Community Chicken Forum

[Dover]

Just noticed Mother Earth News has a chicken forum that might interest
folks here:

http://www.communitychickens.com/forum.html

[bvar22]

1. Thanks!

We LOVE the Mother!
It is one of our bibles.

Another great resource for small scale chickens is
Countryside & Small Stock Journal
http://www.countrysidemag.com/
Always good stuff about chickens there!


I thought you were starting a thread for DUers who keep Chickens.
We started our flock in 2007 with 7 hens and one rooster.
They have been our most cost effective year round producers of healthy food since we moved to The Woods in 2006 and started producing as much as our own contaminant free, sustainable food as possible.



What we once viewed as simply a resource has turned into an act of love. We had no idea that these birds were so beautiful, intelligent, and social. They have become a source of daily entertainment.
We let ours Free Range in the afternoons, and after two years I am still amazed that they go back into the coop at sundown, jump up on their perches, and go to sleep....all by themselves.
We live next to a National Forest and have lots of predators around, so we do a head count and lock them in every night.


We started our flock with a mix of reliable common breeds... Reds, Barred Rocks, Leghorn, and Austrolorpe. We decided to expand our flock this year.
My wife Starkraven bought a dozen some fertile Blue Copper Maran eggs online.
We incubated them, but only 3 hatched out.


So we ordered a dozen Wellsummer chicks online which arrived yesterday.


Is there anything cuter than new chicks?

Like I said above, we are absolutely delighted by our birds.
I had a preconceived notion based that they were rather dumb, dirty, and smelly animals.
This was based on a previous exposure to a Chicken Farm where way too many birds were confined in a small area. When they are given enough space, and allowed to Free Range, there is no problem. They are clean and beautiful.

[Dover]

2. As usual, bvar, your posts are so beautiful. Encouraging and nourishing for the soul.

I'm looking forward to adding chickens soon and I've really enjoyed hearing everyone's chicken stories and seeing the pictures. I've learned a lot.
Have you ever rented the DVD titled, The Natural History of The Chicken?
It's one of those rare Videos/DVDs you'll probably want to own. It's a delightful collection of intimate 'chicken stories' and information.

Thanks for the link too.

[bvar22]

6. Thanks for the DVD tip.

Sounds like something we would love.

Did you use to hang in the Photography or Bicycles forums?

On Edit:
I love the avatar on your profile page, but it doesn't show up on a regular DU page...
At least not on my computer.

[Dover]

7. No, never hung out in those forums

although I've visited and posted a time or two in the photography forum.

I don't have a membership star at the moment and think DU probably strips
you of a profile avatar as a result. Can't imagine why else it doesn't show up on posts.

That DVD has developed somewhat of a cult following since it first appeared as a PBS special. It was done by a documentary filmmaker who has created a reputation for himself due to the unique quality/story style/technique he brought to the genre of nature documentary that is highly engaging, humourous and heartfelt.

[dgibby]

3. That is one hansom rooster.

Looks like he has lots to crow about!

[bvar22]

4. That is Elvis...

and he is a pugnacious little devil.

He has a good set of spurs, and he knows how to use them.
He is very protective of his hens, and will attack anything that approaches them...even us.
We are careful to keep an eye on him when the birds are out in the yard.
There are several "Elvis Sticks" leaning up against each doorway, and we usually carry one when we are working in the yard while the birds are out. He respects the Elvis Stick, and won't directly attack if we are holding one and facing him, but he WILL attack from behind if we turn our backs. He is capable of opening a nasty gash on a leg, but so far, aside from a minor incident with Starkraven, he hasn't drawn blood.

This is Elvis warning me not to come any closer to his girls.

We have come to understand and appreciate him since we live in an area with many predators, and our birds Free Range daily. He has done his job, and kept them safe. It has been nearly two years since we have lost any birds to predators, but if we had children or visitors we would have to get rid of him.


Elvis was very gentle as a young rooster.

We used to hand feed him, and he would sit on our laps or arms. But that all changed one day when he grew up and started taking care of the hens. He tries to keep them rounded up so that he can watch them, and they run him pretty hard as they tend to drift off in different direction while they forage. He will even find food, and call them over to share it. They regularly steal food directly from him, and he doesn't seem to mind.

During the day, the hens will return to the coop to lay.
After they finish, they will stand in the doorway and call Elvis, who will return and escort them back to the flock.

At twilight, he leads them into the Chicken Yard and checks it out to make sure it is safe. If there is a hen missing, he will go back out and find her, and herd her back into the yard.
It is all very fascinating to watch.




We may be facing a dilemma in the coming months.
At least one of the new Blue Copper Marans is a rooster.
I don't think Elvis is the type to share his flock.

[dgibby]

5. Wow!

Looks and spunk! What a guy! Love the name, although Rambo might have been more appropriate!

I'm thinking of getting a couple of laying hens, but need to think about a little more first. No rootsers tho, as I think the neighbors might not be amused.

[Dover]

8. Thank you so much to my star friend

Someone generously provided me with a donor star, and since this is the only place I mentioned it I thought I'd post this thank you here.

With gratitude for your kindness. :pals: