The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Greasydog26]

I went and posted that I didn't agree with their chart. Hehehee

My naked necks are awesome in the cold. I can see why they wouldn't look like they would be.

that is truly hilarious

. I have to find this and read it. a laugh today would be good

Great input guys!!! As we all know there are many conflicting sources on the internet and it is hard for someone who has never had all of these breeds to narrow down all of their qualities except from someone elses experiences. This is a general guide to get people thinking about raising backyard chickens and excited about having a backyard flock. Just a little word of advice, it's not that hard for someone to read ALL of the posts someone has written. I make it a priority to not say anything on here unless it is respectful and try not to bad mouth people, I guess we are all raised differently.

 

[stonykill]

Great input guys!!! As we all know there are many conflicting sources on the internet and it is hard for someone who has never had all of these breeds to narrow down all of their qualities except from someone elses experiences. This is a general guide to get people thinking about raising backyard chickens and excited about having a backyard flock. Just a little word of advice, it's not that hard for someone to read ALL of the posts someone has written. I make it a priority to not say anything on here unless it is respectful and try not to bad mouth people, I guess we are all raised differently.

my response to you on the article was done with respect. I pointed out several mistakes respectfully. And like I said in my response to you on the article comment section it was well written. Many of the facts were off but again, like I already said, it was well written.

 

[lalaland]

ok, I know we are all cold but remember the heat of the summer? I just saw these on etsy, she is selling them for chickens to stand on when it is really hot. They hold one of those ice packs.! who would have thought?

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Sounds like you have a lot to contribute to the group with all of your birds and expirences..

Welcome!!

Awwww, thanks! That's sweet. I'm here because I have SO many questions! I'm so grateful for this community and really wish you all were neighbors and could drop by and look at my setup and give me suggestions and ...

It seems that every day I decide something with the flock(s) needs to be changed. Today's big discussion around the coop was about roosts ... I think we have an idea to rebuild and expand the roosts in the main coop. Never a dull moment!

 

[Melabella]

I'm quite new to chickens, but I have multiple roosters with my flock. I'm having mixed results with that.

I have nearly 60 chickens in my main flock, all raised together, all sharing a single coop and pasture(s). Three are full size roosters, and represent three of the different breeds in my flock. These three roosters get along well and do a great job of leading/protecting the flock. I really like having them around. There is definitely a "top cock." All three have harems. I think as long as there are enough females to go around and the roosters aren't aggressive it can work to have multiple roosters. I'm aiming for at least a 10:1 ratio.

BUT ... I also have two bantam roosters in this flock and neither of those has a harem. One of the bantams is a bit of a trouble maker in my opinion, the other is pretty sweet. They both stalk for opportunities "borrow" hens from the full-sized roosters, and this can cause discord. I am seriously considering getting rid of the one trouble-maker even though I currently have the 10:1 ratio. I just don't like how the one bantam forces himself on the hens ... it leaves them looking a little too rough.

The trouble-maker bantam has figured out how to mate successfully with the full-sized hens and out of the 8 chicks we've hatched, two are obviously his -- that's kinda cute. The other bantam ... he does try, the little darling. Even if he manages to catch a hen, he doesn't have a clue how to hit the mark.

I also have a younger flock. These "September birds" are just about ready to start transferring into the main flock ... one breed has already started laying and the roosters in that pen are looking, sounding and acting like roosters. Because I'm adding more pullets of new breeds, I MAY also try to integrate a rooster or two. It will depend on if they can figure out how to get along.

Hi Leslie!

May I ask what breeds you have... while I was reading your post, I was imagining and laughing about the lil bantams... It would be nice to have an image with the story...lol.. What breeds do you want to integrate? I am looking to perhaps gettiing a second small flock if I can manage to find an affordable coop for them. I have room for it. Now that I got my feet wet with utilitarian breeds, I thought it might be nice to try some fantasy breeds of mine.

Welcome to the thread!

MB

 

[Melabella]

We need a welcome emoticon just for this thread

Which one should we use??

 

[countrygirl74]

Which one should we use??

I like the little "welcome wagon", but they are all neat! The "welcome to our group" is nice too...

 

[Melabella]

I like the little "welcome wagon", but they are all neat! The "welcome to our group" is nice too...

I likethe welcome wagon too and the flower one...We should all vote, lol

Country girl, can you copy and paste one of these,, just wondering if it would work.

mB

 

[countrygirl74]

I likethe welcome wagon too and the flower one...We should all vote, lol

Country girl, can you copy and paste one of these,, just wondering if it would work.

mB

Let's see if this works...

 

[countrygirl74]

It worked!!