The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Scott H]

Crystal Cat Litter? Is that a brand, Karen? Never seen it.

 

[Leahs Mom]

So far I haven't had a fly problem with the deep litter. I find that quite amazing, but I guess my litter is working like it's supposed to.

As far as sweet pdz, I know a lot of folks use it on their poop boards, etc. I have just been a bit concerned about adding another item into the mix that may cause harm in one way or another. I think if I were using a poop board I wouldn't likely use it unless I could read something that was very clear on it's health effects. About a year ago I tried to get more info on it and just couldn't find anything so I felt like I wanted to err on the side of conservative. (I did read all the places it's used, how it's used, etc.)

 

[armorfirelady]

Well I checked out Stella. Nothing in her ears, no smell either. I put some Nustock on her bare head. She was not impressed. I will just have to watch & see if she loses any more feathers.

I used to use that crystal litter. Def absorbs a lot. But with 4 cats it became to expensive so I am back to cheapie stuff and less odor.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Is there hope for the new Miss Gray?



Still just as skittish as before. Still not standing up for herself.

I'm pretty frustrated with all of the squabbling in this flock I currently have. I know they've got cabin fever and getting them out on the grass (if we ever see it again) is going to help. But dynamics are dynamics, and there are just some of these birds that are plain old mean.

I locked up 3 birds together today that are trouble makers. There was relative peace out in the run. But tomorrow it's supposed to be freezing rain/sleet and I don't want anyone to get stuck outside in that. Even removing 3 mean birds there is still a good amount of harassment going on.

What to do. What to do.

If I had other housing I could create groups but I don't for the time being.

 

[armorfirelady]

LM she is such a pretty girl. I have squabbling at times but not like you are. Lucy Lou is the loner. When everyone comes out to see what I have she is still in the old run. She does venture out but the big girls peck at her when she tries to get a bite in. I give enough that when the big girls have her full she can get some as well. Her crop is usually pretty full at night.

I have found for my group that throwing all the DL to the rear of the coop keeps them amused for hours. I also shovel down to the ground in the garden & that also keeps them busy. Maybe a cabbage head to entertain them? Romaine hearts are a favorite as well. They also eat most of it before it freezes unlike the cabbage. I have several frozen cabbage chunks in the garden. Once it warms up again I am sure they will be eaten. I also keep homemade suet out for them. Some scratch thrown on the DL also keeps them amused.

As silly as it sounds my 8 crowd themselves in the old run for most of the day this winter. For some reason they don't pester Lucy unless there is food around. Maybe you could put plastic around some sides of your fence for the littles with a tarp over head to give them a dry spot outside the coop? I don't keep mine in on cold yucky days. I let them decide what they want to do. They venture between the coop, old run & the A frame when the weathers nasty. And they have to venture into the elements to get to anything besides the coop and the dog crate that holds their food.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

It's that time of year... had 12 of the 16 of these HRIR hatch night... another is pipping.
I so LOVE the babies.




In this second pic the bottom 2 are HRIR (they are fresh out of the bator)...
Top chick with chipmunk stripes is an F1 who is a few days old - part of my Rhodebar improvement breeding (an Rhodebar cock over HRIR hens).



Brooders are getting full... at least the temperatures are improving... spring is on the way...

Our brooders are getting full too. With the staggered hatches, it seems like I'm setting up a new brooder every 12 days or two hatches. My basement is full of brooder boxes. I'm moving my oldest chicks out tonight to what I want to be the grow out pen. But the temps are going to drop Monday. So of course now I have to consider a heat light. I'm leaning towards it since the chicks while fully feathered are not over 8 weeks yet.

Quote: At what age do you use the wing bands. I got some but they look so big compared to my chick's wings even at a week old. I have been toe punching to identify the rooster and hen that produced the chick but that is not a unique identifier. I was considering wing banding at about 8 weeks old.
I tried zip ties once but I don't have the skill for cutting them off without getting stressed. I did the varying sized numbered bands last year but time, money and effort made those not my first choice.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have one girl at the bottom of the pecking order who is absolutely paranoid. She thinks the whole world is out to get her. So, when I take their FF out in the morning, I'll often grab the Alpha pullet, and shut her away from the others. Then the least girl will eat without fear. Sometimes, I have to shut both the Alpha and her minion up for a few minutes. it's worth it to me to do this for a few minutes just to give the least a fair chance at the feeder. She'll eat as long as Alpha and minion don't look at her.

 

[ki4got]

Crystal Cat Litter? Is that a brand, Karen? Never seen it.

no... it's been out for years now... not the clay scoopable stuff, but this looks more like clear or white 'rocks' sometimes with blue bits for deodorizing.

just google crystal litter, you'll find a ton of hits and pics. best price I've found is from walmart tho. it's a smaller crystal and better price (smaller = more surface area for absorbing).

I've used it in cat boxes and bird cages for years. it's all I use in my macaw's cage. she has her version of broody poops that can really stink up if they're not scooped daily LOL.

pic found with google images...

 

[ki4got]

So far I haven't had a fly problem with the deep litter. I find that quite amazing, but I guess my litter is working like it's supposed to.

As far as sweet pdz, I know a lot of folks use it on their poop boards, etc. I have just been a bit concerned about adding another item into the mix that may cause harm in one way or another. I think if I were using a poop board I wouldn't likely use it unless I could read something that was very clear on it's health effects. About a year ago I tried to get more info on it and just couldn't find anything so I felt like I wanted to err on the side of conservative. (I did read all the places it's used, how it's used, etc.)

don't know about the pdz, but I use crystal cat litter in the macaw and cockatiel cages without issues. I worried about them eating pieces, the vet said basically they'd absorb some water in the gut but would just pass through without issues. they can't absorb infinite amounts of liquid but left alone moisture will evaporate from the crystals over time.

 

[CourtsCacklers]

Is there hope for the new Miss Gray?



Still just as skittish as before. Still not standing up for herself.

I'm pretty frustrated with all of the squabbling in this flock I currently have. I know they've got cabin fever and getting them out on the grass (if we ever see it again) is going to help. But dynamics are dynamics, and there are just some of these birds that are plain old mean.

I locked up 3 birds together today that are trouble makers. There was relative peace out in the run. But tomorrow it's supposed to be freezing rain/sleet and I don't want anyone to get stuck outside in that. Even removing 3 mean birds there is still a good amount of harassment going on.

What to do. What to do.

If I had other housing I could create groups but I don't for the time being.

^^ X2

So annoyed with mine too-- my injured one with the pecked feet had healed and I had ALL of them out to free range today. Everyone seemed to be getting along alright (not perfect) but not nasty either. I had Physical Therapy at 4:30-- when I got home at 6pm they had gone to roost except for my previously injured girl who is now injured again with one toe pecked open. DH was home but oblivious. The chickens are mine and he will build or do anything for me that I ask but if I don't ask-- he is oblivious. I mean-- for pete's sake there is a video baby monitor with sound right in the kitchen where he was watching TV-- I doubt this went on without some sort of noise. I am so irritated. I am making some changes this weekend but in the mean-time I am back to square one-- I don't know if I have one aggressor or several and I have to keep the injured separated instead of the aggressor so she can heal since I do not know who the aggressor is.

Also-- at axoa-- Margaret was your injured hen and you said she didn't mind isolation but liked to see you and that you had her in isolation because she was just different. Was she different and separated because of her physical disability or was she always different before this disability. The one that is getting picked on in my flock has a broken--now healed crooked toe. I am wondering if that is why.....