The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Bulldogma]

I tried to get a picture of a few of the chicks..they are really fast and duck right under..I did catch one..

YAY for chick pics!

And Trav - love your description of your broody calling imaginary chicks!

 

[Mumsy]

I think my BIG CHICKEN-RELATED NEWS got lost and I want everyone to know that the last of my 3 SFH is now laying - she was the one with the injured foot and I think the injury put her behind a little in the laying department. I believe sometimes the body can redirect resources to heal which can put a hen behind when it comes to laying. She is about 2-3 weeks behind her sisters in laying... and that's about how long it took her to recover. Interesting, huh??

But anyway...

Has anyone else ever noticed a delay in laying when a pullet has had an injury?

I love those pretty hens in boxes.

I've haven't had an injured hen in so long I can't remember if she quit laying or not. I would have to say that it doesn't take much stress to put them off their game.

 

[jlynnet]

I tried to get a picture of a few of the chicks..they are really fast and duck right under..I did catch one..

So cute and fuzzy!

 

[ocap]

how soon after hatch can I start feeding fermented feed?

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

how soon after hatch can I start feeding fermented feed?

Immediately, the sooner the better IMHO. If you have grains in it though make sure to provide chick grit. If it is just feed that you fermented without extra grains, you won't need the grit

 

[delisha]

how soon after hatch can I start feeding fermented feed?

day of hatch..

 

[Sally8]

You all are not going to believe this! I have live chicks under a broody hen in the hen house. (Not the unbelievable part) The 3 hens play musical nests every day. Tonight when I came home a different hen is on the nest with the live chicks. It's like watching "Sister Wives"! Have you ever heard of such a thing? Usually they are very protective. Should I move the hen down to ground level? Will she stay on the nest? Thanks for showing me your water er. I have something similar but need to figure out how to keep the bedding out of the water.

I've only been getting 2 or 3 eggs daily ever since it got really cold. Today I got 7. Yahoo!

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

You all are not going to believe this! I have live chicks under a broody hen in the hen house. (Not the unbelievable part) The 3 hens play musical nests every day. Tonight when I came home a different hen is on the nest with the live chicks. It's like watching "Sister Wives"! Have you ever heard of such a thing? Usually they are very protective. Should I move the hen down to ground level? Will she stay on the nest? Thanks for showing me your water er. I have something similar but need to figure out how to keep the bedding out of the water.

I've only been getting 2 or 3 eggs daily ever since it got really cold. Today I got 7. Yahoo!

So, a non-broody is sitting on the chicks? Weird. Maybe their menses synced? Hahaha

 

[delisha]

No..many hens will co raise chicks..sometimes they co set a nest.sometimes hens steal chicks from moms..it can be quite entertaining. It is so much nicer when they all get along. .my ducks do it too, they can have a huge community nest sometimes.

 

[delisha]

No..many hens will co raise chicks..sometimes they co set a nest.sometimes hens steal chicks from moms..it can be quite entertaining. It is so much nicer when they all get along. .my ducks do it too, they can have a huge community nest sometimes.

I would move them to ground level..it seems your clutch will be community raised..how fortunate for you..congrats!!