The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Smithyard Farm]

Absolutely to #1- don't free feed them, they will eat until they explode! Well, in reality they could eat you out of house and home and then die of heart attacks at 6 weeks. Here's exactly what I do-

-when I get them home, they go in the brooder (pre-heated the lamp being on the night before, water and food filled) with free choice unmedicated chick feed. I'm sure you could just start them on FF, but I always forget to start the feed fermenting soon enough, so I usually start it the day I get the chicks.
-when the first batch of FF is ready I start giving them small amounts in a plastic trough in addition to their crumbles. When I notice that most of the chicks are eating it, I remove the dry crumbles. During the first two weeks I keep the feeder as full as I can- not terribly hard, since I check on them several times a day, I just add a few more scoops as they need it, but I guess this would be the same as feeding 3x a day- I pretty much make sure they have enough to eat free choice at least during the day.
-at two weeks, which is also when I usually move them outside (with a heat lamp still), I feed them twice a day, about as much as they can finish in a few hours, and I start getting them used to free ranging.
-and I pretty much continue to feed them twice a day up to processing time, but as they get older I lessen the time it takes them to finish (kwim, I didn't say that very clearly??). Like, by the time they're 4-5 weeks I give them as much as they can finish in like 15 minutes.

I feed them soaked unmedicated chick starter at first, and then I start adding a little scratch to the mix around the time they go outside. Each time I do it I add more scratch grains until the mixture is about 1/2 and 1/2. I may use less scratch this year- I was doing it last year as a cost saving measure, but now that I'm actively avoiding GMO feed the scratch I have to buy is more expensive than the broiler feed. You should NOT feed them any layer feed- it's bad for chicks as the extra calcium can adversly affect their development, and broilers are even more sensitive to nutrient issues. I strongly suggest only feeding them FF (it makes the feed MUCH more efficient because they're using more of it and pooping less out), and mixing it separate from what you mix for your layers... I use unmedicated chick starter because the protein and mineral content is similar to broiler feed and it is otherwise impossible to find unmedicated broiler feed around here. If you use unmedicated chick starter in your FF, as long as they also have free choice layer and free choice oyster shell in their coop, you could feed the fermented chick starter to your layers.

Ugh, have I confused you yet? Because I have confused myself. I'm having a hard time explaining things today...

Actually - this is perfect! thank you !!

 

[brandislee]

Actually - this is perfect! thank you !!

No problem! Glad to help. I LOVE what FF did for my CC and I am glad to help others have the same success! This year I'm going to see how turkeys (Broad Breasted, so similar to CC in some ways) do with it!

 

[Kacey's Krazee's]

I DID IT! I DID IT !

I had 5 roosters that had to be processed. These were from my Buff Orpington that hatched 12 on Christmas Eve day. 7 pullets and 5 roo's. They are just mutts. I was happy due to the fact I finally had a hen go broody.
They are knocking on the door of being 16 wks old (Monday). A friend of ours lives up the road, and has processed chickens before. I asked his help in showing me how, and standing by in case I needed some assistance. He did the first one for me, to show, and I did the other 4. I'm still not good with doing the neck cut, but I will get better. I have been looking forward to taking this next step in raising chickens, but also unsure if I could do the actual killing cut. I made some bad cuts, I was afraid to put too much pressure on the knife, and caused one bird to have to be cut 3 times, and I hated that!!
I have another group of straight run chickens, white rock and mottled java's, 20 of them total, and from what I can see, I have 13 roosters in that bunch. I picked them up at the hatchery on Jan. 30, so they are close. I head one of them crowing this morning....
I cut the birds up, and skinned them and have them in the freezer. My DH will only eat skinless breasts, and he was not at all happy about my decision to raise and cull some. So the dark meat is in it's own package to cook for casseroles, chicken salad etc.

I do have a question... all of this talk about giving the hens meat, can I give them the raw chicken wings? Or will they start turning on each other due to the taste of fresh chicken?
Thinking of a shark feeding frenzy in my mind......

Kacey

 

[mikkles]

i can't seem to find...how warm does everyone keep their brooder boxes with brand new chicks? thanks!

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Quote: I had to do a lot of research on dicile breeds. My DW was attacked by a rooster as a child, so I had to make sure our first was very docile. He was a good first rooster. I just re-homed him today to a big farm about 20 miles away(I don't have large enough or enough hens for him to not rub them raw, even with saddles. He is just to big)

Quote: I don't know about 10:1 but yes, the males are a rare breed here.

The weather here is cold for April. 30's and 40's with rain and wind. Snowing in some areas.

I had snow from a very heavy rain that turned to hail then snow. Lasted about 15 minutes and then gone.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

i can't seem to find...how warm does everyone keep their brooder boxes with brand new chicks? thanks!

General guide is start at 85-90 under the lamp and reduce heat by 5 degrees a week. I do it MUCH faster like a broody momma does. I have 3 week old chicks outside with a lamp that heats to about 50 degrees under it. They only go under it at night or if it is real cold out, like today(started at freezing)

 

[Bulldogma]

I am wanting to know what methods/programs you all use to put watermarks on your photos.

I use Gimp and electronic art pad to do a lot of illustration type stuff, but for adding a watermark, I simply use IrfanView (freeware) and put the text on the photos. If you want to try that and need some help, just let me know. It's super-easy!

Henry is growing way too fast! Slow down so I can enjoy you small Henry!

Squeeee! I adore Henry!

I know right! I'm going to cry at every milestone I know it
Did I mention I'm going to be an aunt again? A little girl this time. FINALLY!

Congrats on becoming an aunt again!

I DID IT! I DID IT !

I had 5 roosters that had to be processed. These were from my Buff Orpington that hatched 12 on Christmas Eve day. 7 pullets and 5 roo's. They are just mutts. I was happy due to the fact I finally had a hen go broody.
They are knocking on the door of being 16 wks old (Monday). A friend of ours lives up the road, and has processed chickens before. I asked his help in showing me how, and standing by in case I needed some assistance. He did the first one for me, to show, and I did the other 4. I'm still not good with doing the neck cut, but I will get better. I have been looking forward to taking this next step in raising chickens, but also unsure if I could do the actual killing cut. I made some bad cuts, I was afraid to put too much pressure on the knife, and caused one bird to have to be cut 3 times, and I hated that!!
I have another group of straight run chickens, white rock and mottled java's, 20 of them total, and from what I can see, I have 13 roosters in that bunch. I picked them up at the hatchery on Jan. 30, so they are close. I head one of them crowing this morning....
I cut the birds up, and skinned them and have them in the freezer. My DH will only eat skinless breasts, and he was not at all happy about my decision to raise and cull some. So the dark meat is in it's own package to cook for casseroles, chicken salad etc.

I do have a question... all of this talk about giving the hens meat, can I give them the raw chicken wings? Or will they start turning on each other due to the taste of fresh chicken?
Thinking of a shark feeding frenzy in my mind......

Kacey

Congrats! Nothing tastes better than the fruits (or meats) of your labors!

 

[Bulldogma]

i can't seem to find...how warm does everyone keep their brooder boxes with brand new chicks? thanks!

I think Trav answered your question, but I wanted to jump in and say "Welcome to the Thread!!"

 

[delisha]

Delisha, I hope your right about the Dark Cornish hens. I'm going to put them in with the flock on the weekend.

As for the broody, I wont need to get the HRIR's tomorrow because I came home today to find one little chick in with her

I'm so happy!!! It's our first baby lol pale yellow and looked rumpless in the few moments I got to see. My guess would be Araucana x Leghorn heehee!

Now the reason I saw this chick is as I was walking toward the coop I could hear it cheeping in distress. When I got in mama was on the floor puffed up and looking ****** and panicking. I'm not sure but I think maybe she chased someone away from her chick. There was no empty shell in the nest either.

So I cut a bunch of wire and wood materials and partially screened her off from the flock with some starter and water. Its not perfect but they can't get to her.

I don't know if any more will hatch but I don't want to move her. Maybe I can unscrew I nest box from the wall?

As for the mites I was only treating the ones with signs...should I be treating everyone

Congrats on the new hatch..
Yes..you treat everyone for mites

Cigarette tea? Is this what it sounds like? Please elaborate!

I am a smoker. I toss all my butts in a bucket with water. I use it to spray on my trees, and my coops to kill bugs. Also on hay, straw, and my wood chip pile.

Vicki, how is your hatch going?

I'm up to 5 chicks now. 4 HRIR and one surprise white Chantecler. He must have snuck in an extra egg. Good thing Camille wanted White Chantecler, and she's over the moon! Little guy is super cute!



I have 10 more pipped. A few of those are zipping. I love hatching

I had class today ..I am an official NPIP certified tester for everyone now..I can test other flocks..when I left I had one egg piped..I came home to an incubator full of chicks.I really have no idea exactly how many I have. I am trying not to go in there often. Last time I looked I had 4 splash and 2 blue Orps, one quail, and one BCM. One piped BCM and one piped Orp.

I will take picks threw the glass later.

I am candling my hatch tomorrow, it is the halfway point for my hatch. I am excited b/c it is the first hatch from my own chickens eggs entirely. They will all be mixes, but I really like the variety of mixes.

How exciting!!!!

Thanks veryone for your hints on the cornish crosses... i feel alot better about them now.

Just a question on the feed. I normally supplement with Fremented Feed once a day - in the morning i bring a big bucket out, and then they have thier crumbles mixed with rye, oats or whatever else I have all day. They also are let out of the coop for a couple hours during the day to free range.

I want to reitrerate your suggestions to make sure I am understanding....

1. dont let them free feed. - Yes..for the first week..free feed
2. start out feedeing three times a day, for how long? the next two weeks.. then move to two and them 1
3. I think i saw let them eat for 15 min at a time and then take away thier food, is that rght? even if only feeding once a day? Keep in mind they only free range 2- 3 hours a day....I would not take up the food until they were 6 weeks old with such limited feeding
Limited free range time will be so different. you have to go by how your chickens are looking and reacting. You have to make that decision. Those few hours a day of free range eating will not make enough difference unless you have planted for them.

and one last question.... what are you feeding them? is it still the high protein or standard grower? I assume I can also feed the FF.

My FF has mostly layer crumbles, (1/3or so); then a mixture of wheat, oats, rye and chooped up "whatever we had for dinner that night" stuff in it.

Should I change the food I am feeding to the cornish and use a higher protien?

Never feed cornish layer..never feed any bird layer unless it is actually giving you an egg.

I DID IT! I DID IT !

I had 5 roosters that had to be processed. These were from my Buff Orpington that hatched 12 on Christmas Eve day. 7 pullets and 5 roo's. They are just mutts. I was happy due to the fact I finally had a hen go broody.
They are knocking on the door of being 16 wks old (Monday). A friend of ours lives up the road, and has processed chickens before. I asked his help in showing me how, and standing by in case I needed some assistance. He did the first one for me, to show, and I did the other 4. I'm still not good with doing the neck cut, but I will get better. I have been looking forward to taking this next step in raising chickens, but also unsure if I could do the actual killing cut. I made some bad cuts, I was afraid to put too much pressure on the knife, and caused one bird to have to be cut 3 times, and I hated that!!
I have another group of straight run chickens, white rock and mottled java's, 20 of them total, and from what I can see, I have 13 roosters in that bunch. I picked them up at the hatchery on Jan. 30, so they are close. I head one of them crowing this morning....
I cut the birds up, and skinned them and have them in the freezer. My DH will only eat skinless breasts, and he was not at all happy about my decision to raise and cull some. So the dark meat is in it's own package to cook for casseroles, chicken salad etc.

I do have a question... all of this talk about giving the hens meat, can I give them the raw chicken wings? Or will they start turning on each other due to the taste of fresh chicken?
Thinking of a shark feeding frenzy in my mind......

Kacey

raw chicken wings is good for the chickens and dogs

i can't seem to find...how warm does everyone keep their brooder boxes with brand new chicks? thanks!

90 for the first 24 hours 85 for the first week 80-75 for the second 70-75 for the third and 4th...

Quote:
Originally Posted by mikkles

i can't seem to find...how warm does everyone keep their brooder boxes with brand new chicks? thanks!

General guide is start at 85-90 under the lamp and reduce heat by 5 degrees a week. I do it MUCH faster like a broody momma does. I have 3 week old chicks outside with a lamp that heats to about 50 degrees under it. They only go under it at night or if it is real cold out, like today(started at freezing)

 

[mikkles]

I think Trav answered your question, but I wanted to jump in and say "Welcome to the Thread!!"

thanks! been lurking and reading a LOT! this is a looong thread!