The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Mr MKK FARMS]

This happened a few minutes ago.

 

[midnightroo]

BMD- Read the thing, and loved the video. Thank you for taking the time to it it together.

If you have time and know of a good video to show how to massage the crop I would love to see it. It just seemed harder to get it down then I expected. Also, is it normal for it to fill back up with air immediately? I am beginning to think that it might not be sour crop, but another physical issue because is is active and pooping, her crop is just filled with air and she is staying thin.

 

[midnightroo]

This happened a few minutes ago.

Oh my how exciting!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Quote: Yeah!

 

[Quailsong]

I'm reading you, BDM.

Mumsy, that garden is amazing. Being so close to the water (I assume, due to your loc) gives a nice weather buffer I bet. I get it a little here in my area although we JUST got out of frost (Zone 5-4b). I was so ecstatic to see some potato leaves poking out of the soil this week. *smile*

The next area I'm moving into next month is going 1&1/2 zone colder, although I'll be building a greenhouse this time. Wish my future garden will be as lovely as yours one day. You can def tell there's a lot of love & attention going on in yours. Beauty.

 

[armorfirelady]

Mumsy could I borrow your green thumb? We have had so much rain 1/2 my crops are under water I love, love your gardens !!!

I forgot who asked but I use peat moss & wood ash for the hens. Of course they also make their own in their forage area.

So since it seems to be picture Friday I wanted to share pics of the tots. Plus i figured Sally8 would like to see how big her babies are getting

It will be 2 weeks Sunday that they have been here. They have seem to DOUBLED in size those 2 weeks......I don't remember my Big girls growing this fast

Stella the BR. She is the youngest at 6 weeks old. She was tiny when I got her but she holds her own and zips all over the place. Very curious

7 week old BCM her comb & wattles are bigger than her sisters. I'm hoping she stays a girl. She like get her ruffles all ruffled and chest bump with Stella. They are always together. 2 peas in a pod.they zoom around their run together with wings flapping. So entertaining Her chest/keel looks weird to me. It's like it's indented right down the middle. Hard to explain. Her eyes were initially dark but are yellow now. She has a beautiful green sheen when the light hits them right. I call her Greta aka copper

Sophie is 7 weeks BCM very quiet/ docile. She hangs with the other tots but not as adventurous. She follows Edie in to roost by 7. She has def filled out. Black eyes still and also has a beautiful green sheen.

EXCUSE ME I AM TRYING TO SLEEP HERE........and Edie my EE super blue layer. 9 weeks old. She is a trip. Has a great personality. Finally decided the tots aren't so bad after all and with a certain chirp from her they all freeze or come & eat. Loves to try out her wings. Taught the tots how to roost and try new things. She is in bed by 7 & still roosting after 7 am. I swear she is part runner duck cuz when she stretches straight up she is like 3 ft tall

So what do think Greta is now? 2 weeks ago it was pullet but her comb/wattles have me worried.

And I'm curious. Most roosters have such beautiful different colored feathers but when chics are young they don't have them but u guys always pick the right gender. Do the roosters get those pretty feathers after a Julie molt? Greta's feathers are still rounded and except for some more copper on her chest she would be Sophie's twin.

 

[NanaLynn]

I know they'll lay an egg when it is time, but what do you think about these girls, do you think they're about ready? These are my first chicks and they are 17 weeks on Monday. These are 4 of mine that have really red combs and wattles that are pretty big too. They do look redder at times as well, the photo did not capture how dark red they look at times.

Rhode Island Red - Red


Rhode Island Red - Red again


Rhode Island Red - Ash (her combs and wattles are a little smaller then Red's)



CW - Freida



SLW - Nemo

So what do you experts think? I am not worried about it, but I wanted to just see what you thought for some fun and also show off some of my pullets.

Great duck and chick pics Stony and that garden Mumsy is amazing, I only hope to do half as well with my garden!

-Lynn

 

[salt and pepper]

How long do you think I need to wait before I get some eggs from these girls?

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

How long do you think I need to wait before I get some eggs from these girls?

How old are they? My guess would be at 18 to 30 weeks.

 

[salt and pepper]

How old are they? My guess would be at 18 to 30 weeks.

I meant by their comb color how many more weeks, but they're 16 weeks