The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[midnightroo]

Thank you Rick. I follow your recipe completely. I can't wait until this winter to give it a try.

 

[Bulldogma]

... and kind of related. Has anyone asked anyone in charge of BYC if we could have a natural chicken keeping forum instead of confining it all to one thread? It would be so much easier to organize/find information and any threads we wished to ignore, we could just, well, ignore! But other forums have a similar subforum- I used to be on diaperswappers and the crunchy moms forum was one of the most active ones. Anyway, I was wondering about that the other day and just thought it was worth bringing up...

Neat idea.

 

[countrygirl74]

So, a question... my local co-op is out of ANY type of organic grower for the season!! That leaves me to either feed chick starter to everyone or layer feed. Which should I do for the next couple months?? I have a drake and a couple silkies (male and female) along with all my layers. The chick starter is more expensive but if you think I should just stick with that as opposed to the layer, let me know. I don't feed layer but wasn't sure if it would be a big deal for a couple months or if it would be a bad idea. Thoughts????

The down is valuable. You can make a pillow with three large ducks. They sell for over $20.00 for a good quality pillow.

That's pretty cool! Problem is, I don't think my husband or I could ever process a duck - ours have always been our special pets and for egg-laying. We can do meaties and extra roosters but the ducks are just too difficult I think. Maybe someday as the pillows would be a cool thing to do, aside from the meat of course.

Editing the "quotes" makes it easier for everyone!

just a suggestion! love how active this thread is and everyone's posting on it is wonderful.

X2 - I try to always edit the quotes and give rid of all but 1 photo when possible...

 

[aoxa]

I'm not sure I could take 99F. It's only 72F/22C here but the humidity must be near 100% with all the rain. I keep a cold pack on my neck/shoulder all day & now wondering if I should name it. Hehe. I've been super tempted to sleep in the bathtub this week. Couldn't imagine what you're going through there. Sending cold hugs your way.

I wouldn't be so grossed out about it if we had AC, but we don't and it's hot inside and out. Wish I had a pool!

So, a question... my local co-op is out of ANY type of organic grower for the season!! That leaves me to either feed chick starter to everyone or layer feed. Which should I do for the next couple months?? I have a drake and a couple silkies (male and female) along with all my layers. The chick starter is more expensive but if you think I should just stick with that as opposed to the layer, let me know. I don't feed layer but wasn't sure if it would be a big deal for a couple months or if it would be a bad idea. Thoughts????

So, will you be mailing eggs, hatchlings???

That's pretty cool! Problem is, I don't think my husband or I could ever process a duck - ours have always been our special pets and for egg-laying. We can do meaties and extra roosters but the ducks are just too difficult I think. Maybe someday as the pillows would be a cool thing to do, aside from the meat of course.

X2 - I try to always edit the quotes and give rid of all but 1 photo when possible...

Stick to the starter

 

[bbdal]

I

super..they are great dual purpose and great foragers.

I would love to help but this is not enough information. It would help if you posted a picture and did an exam on her. Feel her belly and crop. See is she is in good weight. Check her for mites and check her feet. Chickens hide illness. If she is hiding and puffed up something is wrong. As their animal keepers we need to find out what it might be.

I checked her out and compared her to the other one that is just like her. Her comb is smaller and not as bright. Of the rest of our hens the same age, some have bright combs and some don't. Only 2 of the 8 are laying so far, so from what I understand the comb color is closely related to this. She is slightly lighter in weight. Outside of that, everything looked fine on her. This is our first time with chickens though. She is not walking backwards much anymore except when close to a roo. I fed her scrambled egg mixed with kefir and garlic tonight. I also put electrolytes/vitamins in their water. Any more input on what to watch for. Can a chicken just be weird or skiddish or scared of something (roo, snake, etc) and walk backwards or do you think this points to illness? Thanks.

 

[BlueMouse]

my cuckoo marans is around 24 weeks now, her comb and wattles are bright red, as red as my mature hens, and have been for a while but still no signs of laying.... What do you all think? I tried checking the opening in her pelvis today, and it seemed narrower than say my big buff orp girls was, but, my buff orp was a much bigger hen too. I just added new exterior community style nestboxes to the coop, and I don't think anyone's been in them. I put fresh grass hay in, and stocked each compartment with two fake eggs. I'm a bit worried that no one has figured out to even go INTO the nestboxes yet.

 

[aoxa]

my cuckoo marans is around 24 weeks now, her comb and wattles are bright red, as red as my mature hens, and have been for a while but still no signs of laying.... What do you all think? I tried checking the opening in her pelvis today, and it seemed narrower than say my big buff orp girls was, but, my buff orp was a much bigger hen too. I just added new exterior community style nestboxes to the coop, and I don't think anyone's been in them. I put fresh grass hay in, and stocked each compartment with two fake eggs. I'm a bit worried that no one has figured out to even go INTO the nestboxes yet.

For heritage breeds 24 weeks seems just about right for POL. Did you see that video I posted earlier on how to check for hens in lay, or close to lay?

 

[Bulldogma]

I added a new tab at the top of the thing. See if you can find it...
But don't say what it is. You don't want to ruin the surprise.

 

[mikkles]

Since I did 14-16 week old sexing tips on the EEs, here are some earlier indicator illustrations I just put together: Hope this helps at least a little for those of you with young Easter Eggers. Sorry this doesn't help those of you with solid white EEs. Go with the combs and thickness of legs. You won't be sure until week 5-8 at least with solid coloured EEs. Sometimes later, sometimes earlier depending on the individual bird.

just curious if the pattern/ splotchiness inlcudes wings? or just feathers on the breast area?

 

[armorfirelady]

Trying to catch up after vacation.

The pics are great.

Aoxa- regarding the alpaca shearing/spinning. Do you have 4-H program in Canada? I know they spin yarn and could probably direct you to so,end who could help you. Or maybe if you country fairs there would be someone there? I know that at our fair they put on demonstrations.
And I have a white EE with a few black spots but I have enjoyed your EE sexing lessons. I think she will remain a she. Skinny legs and barely any comb.

BDM love the baby Gunther

Stony you would be sorely missed if you left. I enjoy your no nonsense posts.

I have a quick question. I put the tots in with the big girls tonight since I am off tomorrow. The big girls are on the remaining layer feed & The babies on grower. Should I just put the big girls on grower till the tots start laying? I know the protein level is higher but I don't want the tots to have the calcium in the layer pellets. And the big girls barely eat their FF they are out foraging all day.
Any suggestions are greatly welcome.

The tots doubled in size while I was gone and must of went through a juvenile molt. Feathers are everywhere!!!
And Greta gained colors in her neck and her tail feathers curve.......I think she is a George instead

I keep calling her Greta hoping she is just an early bloomer

Here is HER sister Sophie

They are 9 weeks old tomorrow.

And a cute pic I wanted to share. This pair comes every evening to my yard.

Big girls were not bothered by them at all