The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Ashdoes]

My father-in-law made me a brooder....I showed him a pic of a cardboard version and he came up with this. It's square so it'll fit in a corner, unlike the octagon one made of cardboard. I'll be staining this and hopefully get many uses out of it.
The panels slide together, and then when not in use I can just stack them and put it anywhere.

 

[Mumsy]

I'm lucky to have two farmers markets within a couple miles drive from my home plus small local growers with road side stands. GMO is a dirty word in these parts. Even my local village grocery store sells local free range, cage free, corn and soy free eggs. I ask when I go to the farmers market what variety of vegetable or fruit they are selling. I know which are GMO. Most are proud to advertise GMO free and Organic/pesticide free. Those that don't have a sign usually are the ones that are using the nasties. If I can't grow it and preserve it myself, I will purchase it local. Local on my island can mean anything produced within a hundred miles. That means meat if I can get it. My husband and I fish and crab locally. So yes..."Local" is win win win for me.

Loving all the chix pix today. Such a treat.

My chicks hold still just long enough for me to take the pic for the most part. The one I had to hold down by the feet was the Johnny chick that free ranges. That chick fought and yelled bloody murder until I let it go. Hah!

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote:
No more bantam Ameraucanas then? They were so nice.

 

[Shan30]

My father-in-law made me a brooder....I showed him a pic of a cardboard version and he came up with this. It's square so it'll fit in a corner, unlike the octagon one made of cardboard. I'll be staining this and hopefully get many uses out of it.
The panels slide together, and then when not in use I can just stack them and put it anywhere.

Nice brooder Do you think stain will be ok? I was just thinking about how long it takes to dry and whether or not it's toxic. Maybe not though. Could you white wash it? Then again I don't know if white wash is safe for chicks either. I would like to use wood too.

 

[DeerFangRanch]

That is a really nice brooder.
Especially love that if comes apart for storage.
Tell your Father-In-Law great job.

Have you considered checking into "kid safe" finish - at least for the inside?

 

[Ashdoes]

Nice brooder Do you think stain will be ok? I was just thinking about how long it takes to dry and whether or not it's toxic. Maybe not though. Could you white wash it? Then again I don't know if white wash is safe for chicks either. I would like to use wood too.

We built a seat in the run, and stained it with no problems. I also made a wooden stand for one of the waterers, to keep dirt out, and stained that. We've got plenty of time for it to dry. I want to be able to power wash the brooder before putting it away after ducklings or chicks. If I worry too much, which is my nature, I'd never get anything done.
I have a question for anyone that grows grapes. We have four support posts in the run, around one is the seat we built, and I'd like to train grape vines up the others. What should I attach to the posts for the vines to grab better? They're just circle posts, and I think grape vines need something to grab on to.

 

[lalaland]

Susan asked me to ask you guys a question...

Fresh local fruits & veggies (not certified organic)
or Organic grocery store fruit & veggies (not local)

I would ensure the local foods were at least grown here and not from GM seeds.

We do not have certified organic GMO free fruits and veggies at the farmers market which puts us in a pickle.

It is a tricky question! Personally, I vote for local, but watch the highest pesticide stuff - strawberries, etc. farmers markets are good sources. everything is always a tradeoff, and there might be some things you will go organic, and some you will go local.

 

[chickiemomy]

Hi ladies, back to busy nights now that school has started back.

Delisha i was thinking of what you said that my roos might be passing some defect down to my chicks -I had a thought. The one chick that has the balance issues is from a polish hen and bcm roo. The hen is lf but on the small side, the roo is a really big boy. So could that have something to do with it? The baby is out of porpotion because the size difference of the mom and dad? Her legs and feet are very long and skinny -huge feet. Her body is short -compact.

She is able to get up and move around freely around the brooder, but not for long periods of time. Its like she trips over her gigantic feet which makes her stumble then she just sits down. The other chicks are from hens /roosters that aren't that different in size, so they aren't having any issues. They are very active-loud boogers. Now thinking about it the other 3 that died were very small banty /lf roos. What do u think of my theory?

If that's the case I feel really bad...I never even thought of the huge size difference of the hens and roos. I only have 2 banties, 2 polish. I am planning on getting roos for the banties and polish so they are pure and not mixed. I guess they never had a chance to survive...but ive seen lf and banty breeds -breed and they seemed fine. Tagalong is doing really good -she is gaining strength every minute.

I just feel so badly...I guess I won't let anymore banty /polish hatch till I get the correct breed roo for them. Well Im still thankful for Tagalong, shes such a cutie...ill take a pic and post tomorrow. If anyone has anymore suggestions I would appreciate it!

Thanks

I'm pretty far behind, so this may have been resolved by now - but wanted to mention my (limited) experience with a chick like this.

One of my black australorp chicks developed this trait - she had difficulty moving - stopped to rest frequently - ended up using her wings to help move from one side of the brooder to another. It seemed like one leg was weaker - not splayed - or anything you (or a novice!) - could pick out as physically wrong. The other chicks did not have this - & it seemed like it was a few days or a week before I really noted this behavior. Was she injured? don't know - they were on pine shavings/ straw mixed. Medicated chick crumbles, plain water, no supplements, no treats at the time it was noticed. Being extremely new to chickens, I was truly worried, but didn't want to cull a brand new chickie - so kept a close eye on her to make sure she was eating & drinking. LSS, she grew out of it - can't say how long - maybe a month or more??? - And today, 10 months later, you would never know there had ever been anything wrong.

Just saying - I for sure don't know what caused Queenie's disability - it was one chick out of 6 that had issues, but she grew out of it. So all may not be lost - I'm not breeding, so don't know if it is genetic.

 

[kian]

Aoxa, I vote local farmer's market. The chances are quite good you'll get non GMO there, even if they aren't certified organic. Small market farmers are usually growing heirlooms anyway because most people want that. Plus you can always ask them about their farming practices. Most farmers love to talk shop with someone truly interested and respectful.

 

[armorfirelady]

Mumsy- those chics are growing so fast & so beautiful !!


It was in the 40s early this morning so I was able to get the chicken wire around the perimeter of the new coop, cover some of it with dirt & planted clover, sunflowers & snap peas in it then lightly covered the other wire with straw so the grass can hopefully grow thru it without the hens scratching at the wire. Kind of early for sunflowers but they are on the sunny side of the coop so I am hoping they grow

I also got my cool weather crops in. At first I didn't put a fence in but the hens were happy with me digging and wanted to help.....except they were digging up the seeds

So I blocked them out. They were not happy that a part of their area was off limits. and kept sticking their heads thru the fence lol


I have to work all weekend but its suppose to be in the 50s so hoping after work I can get the electric netting up & move the girls in their new digs. No temps below freezing on the wx forecast so it seems like a good time. I guess the girls must of heard me. 2 of them were in the new coop checking out the nesting boxes......

And they both left me eggs. I have to say it was pretty funny to watch them spend a long time going in & out of the boxes trying to figure out which one to use lol
Dont mind messy girl here......she wears her FF very well