The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Laken21]

Does straw work with the deep litter method? And is DL refer to the run or the coup or both?

 

[NanaKat]

Finally caught up...glad to find this "new" OT thread.

Just moved 23 young (6 to 8 week olds) to the juvenile pen and the same number of two week olds to the brooder house. Then moved 21 day olds to the hatcher to the big brooder box. Three incubator hatch eggs will be moved out to the hen house and breed pens because there are EIGHT broody hens now. I'll let those girls finish the incubating so I can clean and store the incubators until fall.
Like many of you, it is really getting hot here. The swamp cooler is going in the brooder house and hen house. The outside pens are getting sprayed down several times during the heat of the afternoon...well the covers are. We are getting 25 eggs a day from the breeders and layers. The adult flocks are let out every day to freerange and are picking shady spots under the trucks and tractors so I have started spraying those areas as well. Otherwise, everybirdie is doing okay.

Tried to register on "the Thing" but was told my username was not correct....will check that out again tomorrow....

 

[Leahs Mom]

The temporary quarantine playpen (don't laugh too hard!)

I like that! I have one of the dog houses that we picked up on the side of the road free (!) I put it out as a possible "get away" for them to run into in case of hawk attack, but never thought of using it for a quarantine playpen w/a frame like you built. I may just have to use that idea sometime if I have just one or 2 that need a place temporarily!

 

[lalaland]

The temporary quarantine playpen (don't laugh too hard!)

friday, I like the playpen idea - good thinking. Not going to laugh because I'm always having to cobble something together for temporary.
You should have seen me setting up a new outdoor temporary pen for the chicks yesterday! a little netting, a little temp fencing, tent stakes, twine.... you get the idea!

I can't weigh in on whether those are pullets or not, but they are really pretty.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: Good luck on your adventure. Just take your time and it should all work out well. I also built mine on my own with just a little help for a couple things I didnt know know how to do. When you finished you will have a great feeling of accomplishment

The temporary quarantine playpen (don't laugh too hard!)

Thats a great idea!!!! I am always trying to find ways to repurpose items I have around the house instead of buying new. Big trash week I always get some cool stuff

Does straw work with the deep litter method? And is DL refer to the run or the coup or both?

Straw can but sometimes it can harbor mites. It also takes a long time to break down. I used to use straw & hay but now strictly use shavings, grass clippings, leaves, pine needles.....whatever I can find cheap or free.

Bluebirdnanny- Edie & Stella escaped again this morning into the the veggie garden/old run area. Apparently the shade area I put up for them is instead be using as an escape route !!!

 

[armorfirelady]

This is the contraption I made yesterday. The big girls are not allowing the tots to get under their tent for shade and the tots were panting even with fresh water. The wood is attached to the fence with zip ties so I can lift it up to mow under it or fill the water.


I also wanted to cover their water so it wasn't sitting in the full sun all day.


The tots used the area last night

Unfortunately Edie & Stella also figured out they can sit on the top and fly over the fence and escape into their old run

I will need to move it or come up with a way to prevent the escape artists.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Good stuff... My "kiddos" seem to find ways to escape that are very creative too. I finally figured out not to sit tall things so close to fences. (Of course, that doesn't always work either

)

 

[delisha]

The temporary quarantine playpen (don't laugh too hard!)

Great idea putting it by a bush..I use temp contraptions all the time. Yours is much better than I throw together.Your girls look great.

Quote: They sure are smart things. Even my tiny ones use things against the fence. Even a 5 gallon bucket.

 

[BlueMouse]

The temporary quarantine playpen (don't laugh too hard!)

that is so clever! I may have to make one of those. I use an old wire dog crate for an outside playpen for the littles. but this is shadier/more convenient. Gonna have to keep my eyes open....

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote:

Quote: They sure are smart things. Even my tiny ones use things against the fence. Even a 5 gallon bucket.
I hope that they stay in today while I am at work. My mom is going to stop on her way to work and check. Its hot & Humid today & there is no shade or water available if they hop the fence again. And I didnt want to put a temp water there because I thought it might encorage them to keep hopping the fence.

Their old coop is closed up and the waterers moved to the big run. Sure wish Goerge could convince them to stay but he is to young to stand up to the big girls lol