The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[lalaland]

I never understood bee's advice on the hen with feather loss from mating. She assumed the hen was too docile. I would assume the hen was the roo's favorite, and if that hen was culled, there would likely be another favorite.

I think lots of room, lots of hen, and areas in the run/pen/coop where a hen could be out of sight of the roo would help, but sometimes nothing you do will keep feathers on a hen being mated by a roo.

 

[mlowen]

Reading Loanwizard's post on his roos jumping off roosts to welcome the new "ladies: and I heard in Joey's (from Friends) voice in my head: "How YOU doin'?"

 

[Ashdoes]

Yeah, I think she's a fav. Even when I brought her back out yesterday, the first thing those boys did was try to mate her.
It's funny how things work out sometimes. I had been thinking for days that the first to go would be Crazy, we've just never really liked him. So I went out and was hanging out in the run, and Crazy walks over, looks at the ground and starts clicking. Three girls run over, he picks up an Alfalfa pellet and lays it on the ground in front of them and clicks some more. All I could remember at that point was Jagger, and how awesome I thought it was that he did that, so Crazy stays. I realized that my favorite was only my favorite because of how pretty I always thought he was, but that's not really the best way to make decisions. I did almost cry before, during and after the deed, but he's now sitting in the fridge and I'm going to convince (beg) my MIL to make some chicken soup.
I hope this helps the flock, I prefer not to have to do this again before hubby gets home.

 

[Ashdoes]

Not really..... Using advanced applied chicken math, there is no reason to get rid of the third roo..... if you get 10 more hens

Trust me, I brought in 50 last night and the cocks came off the roosts for the festivities.....

I have SO many eggs at this point, I don't know what I'd do with ten more girls. Hubby laughed at that one though, cause that's how he'd solve the problem too.

 

[aoxa]

Justine, how wonderful to see Margaret.

Your video was absolutely amazing - perfect soundtrack. can't believe the talen you have in telling a story. thank you.

Thank you lala

I have SO many eggs at this point, I don't know what I'd do with ten more girls. Hubby laughed at that one though, cause that's how he'd solve the problem too.

It's the perfect solution

You need to find a buyer for your eggs. Promote them.

You free range right? There should be a market for that anywhere... I only know one other person near me who free ranges and he has no eggs left to spare! I am just not eating eggs now.

 

[mlowen]

Yeah, I think she's a fav. Even when I brought her back out yesterday, the first thing those boys did was try to mate her.
It's funny how things work out sometimes. I had been thinking for days that the first to go would be Crazy, we've just never really liked him. So I went out and was hanging out in the run, and Crazy walks over, looks at the ground and starts clicking. Three girls run over, he picks up an Alfalfa pellet and lays it on the ground in front of them and clicks some more. All I could remember at that point was Jagger, and how awesome I thought it was that he did that, so Crazy stays. I realized that my favorite was only my favorite because of how pretty I always thought he was, but that's not really the best way to make decisions. I did almost cry before, during and after the deed, but he's now sitting in the fridge and I'm going to convince (beg) my MIL to make some chicken soup.
I hope this helps the flock, I prefer not to have to do this again before hubby gets home.

Again, great teaching from you, Ash, for all us newbies. "Pay attention; what you think might not be what is." Maybe Crazy will grow on you & become less "crazy" and more "Jagger-ish."

 

[Leahs Mom]

I have to share this video I worked on all evening. I felt like the videos I took of Margaret today scratching around deserved a story.

To see her scratch around is so beautiful to me. At one point she was walking backwards and could not even stand.. Now look at her.

It's also a tribute to all of those who helped us with the cost of the new baby barn.

Just got on and saw your video. So glad you posted it...thanks!

Quote: If this was posted on the thread - the recipe I mean - I missed it. Can you give us a link or post?

 

[Leahs Mom]

"Live free or die" (Quoting EDITED TO SAY LW!!!!!!!)

That is something I've pondered quite often. From time to time I remember when b opened the door and let the gnarly bunch out rather than keeping them cooped during that first week. The thought was similar... if they're going to die at least they're going to die free.

I keep having this argument with myself to just open the gate and let them free (hawks and all). I think that argument is going to win someday. But I also think it would be easier with 30+ chickens than it would be with under 10.

So I keep pondering and trying to convince myself...

(Mine do get out to run an area but I have LOTS more room they could go if I took down the electronet. I need Del to convince me to just turn 'em loose...

)

 

[jlynnet]

Reading Loanwizard's post on his roos jumping off roosts to welcome the new "ladies: and I heard in Joey's (from Friends) voice in my head: "How YOU doin'?"

I was thinking that too! Thanks for the laughs.

 

[jendodd79]

Here's our Easter Egger Little One. I noticed today that she's actually surpassed the size of her hatch mates, even though she was half the size for the first 3 months!

I call her a blue birchen partridge... Lol!