The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[LeslieDJoyce]

I'm not sure how well they would work...  the 600 micron (coarse) strainer would still be too fine IMO...  that's .023 inches. or about .5 mm.

the strainers I have, the mesh is probably 1.5-2mm spacing.

That's what I was thinking. The stuff does not drain well.

 

[lalaland]

Here are my. G.comet eggs. All except the greens which are from my EE. And the two small creams are from my bantam cochin.

I am overcome with jealousy. beautiful eggs. I have 17 hens, of which 9 are pullets, and right now I am getting 1, repeat 1 small pullet egg maybe every other day and it is frozen and cracked.
those are gorgeous, love the color variations.

 

[lalaland]

I have checked their legs and they are smooth and clear with no scales lifting or red/sore as that was my first thought after my battle with red mite. It is only the ankle that is swollen. Must admit the girls were not impressed with being turned onto their backs with their feet in the air so I could check their legs by running my hands over them.

Wonderful thanks, I don't have any chamomile in the cupboard but it is easy to get my hands on.

huh. My 5 year old buff orp and 5 year old EE both have noticeably thicker ankles than the rest of the flock. I've thought my buff orp might have heart troubles as sometimes her comb goes a bit blueish, and I thought the edema might be part of that. The EE, no idea. might be an age thing too for my two girls. they are old ladies. both were still laying til molting this fall.

Are yours biologically related?

 

[aoxa]

One of my Barred Rock cockerels was trying to hypnotize me yesterday

I don't know why so many people on my facebook love this photo, but thought I'd share. I find it neat, but I don't like seeing any of my shots out of focus.

 

[Scott H]

Those barred rock are very pretty! They kinda make me dizzy when they're standing still!

Oprah perked up yesterday afternoon, running around with the other girls, scratching for whatever you can find in frozen ground. At dark she hopped up on the roost in between Tina and Juanita and snuggled in for the night.
Got up to go to work at 2:30 and it was a balmy 10dg. Not as cold as predicted. Yipee!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Re: fermented Feed Strainers ... I also found these ... Has anyone tried them? They don't cost much "each" ...

http://www.bayteccontainers.com/5-g..._content=pla&gclid=CKaTtIGYorsCFY9gfgodYlUAmQ

Those are too fine. (I work at a paint place so I know how they are).

If you have a larger bucket, I've used these before (they have them in the store):
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sto...rs-Set-of-3/1011508006?Keyword=3+strainer+set

Also use a smaller one with my glass container that has a handle. If you kind of "lift" the ff in the strainer it will strain quicker.

Quote: How thick is the wood on the bottom of the nest box itself?

Suddenly....

I'm getting sleepy.....sleepy.....

 

[CoopChick719]

One of my Barred Rock cockerels was trying to hypnotize me yesterday I don't know why so many people on my facebook love this photo, but thought I'd share. I find it neat, but I don't like seeing any of my shots out of focus.

That is a funky pic of your roo! I saw this type of print in the mud inside the run next to the gate this morning. My first thought was "What the? Oh Phew, it's a chicken print!"

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

One of my Barred Rock cockerels was trying to hypnotize me yesterday

I don't know why so many people on my facebook love this photo, but thought I'd share. I find it neat, but I don't like seeing any of my shots out of focus.

Beautiful!

 

[aoxa]

Thanks guys

 

[TeaChick]

My Jersey Giant is sick again.
She got sick right after I got her two months ago and I've had a hard time getting her to gain weight and keep it on.
Now, this.
She's been coming out of the hen house slower and slower every morning for almost a week now. She's been going in earlier and earlier.
I gave her 1oz yogurt, 1/4 t echenacia, and 1 egg (w/ shell) scrambled this morning, but she only ate half of it in three-four hours.
So, I went ahead and opened the brooder to let her free range.
My hope is that she'll roost in the hen house w/ everybody else tonight.
If I can catch her in the morning, then I'll do the same thing. (Give her a chance to eat some of that yogurt mixture, then let her out in the afternoon and hope she sleeps in the hen house).
Oh, her vent is clean, her poo is exactly like yellow mustard, and she was trying to catch a roach that was in the brooder. =o\