The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

I know that to cull is one of those things that is a fact of life. But I sometimes wonder if it is always necessary, of course if the bird is in pain...But my mother had a 'pet' hen (she had pet everythings, always bringing home stray, wounded this and that, drove my grandparents nuts at times) that had a very gimpy leg. I asked my mom about Pippy not long ago and she reminded me that that gimpy chicken was the best layer my grandmother ever had (RIR). My grandfather had been ready to put it down, but my mother was so insistent on caring for it etc.Now, I sure would not want a whole flock of special needs chickens, but if you have the time and where-with-all to care for one, and if it isn't in pain, then why not, might just turn out to be another Pippy. During the Depression, every egg was important.

I understand with culling sick birds of course. or one that can not handle the cold, but she was in full molt and was surviving no problem.. until she fell into that bucket of duck water. Poor little thing. If I hadn't of been there, it could have been so much worse.

She is so cute, and so full of life. We decided to name her Margaret.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Thanks, stony, for your "weigh-in".

I was wondering if I should stick to the thicker end. I have a branch lined up that is about 4-5" on the thick end and about 2" on the thinner end. Was trying to decide which end to cut from to make it fit.

Just wondering if the little ones can balance on there.

I'm still not convinced the 2x4 or 1x4 is a problem if the edges aren't sharp and/or splintering. I think that stupid ramp is more likely to have caused problems.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Aoxa Do you have a photo of Margaret?

 

[Melabella]

I use the wide size 2x4. Now the birds who choose to roost in tree's

choose large branches. 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Knock on wood in the 9 years I've had chickens I have not once yet had to deal with bumblefoot. I have a very knowlegable chicken keeper friend with an average of 300 birds a year who has a flock like mine. Some on 2x4 roosts and some in tree's onlarge branches. He rarely has bumblefoot so there must be something to it

I am thinking that the person who built my coop got the roost thing backward, I have the narrow side of the 2x4 facing up. I am thinking that I better change that as to the wide. I have brances in the run.

MB

 

[Bulldogma]

Pigeonguy: great advice as usual! My stomach is burning just thinking about all that pepper!

Aoxa: Love the chick pics! They're all adorable. I'd also love to see pictures of frosty Margaret. (Oh - and Swedish Flower Hen combs do tend to grow slower than those of other breeds.)

Stony: Thanks for stopping by. Good advice on the perches.

MB: Yes - switch those perches so the larger side is up if you can.

 

[arkansaschicks]

Yes!

So what do I do to start a new batch?

 

[arkansaschicks]

Sorry didn't get original post in there. What to I need to do to start new batch of ACV from an old bottle of Braggs that has the Mother left in it.

 

[aoxa]

Aoxa Do you have a photo of Margaret?

Pigeonguy: great advice as usual! My stomach is burning just thinking about all that pepper!

Aoxa: Love the chick pics! They're all adorable. I'd also love to see pictures of frosty Margaret. (Oh - and Swedish Flower Hen combs do tend to grow slower than those of other breeds.)

Stony: Thanks for stopping by. Good advice on the perches.

MB: Yes - switch those perches so the larger side is up if you can.

I'll get some pictures of Margaret's foot when I get back home - which may be a while. We are 30 minutes away at my parent's house - cat sitting while they are on a cruise. The coconut oil worked so well with keeping all infection away.

Susan started using it on her face, and it took care of all acne! I highly recommend it!

 

[Bulldogma]

Sorry didn't get original post in there. What to I need to do to start new batch of ACV from an old bottle of Braggs that has the Mother left in it.

Yes - don't let your mother dry out (wow - that sounds funny - LOL). Pour in regular old ACV and cover with a coffee filter for a few days to get it going. Other folks just use apple juice and I've heard it works fine.

 

[Sally8]

My first hatch a month ago gave me 1 live chick. Turned out my thermometer and hygrometer were off by 5 degrees. With 3 broody hens, 2 of which were irresponsible, I brought in excess eggs and stuck them in my incubator (after buying 5 more thermometers) I never found 2 that gave the same temp. I continued to roll the eggs every day and twice, 2 different times, I found an egg that had pipped. I closed the lid both times and I have 2 baby chicks. A third one hatched 6 hours after the first. It's a wonder their heads weren't spinning. We are normally so careful and yet....Unbelievable