The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[lalaland]

oh thats a good idea! I wonder if I could borrow one and get it mounted in there at an angle that would show anything?
It is a distressingly small area as I never anticipated trying to have a broody in this small coop, I always figured I would have them in the big coop where there is already a broody space. But that danged rooster can do nothing but attack the sulmtalers. Must be their crests!

 

[Leahs Mom]

oh thats a good idea! I wonder if I could borrow one and get it mounted in there at an angle that would show anything?
It is a distressingly small area as I never anticipated trying to have a broody in this small coop, I always figured I would have them in the big coop where there is already a broody space. But that danged rooster can do nothing but attack the sulmtalers. Must be their crests!

I have a question.

Could you restrict the roo to the smaller coop while she's brooding..and let her go back to the broody space?

 

[hellbender]

oh thats a good idea! I wonder if I could borrow one and get it mounted in there at an angle that would show anything?
It is a distressingly small area as I never anticipated trying to have a broody in this small coop, I always figured I would have them in the big coop where there is already a broody space. But that danged rooster can do nothing but attack the sulmtalers. Must be their crests!

If you don't mind me saying, I haven't been following but if the hen is on eggs, and has room to get off the nest to defecate and take food and water, I surely wouldn't take her off the nest. Such meddling can frequently have them abandon the eggs...JMHO

I've seen birds sneak into crevices to hide their clutches that you wonder how she got there in the first place but she eventually comes out with 8 or 10 chicks. Messing with nest, changing bedding etc is asking for problems.

RON

 

[MrsHall28]

Quick questions:
I just purchased two 6 week old chickens. Is there still a chance I'll be able to get them comfortable with me? Right now they are terrified of me. I'd hate for it to be like thy forever.

Do they eat "treats" at this age? I put watermelon in there and they were scared of it. I put small tomato pieces and they ignored them. Is that something that changes with age??

Thank you!

 

[lazy gardener]

That's why they call them chickens! B/C they are scared of any and every thing new. They'll come around. They have to get familiar with a new home, and a new care taker. Always speak to them using the same words and tone when approaching to feed them. My suggestion is that you continue to offer treats, but perhaps put them in the dish with the feed that they are familiar with. Once they get a taste of the new treat, the party can begin. After they learn to anticipate that good things come from you, the next step is to wait until they are hungry, then offer the treat from your hand, or if they won't accept it that way, have your hand in close proximity to their dish while they are eating. Remember to NEVER reach over a chicken that you are attempting to "tame". They consider that anything that comes from above is a predator. You might try scrambled egg, grit, worms, mealworms, small pieces of cheese, a bit of bread, left over meat. Never more than 10% of their daily ration.

 

[MargaretYakoda]

Different breeds, and different birds, each have their own personalities.
That said, eventually they'll (probably) associate you with food. Bucket Love.
If you're offering treats, try putting a bit of bread in your hand. Don't toss it in, make them eat it out of your hand. They should warm up to you soon enough.
Our birds go nuts for cracked corn. I forget if six weeks is too young? But right now every single one of our birds would eat cracked corn out of my hand if they had a chance. Even our rooster.

 

[lalaland]

I have a question.

Could you restrict the roo to the smaller coop while she's brooding..and let her go back to the broody space?

well, I would have to first move all the sulmtalers, including the broody, to the big coop and there would have to be an introduction. The flocks free range when I am there, and most of the hens do ok with the sulmtalers but there have been a few "who the heck are you" incidents. They would probably reintegrate ok, but that gets to me the question: why do I have a danged rooster anyway?

I am not sure about moving her nest at this point.
but when she is done with the chicks, assuming any of the eggs are fertile, I'm back to considering culling the rooster.
He is friendly, dances for the hens, call them to treats, does a lousy lousy job at watching the skies, and hates the sulmtalers.

If you don't mind me saying, I haven't been following but if the hen is on eggs, and has room to get off the nest to defecate and take food and water, I surely wouldn't take her off the nest. Such meddling can frequently have them abandon the eggs...JMHO

I've seen birds sneak into crevices to hide their clutches that you wonder how she got there in the first place but she eventually comes out with 8 or 10 chicks. Messing with nest, changing bedding etc is asking for problems.

RON

she does have room, just barely, to get off the nest, drink and defecate.
right now the only thing I am considering is checking her for mites .

 

[hellbender]

Quick questions:
I just purchased two 6 week old chickens. Is there still a chance I'll be able to get them comfortable with me? Right now they are terrified of me. I'd hate for it to be like thy forever.

Do they eat "treats" at this age? I put watermelon in there and they were scared of it. I put small tomato pieces and they ignored them. Is that something that changes with age??

Thank you!

In my opinion...young chicks should be fed a good nutritious diet without any watery treats at all. A couple blood worms chopped up or meal worms is ok but when you go playing with the their diet too much, you're asking for scours. unpleasant for all concerned.

 

[jockeyeba]

Is she continuing the cough this morning? 

There are several different respiratory diseases that can cause coughing that would be associated with the symptoms I listed.   But if you aren't seeing any of the symptoms above...

Is it possible she swallowed something (like a small piece of metal/screw, etc.?
Is she gasping for air?  It didn't sound like she was in your description.

She's not crying non stop this morning but is still sort of making a sneezing sound every few minutes. She is walking around, eating, doesn't seem sick in any way, maybe she does have something lodged in there but she's not gasping for air & doesn't act distressed just keeps making sounds. I really thought she'd be dead this morning-she kept crying non stop last night.

 

[armorfirelady]

oh thats a good idea! I wonder if I could borrow one and get it mounted in there at an angle that would show anything?
It is a distressingly small area as I never anticipated trying to have a broody in this small coop, I always figured I would have them in the big coop where there is already a broody space. But that danged rooster can do nothing but attack the sulmtalers. Must be their crests!

I use mine in the coop. It does not need a large area to be attached to. Mine has bungee cords to attach it to stuff. I had it in the old nesting area to see who was going into the nest. Very cool to see how nice the pictures came out. Stella & Lucy & a big girls photobombed it a few times. Nothing like an up close picture of a hen staring right into the camera

Quick questions:
I just purchased two 6 week old chickens. Is there still a chance I'll be able to get them comfortable with me? Right now they are terrified of me. I'd hate for it to be like thy forever.

Do they eat "treats" at this age? I put watermelon in there and they were scared of it. I put small tomato pieces and they ignored them. Is that something that changes with age??

Thank you!

I had 6 weeks last year. It took them a few weeks to get used to their new home. They were quarantied for a month from my other hens. I did give them fresh veggies but not a lot. They did enjoy the raw meat tho. Soon enough they will assoiate you with feeding time. They just need to have some time to adjust.