The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Bulldogma]

A little bit about prolapsed vents and problems in laying.

May I use this for the thing?

As I was driving up, I look up and see FLAGS.. 3 FLAGS FLYING UP HIGH by the coop. They are flags from "who knows what" nations flying way up high.

What an awesome hubby! And your story is too funny! I think you should get some pirate flags to fly!

 

[Bulldogma]

OH - there is a wonderful new thing up in that place.

 

[Eggcessive]

Rambunctious, I live in southern Ohio, and it was 14 degrees yesterday morning. So I would put the heat lamp in for a week, and let them use it if they like, then by 7 weeks they should be able to do without it.

 

[Eggcessive]

They will poop on the wall with the roost that close. It needs to be out about 12-15 inches from the wall.

We're troubled, do we keep this where the top roost is 5" from back wall but they have 12+" of roost space or do we take this out and put up a single bar centered. They'll have 8" of space per bird and the poop board will be 10-12" below. My husband is at wits end w/me trying to figure it out! I'd love some seasoned advice! Thank you so very much!!

 

[CoopChick719]

I have several posts to read to catch up but I wanted to post a couple photos and a story.

I was running errands this morning and while I was out I talked to my husband on the phone (who was at home). He said he was outside by the chickens and, "Wait till you see what I did."

Then he said the had "done something" out there with the chickens but didn't tell me what "something" was. I thought about a couple of possible "somethings" that he may have done but quickly forgot about it in the busy-ness of doing stuff.

As I was driving up, I look up and see FLAGS.. 3 FLAGS FLYING UP HIGH by the coop. They are flags from "who knows what" nations flying way up high.

I literally

(except I wasn't rolling on the floor). HE REMEMBERED WHAT I TOLD HIM THAT PG TOLD US ABOUT FLYING FLAGS UP HIGH TO DETER HAWKS - AND HE DID IT!

Then, all of a sudden I thought, "whoa...I hope the neighbors don't think we joined some cult or something ... or what if those are flags from some terrorist nation... then...well at least they're not confederate...

)


So I went in and he told me that last week someone at work was going to throw away some flags and asked him if he had any use for them (he designs sets for a TV station/studio and does graphic design, backdrops, etc.) So he brought home these free flags and up they went!

Here's a photo...PG...are they high enough?










So I immediately went to the next door neighbor to tell them we hadn't joined some cult or the Nazi's or something

(He was very gracious and told me he thought it was probably a hawk thing.

I better go find out what nation those flags are from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Green, White & Orange is Ireland's flag said the proud Irishwoman.

 

[Knittycat]

So, fermented feed. I gave it a go after reading Bee's thread.
Do the chicks like it?



I'm going to have to say yes.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Ok here's another newbie question:

I noticed today while looking out the window how bright red the hens combs & wattles are.

The weather temps have been steady in the 30s/20s all week and they spent the last 2 days in their run (their choice pop door was open and outside run shoveled) because if heavy snow & winds.

The only food change was the addition of grower feed to their FF 9 days ago. Oh and I added some flax seed to it yesterday.

Is it just the time of the year they are so much redder or could it be because of the increased protein with the addition of the grower food?

My year-olds are getting very red. No feed change. I think it is time of year after the winter slow down. It would likely be a hormone rev-up as it's broody time!

Green, White & Orange is Ireland's flag said the proud Irishwoman.

I'm going to have to look at that flag closer...I thought it was a RED stripe rather than orange which would make it Italian. I'll have to look again after the sun is up!

 

[OohLaLa]

very cute, all look happy

 

[Melabella]

I'm going to have to look at that flag closer...I thought it was a RED stripe rather than orange which would make it Italian. I'll have to look again after the sun is up!

Leah,

I just love your story about DH and the flags,, what a nice man! I think that the flag looks a bit more red than orange as well, viva Italia!
The Blue/yellow/Red is maybe Romania?

Romania
Flag of Romania
Colors in the flag: Blue - Yellow - Red​

MB

 

[Sally8]

At what age can I toss in a little scratch grain? At this time do I introduce chick grit or oyster shell? The oyster shell I get looks awfully big. I've read where you feed their own shells back to them but you heat them in the oven? Is it to kill bacteria? What temp and for how long? The teen chicks were not happy with their new accommodations. We opened the door to the run but only a couple peeked out. (Temps still very cold. Should get above freezing today.) That's where I thought I could throw just a little scratch.

Love, love, love the flags. Aren't DH funny sometimes. sue