The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

That's a great video Aoxa thanks for sharing

 

[BlueMouse]

yeah. Nothing like that yet. I guess I'll just stay patient and keep watching and waiting.... Nerve wracking in the EXTREME.

 

[aoxa]

yeah. Nothing like that yet. I guess I'll just stay patient and keep watching and waiting.... Nerve wracking in the EXTREME.

Hang in there! The first time is always so exciting, and you keep thinking nothing is going to hatch.. So long as your eggs are fertile, were handled and stored properly, and your incubator has held steady temps - you should be good to go.

 

[bascom]

One way around it is to avoid buying feed. If you let your girls eat whatever they want from the environment it is about as organic as you can get. Youl'll have to do something in the coldest parts of winter, but the other three seasons give them all they need for food the natural way.

 

[delisha]

I have been on vacation.. a chicken camp out with wisconsin bycers. It was so much fun. I took all of my chicks and came home with just a few. I have not caught up reading yet so please be patient with me.

Quote: no..the test were both 100g
100 g of corn and 100 g of mealworms

Delisha -
We are butchering our meaties tomorrow morning - I lost my notes about what you said about getting them on ice and your yummy mixture to soak them in.... is it possible to post that again or pm me? So sorry!
I just can't remember the right steps - like if I put in fridge or freezer when done processing the bird - immediately put in the "brine" or wait a few days to soak, etc. I honestly can't remember a thing and can't find where I wrote it down.
It is much appreciated!!!

Glad I read you found your notes

Posted this to the hatching forum but cross posting here:

I have a dozen eggs in my incubator, they're at day 20 w/no internal pip. Should I just put them on lockdown anyhow and hope for the best? This is my first time incubating, and I really feel like none of my eggs are going to hatch. They're half shipped cream legbar eggs and half of my own Buff Orpington eggs (and I know those are 100% fertile pretty much) I tossed two clears on day 14, and gave four more to my broody a week ago. The remaining dozen are in the incubator. We had trouble getting our temperatures up for the first two days, and then we had a 12 hour power outtage, but it looked like the eggs were developing, at least at day 14 there were two very obvious clears. It's hard to see much except the air cells even with my really extremely bright flashlight, I think because of the colored shells? Two of the air cells have sort of morphed into a weird saddle shape today, I THINK I see a shadow in another air cell, but other than that... nothing... what should I do

Help? Aoxa? Mumsy? Delisha?? Other people with lots of incubation experience??

all the messing around people do with the eggs and the incubators that sometimes go out of wack are not like a hen. Do not go by days. The days are just a guide. Do not put your eggs in lock down until you get an internal pip. If you have another incubator you can set that up and have it ready to go when you start to hear peeping.

Quote: ditto

 

[aoxa]

I have been on vacation.. a chicken camp out with wisconsin bycers. It was so much fun. I took all of my chicks and came home with just a few. I have not caught up reading yet so please be patient with me.
no..the test were both 100g
100 g of corn and 100 g of mealworms
Glad I read you found your notes
all the messing around people do with the eggs and the incubators that sometimes go out of wack are not like a hen. Do not go by days. The days are just a guide. Do not put your eggs in lock down until you get an internal pip. If you have another incubator you can set that up and have it ready to go when you start to hear peeping.
ditto

That sounds like a blast Vicki! Chicken camping!? So fun!!






We went to Prince Edward Island this Saturday to pick up some Silver Pencilled Plymouth Rock eggs that were donated to us by PEI Chicken on here. The birds were BEAUTIFUL. Nicer in person than in photos, and her cock bird was the biggest I have seen in Plymouth Rock. She weighed him and said he's pushing 12 pounds. He was very well tempered and gorgeous. The hens as well. Here are some of the photos she has on her BYC page.

 

[Bulldogma]

Wow that must be tough to deal with. You have 3 kids right? You must have your hands full.

Think you'll ever get a silkie rooster for your hens?

Do you know of Celtic Oaks? She is importing some Buff Toulouse geese for me next spring, and is also going to import some SFH for me here in Canada. I like things no one else has No one has them at all here. Would be so neat! She is a great friend, and is certified to do that importing.

Yes - 3 kids. Oldest is 18 and just graduated from high school. Middle kid will be 10 on Wednesday - she's the one in the spectrum. My youngest is 6 (will be 7 in August) and was a preemie which caused some health issues - she also has Down syndrome. She doesn't let any of it slow her down, though!

Someday I would like a Silkie roo. Right now we have to keep our numbers down a bit as there is a chance we may move later this summer.

How cool would it be to have the first SFH in Canada??? WOW! That is amazing news!

I'm sorry, this is just the epitome of chicken math

DH says pick one so you narrowed down to four? I am busting a gut here, I know you are focusing on SFH and I don't blame you I think they are lovely, just the numbers got me laughing so hard

Yup - sold the bantam Cochins and the Dark Cornish! I'm really proud of myself!

broody question..does everyone just leave mama and the babies in the coop with everyone else? or take them somewhere else? a sectioned off area isn't really an option at this point.

I had one mamma that the rooster kept chasing off the nest to breed, so I separated her. My current broody Silkie is in the trailer coop with the Swedish Flower Hen flock.

X2 - your little girl is blessed to have you for her mom - sounds like you know exactly how to handle the challenges that come your way through autism

Nope - I'm just "winging it." LOL. My daughter has some issues that are not as common... which makes it hard because there is no decent information on how to treat or handle her "quirks." We're doing our best, but frankly it's a bit like living with a terrorist in the house. I can't tell you how many times I've gone shopping only to find my wallet empty at check out. And she bullies the youngest, unfortunately. It's a very unique level of stress to live with. Thank goodness for my 27 little therapy sessions that run about my yard hunting for bugs. They do help!

That sounds like a blast Vicki! Chicken camping!? So fun!!

We went to Prince Edward Island this Saturday to pick up some Silver Pencilled Plymouth Rock eggs that were donated to us by PEI Chicken on here. The birds were BEAUTIFUL. Nicer in person than in photos, and her cock bird was the biggest I have seen in Plymouth Rock. She weighed him and said he's pushing 12 pounds. He was very well tempered and gorgeous. The hens as well. Here are some of the photos she has on her BYC page.

Lovely birds!!

 

[aoxa]

Yes - 3 kids. Oldest is 18 and just graduated from high school. Middle kid will be 10 on Wednesday - she's the one in the spectrum. My youngest is 6 (will be 7 in August) and was a preemie which caused some health issues - she also has Down syndrome. She doesn't let any of it slow her down, though!

Someday I would like a Silkie roo. Right now we have to keep our numbers down a bit as there is a chance we may move later this summer.

How cool would it be to have the first SFH in Canada??? WOW! That is amazing news!


Yup - sold the bantam Cochins and the Dark Cornish! I'm really proud of myself!


I had one mamma that the rooster kept chasing off the nest to breed, so I separated her. My current broody Silkie is in the trailer coop with the Swedish Flower Hen flock.


Nope - I'm just "winging it." LOL. My daughter has some issues that are not as common... which makes it hard because there is no decent information on how to treat or handle her "quirks." We're doing our best, but frankly it's a bit like living with a terrorist in the house. I can't tell you how many times I've gone shopping only to find my wallet empty at check out. And she bullies the youngest, unfortunately. It's a very unique level of stress to live with. Thank goodness for my 27 little therapy sessions that run about my yard hunting for bugs. They do help!


Lovely birds!!

The place you are renting is up for sale yes? I'd be a nervous wreck. I hate that feeling of needing to find a place but be pressed for time.

Are you moving close by your current address?

Yes it is going to be really cool

 

[aaggjg]

Posted this to the hatching forum but cross posting here:

I have a dozen eggs in my incubator, they're at day 20 w/no internal pip. Should I just put them on lockdown anyhow and hope for the best? This is my first time incubating, and I really feel like none of my eggs are going to hatch. They're half shipped cream legbar eggs and half of my own Buff Orpington eggs (and I know those are 100% fertile pretty much) I tossed two clears on day 14, and gave four more to my broody a week ago. The remaining dozen are in the incubator. We had trouble getting our temperatures up for the first two days, and then we had a 12 hour power outtage, but it looked like the eggs were developing, at least at day 14 there were two very obvious clears. It's hard to see much except the air cells even with my really extremely bright flashlight, I think because of the colored shells? Two of the air cells have sort of morphed into a weird saddle shape today, I THINK I see a shadow in another air cell, but other than that... nothing... what should I do

Help? Aoxa? Mumsy? Delisha?? Other people with lots of incubation experience??

It sounds like they are delayed due to taking a few days to get your temp up. Have the eggs you put under the broody hatched??? I'd say they are just behind schedule and to hang tight!!! Good Luck!!!

 

[aaggjg]

Yes - 3 kids. Oldest is 18 and just graduated from high school. Middle kid will be 10 on Wednesday - she's the one in the spectrum. My youngest is 6 (will be 7 in August) and was a preemie which caused some health issues - she also has Down syndrome. She doesn't let any of it slow her down, though!

Nope - I'm just "winging it." LOL. My daughter has some issues that are not as common... which makes it hard because there is no decent information on how to treat or handle her "quirks." We're doing our best, but frankly it's a bit like living with a terrorist in the house. I can't tell you how many times I've gone shopping only to find my wallet empty at check out. And she bullies the youngest, unfortunately. It's a very unique level of stress to live with. Thank goodness for my 27 little therapy sessions that run about my yard hunting for bugs. They do help!

Wow Leigh it is amazing that you find all the time that you do to keep up with that "thing" for us, especially with your complicated home life! We are all so appreciative! And I am in awww of how well you handle all of the "quirks" life has dealt you as well as your passion for your chickens!!! Thank you!!