The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Shan30]

By the way, I have another rogue chicken gone wild!

This one has definitely not been out there anywhere near as long as Free Bird was but she's clearly decided to take a little vacation.
She's been sighted three times over the week and a half but is not returning to the coop at night. Unfortunately I leave in the dark and come home in the dark these days so I'm not sure when I can find her.

At last sighting she was apparently gettig pretty thin. I'll put out some grain for her in the morning tomorrow. See if I can slowly work her back home.

Might get our first snowfall tonight poor kiddo.

What is with my chickens!?

 

[ronott1]

Ikr? I want to do better in the spring.....I will be more knowledgeable at least...I hope.

So here is a question for all you. If you want to hatch eggs and you are buying eggs how do you coordinate the egg buying with the broodiness? What I mean is when a hen is broody you may not find eggs to buy. If you find eggs but don't have a broody then what? I don't really want to use an incubator....it sounds difficult to me.

The hen will go broody and stay like that for quite some time. What most do is have some eggs on hold and then let the breeder know that the broody is ready and then ship them out.

It is also a good idea to make sure the broody hen is really committed before giving them eggs.

 

[vpatt]

The hen will go broody and stay like that for quite some time. What most do is have some eggs on hold and then let the breeder know that the broody is ready and then ship them out.

It is also a good idea to make sure the broody hen is really committed before giving them eggs.

Thnx Ron....that makes sense. Olivia sat on a golfball for at least a week maybe longer before I bummed eggs from a neighbor for her.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: No, I thought it would have been a young male but DH said it was the oldest lady they have working there, in her sixties. She has said other stuff too that does not match up with her age, organic is a big scam to charge more money for the same food, chickens will only eat corn no bugs salad or eggs, goats will eat a tin can (but not their fence). Just silly stuff that comes from not being around animals.

 

[Amberjem]

I don't know about it growing in their range area, but I've given mine fennel fronds several times and they seem to like them with no ill effects.

I am protective wiring several plants that are benificail to the chickens in the free range area they can graze off the plant sticking out of the wire but not kill the plant least thats my plan

 

[sunflower4you]

Mine don't actually eat the bones they just pick them clean like little vultures

I then toss them in the compost pile or the garden & they break down to feed the plants

Everybody thinks I am crazy to feed a turkey carcass to chickens. Even more unbelievable is to feed them a chicken carcass! I like to tell everybody I give them turkey just to see their reaction. My girls sure ate good today. I only gave them one-third of the carcass/bones and their crops were so full. Someone had an idea that I should save the drippings in the bottom of the pan for the chickens and I had a great idea - I poured the fat into a cube-shaped Rubbermaid and stuck it in the freezer...turkey fat suet block!

 

[armorfirelady]

 
Mine don't actually eat the bones they just pick them clean like little vultures     I then toss them in the compost pile or the garden

Everybody thinks I am crazy to feed a turkey carcass to chickens.  Even more unbelievable is to feed them a chicken carcass!  I like to tell everybody I give them turkey just to see their reaction.  My girls sure ate good today.  I only gave them one-third of the carcass/bones and their crops were so full.  Someone had an idea that I should save the drippings in the bottom of the pan for the chickens and I had a great idea - I poured the fat into a cube-shaped Rubbermaid and stuck it in the freezer...turkey fat suet block!

I also save the fat from cooking. Chicken,mturkey, beef, etc. about the only far I don't save for the hens is bacon. I actually save that for me when using my cast iron pans. But I like the suet block idea. You could also mix in some bird seed, pumpkins seeds or other hen treats in the fat before freezing it. I leave suet in suet feeders out all winter for them. I do mine in muffin tins tho

 

[vpatt]

I buy chicken feet and other bones to make bone broth for myself. It is so healthy! I guess now I can share it with the girls.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I buy chicken feet and other bones to make bone broth for myself. It is so healthy! I guess now I can share it with the girls.

Where are you able to find the feet? I admit I haven't looked very hard, but I haven't seen any just for sale. I assumed that if I was going to get them I was going to have to ask one of the local butchers to save them for me.

 

[vpatt]

Where are you able to find the feet?  I admit I haven't looked very hard, but I haven't seen any just for sale.  I assumed that if I was going to get them I was going to have to ask one of the local butchers to save them for me.

There is a farm nearby. They have a mill and sell nonGMO and soy free feeds. They raise chickens and sell eggs. They are going to sell chicks, too. They have a small farm shop and sell grassfed meats. They have chicken, turkey, beef, pork, eggs and broth bones and chicken feet. I don't know how long the shop had been there before I found it. You could try Local Harvest and see if there is anything near you. I have been trying to eat healthier and go chemical free....not just in food....trying to help an autoimmune condition. It is helping but is slow......some people have much quicker results.

Oh....the farm shop is on the honor system...isn't that wonderful?

We have Food Relay, also. You can order online and pick up locally.

It is all pricey. I do the best I can moneywise. My own eggs help (when I get them, lol).

If anyone is interested in the eating and living plan pm me and I can give you info. Most of it available for free and I am only passing on free 'stuff' I have researched. No money involved....I am not affiliated in any way.....I just live here in the woods with hubby and chickies and trying to imrove my health. Sorry...didn't plan to say any of that.