The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Lacy Blues]

On the carrots - those of you that have used them... Do you feed them raw or cooked? How well do the birds eat them?

I feed them raw. I think I only have one bird out of nearly 100 that refuses to eat them. I'm trying to get him to at least try them because all the other birds LOVE them.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Swedes? Swedish flower hens? They are stunning! Love the feather quality!

Yes Swedish Flower Hens. I'm hoping to get a non-crested rooster for them soon. I have a crested boy but he's destined for the soup pot. I do not want to intentionally breed crested.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Do you mix them into their feed or feed them separately free-choice?

 

[Lacy Blues]

I didn't know there were any non-crested. That's the only thing I haven't liked about them.

What color eggs do they lay and are they a good size?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Do you mix them into the feed or give them free-choice separately?

 

[Lacy Blues]

I mix everything together. That way, nobody gets to hog all their favorite parts and everybody gets some.

 

[LindaB220]

Thanks LindaB220, I'm not sure about the hoop house because of how COLD it gets here sometimes and because of all the predators we have here. I'm also a little apprehensive about the fermented feed, because of the fact that I'm afraid It will mold. Also doesn't it have to be hot to ferment feed? Excuse my ignorance lol I would like to learn more about fermented feed though? If you or anyone else could help me with that information? thanks so much. But I will see what I can incorporate from the video

Thank you

Actually, I was talking about the pseudo brooder. It's just wire made into an arch with a heating pad strapped on the bottom. I'm putting it into my storeroom this month to keep from running the brooder heat lamp. It uses so much electricity and there is always a danger for fire. In the video she wrapped the hoop coop in clear plastic leaving room for ventilation. Snow just slid off. in Virginia. But you my need more wooden structure. Now fermented feed is near and dear to my heart. Yes, it goes dormant in the winter. Maybe a small bucket in the house and feed once a day for a small meal. Some people only do it in spring to fall. I use it year round because I'm in La. Here's a site that will answer all your questions.

http://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

 

[Leahs Mom]

I didn't know there were any non-crested. That's the only thing I haven't liked about them.

What color eggs do they lay and are they a good size?

Yes, they come in crested and non-crested. I prefer non-crested birds as I want them to free-range without any visual issues. If you get a crest to crest breeding the crests become excessive which is much worse in my opinion.

Their eggs vary from a very light "cream/tan" to a medium brown. I only have 1 Swede that is over a year old so I don't have a lot of experience with egg sizes over the growth period. Mine has been in the large range on the SCALE weights. Most people I know say they're getting large to x-large by the time of full maturity.

This is my one adult female (but I prefer the darker black based colors...but have to admit that I really like the coloration on this one):


(Queen Emma)

 

[Lacy Blues]

I ferment in my house. Two 5-gallon buckets. When they chicks get old enough, I'll just have one with one kind of food. Mine never shuts down and either it doesn't smell or I've lost my sense of smell. I imagine though, if I were to stick my nose down close to it, I'd probably smell it.

 

[lalaland]

(Queen Emma)

she's beautiful!!!