The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[jlynnet]

Mumsy, congrats on all of the little ones!i can't wait to see pics as they grow. I hope I have a successful hatch. I'm having trouble keeping the humidity up. The temp is staying steady.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Hawks & a Peacock
I just read this thread. Short but I cc the important stuff below.

Anyone here have any peafowl experience? If this is typical, and they get along w/chickens, it may be an inexpensive way to deter hawks...



Quote:Chic-n-farmer
Quote: From: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/608864/hawk-attack-stopped-by-larry-the-peacock/30

 

[Pozees]

*Gah!* I just spent an hour typing out a detailed reply and it disappeared!

I will try again in the morning.

Oh my, I am so sorry! Just wondering because I am thinking about more Catdance eggs sometime this year, and if I get more I would like to get better than a 20% hatch. Most beautiful and most expensive babies I have. The one that has the crossed beak still seems to be holding weight, so it's getting enough to eat - upper beak is curved too, just not as much as the lower beak, and I've read discussions about the possibility this could be caused by some error in incubation; if that is even possibly true I want to be sure I don't cause another one.

I have diligently avoided peering closely at combs until last night, and of course it's still too early to know anything, they're 5 weeks old. Every time I pick them up I marvel at how luxurious their feathers are.

 

[Pozees]

Hawks & a Peacock
I just read this thread. Short but I cc the important stuff below.

Anyone here have any peafowl experience? If this is typical, and they get along w/chickens, it may be an inexpensive way to deter hawks...




From: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/608864/hawk-attack-stopped-by-larry-the-peacock/30

Wow, interesting story and beautiful Larry!

 

[mlowen]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...ience+(ScienceDaily:+Top+News+--+Top+Science)

Really long link, but talks about why roosters crow...not just about the sun.

 

[Leahs Mom]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...ience+(ScienceDaily:+Top+News+--+Top+Science)

Really long link, but talks about why roosters crow...not just about the sun.

Interesting!

 

[delisha]

Hello Shan..welcome to the group and please keep us updated on what you are planning on doing.
I have done both..left them and moved them. If they are in the coop..I leave them..if they decide to nest outside..I move them in the coop.(If I find the nest) Sometimes the missing hen comes back with a troop of chicks.


Hello

I think I will leave her for the moment... So once she brings the chicks out they won't be able to get back in that nest box. If I leave her in should I put a nest box on the ground for her to take her brood in when the time comes?

I've never had a broody hen in with the flock, is it common for another chicken to attack the chicks? There are 25 others including 3 Roos ( I know I need to get rid of one).

Thanks for all your wisdom!

When a hen takes her chicks out of the nest, they usually do not return no matter where the nest is. If baby's are raised with the flock, and they have a good mom, the rest of the flock will leave her chicks alone. They fear the rath of the mom. You will often see baby chicks rush over to a feed dish with other chickens. Sometimes another chicken will peck a baby chick and the mom will call the baby away from harm. If the pecking chicken goes after the chick, as the chick leaves, the mother hen will attack. If the chick stays at the food dish and gets pecked again, the mom does nothing. I have never had a chick killed by my flock. It does happen. Some mothers are not good mothers and do not teach them correctly.

Quote: thanks

 

[Pullet Surprise]

Speaking of Broody Hens...

I have one. We were thinking it would be nice to let the next broody hatch this spring. We had plans (hahahaha) of fixing a spot separate for which ever of the girls decided to try the Mommy thing. We forgot that chickens have their own agenda and Tah Dah...in one of the most favorite nests, Helen decides she's going to take up residence. That's o.k., It'll work out fine actually. But here's my question(s):
I am not sure if Helen O'Chook's eggs are fertile. I know that some of the girls have fertile eggs. Our roo is just a year old and he has his favorite girls. I would love to give Helen some eggs to sit on. So....do I go about collecting everyone's eggs for a few days and slip the ones I think may be fertile under Helen? Do I keep the possible fertile eggs on the kitchen counter and put them under her all at once, or one at a time? I don't suppose there is any way of telling if they are for sure fertile without cracking them open. If they are not fertile, will Helen kick them out at a certain point? I am guessing the answer is "yes". How long before I should start giving her eggs? I had taken her egg this morning and put a couple of fake eggs under her. She's quite the zombie and it's like walking into a dinosaur encampment every time I open the nest box lid. I am pretty darn sure she is serious about it. I thought the fake eggs for a couple of days would let me know if she is for sure serious before I chance the real eggs.

 

[delisha]

Speaking of Broody Hens...

I have one. We were thinking it would be nice to let the next broody hatch this spring. We had plans (hahahaha) of fixing a spot separate for which ever of the girls decided to try the Mommy thing. We forgot that chickens have their own agenda and Tah Dah...in one of the most favorite nests, Helen decides she's going to take up residence. That's o.k., It'll work out fine actually. But here's my question(s):
I am not sure if Helen O'Chook's eggs are fertile. I know that some of the girls have fertile eggs. Our roo is just a year old and he has his favorite girls. I would love to give Helen some eggs to sit on. So....do I go about collecting everyone's eggs for a few days and slip the ones I think may be fertile under Helen? Do I keep the possible fertile eggs on the kitchen counter and put them under her all at once, or one at a time? I don't suppose there is any way of telling if they are for sure fertile without cracking them open. If they are not fertile, will Helen kick them out at a certain point? I am guessing the answer is "yes". How long before I should start giving her eggs? I had taken her egg this morning and put a couple of fake eggs under her. She's quite the zombie and it's like walking into a dinosaur encampment every time I open the nest box lid. I am pretty darn sure she is serious about it. I thought the fake eggs for a couple of days would let me know if she is for sure serious before I chance the real eggs.

You are doing the right thing. Letting her set on fake eggs first for a few days.
Gather the eggs you want her to hatch plus one extra....check one for fertility.
If she is still laying, she is not broody. If she is done laying, give her all the eggs at once if they are fertile.

 

[Pullet Surprise]

Thanks Delisha, I had wondered about that one egg under her this morning. She laid it either VERY late last night or very early this morning. This may be just a practice run for her. We'll see!!!