The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Wanted to add....
I started using the pie pan last winter with chicks in sub-freezing temps. It was just perfect to set on my heated base to keep the ff from freezing solid. I didn't use the flat pie pan prior to that, but decided to keep using it this time.

Prior to getting the pyrex pie plate, I had used ss puppy pans extensively. BUT... they are too light weight and tip over easily. The pyrex/anchor pans are heavy enough that they stay put and don't tip.

Also - I want to credit Delisha for showing us the vintage glass water/feed bases. I got mine after being inspired by hers!

Here are a couple photos today:

You can see how the pans are raised up. The pie plate is on a "clementine box" turned up-side-down with a sheet of the rubermaid shelf liner on top for anti-slip.
The water is on a flat brick, also with a sheet of anti-slip rubbermaid shelf liner. If I'd had 2 clementine boxes I would have put it on one of those too.
It helps raise them up out of the shavings.
Chicks have a natural in-bred desire to scratch. They can get in that pan and scratch to their heart's content without getting a bunch of shavings in it.






Just in case you've never seen a clementine box...they're made of wood. Makes a perfect chick food platform:

Another thing...
The first time we had chicks I also tried making a hanging feeder to keep the shaving out. My husband made one of wire and it did hold it up. I only ended up using it a week before I felt like it wasn't useful and ditched the idea.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Old feed and waterers ...some home made

Delisha -
I was looking in to wood (you'll probably remember). Can you tell us what specific wood these are made from? In the present, we need to be sure not to make feeders from treated lumber (arsenic and other unsavory items)... and I know there are some woods that the natural resins are more conducive for food use.

So...wondering if you know what the wood is?

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

We store our dry food in container gotten from walmart deli frosting & other stuff comes in it . It is large ..3 of them holds the whole bag of feed (50 lbs)

You remind me: I need to get some of the deli buckets for the grit and oysture shell -- often that stuff comes in a paper bag, which is not good for storage.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Oh...forgot one more question. Is the guard on the top made from wire?

 

[delisha]

Quote: It is treated wood, however it is baked with sand to give it a *glass* finish. It is easy to sanitize and does not shrink like other treated wood.
You can now buy it with the trade make of TimberSIL I think.

It is cheaper than most other treated lumber. The wood troughs bottom and sides were made from a small 1/4 inch sheet left overs. The stability comes from other wood that does not get wet.

The guard on top is from an old industrial dishwasher. It is to hold pie plates and pans. It is made from steel and yes..covered in *some kind of plastic*.

 

[Leahs Mom]

The guard on top is from an old industrial dishwasher. It is to hold pie plates and pans. It is made from steel and yes..covered in *some kind of plastic*.

Good idea!

 

[aaggjg]

So my bantam Cochin is resting a lot today while the girls are out for free play. It looks to me like she has a slight limp. She likes to roost on the rafter in my coop but I noticed that she has moved back down to the regular roost. I always worried that she would injure herself on the flight down from the rafter as there is only 5 feet until the pop door, So the trajectory is steep.....I'm guessing she finally hurt her leg.... She is eating drinking and comes running for treats.... But then rests. I'd like to leave her with the flock but my roosts are highish in their coop .... What can I give her to help heal?? I added extra bedding to make sure she has a cushy place to land.... Anything else I can do to help her???

 

[flagirl]

I am using a large glass pan kind of thing that came out of a large convection/microwave oven or one of those flavor wave ovens my MIL had. currently I use it for their swimming pool

 

[4Hgirl]

I miss the horses in central Florida. I worked at the neonatal care facility in Gainesville for four years while I was in college.

At the animal hospital or human hospital? I'd equally love them as I worked at a vet tech before becoming a human nurse.

 

[delisha]

So my bantam Cochin is resting a lot today while the girls are out for free play. It looks to me like she has a slight limp. She likes to roost on the rafter in my coop but I noticed that she has moved back down to the regular roost. I always worried that she would injure herself on the flight down from the rafter as there is only 5 feet until the pop door, So the trajectory is steep.....I'm guessing she finally hurt her leg.... She is eating drinking and comes running for treats.... But then rests. I'd like to leave her with the flock but my roosts are highish in their coop .... What can I give her to help heal?? I added extra bedding to make sure she has a cushy place to land.... Anything else I can do to help her???

Just check her over and make sure her feet are not hot, make sure her gland is not plugged and no sores. If she continues for more than a few days i would soak feet/legs her in epsom salts a few times in a week and than decide what to do.