The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

Thank you! We only have chickens... I want to let them free range more but I can only let them out while I'm at home because of stray dogs...

How many acres do you have?

 

[tcmstalcup]

What do ya'll think? Can a Wyandotte roo & dotte hens live in harmony with 3 little bantam roo's & their 7 bantam hens? It would be in a large coop & run

I don't have enough pens & runs but have 2 Wyandotte roo's in with 8 hens & the 1 roo is getting beat up by the other one all the time. I'd like to split them up & give him a few hens of his own

I would try it. My LF and bantams always share space. Dust ups between Roos are all show and no go and rare after intro period.

 

[Sally8]

So I am getting everything together to set the coop up for winter. I keep thinking about the FF and having to put it back in the house. Anyone ever think of using those heated buckets they use for livestock to hold their FF all winter so it doesn't freeze? And then can be in the coop all winter? They tend to go on sale in the fall and I really want to buy one to see if it would work. Does anyone use one now and have good luck with it? Any negatives? This is what I meant

That looks like something I'd like to use. Did you say where it came from? Since getting rid of the turkeys, I haven't had to go to tractor supply for anything. They were food vacuums. Also, is the heated part just in the bottom? If so wouldn't near the top freeze? I'm def going to check into those. It's supposed to get near 30 tonight. I am NOT ready for winter!

 

[aoxa]

That looks like something I'd like to use. Did you say where it came from? Since getting rid of the turkeys, I haven't had to go to tractor supply for anything. They were food vacuums. Also, is the heated part just in the bottom? If so wouldn't near the top freeze? I'm def going to check into those. It's supposed to get near 30 tonight. I am NOT ready for winter!

It is heated all around. My water never froze, and we get very cold. The heated pet bowls froze at the top for me, but not these buckets!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:

I almost fell of my chair.

 

[rowerjen]

Spent the morning running electric to the coop for the winter. No it won't be below freezing for months (I hope) but it easier to run when your fingers are not frozen

. I will share pics for anyone interested. I followed all precautions I could to ensure no dirt, dust, feathers or bedding will be a hazard. I probably went overboard but thats what being a firefighter for 23 years does to you

Yes, pictures please! I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to do this for my coops.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: X2...and right here

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote: google it ....heated buckets - 40.00 -75.00

 

[Sally8]

Armorfirelady-please keep us updated on winterization and yes to pictures.

I had a huge surprise tonight. My little Silkie mix has been sitting on eggs and I heard peeping tonight. A tiny yellow chick. Ugh! I thought I was done. I'm thinking of buying a bird cage and putting it in the cage and bringing it inside and hang from the ceiling. Everyday, people buy parakeets. (Only kidding)

 

[armorfirelady]

They don't make heated glass water buckets, so I need to use this sort of stuff. If I used glass I would break it. If I didn't break it, Susan would.

I don't keep my FF in it though. Just water for the goats. The chickens drink out of plastic waterers or puddles. Some things I just can't change. This is one of them.
You may want to talk to RedRidge about Maremmas. I did have an LGD back in February, but she passed in the fire. I wouldn't get an LGD without having sheep, goats or something similar to that for them to bond with. They do not bond well with chickens. The chickens often just fall into part of their property. It belongs, and they protect their property as a whole. They wouldn't generally be seen loving on them. They can be... but it's not something you hear of them doing exclusively. As puppies they are really hard to train with this type of livestock, as the chickens do not care to bond with them. Goats and sheep will. They will initiate play, snuggle, etc. Plus if you start a pup out with an ewe or a doe, they will put her/him in their place early on. A chicken really can't. Maybe a goose could. 

Thank you! We only have chickens... I want to let them free range more but I can only let them out while I'm at home because of stray dogs...

Electric poultry netting. Worth it's. weight in gold. Keeps my dogs, foxes, coyotes, neighbors dogs out.

Spent the morning running electric to the coop for the winter. No it won't be below freezing for months (I hope) but it easier to run when your fingers are not frozen :/ . I will share pics for anyone interested. I followed all precautions I could to ensure no dirt, dust, feathers or bedding will be a hazard. I probably went overboard but thats what being a firefighter for 23 years does to you

Yes, pictures please! I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to do this for my coops.

Armorfirelady-please keep us updated on winterization and yes to pictures.

I had a huge surprise tonight. My little Silkie mix has been sitting on eggs and I heard peeping tonight. A tiny yellow chick. Ugh! I thought I was done. I'm thinking of buying a bird cage and putting it in the cage and bringing it inside and hang from the ceiling. Everyday, people buy parakeets. (Only kidding)

The heated buckets you can find at TSC or feed stores. One feed store around here usually puts them on sale so I am waiting to see if they do again this fall.