The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[beccasev]

I have a hen, a red sex link. She's a little over a year. In the last week or 10 days, I've noticed she is limping. I've checked her over. No bumble foot, no visible injuries. She doesn't seem to be in pain. She is out with the rest of the flock, not acting sick or hurt. Should I just keep watching?

 

[armorfirelady]

I have a hen, a red sex link. She's a little over a year. In the last week or 10 days, I've noticed she is limping. I've checked her over. No bumble foot, no visible injuries. She doesn't seem to be in pain. She is out with the rest of the flock, not acting sick or hurt. Should I just keep watching?

Just keep an eye on her. If it's a lot of limping & she can't get around you might put her In a Crate so she has to rest it.

 

[Meinertzhagens]

Sounds ok to me. Sounds like a sweet tangy smell (I don't have the best nose tho lol)

Thank you!

 

[armorfirelady]

I found this gem at a barn sale yesterday. Cost me a whopping $1 I love old stuff & this will make weighing grains out soooo much easier

Eta I also found this porcelain cup ( um ok not really a cup) & it caught my eye as well. I know what it was used to be a long time ago but it will be perfect for taking the girls food out in. And LM its not plastic

 

[Leahs Mom]

Anyway, two weekends ago I bought some countryside organic chick starter. I began to ferment it that same weekend because I had read to start fermenting the day you set your eggs. I stirred and added filtered water daily for the first week and since than have stirred every third day. Yesterday when i stirred there was more liquid than usual and it as a sweet vinegary smell along with a slight undertone of "fart" for lack of a better word.
Is this normal or should I dump and start again?
Thank you all for the knowledge you provide!!
Also, I apologize for misspelled words, my g and h don't work very well =\

It sounds like it's okay. You want a tangy/pickle-like smell. If you smell anything that is like yeast or mold, this is not good. But the tangy smell is okay.

Might want to take a look a these articles. There are 3 parts so be sure to read each one. It gives a bit of a description of the smell.

 

[Meinertzhagens]

Thank you!!

 

[Leahs Mom]

@lalaland
Was it you or @mlowen that gave us the link for the hen aprons?

Whichever it was, thank you. I did get one for my bare backed girl and finally put it on last night. I think that is started with a little rooster wear which made a few of her feathers look different. Then I noticed one of the BRs picking at those feathers when they would be getting on the roost at night. And she's kept at it till that back is almost bare just above the base of the tail.

I finally put on of the aprons on her last night so now I'm going to observe and see how it goes.

I keep wondering what you do about rain. My girls love to go out in the rain and they don't come in...they just stay out and look like a bunch of sopping wet hens. I'm thinking I'll have to remove it and wash and dry when it rains so it doesn't become irritated. @SallyinIndiana told me it would be like having a new baby and diapers to wash!!!!!

I hope it isn't a problem for dust bathing. Anyone have experience with that?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Thank you!!

Does your feed have fish meal as one of the ingredients? Mine does and that is one thing that can account for the "fart" smell!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I found this gem at a barn sale yesterday. Cost me a whopping $1 I love old stuff & this will make weighing grains out soooo much easier

Eta I also found this porcelain cup ( um ok not really a cup) & it caught my eye as well. I know what it was used to be a long time ago but it will be perfect for taking the girls food out in. And LM its not plastic

Yay!!! Just be sure there aren't any chips in the enamel. Take a quick-read here to see what you think http://www.ehow.com/info_10032442_dangers-old-enameled-pots.html

 

[Meinertzhagens]

Does your feed have fish meal as one of the ingredients? Mine does and that is one thing that can account for the "fart" smell!

Yeah, it's one of the first ingredients, LOL! Thanks!