The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[ki4got]

Quote: take an old blanket out and wrap it around the outside of the crate on the heated end. that might keep a bit more heat in without blocking them in totally. I wouldn't put it over the top simply because of the heater.

 

[lalaland]

you might have to give up and bring them in the house for a week or so - hard to get it to 80 in that small space with enough room to move away from the heat. Unless you could partition off a portion of your coop with chicken wire? You would probably have to put something over the top to keep mama out of there.

 

[armorfirelady]

AFL I can't wait to see how that works for you.

Me either ......I just need to find a couple hours of free time to build the darn thing lol

A VERY IMPORTANT FERMENTED FEED NOTE!'

CAUTION...CAUTION...CAUTION...CAUTION...CAUTION

I want to be absolutely sure that anyone who is using glass or ceramic for fermenting does not cap the container so tightly that it cannot off-gas.

REPEAT - DO NOT CAP YOUR FERMENT VESSELS SO TIGHTLY THAT THEY CANNOT OFF-GAS. THIS CAN RESULT IN EXPLODING GLASS OR CERAMIC!

Great warning.......

I have a towel over my crock as the grains ferment......the gases were so strong this is what I saw this morning

(sorry I couldn't resist)

 

[Leahs Mom]

Great warning.......

I have a towel over my crock as the grains ferment......the gases were so strong this is what I saw this morning

(sorry I couldn't resist)

Is that because some unsuspecting person was walking by, took a whiff, and departed this life?

 

[aoxa]

If you guys can count the birds in this picture ,that's about 3/5 of my flock. The silkies are in the barn, and many are waiting in the kennel (they can get in and out, but this is where I feed the babies so the goats don't step on them).. I'll add 40 more to be safe.. I'd say after my meat kings are processed, I'll carry around 100 over winter...

I'll do a real count in December when they all get vaccinated (requirement to show here).

Whoever attempts to count the birds in this picture will get a cookie

 

[aoxa]

Is that because some unsuspecting person was walking by, took a whiff, and departed this life?

I don't cap my feed at all.

You guys know what helps speed up fermentation (especially if it is sunny outside, but still cool)? You put a black garbage bucket OVER the 5 gallon bucket and the black garbage can will attract heat. That's for those of you who aren't worried about plastics.

If anyone can find a 5 gallon glass bucket, I'd be interested

Currently feeding about 8 gallons of FF a day for the flock. Trying to beef some of them up for butcher.

 

[ki4got]

you might have to give up and bring them in the house for a week or so - hard to get it to 80 in that small space with enough room to move away from the heat. Unless you could partition off a portion of your coop with chicken wire? You would probably have to put something over the top to keep mama out of there.

why does everyone pick 80 as the ideal temp?

my babies heat is turned off when they're about 2 weeks old because they start staying away more than under, and room temp is about 70. by the time they're 4 weeks old they go outside (in the summer) and if they're cold they huddle together.

this time of year, when I put them outside and provide heat in their house, but during the day they spend all day exploring their pen and generally 'being chickens'. LOL

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: Funny you say that....I keep sniffing after I stir them. I can smell the ACV and see a few bubbles when I stir it but it really doesn't smell like much except the light pickle vinegary smell. Its a pleasant smell. It will be 48 hours tonight soaking/fermenting. I brought it in the house since the temps have been in the low 30s at night. I have a day or 2 left of the commercial FF left then I need to use the grains.

I guess since I am so used to the smell of the commercial feed fermenting that the grains not having such a strong smell is strange. The peas are softening tho......squeezed one this morning and it shot across the kitchen

How soft do your peas get? Like mushy soft (like when you over cook peas at dinner) or just soft enough that you can break them in half and put a fingernail in it easily? I am wondering if I should throw them in the food proccessor..................guess I will have to wait and see how the girls like them as that will decide if I need to do with them.

 

[armorfirelady]

Much to early to count chickens but I do love the picture. Those geese look huge next to the chickens. And I didn't see the goat behind Susan right away.......they blend right in with her clothing ....hopefully they are not chewing on it

this time of year, when I put them outside and provide heat in their house, but during the day they spend all day exploring their pen and generally 'being chickens'. LOL

I don't give me guys heat plus they are all months old.....but I do worry a little about the tots keeping warm since this is there 1st winter. It was in the 30s last night when I got home & did my hen check and checked feet........toasty toes for all. Their outside feathers were cool to touch but skin level toasty warm. I am guessing the big girls will eventually give in and let the tots all cram together with them once it gets cold.

 

[aoxa]

.hopefully they are not chewing on it

Of course they are! Chewing on clothing is their specialty