The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:

It i so unusual I would be watching him myself. He might be lacking something and trying to get it through the shells. Do you have grit? Try tossing in a few fresh herbs and greens like spinach.

I don't have grit from the store but there are lots of tiny pebbles and sand available for him. I gave him and the rest some greens today and he did seem to stay away from the oyster shell. Thanks for the advice.

Interesting! Could you post a follow-up in a few days and let us know what happens with this? I had heard before that kale and such provide some calcium but it never occurred to me that coming out of winter that could be why you'd see something like this.

 

[Eggcessive]

I am currently feeding half 24% gamebird feed and half 8% scratch for my fermented feed. The flock likes it so much better than layer or flock raiser mixed with whole grains. It equals out to 16% protein, and they like the thicks whole grains in it.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:

It i so unusual I would be watching him myself. He might be lacking something and trying to get it through the shells. Do you have grit? Try tossing in a few fresh herbs and greens like spinach.

I don't have grit from the store but there are lots of tiny pebbles and sand available for him. I gave him and the rest some greens today and he did seem to stay away from the oyster shell. Thanks for the advice.

Interesting! Could you post a follow-up in a few days and let us know what happens with this? I had heard before that kale and such provide some calcium but it never occurred to me that coming out of winter that could be why you'd see something like this.

I will post a follow up. I'm thinking there was not any kale in the greens I gave him. But I will get some from the store this weekend as long as I remember while I'm in the store.

 

[Sally8]

Ohhhhh Mumsy....... All I can think is I love them all !!!! Beautiful chicks.......if u lived closer I would visit just so I could sit and watch them cute little babies.

. I don't know how you get any work done I would spend all day watching them

x2

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Any suggestions for 1yr old Rouen duck who doesn't appear to be laying and has very dull feathers (thought she might be *changing*) Today I noticed the watery white poo. I'm thinking I should get her in a warm bath tmrw after DH leaves for work. LOL And begin FF. What else?

 

[CheekyMare]

Parsley and Celery are great kidney cleansers. ( for the calcium nomming roo) he will need kidney support to process a calcium excess. Perhaps try giving him some kelp or dolomite...

 

[CoopChick719]

They look so happy doing it too!

My husband had St. Bernards that they used to hook up to their sleds in the winter. They also used to ride them like a pony with a piece of bologna tied to the end of the stick held out in front of the dogs.

 

[OohLaLa]

My coop is almost done. I need to decide on the hen door. I was leaning towards an automatic door given our schedules. Any thoughts ideas suggestions?

 

[OohLaLa]

My husband had St. Bernards that they used to hook up to their sleds in the winter. They also used to ride them like a pony with a piece of bologna tied to the end of the stick held out in front of the dogs.

Sounds like my 100 pound black lab. He can plow through anything for a ball or food...including (shudder every time he does it) the barbed cow fence...yikes

 

[armorfirelady]

My coop is almost done. I need to decide on the hen door. I was leaning towards an automatic door given our schedules. Any thoughts ideas suggestions?

I just bought one......the hens are not using it yet since I need to put up the electric netting but I think its the best splurge I made. I have a solar charger with it and a light sensing eye so it will always have a charged battery & opens at dawn & closes at dusk. That way I dont have to keep changing the times with the seasons or daylight savings time