The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

I know a gal in St. Louis - where they can still own livestock in the city - that has about 3/4 acre and she keeps 2-3 goats back there. The whole lot is goat yard (with a chicken house way at the back).

She has a "lean-to" type shelter on the back of her garage that they use to go into to get out of the weather. Her milking stand is in the garage and they come in the back "people door" which leads right into the goat yard to get on their stands for milking.

 

[aoxa]

I know a gal in St. Louis - where they can still own livestock in the city - that has about 3/4 acre and she keeps 2-3 goats back there. The whole lot is goat yard (with a chicken house way at the back).

She has a "lean-to" type shelter on the back of her garage that they use to go into to get out of the weather. Her milking stand is in the garage and they come in the back "people door" which leads right into the goat yard to get on their stands for milking.

If you live in a dry area where grass does not grow freely like it does on my property - it may be tougher to deal with small space. However, my grass needs to be mowed at least twice a week or it is unsightly.


Here is an example. We still leave our pasture long of course.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

If you live in a dry area where grass does not grow freely like it does on my property - it may be tougher to deal with small space. However, my grass needs to be mowed at least twice a week or it is unsightly. Here is an example. We still leave our pasture long of course.

What breed of chicken is that? What a beauty!

 

[aoxa]

What breed of chicken is that? What a beauty!

She's a Buckeye #2 in my favourite breeds. After the Barred Plymouth Rock of course.

They are incredibly calm birds and fantastic layers. They were the only breed of chicken developed by a woman - so being two women farmers - it is a very appropriate breed for us to raise!

Here is my starting cock. I am replacing him - his comb isn't what I want, but his type was very good according to a few Buckeye breeders.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Aoxa - where did you get your buckeye stock?

I had originally thought I'd put in buckeyes as my main layer flock but never found a good source for "real" buckeyes. Do you think they would make a good layer choice? Also, do they squabble a lot with each other or are they more "easy-going"?

I'm absolutely sick and tired of squabbling birds and I don't want any more of that...especially during long cold winters where they may be stuck with each other in closer quarters for longer periods of time that optimal.

(I'm ready to take the hatchery barred rocks out in the back yard and shoot them. Well,not really, but there are days...)

 

[aoxa]

Aoxa - where did you get your buckeye stock?

I had originally thought I'd put in buckeyes as my main layer flock but never found a good source for "real" buckeyes. Do you think they would make a good layer choice? Also, do they squabble a lot with each other or are they more "easy-going"?

I'm absolutely sick and tired of squabbling birds and I don't want any more of that...especially during long cold winters where they may be stuck with each other in closer quarters for longer periods of time that optimal.

(I'm ready to take the hatchery barred rocks out in the back yard and shoot them. Well,not really, but there are days...)

No, super laid back. I put two hens in my breeding pen mid season and they didn't even fight to establish a pecking order amongst the 3 girls. That's how good they are.

I got them out of sheer luck. The guy who started me with poultry sold me some hatching eggs. Supposed to be RIRs, but didn't have enough to fill the order so added in some Buckeye and Chantecler hatching eggs. I never considered them until I had them. When I realized how awesome they were, I wanted more! However, he had turned 71 and decided it was too much work in the winter and he wanted to travel. He got out of poultry altogether. I am not sure where he got them originally, but was told by a judge they were really good - and that I better show them

 

[Leahs Mom]

Well it's definitely a breed that's on my "try" list but I want to start with good stock.

I understand they were developed in Ohio to be cold-hearty so that would be great for our winters here.

What about broodiness? (That would be a positive for me as I'd prefer broody-raised chicks.)

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Yeah I read an article about Buckeyes in Hobby Farm magazine and got quite interested. I thought from the picture that's what it might be because of the gorgeous mahogany colour. I also like calm and manageable animals. Makes everything so much easier. But even if you had chicks for sale you're way out east right?

 

[armorfirelady]

Yeah thats a great idea. Some "?s:
How much cayanne do you give?
What are your ratios?
And how often do you do it?
Does it work on all worms tape, round, gape?

I worm on occasion by adding red cayenne pepper flakes to eggs or yogurt I feed to the girls. Haven't done it in a long time tho.

Only worming I've seen around here lately are the girls eating the ones they find

Sorry I don't measure it. And I give it to them when I remember. Not very helpful huh? Lol

LM I'll send my Stella over. She is a great hen even tho she is mischievous at times. She lays great & has a great personality. Tho days like today I tell my mom it's HER Hen

She decided she needed to be in the veggie garden :/

 

[aoxa]

Well it's definitely a breed that's on my "try" list but I want to start with good stock.

I understand they were developed in Ohio to be cold-hearty so that would be great for our winters here.

What about broodiness? (That would be a positive for me as I'd prefer broody-raised chicks.)

I have one setting now