The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[kian]

Well I got two mystery eggs in one day. I think, however, that they were laid by the same pullet, one I've been waiting for eggs on.


Here's the first one I found, outside in the run, near the waterer. It was completely clean, the dirt is from when I rolled it on to my hand so it wouldn't split open:



Huge yolk, huh? Would have been GREAT with a shell on it! There were a few girls around it too, so it must have been just laid and they hadn't had time to investigate.

The second I found underneath the coop, when I was cleaning out the coop. Just happened to notice it and at first I didn't think it was an egg. It was just a soft shell egg. I've heard of them but haven't had one like this one yet. One of my less consistant with quality layers had one off the roost that had broken and the shell was thicker than the one I found, but still pretty soft.

So I'm figuring it's one of the up and coming girls, even though she's been IN the nest box, she laid them outside. More than likely the soft shell egg was laid yesterday. It was cool to the touch and fairly protected/hidden in straw. Glad I found it though, it's 86 today and is supposed to be in the mid to upper 80s the next few days!

 

[bruceh]

thank you all for a warm welcome back. i am reading up on the posts so i can chime in.

 

[Leahs Mom]

My coop materials are scheduled to arrive on the 25th!!!! Yay! Then as soon as I get it together I can go get my 3 chickens!!! Already have grains fermenting! And my neighbor says I can have her old waterer! I have the containers for the wood ash bath. Making feeders out of old pvc pipes and topping it with a grid of plastic I trimmed away from filter support for my return furnace vent! Outside of a bulb & electricity for warmth (they are used to)I will be all set when I get some bedding.

It is real! the dream is real...I am going to have chickens!!!!!

YAY!!!

 

[delisha]

My coop materials are scheduled to arrive on the 25th!!!! Yay! Then as soon as I get it together I can go get my 3 chickens!!! Already have grains fermenting! And my neighbor says I can have her old waterer! I have the containers for the wood ash bath. Making feeders out of old pvc pipes and topping it with a grid of plastic I trimmed away from filter support for my return furnace vent! Outside of a bulb & electricity for warmth (they are used to)I will be all set when I get some bedding.

It is real! the dream is real...I am going to have chickens!!!!!

Well I got two mystery eggs in one day. I think, however, that they were laid by the same pullet, one I've been waiting for eggs on.


Here's the first one I found, outside in the run, near the waterer. It was completely clean, the dirt is from when I rolled it on to my hand so it wouldn't split open:



Huge yolk, huh? Would have been GREAT with a shell on it! There were a few girls around it too, so it must have been just laid and they hadn't had time to investigate.

The second I found underneath the coop, when I was cleaning out the coop. Just happened to notice it and at first I didn't think it was an egg. It was just a soft shell egg. I've heard of them but haven't had one like this one yet. One of my less consistant with quality layers had one off the roost that had broken and the shell was thicker than the one I found, but still pretty soft.

So I'm figuring it's one of the up and coming girls, even though she's been IN the nest box, she laid them outside. More than likely the soft shell egg was laid yesterday. It was cool to the touch and fairly protected/hidden in straw. Glad I found it though, it's 86 today and is supposed to be in the mid to upper 80s the next few days!

as soon as your girl gets going..she is going to lay you some nice eggs...feed that yolk back to her and offer more calcium.

 

[Sally8]

The conditioning comes before the show
They have to be used to people taking them out of cages. examining wings..so at home you have to handle them a lot. Take them out of a show cage, put them on a table, touch them and spread wings. Look at feet and toes..all kinds of things to get them used to contact.
At the show you place your bird in your assigned area in a cage. You fill out paperwork an entry forms before the show. Sometimes at the show. You might want to spray the cage with disinfectant. Your bird needs to be in top condition, free from pests and dirt. Clean cage before judging.. Wipe your bird with wet-ones if they have poo on feet or feathers.

Than you just wait for eternity.

Not a silly question

The last animal show I saw was a cat show, not even sure I'd admit that to too many people. lol I wondered if the judges took the chicken out of the cage and pulled them up by the tail and pulled on their heads....You all have my deepest respect. I know so much work goes in to showing.

Well I got two mystery eggs in one day. I think, however, that they were laid by the same pullet, one I've been waiting for eggs on.


Here's the first one I found, outside in the run, near the waterer. It was completely clean, the dirt is from when I rolled it on to my hand so it wouldn't split open:



Huge yolk, huh? Would have been GREAT with a shell on it! There were a few girls around it too, so it must have been just laid and they hadn't had time to investigate.

The second I found underneath the coop, when I was cleaning out the coop. Just happened to notice it and at first I didn't think it was an egg. It was just a soft shell egg. I've heard of them but haven't had one like this one yet. One of my less consistant with quality layers had one off the roost that had broken and the shell was thicker than the one I found, but still pretty soft.

So I'm figuring it's one of the up and coming girls, even though she's been IN the nest box, she laid them outside. More than likely the soft shell egg was laid yesterday. It was cool to the touch and fairly protected/hidden in straw. Glad I found it though, it's 86 today and is supposed to be in the mid to upper 80s the next few days!

I running back and forth in front of my computer with garlic and a crucifix. I'd forgotten I have a hen that has given me a soft egg almost every day for over 2 years. She either isn't laying at all or she got over it. I tried everything. It was always in the nest box and what a mess. I hope things work out. They say they usually do. My real reason for commenting is the cutie in your avatar box. I love it!

aoxa - Congratulations on your barn insurance. That's a huge step! Keep us posted with pic's as you go along. sue

 

[Adenium]

When I read that sentence I laughed so hard....I haven't had a good laugh in such a long time......

Glad to provide entertainment. Wish it weren't so though.

I had to laugh that Aoxa said the silkies are better raised by a broody. I know that's often true, but they're SILKIES. They can't figure it out themselves never mind teach it.

 

[countrygirl74]

My coop materials are scheduled to arrive on the 25th!!!! Yay! Then as soon as I get it together I can go get my 3 chickens!!! Already have grains fermenting! And my neighbor says I can have her old waterer! I have the containers for the wood ash bath. Making feeders out of old pvc pipes and topping it with a grid of plastic I trimmed away from filter support for my return furnace vent! Outside of a bulb & electricity for warmth (they are used to)I will be all set when I get some bedding.

It is real! the dream is real...I am going to have chickens!!!!!

Yippee!! You're going to love it!

 

[armorfirelady]

So I have a question for the OTs who know something about protein levels. I remember saying btw 18-20% is what you like. The current layer pellets I am using have is 16% the scratch has 9 %. Today while I was at TSC buying fencing that was on sale for the hoop coop I found calf manna grow/ conditioner and picked up a bag. That is listed as 24%.
Now my layer is mixed with scratch, BOSS alfalfa pellets and oats in a giant tub. I mixed it all together so that all I have do is fill the container I keep inside to fill the FF bucket. I added some grower to the FF bucket today & took the hens their 3rd bowl full out after work (must be an extra hungry day usually eat one bowl a day) they licked the bowl with grower in it clean in 10 minutes.

Since I had to make a new batch of FF today I just put the grower in it with oats, garlic, basil and the about 4 cups of layer mix into the bucket. It's happily bubbling away after being by the wood stove.

My question is if I buy more grower and add to my big tub with the other stuff already in it will the overall protein level be to high? There is probably a 3rd of a 50# bag of pellets left and probably same for scratch but that was a 25# bag.

Eventually I would just like to give straight grower since it has more ingredients in it that are better for the girls now that most layer feed is labeled vegetarian :/

Here is the grower ingredients and percentages
P

I would have calcium out for them to eat as they need it.
I am hoping will help with vent problems since it says its caused by lack of calcium (layer feed has calcium in it) and from the funky eggs with bumps and swirls in shell??

Thanks jenn

 

[flagirl]

Bruceh--I do not comment much, just read and learn, but glad to see you again-missed your humor.

 

[aoxa]

Glad to provide entertainment. Wish it weren't so though.

I had to laugh that Aoxa said the silkies are better raised by a broody. I know that's often true, but they're SILKIES. They can't figure it out themselves never mind teach it.

I mostly meant silkies being raised by other breeds, but my hens were never stupid mothers. They taught their children well and kept them safe. However, they definitely didn't teach them how to free range or anything like that kind of smarts..

Otherwise people wouldn't use them for such a thing.. Many agree they are the best natural incubator (next to a game hen).

All of my silkie hens could see.