The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

I've already placed orders on chicks for April. Our baby barn is ordered. 10 x 12. It's beautiful. Even has a nice window in the back.

We're going to use Clementine's old kennel unless we are home to supervise. Without any protection - I am afraid to free range. :/

Frost bitten hen (named Margaret) is going to lose her toes any day. She was so happy to interact with us. She is way friendly for a chicken. I feel bad that she doesn't have any friends right now. She'll be integrated in with the chicks this Friday when the baby barn arrives.

She would find a perfect friend in Mumsy's disabled silkie. She needs a slow paced friend like that. I had a white silkie cockerel with a twisted foot hatched last May that I placed in a nice home. He gets around no problem (all be it, slow), but I didn't want to accidentally hatch offspring from him in case it was genetic - though I think it was incubator related - I wouldn't have taken the chance. I think if you have the facilities to care for these birds, why not. Especially if they are not in pain or not going to be bred (if genetic and not injury). I would probably continue breeding this frost bitten foot Margaret, but no roosters left.

What are you ordering for chicks?

 

[Bulldogma]

I've already placed orders on chicks for April. Our baby barn is ordered. 10 x 12. It's beautiful. Even has a nice window in the back.

We're going to use Clementine's old kennel unless we are home to supervise. Without any protection - I am afraid to free range. :/

Frost bitten hen (named Margaret) is going to lose her toes any day. She was so happy to interact with us. She is way friendly for a chicken. I feel bad that she doesn't have any friends right now. She'll be integrated in with the chicks this Friday when the baby barn arrives.

So happy Margaret is doing well, albeit with her toes about to fall off. (Zombie chicken feet!)

What are you ordering for chicks?

X's 2!!

And by the way - 'Mornin' everyone! I've got a crazy day ahead of me (again) and won't be on much - I'm running late already) but there should be a new thing up on that place by this evening (thanks to LM) and in the next few days you'll get to see some progress pictures of my new coop... which is almost done and turning out really well!

 

[aoxa]

Are you going to have several buildings Aoxa? I like having several..I use the three however I have access to two more and DH is building me a feed shed this spring..I am pretty excited about that. He has all that free brick dumped in my yard, it better be a really nice one!! I am so lazy today..DH just left and is gone till Sunday. Miss him already..

I'll have the baby barn and the barn.. so just two. I'll use the baby barn for waterfowl after the barn is built most likely.. I was going to use it for storage, but the barn has plenty of that.

What are you ordering for chicks?

I ordered from the same source I got my Houdans and my Easter eggers. I ordered 20 Houdans and 15 Easter Eggers (straight run).

I've also placed some orders for silkies but they will be adolescents. From Jamie Carson and Heather Hayes.

 

[armorfirelady]

Thanks Aoxa- I was curious since its hard to see anything with all those fluffy feathers
Glad to hear your getting your baby barn and ordering new chicks also

BDM cant wait to see pics of your new coop.

I am hoping that it starts to warm up here some so I can get some more work done on the hoop coop. So sick of the pain in the rear doll house coop.Its so hard to turn the DL in there and the enclosed run keeps getting me with exposed nail ends my poor hands are all cut up. It will be nice to be able to walk into the new coop standing up. The hens wont know what to do with all that room.

Looking thru my garage & shed for some repurposed nest box ideas. So far found a laundry basket that I think if I attach it to the side it will work well.

Trying to fill in the low area where water stands with DL & compost so that it is not under water when I place the coop & new electric netting there.

I just want spring to get here so I can get it all set up and the hens can roam on the grass instead of the muddy garden/ grass area they have been using all winter.
They must be still finding goodies tho since they are leaving giant craters everywhere in their digging. Who knew hens could dig such big holes

 

[aoxa]

Thanks Aoxa- I was curious since its hard to see anything with all those fluffy feathers
Glad to hear your getting your baby barn and ordering new chicks also

BDM cant wait to see pics of your new coop.

I am hoping that it starts to warm up here some so I can get some more work done on the hoop coop. So sick of the pain in the rear doll house coop.Its so hard to turn the DL in there and the enclosed run keeps getting me with exposed nail ends my poor hands are all cut up. It will be nice to be able to walk into the new coop standing up. The hens wont know what to do with all that room.

Looking thru my garage & shed for some repurposed nest box ideas. So far found a laundry basket that I think if I attach it to the side it will work well.

Trying to fill in the low area where water stands with DL & compost so that it is not under water when I place the coop & new electric netting there.

I just want spring to get here so I can get it all set up and the hens can roam on the grass instead of the muddy garden/ grass area they have been using all winter.
They must be still finding goodies tho since they are leaving giant craters everywhere in their digging. Who knew hens could dig such big holes

If you go to any box stores ask for extra boxes. They make wonderful nesting boxes.. Also saw a really cool one the other day out of an old TV. So neat!

 

[delisha]

lol
I agree ..they leave parts of the yard looking like I have a huge dog and digger. They are the worst with my flower beds..Huge fields to dig in, and can't leave the yard alone.

 

[aoxa]

lol
I agree ..they leave parts of the yard looking like I have a huge dog and digger. They are the worst with my flower beds..Huge fields to dig in, and can't leave the yard alone.

That's exactly how it is right? They were always in the garden beds. Drove Susan crazy!


Here is that cool nesting box. I'd love this. Would be perfect to watch a broody hatching chicks or just with her chicks..

 

[delisha]

Now that is chick TV

 

[aoxa]

Now that is chick TV

I know right?

I'd be glued to the screen all day! hahah

 

[Mumsy]

Ok I have a quick question for silkie owners. I have been looking a Mumsys pics of her beautiful birds. At first I couldnt see a comb on her females but on Fluffy Dragon it looks like he has a pea comb? Do the pullets not get combs? And I dont see wattles either. Do Silkies not get those either or are they so small they are hidden by the fluff? In some pictures of others Silkies I find it hard to distnguish which end is which with all those fluffy feathers

Just curios and trying to broaden my chicken knowledge.

Thanks
Jenn

I have Silkies from three different breeders using three different strains. All the birds in my barn range in age from 10 weeks to 10 months. Four I hatched from Sheryl Butler line. Two came from M Best, and three now from Catdance. The three I have now have very small Walnut combs. The wattles are almost invisible on the Catdance birds. They are very heavily bearded. The Catdance roo has the best comb and beak for any male silkie I've ever owned.