The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Ashdoes]

I think the losses should come out evenly, starting with your group, then Dylans, then your parents. Always keep it fair, but your parents group should be last to lose, since they're paying full price.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

any reason while I would find a 7 week old chick lying dead in the coop this morning. Stiff but not cold. It was near the roosting area but not under it, lying on hits back with its wings stretched out. No marks or wounds that I could see. They had plenty of food and water all day yesterday. The boys had been chest bumping the last few days but this was one of a few female chicks. There are some 11 week old chicks in there with the 7 week old chicks but they have been together for a few weeks now.

 

[aoxa]

I think the losses should come out evenly, starting with your group, then Dylans, then your parents. Always keep it fair, but your parents group should be last to lose, since they're paying full price.

That's my point - I want it fair. Mostly between Dylan and I. If an uneven # is lost, and we are doing all the work (cleaning, feeding, etc) than it seems unfair we would take the most loss over him, you know?

I'd completely be fine with it if he'd help me with time involved keeping them for 8 weeks.

But then again he is helping us butcher all 30.

Thinking we should do it 15 one day and 15 another.

 

[aoxa]

any reason while I would find a 7 week old chick lying dead in the coop this morning. Stiff but not cold. It was near the roosting area but not under it, lying on hits back with its wings stretched out. No marks or wounds that I could see. They had plenty of food and water all day yesterday. The boys had been chest bumping the last few days but this was one of a few female chicks. There are some 11 week old chicks in there with the 7 week old chicks but they have been together for a few weeks now.

Did you do a necropsy?

I don't know why but whenever I found a dead chick, this is how they were positioned. I haven't found one since we started using the eco glow and fermented feed. Right now we have 67 chicks with 0 losses.

*knock on wood*

Sorry it had to be one of your few females

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:


I would explain that you are ordering 30 but losses do occur. Split the survivors evenly and draw names out of a hat for the remainder chick or two.

 

[loanwizard]

Thank you. Your words are very kind.

After all these years, I still smile when a chicken will come up to my leg, peck my cuff and squat when I pet her. I know it means she thinks I am head of the flock in her world. I laugh when they shake after our encounters. I aways comment out loud, "Was that good for you?"

First eggs are the best. Take a picture to mark the occasion.

My garden and flock get a lot of my attention. All the children are grown, married, and gone. My husband still works full time. Rain or shine, I'm outside puttering.

Strangely enough, that brought tears to my eyes. My mood or your writing.... I'll say it was your writing. Right now I have rentals that need cleaned and rented, an auction building that needs cleaned and painted, cars that need photographed and listed, animals that need tended, 6 teenagers with various needs.... I am waiting for the day to putter....

 

[aoxa]

I would explain that you are ordering 30 but losses do occur. Split the survivors evenly and draw names out of a hat for the remainder chick or two.

I like that idea! Thanks Sally

We may even rock-paper-scissors it lol

 

[Ashdoes]

That's my point - I want it fair. Mostly between Dylan and I. If an uneven # is lost, and we are doing all the work (cleaning, feeding, etc) than it seems unfair we would take the most loss over him, you know? 

I'd completely be fine with it if he'd help me with time involved keeping them for 8 weeks. 

But then again he is helping us butcher all 30. 

Thinking we should do it 15 one day and 15 another. 

If you do more of the work, then I think it's fine for your group to have a loss after Dylan's, instead of your group first. And he should understand why he may have one more loss then the two other groups, especially your parents, he who pays more gets more.

 

[aoxa]

If you do more of the work, then I think it's fine for your group to have a loss after Dylan's, instead of your group first. And he should understand why he may have one more loss then the two other groups, especially your parents, he who pays more gets more.

I always offer to trade for work put in. We used to get labour in exchange for eggs with him.

 

[loanwizard]

Two thoughts for the day from me.

What are your chickens worth? It just occurred to me that I had just at 100 birds, gave away 4 roosters and 5 hens, then sold 8 girls so I am down to like 39 eggs per day.... not sure if that will keep up with demand, but... so what. Well, kind of late, but I just set 216 eggs, so plenty of young chicken to butcher and can this fall, and about Christmas I will have an explosion of eggs as my youngsters produce. Then I will have 80 or so older birds to butcher..... Should I keep some older Roosters or keep all the same age?
Figuring $10.00 per bird.... I have $800.00 worth of Chickens lol! But.... if I incubate 200 or so.... Whoeee!!!!!

I lost the other thought..... and to think... I'm only 47.....

Oh..... Now I remember.... When these chicks come out of the brooder box at 4 weeks..... Special area for them, or just throw them into the barn to fend for themselves? Or..... maybe a new Pallet Barn, just for them.....