The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[vpatt]

I knew wild turkeys could fly...just wasn't sure how well they could fly.

 

[flyladyrocks]

Kinda been lurking cause I don't really have anything to contribute but had to say I am finding the whole geese/turkey conversation fascinating. Since I'm a city girl neither are practical for me. However I'd love to see thh look on my neighbors face when she first saw a tom strutting around our yard!

 

[jtn42248]

My grandparents did have turkeys when I was a kid. I don't know what breed. They were white and not the ones that are all puffed up and huge. They raised them and sold them around the holidays. I do remember that they spent the major part of their time either on the barn roof or up in trees. So I assume they were able to fly up there. There is a major diffenence between wild turkeys and domestic turkeys. The ability to fly is pretty much reduced in domestic birds by the breeding that makes them heavy as meat birds. Wild turkeys here in West Texas can fly pretty high and for longer distances then you might think.

 

[COChix]

Kinda been lurking cause I don't really have anything to contribute but had to say I am finding the whole geese/turkey conversation fascinating.

X2 thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge regarding turkeys and geese.

 

[vpatt]

If I just happen to go by the feed store when they have chicks and I can't resist buying some then exactly what do I need to care for them?

A big tote
Feed dish and water dish (marbles)
Bedding
A light? What kind?

I saw the picture of the the brooder with a feather duster for the chick to sleep under and they had a heating pad under it. Would you still need a light with that set up? How do you know if it isvtoonhot or cold? Do chicks bought at a store typically do well? I just am sure I will want at least a couple if I see them. My best bet may be to stay home.

 

[tjo804]

I brooded my first chicks in my garden tub in the bathroom.
on news paper
with a log to play on

you will need
heat lamp / source
only heat part of the brooder that way if chicks get to hot they can move away from heat and you will know to raise the lamp a little higher.

food and water bowls

 

[Shan30]

Most importantly, chicks need a place to be moved into that's not in your house pretty quickly. I really recommend having a coop before you get chicks. They grow up so fast!

 

[lalaland]

ditto on getting the coop first - not only do those chicks outgrow the brooder space faster than you can believe, but also you won't believe how long it takes to make/find a coop! much more fun to enjoy the chicks when you get them rather than be stressing about getting that coop built or ready.

 

[vpatt]

Thank you...everyone! I have a coop...but it is not heated and I know littles could not survive in it. I really want to go the broody hen route (I've had two small hatches this winter). But I thought I should be prepared to raise some chicks without the mama just in case I ever need to. So that I know what I'm doing, lol. I thought if I got maybe just a couple of chicks at the feed store I could learn some things from raising them. Plus I know how cute those chicks are going to be.

 

[lalaland]

lol, then the hard part is already accomplished.

Without a broody, it is the need to maintain some high heat for the first few weeks and to prevent the chicks from drowning in a waterer that is too deep or too big. Traditionally, thats a heat lamp, or the brinsea brooder - I won one in a byc contest and used it last spring for three little legbar chicks, of which two have died from mareks. (getting off the point here). I really really liked the brinsea mostly because it removed worries of fire danger.

Without a broody, I would say the best thing I ever learned was to provide the chicks with a plug from your lawn. A new plug needed daily. That gives them grit, soil microbes, greens, bugs especially if you are selective about the plug , choosing one with clover/dandelion or such in it. It is amazing how much dirt and greens the chicks can consume in a day. Next day, replace "used" plug and provide a fresh plug. Lawn recovers pretty well. Of course this assumes you do not use herbicided/pesticides/fertilizers on your lawn.

I've raised dozens of batches of chicks without a broody, and only one with a broody (last spring). Broody is soo much easier, plus the chicks learn to be much better foragers than the chicks raised without a momma hen. Could be that she has them out and about much earlier....