The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[jlynnet]

Justine, seeing the pictures is so devastating and sad. My heart really breaks for you. As sad as the losses are, rebuilding will hopefully be therapeutic. As you build safety will always be your first thought. I would have cement floors where the feed room is. Easier to keep clean. My husband's aunt has her barn hard wired with an alarm system.

I would love a mini donkey! We aren't too far from a donkey rescue.

 

[chickiemomy]

Quote: the outlets rated for outside now have large plastic covers that snap over them (at least in the states) -- they only partially cover the outlet if you have something plugged in - but are closed when not in use & thereby limit any dust, or etc getting into the outlet plug area. May want to think about using items rated for outside, even if it is inside a barn. GFI's are a must - will pop with any interuption or spike in electricity - now required in any wet areas of any house - kitchens, bathrooms. Sometimes are a pain, as they pop at the slightest mis-step -- but compared to the alternative. Consider putting outlets much higher on the walls than normal - keep the plugs from floor dust animals, etc.. DH is a high voltage electrical worker - I appreciate his over cautions w/respect to power - and everything else for that matter. He's very safe - over-builds, etc - sometimes makes me crazy - but I appreciate it very much.

we also have a fire alarm / smoke alarm system in our house - one of the monitored types, that if set up right, will sound an alarm from the main alarm - very loud - whole neighborhood would likely hear -- but it is on a monitored-type system -not sure how available it might be outside that. think the baby monitor is a good idea for on-the-cheaper. you could set the alarms up in a sequence - if one goes off, they all go off - again, required in new houses here - so if a fire starts in one bedroom, the people in the rooms on the other side of the house get an alarm also. Seems like you could set up a sequence, with one alarm high, in the attic, near a vent in an area directed towards the house -- you'd have to test - not sure if you'd hear through the windows & insulation of a house tho???

 

[delisha]

Is anyone else dealing with Countryside raising their prices nearly every month it seems? Our co-op was just told that there will be another $1 increase on bags March 7th.

We feed all organic, but heck, it's getting very expensive rather than just pricey!

Chickens have become popular..so.they will continue to increase prices..demand increases..prices increase...that is the way business works. Best way is to find a farmer in your area who is organic and grows his own feed. Supplement the feed you are purchasing now.

 

[amenfarm]

I'm 25 so it will be quite some time before stairs become an issue. I do get the shovelling madness. That is something I didn't really think about, but I could manage it. Hmm.. How about making it covered above so I have shade in the summer and less snow in the winter... ideas..

My grandfather has a barn with stairs leading to the upstairs loft outside where there is a little guest area.

I do plan to get goats and a donkey for protection. I need enough space for them downstairs.

I can't train another LGD. We are planning on starting a family soon, and it takes so much time and dedication. A donkey doesn't need all that.. However, I am concerned about a donkey and our existing dogs, so I'll have to research that a little more.

I have heard of Llamas for protection as well. Any other suggestions on guard animals for flock protection?

We also want pigs, but I don't want them in the barn. I think we will make a whole separate area for them.

guinea fowl , will protect a flock where it's snakes or hawks, geese will protect a flock and eat snakes, and donkey's. However a donkey is not fool proof--my husband witnessed the next door's dogs trying to dig into our dog lot to get to the chickens Saturday- Jay-jay missed them, and he not much help with air attacks. We will be adding Guinea's some time in the future. most Donkey's will get used to a farm dog, and ignore it--But when the dog is in the pasture a donkey ( at least a jack) does NOT want anything in his territory and you could have a problem. I highly suggest you DO NOT buy a intact Jack, they are considered dangerous and unpredictable--read Bull here. Yes, I have one- and wish he was gelded--he almost always sweet. Jennies and geldings bray less and are much calmer. A LSG, a llama, and a donkey are the best a larger animal protection--ie,coyotes. I love both barns, in the Mennonite community in Delano, Tn -they have a ingenious 3 sided peaked roof a the tip of the barn, long on the top and cut back to the sides--great to protect your steps/landing and barn face, if you go that way. found out they are called a hay hood--can't find a picture like they have in polk county TN

 

[PaintedCavalry]

Chickens have become popular..so.they will continue to increase prices..demand increases..prices increase...that is the way business works. Best way is to find a farmer in your area who is organic and grows his own feed. Supplement the feed you are purchasing now.

I've checked on that and there aren't any farmers here who do organic grains anywhere near me. Co-ops is all there is around here. It's NE Florida.

 

[chickiemomy]

Aoxa,

You can put an alarm system in the new barn. Rig it right to your home computer to go off. Same with monitors. I am sure there are a few computer geeks around that can give you some good information about that.

My sister had one for all of her buildings and property. Her horse barn is 1/4 mile down her driveway. If something is wrong she has it rigged for a bright light to beep and flash and the computer to start and monitors turn on if she is in bed sleeping. Most of the time it has been mountain lions or bears...

LOVE this idea -- I'm sure you can find someone to help set this up - wireless transmission from the barn to your home computer -

 

[amenfarm]

Justine, seeing the pictures is so devastating and sad. My heart really breaks for you. As sad as the losses are, rebuilding will hopefully be therapeutic. As you build safety will always be your first thought. I would have cement floors where the feed room is. Easier to keep clean. My husband's aunt has her barn hard wired with an alarm system.

I would love a mini donkey! We aren't too far from a donkey rescue.

remember too small to protect alone--need standard size donk or additional LSG or it might be lunch.

 

[lalaland]

I just found my first ever (in more than a decade of chicken keeping ) pile of chicken dropping with worms! three thin little red worms. dang. guess there was a reason I found that remedy listing this morning.

But, ...if every chicken carries a worm load, do I ignore it if chickens seem like they have the right weight, have glossy feathers, are laying, etc? I do acv/pumpkin seeds/ and I guess I have gotten a little lazy on the garlic this winter.

Or do I do something extra?

 

[Sally8]

Yes! A drive-through aisle with direct access to the feed room!

And you also need storage for hay and bedding while you're at it.

One other thing... Aoxa, once you get your new barn built you may feel as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking-chairs. Go out and buy a long-range baby monitor and quite a few inexpensive smoke/fire detectors. Put up the detectors up every 20 feet or so and put the sender-unit of the baby monitor central in your barn. Then keep the receiver unit of the baby monitor in your house... by your bed while you sleep. You might sleep better knowing you would hear any kind of problem early on.

HUGS!

 

[farmerfogg]

I absolutely love that barn look!  Is there a guest bedroom in there someplace?  lol  Share with us anything you want to share.  Sometimes, talking about things, helps bring about healing.

I've had BCM for about a year now. I bought 5 eggs off ebay.  4 hatched.  The chicks popped out of those shells after 19 days.  They've been healthy, very calm temperament and friendly. They probably lay 5 days a week.  I usually get 3 eggs a day out of 4 hens.  They become broody easily.  I think they are good foragers.  I don't have a lot of experience as I only have an acre.  They are the first out of the coop in the morning.  I have a very beautiful roo, very attentive to his ladies.  My vote is yes. 

My Mother was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma.  She'll be 77 Friday, has a bad heart and her lungs are already compromised.  Not sure how aggressive treatment can be.

So sorry to hear about your Mom! I'll keep her in my prayers.