who only eat anonymous meats from the grocery store know that down deep inside. You make me proud to be a human being because I hope I'm more like you than not.

X2 Especially the last eight words in this response.

 

[chickiemomy]

Quote: fwiw --

I'm 5'3" - & I use 2ft per step - but I shorten up a normal step - & it works really well for me without falling over from over extending my stride

I use a visual of about a foot-ish between toe of one foot, & heel of the next - given my foot is about a 10 inches long....

 

[Mumsy]

Here are the latest pictures of the BRIR chicks. They turned five weeks old today. At their 3 wk pictures I was thinking two females and one male. Now I'm leaning more toward three females. I was thinking at five weeks old it would be a cinch to figure it out. They are the friendliest little peeps. They don't chest bump each other or the other Silkie males. They sometimes try a stare down but mostly these three just eat and sleep. They are curious though and will approach me as I sit on a stool in the chick house to observe them. Yellow banded chick is 'Hello Kitty'. The chick hatched late with crooked toes. This chick will come to my feet and let me lift her up. She will perch on my knee or hand and let me stroke her neck. Never had a chick this young so friendly. Bazinga is also friendly and likes me to stroke his back but isn't too sure about letting me lift him yet. Him could very well be a her. The combs on these three chicks are exactly alike at five weeks. All in all I'm thrilled with these three chicks. Not only are they super friendly, but the color is rich and dark. If they turn out to be three cockerels it will be hard for me to choose between them on which to keep.

 

[aoxa]

SOP is another one that always confused me until I asked...

Standard Of Perfection in relation to judging birds against the particular breeds standard of what a perfect representation of the breed would be.

This is how they are able to pick a Grand Champion bird at shows... you can't compare different breeds of birds to birds.. the champion is the best representation of it's own breeds SOP

I thought I had SOP in there. Put it in now. Also added your description

IME (in my experience)
YMMV (your mileage may vary)

Added

Mumsy, wow that colour is looking beautiful! Loving the chicks

Though all 3 have very thick legs don't they?

 

[atmaclean]

I think it just means you are human and have a sensitivity to animals. I could never kill something I had raised. Pigs are extremely smart. I have to take my pets to a vet to be euthanized - even my guinea hens or chicks. And even then, it is not easy for me because I insist on holding them as they take their last breath so they are comfortable and feel safe. My husband has no problem doing it as he grew up working cattle and raising beef. I can't understand how people do it. And I guess they can't understand why I can't..... I just become too attached and empathetic with animals (anything other than spiders, hornets, wasps, ants, flies). It takes all types to make our world go 'round so I try not to be critical of someone else's choices. I am responsible for what I do and that is all I can control

On another note, I have been reading through this thread and the FF thread with much interest. I have a question about feeding chicks. I've had 18 hatch this week and was wondering about the possibility of starting them on/ or introducing some FF. Currently, they are on a medicated chick starter (which I now have concerns about). Is it possible to give them any FF?? After we finish this bag of medicated chick starter, I won't be buying anymore. I was told they should be on the medicated to keep them from getting overrun with coccidia. I do not know the situation from which the eggs came as they were all shipped to me. Can hatchlings carry a worm load from their parents like puppies and kittens can??

My other chickens are on an "all-natural" layer feed made by a local milling company and they free range all day. I also give them millet, BOSS and rolled oats as treats in the evening when I get the guineas up. (The guineas come up every evening to roost in their pen because I have always lured them with millet.) I also give the chickens any table scraps we have leftover. I've been mixing some alfalfa meal in with the all-natural layer feed as well as ground flax and Farmer's Friend (which I think is basically a probiotic). Fortunately, I'm getting 15-18 eggs a day from my 21 hens and their laying has INCREASED over the past few months as they have matured, I guess. They are all around 7-10 months old. I tried to grow some "fodder" for them but it started to smell like it had fermented after a few days so I threw it out figuring they wouldn't touch it and they just gobbled it up!!!! I'm wondering if this was fermented grains that you refer to???

I cannot imagine the mess that feeding them wet chicken food would make! It just sounds really messy and gross. I would imagine it draws all kinds of flies and bugs too. I can't stand having flies laying eggs in wet feed. Even after 24 hrs I have seen maggots crawling in food that has gotten just a bit wet. How do you work around that when dealing with wet food? It probably wouldn't be a problem in the winter but we get some nasty, muggy, hot weather here in NC during the Summer. I really am interested in doing it but may have to just stick to fermenting grains as opposed to chicken feed. Would be interested to hear how you deal with bugs.... I use DE around the coup but I have recently heard that it can damage their lungs when they breathe it so now I'm NOT using it until I read some more about it..... Guess I will have to weigh the benefits vs the risks.

 

[aoxa]

I think it just means you are human and have a sensitivity to animals. I could never kill something I had raised. Pigs are extremely smart. I have to take my pets to a vet to be euthanized - even my guinea hens or chicks. And even then, it is not easy for me because I insist on holding them as they take their last breath so they are comfortable and feel safe. My husband has no problem doing it as he grew up working cattle and raising beef. I can't understand how people do it. And I guess they can't understand why I can't..... I just become too attached and empathetic with animals (anything other than spiders, hornets, wasps, ants, flies). It takes all types to make our world go 'round so I try not to be critical of someone else's choices. I am responsible for what I do and that is all I can control

On another note, I have been reading through this thread and the FF thread with much interest. I have a question about feeding chicks. I've had 18 hatch this week and was wondering about the possibility of starting them on/ or introducing some FF. Currently, they are on a medicated chick starter (which I now have concerns about). Is it possible to give them any FF?? After we finish this bag of medicated chick starter, I won't be buying anymore. I was told they should be on the medicated to keep them from getting overrun with coccidia. I do not know the situation from which the eggs came as they were all shipped to me. Can hatchlings carry a worm load from their parents like puppies and kittens can??

My other chickens are on an "all-natural" layer feed made by a local milling company and they free range all day. I also give them millet, BOSS and rolled oats as treats in the evening when I get the guineas up. (The guineas come up every evening to roost in their pen because I have always lured them with millet.) I also give the chickens any table scraps we have leftover. I've been mixing some alfalfa meal in with the all-natural layer feed as well as ground flax and Farmer's Friend (which I think is basically a probiotic). Fortunately, I'm getting 15-18 eggs a day from my 21 hens and their laying has INCREASED over the past few months as they have matured, I guess. They are all around 7-10 months old. I tried to grow some "fodder" for them but it started to smell like it had fermented after a few days so I threw it out figuring they wouldn't touch it and they just gobbled it up!!!! I'm wondering if this was fermented grains that you refer to???

I cannot imagine the mess that feeding them wet chicken food would make! It just sounds really messy and gross. I would imagine it draws all kinds of flies and bugs too. I can't stand having flies laying eggs in wet feed. Even after 24 hrs I have seen maggots crawling in food that has gotten just a bit wet. How do you work around that when dealing with wet food? It probably wouldn't be a problem in the winter but we get some nasty, muggy, hot weather here in NC during the Summer. I really am interested in doing it but may have to just stick to fermenting grains as opposed to chicken feed. Would be interested to hear how you deal with bugs.... I use DE around the coup but I have recently heard that it can damage their lungs when they breathe it so now I'm NOT using it until I read some more about it..... Guess I will have to weigh the benefits vs the risks.

Food should not sit long enough to get bug larvae on it. My FF is gone after 4-5 hours of initial feeding. We don't have a lot of bug issues here. Though car fresheners (pine tree scented things like vanilla) are supposed to be good at repelling flies. I use citronella on myself. We did have a terrible biting insect issue. Not really mosquitoes.. they look a bit bigger than fruit flies, but they suck blood. Yeah.. That was a pain. Also had a lot of ticks this year.

No black fly issues at my farm though. Also, maggots? Wouldn't your chickens just eat them up?

My birds love millet as well