Sufficient Self members with Poultry!

[Dreamz]

@Trying2keepitReal keepitreal oh! So exciting! Had done it only once but the experience was amazing!

 

[Hinotori]

First real rain since June. Someone had to take advantage of that.

 

[tortoise]

First real rain since June. Someone had to take advantage of that.
View attachment 20791

of course it's a white one!

 

[Hinotori]

of course it's a white one!

I have several similar pictures of her over the years. She does this a lot

 

[Dreamz]

Well, I have 2 leghorns that re always together and I call them the twisted sisters and one have been walking around without a fluffy butt and full of poop. Today couldn't take it anymore so gave her a dawn bath. She got her fluffy butt back after her Brazilian blowout!



Well, not just her butt but rather fluffy all over,lol

 

[tortoise]

One of mine needs a butt bath. She has burdock stuck in her feathers. Her name is "fluff-a-butt." Her feathers are a bit different - fluffy.

 

[Mini Horses]

Moulting here....still. feathers coming in on some, still bald spots on some, feather piles that scare you "gotta be a carcass" . Will be sooooo glad for it to be done!!! The young hens look good but oldsters are a pitiful sight!

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

Two hatched yesterday and the last one had a pip when I closed them up last night!

So, I have mama and babies in a dog crate in the coop with the door closed (food and water offered during the day). Now when should I open up the door so she can decide to take them out? I have only done this once with a broody, and I had separated her for too long and it was hard for her to integrate back and show the rest of the chickens who was boss--that was 5 or 7 days I believe. I am thinking that I see if the 3rd one hatched last night and give them today still in lockdown and then take the door off starting tomorrow or just remove the crate totallly and let her pick her spot in the coop? I don't usually put food in the coop but I could put some in one of the corners for a couple days so she wouldn't have to take them out until they were 5-7 days? OR do I just let her do her thing? Any advice is welcome. I understand some people's chickens are their pets and are treated very protectively, Mine are loved and have very nice/clean living quarters, get handled/attention daily but they are farm animals with a purpose. They won't be butchered when they are done laying and will be able to live their life fully but they are not allowed to stay in the house or similar.

Thanks for any advice given.

 

[Dreamz]

I think by day 3 they come out with mom. I read that and mine was on schedule but might take more. Not a pro to give much advise.

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

I think by day 3 they come out with mom. I read that and mine was on schedule but might take more. Not a pro to give much advise.

Did you have your closed off in a special section or did you just let mama do her thing? I can take off the door to the crate at any time or just move her out too, it is all possible! Thanks for the help