The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[TeaChick]

The spell checker wants name brands to start with a cap.
I only got my fancy 1588 after hatching enough chicks to sell on CL over a summer to pay for it. I used my still air incubator with a turner to hatch before the 1588. I set in bigger batches too since I was not setting as often. I would recommend using the paper towels or shelf liner over the metal rack to help with cleanup. Also if you can hatch the eggs in a cardboard egg carton it helps minimize some issues. I lost two chicks today because I was out of cartons and laid the eggs flat. One egg a chick sat on the air hole and before I noticed the barely pipped egg had suffocated. The other egg was still attached by what would be similar to the umbilical cord to the chick. Well an up and moving chick sat on what I'm calling the cord and somehow pulled a hole in the belly of the just hatching chick. The chick died from the yolk previously absorbed, draining back out. Quite disgusting and I'll have a big mess later tonight to clean once the last 4 chicks are brooder worthy.

Oh, I'm so sorry you lost those two!!!

Yeah, I'll have to use my chickens to earn me $ to buy the stuff I want, I mean need, for them. Gotta practice the right terminology for when I speak to DH about it.

@ Scott H: I used spell check for termenology. ;-)

Teachick, when the red line rears its ugly head, go up top and hit the ABC button.

That was the first time I clicked on the "more" button; I didn't realize there was spell check.

Thanks, Scott!

(you know me too well, if you know that I need spell check.

)

Not my first thankfully. Still I think I would prefer a early to mid December Baby. Then there are no issues with should I get a new winter coat. Or cabin fever since I've been a hermit for the last 3 months and when the baby is arrives I'll want to keep it inside for another 6 weeks or so. But the spring baby gives me a reason to start the hatching season early so I can hopefully have empty incubators before the baby comes. But in all honesty, I don't like the risks that snow brings for an almost full term mom to be. Ice increases the risk of falling, snow games are basically not allowed, shoveling now falls only on DH, sledding, ice skating, making angels, snowball fights with the children ~ all stuff for another year.

That sounds like as much fun as having a summer/autumn baby in the South, which I've done four times. lol
I was due in March once!!! lol

 

[Scott H]

Type in "Wyandotte" and see what spell checker comes up with.....

 

[lazy gardener]

Sally: Prefering a DECEMBER baby??? Being stuck inside ALL winter with a baby???? EEEW! I know people do it, but I couldn't imagine it! Do you use a baby sling? You can just toss the baby in one of those under your coat, and out the door you go! Nice way to stay warm... like having a big heat pack strapped to your belly... oh wait... you have one of those now!

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
That sounds like as much fun as having a summer/autumn baby in the South, which I've done four times. lol
I was due in March once!!! lol
I was in FL in June a long long time a go. I have had a September baby while in the midwest. I lived in the AC both times. But having a baby in the summer has advantages. No tiny coats needed to go get groceries, outfits are optional in some settings as cute diapers are enough, and most times people are too hot to stop the mom in the parking lot for a peak at the baby.

 

[Jewelwing]

@chaosrules...
We don't do rabies until 6 months old here, Dillon is only 5 months old.

As a side note... IL is a good place to be "from"... Once you leave you will never go back - i didn't. LOL

Haha, I'm not "from" IL - I consider myself "from" CA! (born in Germany, lived in CA, MN, & Ethiopia growing up, but mostly CA) Moved here when I was 30, and will most likely live here until I die.

Of all the states my husband could have moved me to, I don't mind this one. We can afford to own 40 acres of beautiful wooded land, complete with a year-round creek and several ravines, something we couldn't even dream about in CA. It was a bit of a culture shock moving here from CA, though - I have to say that although the people here speak the same language as they do in CA, it's a different country!

I was in FL in June a long long time a go. I have had a September baby while in the midwest. I lived in the AC both times. But having a baby in the summer has advantages. No tiny coats needed to go get groceries, outfits are optional in some settings as cute diapers are enough, and most times people are too hot to stop the mom in the parking lot for a peak at the baby.

I just have to add here that being 9 months pregnant at the end of July is NOT ideal! Good lord, I was hot! My November baby was better timing.

I took my first baby with me to the Farmer's Market when he was 1-1/2 days old. Just wore him in a front pack. Took my second one on a plane trip across the country when he was 10 days old. Had a c-section with my third one - that slowed me down!

 

[CoopChick719]

Here's the prototype:

Emailed this to my kids--said I wanted this for Mother's Day. My DD told me she wasn't getting me anything chicken related for Mother's Day. DS is a carpenter in the National Guard. Easy Peesy children!! Mum will be happy!!

 

[CandaceNoel]

Well, guess we'll see everyone over here soon ... 

Thanks, Bulldogma, for this thread.  

Spifflove, Natural means a lot of different things to different people.  I've been following a couple of threads that the OT's (old-timers) post on, and I've been able to improve the overall health and appearance of my flock by following as many of their methods that I can incorporate into my flock.  I don't have an organic feed option right now, but I let my flock out on pasture as often as I can.  I feed fermented feed, and use UP/ACV (unpasturized Apple Cider vinegar) in their water.  I don't use antibiotics or de-wormers anymore, but incorporate natural preventative measures and remedies in my day-to-day flock keeping.  I basically let my chickens be chickens!

I would really appreciate what ever tops you have for keeping chickens without any chemical anything. Like Apple cider vinegar, I love how this product has multiple uses.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quot There are so many things! I will send you a pm with a place to start...hope that will be helpful

 

[Shan30]

I was in FL in June a long long time a go.  I have had a September baby while in the midwest.  I lived in the AC both times.   But having a baby  in the summer has advantages.  No tiny coats needed to go get groceries, outfits are optional in some settings as cute diapers are enough, and most times people are too hot to stop the mom in the parking lot for a peak at the baby. 

Congratulations! My husband and I are discussing trying for our first over the next year (need to quit smoking first). January sounds best to me. I won't have to miss hunting season. (I asked my doc. about this and I promise to be very careful!) won't be hugely pregnant in the summer heat, can lose some of the weight by summer and the little one will be a bit more mobile by summer! To be honest I'm a bit terrified. I don't know how moms do everything they do. You guys are like superheroes! It's a lot to live up to.

 

[armorfirelady]

Ok here's a question for you all. How is it when you rinse grains in water twice daily the grains will sprout in a few days. Yet fermented grains don't sprout and they stay submerged for weeks?

Just something I thought of this morning as I was rinsing my grains and stirring the FF