The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

Okay..time for one of my FAVORITE VIDEOS. Spring and gardening season is coming and it isn't complete without seeing how this fellow "puts the chooks to work".



PS: I don't do this (and maybe never will) but I LOVE watching this guy...always makes me smile.

I like this idea

 

[Leahs Mom]

I like this idea

I LOVE it...but may never take the time to build the frames. IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR SILKIES TO KEEP THEM SAFE WHILE GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO RANGE "REAL FOOD"!

 

[Mumsy]

Is this only for chicks? Or okay for older chickens?
Mumsy, Were your eggs just in cartons in the incubator before switching to the baskets? Do they go in the baskets for lockdown? Do you base your assessment on the candling or weight of the egg? Sorry for all the questions. I'm just starting today on incubating my first batch of eggs. I'm following your recommendations for my LG...

I hand turn eggs in cartons for sixteen days and put these baskets in a day or two before lockdown so the temperature doesn't fluctuate too much. The eggs lay flat for hatching. I assess my eggs by air cell size. I pull infertiles or clears at seven day candle. I pull quitters (dead embryos) at sixteen to eighteen day candle. I"ve hatched chicks leaving eggs in cartons upright too. I had a bad hatch the last batch of Silkies I did that way. Keeping them flat this time.

 

[rowerjen]

Quote: He is just precious. You must be so happy!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Totally off topic but wanted to share a photo of my new, "on the counter" ceramic egg holder. The kiddos have started laying well again!!!!



(These are the most recent eggs from my kiddos in the new ceramic holder on my counter.)


Got it here: http://www.amazon.com/Kikkerland-ER...460334&sr=8-1&keywords=kikkerland+egg+ceramic

 

[mrsamplias]

Quote:
Thank you, Mumsy, for your reply. I appreciate your help. I have 12 marans and I can't see much. I will try again tonight. The shipper recommended that I not turn for the first few days. How much can you see if you candle at day 1?

 

[countrygirl74]

Oh and Henry is home!!

Love it!!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Since I'm TOTALLY INEXPERIENCED...how do you tell if it is a "quitter" at 16-18 days? I tried to candle the ones under my broody and I could see that they had developed as they were dark compared to the ones that hadn't. But what do you look for to tell if they have quit? Would you see movement?

 

[delisha]

At day 18 you can usually see a head in the air pocket or hear peeping from the chicks. If you hold it up to your ear you can even hear the heart beat or pecking. It sounds like soft clicking. You could also see some slight veining along the edge of the air cell at day 18 and you definitely see the heart beating. A quitter has no veining left, since it is dead. it will look almost cloudy and blotchy too.


Mumsy..how many catdance so far? I am so excited for you..

 

[delisha]

Henry is homeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
woo hoo!!