Sunny was a boiler or broiler (?) and Cher was a pan fry. In six to eight weeks they would have been butchered and eaten. Hey, that's the way of the farm world. But, I thought, I'd save two and make them house chickens. Christina, any advice? I want to make them a big cage to keep in the laundry room and let them out to play. And also have a moveable pen like you have ( on a smaller scale) for nice days. I think I can make it work, we love our chickens. Also, will boiler or pan fries lay eggs? Anyway, if this chicken in the house plan doesn't work, I have a cousin who keeps chickens. He doesn't butcher, he just likes eggs. They can go live with his flock if the plan fails. I just love them, they cuddle and kiss and are hilarious running after me all over the house like I'm mama chicken. The cat, Indie, has totally learned he can not have them. He even sleeps with them. I know! That some kind of miracle. So, help me out, what do I need to know?
PS, they do not stink if I change their newspaper twice a day.
7 comments:
Oh! They are so cute!!
We kept our first set of chickens in the house for a long time. Way long. As long as you are changing out the litter frequently enough it shouldn't be too stinky. We used sawdust pellets (without cedar) like they use for pellet stoves, as bedding. When moisture hits it, it disintigrates into sawdust. It is a little more difficult for the tiny ones to run around in when it is still in pellet form, but they get used to it quickly.
I don't know if you are feeding medicated feed, but it is a good idea for little guys that go outside in the dirt. Coccidia can be anywhere, and as they get older, they will be immune, but if they catch something when they are tiny, it is an awful killer.
Broiler-type chicks are meant to have short lives, so, often they are prone to heart defects, etc. as they grow. Traditionally all those birds do is eat, drink, sleep and poop. If you are managing their feed so that they don't eat all the time, and are out here and there to catch bugs, etc. it will help them to live longer lives.
Sometimes they do lay eggs, just like their layer cousins, but I don't know how often it happens.
The broiler-types are not always as pretty as layers, once their adult feathers come in. Think multiple pink bald spots, and unkempt feathers. They were not bred for anything but large breast size and quick maturation, but as you are giving them a different life, you may see a different looking bird.
I hope they live long healthy lives with you.
Happy Easter!!!
Christina
I bought the medicated feed and also the electrolite powder to add to their water, which I have to change like, 5 times a day. They poop in it. But, they seem smart. They know their names already and come when you call. They also know how to talk their way out of their cage and into the kitchen or my lap. I don't care if they're pretty, they're just pets. We love our ugly pets as well as pretty ones. I think two is enough for me, I don't need the work of more. One would have been enough, but, they seem so social. Sunny perked right up when I brought Cher home. I sleep sitting up, propped on pillows because of my bad back, and I have a laptop I go to sleep with. I just lay an old towel on my chest and that where they cuddle to snooze. They feel safe there. Once they're completely out, I pick up the whole towel and lay it on the top shelf of their cage, on a heat pad and cover the cage. They sleep all night. When the sun comes up, so do they, but, I'm am early riser, so they don't bother me. I just put on the coffee and let them out on the floor and they follow me to the bathroom and back to the kitchen and hang around my desk while I blog. I usually scatter feed on a piece of newspaper by my feet and they're happy and peep peeping. It's cheerful and cute. I thought their poo would be runny and nasty, but, it's pretty solid, so I just take a tissue and clean it up, flush it and done. Sounds nasty, but, really, they're pretty clean. I spray their cage bottom with febreeze before I newspaper. They actually smell good. THe cage is one of Bee Bee's (my rat) old cages and has three levels with little ladders. Floor one is for food and water, two is for the heat pad and shredded newspaper bedding, level three is a perch they use to look out the window. They will outgrow it soon, but, I have a bigger one and when they outgrow that, I will build them a tall one with screen and probably PVC pipe. I'll let you know how it goes. When they become adults, they might smell or get too loud. I dunno. But, anyway, they won't be anyone's dinner. LOL.
PS, they have a nice heat source, but, they needed extra light. None of my goddamn battery lights worked, but, I found, of all things, a string of white skull hallogens. So, they're goth chickens. LOL. Hey, it works.
That sounds really cute!! Goth chickens.
Sounds like you have everything covered. I thought about mentioning the electrolyte solution, but forgot about it.
When they're a little older, you can add in other foods. I started with little bits of scrambled eggs, and later on, chopped up tomatoes and grapes, greens, etc. They also love strawberry tops, but things like that can choke them if they are very small, yet. I also used to give them little bits of yogurt for the probiotics, and in the summer, would give them chunks of watermelon or other melons. They love cantaloupe seeds, too.
At times I have put apple cider vinegar (with the mother in it) into their water. It is a natural probiotic source as well, and they seem to love the taste.
Christina
Please post pictures of the Indie with the baby chicks! That's the cutest thing ever!
Beth in Portland
Too cute!
I will post some pics, I just found my camera! Indie had it behind the couch.
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