The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[CoopChick719]

It is different.. I would use your nose. Close up the coop for a week and test by smell. If you smell your chickens or ammonia you need to crack one of the windows. Do you leave the coop pen during the day? Poop door?

I do a sniff test each morning when I walk into the coop. I keep the pop door open all day. I've been keeping the East window open depending on the which way the window is blowing. Today I had the West one open 1/3 of the way all day. Tonight it's cracked. It's 20 out--37 in the coop.

Thank you again, Del!!

Came home this afternoon and a muskrat was up by the coop eating frozen FF...at least someone likes it.

Your muskrat & my dogs!

 

[lindz8504]

Thanks Rbn

Lindz, you're getting a lot of eggs for this time of year! Are they all 1st time layers or are any older? And..sorry something got your girl.

They are all this year's chicks, so first time layers.... The EE's are 8-10 months old and the Comets are roughly 7 months old....

 

[Leahs Mom]

That's where my girls were last year at this time. Eggs throughout the winter except for one of the ee's that stopped for almost 2 months. But she was the one that lays the largest eggs right from onset.

 

[lindz8504]

That's where my girls were last year at this time. Eggs throughout the winter except for one of the ee's that stopped for almost 2 months. But she was the one that lays the largest eggs right from onset.

I have only had the EE's for a few months, and all but one quit laying when I got them. Two are going through a partial molt, and I think that the other started laying again today. The first one has laid 4-5 days a week from the day I brought them home!

 

[Allysha1990]

Ok... the left is a pinkish Comet egg, middle is a cream Bantam Cochin, and last is a tiny fart egg....Not sure who it came from?

Omg, "tiny fart egg" almost made me spit my tea everywhere lol!

 

[lindz8504]

Omg, "tiny fart egg" almost made me spit my tea everywhere lol!

Oops sorry! I didn't mean to make anyone spit their drink!

 

[aoxa]

Thanks Rbn

Lindz, you're getting a lot of eggs for this time of year! Are they all 1st time layers or are any older? And..sorry something got your girl.

I had 9 eggs by 9am on Sunday.

Those Pennies lay EARLY. I get them before it is even light out. As soon as the lights are on at 6:30 am (that's when I do chores) they are squacking away telling me how it's about time, that they couldn't see the nests and were holding in their eggs.


Again for the people asking about egg colours for breed. Dark ones are Red Sex Link. Actually all of the browns are but the one with white spots. That is from a barred rock. Blue and green from the naked necks.

Pretty sure Lydia is laying as well, but her eggs are identical to RSL, as her mother was a RSL.

 

[Leahs Mom]

My red girls are laying as well. They're the only ones right now! And dark like yours. (Too bad I only have 2)

It's 8 degrees today and wind chill around -11 F. Too cold for bare feet

 

[lindz8504]

I got these two early this morning. Not sure what is up with the white speckles on that one?

And quick question.... I have seen several people mention pennies.... is that just another RSL name like g.comets?

 

[aoxa]

I got these two early this morning. Not sure what is up with the white speckles on that one?

And quick question.... I have seen several people mention pennies.... is that just another RSL name like g.comets?

I call them Pennies. I think others may have picked up on it? They are Red Sex Links, and I call them all Penny. They are my Pennies.

The speckled one - is it smooth or bumpy?