The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[SallyinIndiana]

RedRidge The breeding pens look great. I wonder if you wrote up a how to with the photos you have here if they would post it in the coops area. I did not see a breeding pen section, maybe yours could be the first.

 

[SoManyHats]

RedRidge The breeding pens look great.  I wonder if you wrote up a how to with the photos you have here if they would post it in the coops area.  I did not see a breeding pen section, maybe yours could be the first.

X2

I'd love to see plans, as I will need to build breeding pens in the spring.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
X3

 

[armorfirelady]

LM. I keep meaning to post my thoughts on wood ash and water. I understand your concern but after 23 years of being a firefighter I have had my hands in lots of wet ash and never had any skin irritation. And being how I tend to get stuff everywhere I've had it on my face as well. Still no irritation and I break out in hives over dumb stuff like hay and leaves :/ so I would think if wet ashes made lye I would of had some sort of reaction? Just my opinion tho.

Oh and your shelf idea.......
L

I tweaked it some and made a nesting box shelf . I put the wood in front so they can get in easier. Now they have a little more floor space to use

And the other half I turned into a shelf where the heated dog bowls will go. I'm sure it will just be a roosting shelf for now but any thing on it will brush off easily.

Filled the coop with wood shavings from wood cutting on top of a nice load of dried leaves and grass clippings. It smells so nice and woodsy in there and I love the crunchy noises the hens make as they walk on the leaves. I thought for sure they would be busy digging thru it but they spent the day in the compost pile. It's their favorite place to nap as well. Heck they aren't in the coop anymore at all since I feed them outside now. Nice to see them enjoying the beautiful days we have been having

 

[Leahs Mom]

Thanks, AFL. I just don't know the chemistry of the ash into lye well enough to know how long it takes for that transformation to happen. Your experience is helpful!

(And when do we get to see a photo of you in your uniform?

You can show us one with the ash on you )



I like that shelf idea! Nice place to put the heating elements too so they'll be off the ground on on the wire. Seems like it would help with fire safety

Have they jumped up there to use the nest boxes yet? I am thinking of either moving or adding a box or 2 and wondered if it causes havoc when the box is moved. You know how these kiddos are such creatures of habit.

 

[Leahs Mom]

PS: I just showed my husband your shelves.

It was his idea to bring all that shelving over for the bases of the fence. My husband picks up all kinds of stuff for free and saves it. Part of his job is designing TV sets for different folks to record their shows in and bands to play on, etc. He is always nabbing some interesting thing from the side of the road or wherever he sees it. You'd be amazed and the strangely simple things that make a good set background.

Anyhow, he said, "Awesome!"

 

[armorfirelady]

PS:  I just showed my husband your shelves. 

It was his idea to bring all that shelving over for the bases of the fence.  My husband picks up all kinds of stuff for free and saves it.  Part of his job is designing TV sets for different folks to record their shows in and bands to play on, etc.  He is always nabbing some interesting thing from the side of the road or wherever he sees it.  You'd be amazed and the strangely simple things that make a good set background.

Anyhow, he said, "Awesome!"

Thanks!! I love big trash day every month. I pick up scrap to take to the scrap yard and all sorts of other odds and ends. The landscape bricks that go to coop were all FREE. I tend to collect 2x4s and other good sized wood pieces. That's how I will make my flower boxes for around the coop next year (along with the tiger wood that's also free) I've gotten craftsman hose that's broken (lifetime guarantee just take broken piece to sears) people think I am nuts till they see what I make with their cast offs My friends bought a new house and the old owner was cleaning stuff out and my friends son said "don't toss anything miss Jenn might want it to make something" needless to say I will be going over this week to see what good goodies they have

And as for the nest boxes I put them up after dinner so no one has used them yet. And since only one or 2 are laying it might be awhile before they get used :/

 

[lalaland]

Quote:
Hmmm, large grey bird sounds more like an owl! I've lost chickens to both owls and hawks.

 

[Leahs Mom]

AFL... Where's the photo?

 

[lalaland]

Quote:
well, that was a really helpful thread! and thanks everyone for your input. I'm thinking a cone made from a milk jug. If I put in a post and hang the jug at the right height, it should help with the finding of the right place to make the cut. I read two good hints: use a newpaper rolled up to singe off the little hairs/pinfeathers that don't come off from rubbing with the feathers ( I don't weld anymore and don't even have a tiny torch), and to keep a wheelbarrow handy for the clean up. I think the chickens will be out and a bout and assisting with cleanup. I"m stressing a bit on how to heat the hot water. I have the kitchen stove, or a fire pit.....thats it. and the kitchen door is a ways away from the area that I think we will be processing in. I have a friend with a grill that has a side propane burner, maybe I could use that....