Chickens 101, questions about chickens, start here!!! (Page 4 of 12)
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Originally Posted By M60forever:
Originally Posted By mj1angier:
Here are our chicks at 3 weeks. They are in the fugly stage- not fluff or feathers. Our boarder collie is trying to heard them already. http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/mj1angier/006-3.jpg What breed of chicks are those? They look like my Orpingtons. If they are, they are really cool birds. |
Luk 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
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Originally Posted By Bearsfan:
Originally Posted By M60forever:
Originally Posted By mj1angier:
Here are our chicks at 3 weeks. They are in the fugly stage- not fluff or feathers. Our boarder collie is trying to heard them already. http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/mj1angier/006-3.jpg What breed of chicks are those? They look like my Orpingtons. If they are, they are really cool birds. Yep, they are Buff Orpingtons |
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Originally Posted By REELDOC:
I have 6 hens and got my first two eggs yesterday and today.  They are a little over 5 months old.
I'm really enjoying it, the eggs have just become an added treat to watching those clowns  The only thing that concerns me is extremely cold weather and the fear of putting a heat lamp in the coop. Something about a heat lamp in a coop full of pine shavings and dust just doesn't trip my trigger.
I'll be switching them to layer feed after this bag of chick scratch runs out. They will eat anything. I even threw a turkey carcus in there after Thanksgiving and they stripped it to the bone  Just keep a bucket of BBQ sauce at the ready 
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Here's a couple of pics from this weekend. We had them out for some fresh air while working on the coop.
They get big so fast! 
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Luk 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
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Originally Posted By ripro:
Does anybody know what kind of chicks I have here? The place I got them from in the market didn't know. http://i42.tinypic.com/34px9c1.jpg Thanks! I'm going to totally guess! (I really don't know) 
BR / Ameraucana mix? If someone doesn't know here, post it on Backyardchickens. If someone there doesn't know, they have a really nice breed index with pictures. |
Luk 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
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Originally Posted By ripro:
Does anybody know what kind of chicks I have here? The place I got them from in the market didn't know. http://i42.tinypic.com/34px9c1.jpg Thanks! Those ARE "Easter Eggers" –– likely not a true Americana and definitely not an Araucana (by APA definition and such). The eyes and that color are a dead giveaway. Most are "mutts" in original origin, likely from the breeds mentioned above, but many of them look just like yours (including mine). Technically Easter Egger, Americana and Araucana are separate chickens, but you'll here most use them interchangeably. |
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Originally Posted By Bearsfan:
I'm going to totally guess! (I really don't know)
BR / Ameraucana mix? If someone doesn't know here, post it on Backyardchickens. If someone there doesn't know, they have a really nice breed index with pictures. From looks alone, your guess does make sense. I always thought mine looked something similar to a mix like that too. |
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I found a page with a similar EE on it. The "chipmunk" EE's look just like the front one in that pic. ripro, if your bird ends up like this one, it is going to be really cool looking! |
Luk 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
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Originally Posted By Bearsfan:
I found a page with a similar EE on it. The "chipmunk" EE's look just like the front one in that pic. ripro, if your bird ends up like this one, it is going to be really cool looking! Are you a member there? We are Jx2inNC on BYC. |
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Originally Posted By Revelation68:
Originally Posted By ripro:
I've posted on the forum, thanks. Yeah it does look like an EE, cool!  Did you get straight runs when you picked those chicks up? googling the dfn of straight runs, I don't know. I went to an open air market where english is not even spoken. |
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Originally Posted By ripro:
googling the dfn of straight runs, I don't know. I went to an open air market where english is not even spoken. Cool. "Straight Run" is terminology that is supposed to mean mixed cockerel (young rooster) and pullet (young hen) chicks. If you got it from a market then there is no telling, but probably mixed batches. Who knows. Typically, if you go to a retail store (like Tractor Supply or Southern States) and possibly even hatcheries, "straight run" is more likely to mean that the chicks were sexed as best as possible, the known pullets were taken out, and the males and "unknown" chicks were sold as straight run. So, keep in mind for the future that "straight run" is likely to net you something like 75% males and 25% females in many cases. |
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Originally Posted By Revelation68:
Originally Posted By ripro:
googling the dfn of straight runs, I don't know. I went to an open air market where english is not even spoken. Cool. "Straight Run" is terminology that is supposed to mean mixed cockerel (young rooster) and pullet (young hen) chicks. If you got it from a market then there is no telling, but probably mixed batches. Who knows. Typically, if you go to a retail store (like Tractor Supply or Southern States) and possibly even hatcheries, "straight run" is more likely to mean that the chicks were sexed as best as possible, the known pullets were taken out, and the males and "unknown" chicks were sold as straight run. So, keep in mind for the future that "straight run" is likely to net you something like 75% males and 25% females in many cases. Straight run is best for meat birds IMHO |
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Originally Posted By Revelation68:
Originally Posted By Bearsfan:
I found a page with a similar EE on it. The "chipmunk" EE's look just like the front one in that pic. ripro, if your bird ends up like this one, it is going to be really cool looking! Are you a member there? We are Jx2inNC on BYC. Yep! Same name as here. |
Luk 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
| I'm trying to dig up more info on the deep litter method. Somewhere I read to use pine shavings, another place I read that you can use wood pellets like you would for a stove. |
The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned. – Pennsylvania Constitution, Article 1, Section 21.
RIP shawnofthedead
RIP shawnofthedead
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Originally Posted By Tacberry:
I'm trying to dig up more info on the deep litter method. Somewhere I read to use pine shavings, another place I read that you can use wood pellets like you would for a stove. I currently have been using equine pellets under pine shavings. Seems to do pretty well. Some straw is okay as well, bit not really necessary, as it won't absorb as much moisture. Still, I may put a little in the nesting boxes. |
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They just kick straw out of the nest boxes.
I cut squares of carpet to fit the boxes. They can't kick those out, and seem to be OK with it. Although I've got 4 nest boxes and all 13 hens use the same box, up to nine a day in the same box. 
Don't know what they have against the other 3 boxes. All the carpet squares came from the same remnant. |
My girls spent their first night in the coop last night. It is not finished completely but it is done enough to use. I still have to pick up a roof panel and put on the trim. all of the lumber except the plywood was free or recycled. The window was pulled out of an old front door, I just framed it myself. I'm only into it for about $150 so far and I think I will come in under $250 total. I also am going to expand the run off of the back. That 4x8 run under the coop is way too small for eight birds. My plan is to find a used dog run and cover the top with wire and run a strip of hardware cloth around the bottom. I'll try and get some inside shots in a day or so.
Here's one of my Orpingtons looking out of the window. That is the main roost over her head. I thought it would be nice if they could sit up there and look out the window if they want to. 
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Luk 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
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Luk 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
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Originally Posted By Revelation68:
Good looking little coop, Bearsfan. Thanks!
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Luk 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
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Originally Posted By Revelation68:
Originally Posted By Bearsfan:
Originally Posted By Revelation68:
Good looking little coop, Bearsfan. Thanks! Or is there intent for it to be a tractor? That is exactly what it is. I haven't figured out the best method for moving it yet though. Until then I'll just let them tear up the spot they are in now. I'm looking at either wheels on both ends that pop on and off or rolling it over wood dowels. The dowels would probably be easier to move it on, but they would inevitably get covered in "vent". |
Luk 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
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Originally Posted By Bearsfan:
.....or rolling it over wood dowels. The dowels would probably be easier to move it on, but they would inevitably get covered in "vent". Use pieces of PVC pipe instead. It's cheap and you can get a larger diameter. If the pipes get dirty, just hose 'em off. Three lengths should do it.
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Mrs. Feral cleaned the coop a couple days ago. Found we had some mice in the bedding. No big deal.
It was interesting to watch the hens as Mrs. Feral flipped the mice out amongst them. No mouse escaped alive––the hens assasinated and ate all of them. I saw one of the hens pretty much just gulp a mouse down whole.
Watching that was a great reminder that chickens are NOT herbivores. They like a little meat protein now and then just like we do. I have to laugh when I see the feed advertisements that proclaim "Healthy feed! No animal byproducts!" While I completely agree that we shouldn't be feeding, say, ground up chickens to our layers, the notion of forcing chickens to be vegetarians and then proclaiming them "healthier" is absurd. [/rant] |
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Originally Posted By Feral:
Originally Posted By Bearsfan:
.....or rolling it over wood dowels. The dowels would probably be easier to move it on, but they would inevitably get covered in "vent". Use pieces of PVC pipe instead. It's cheap and you can get a larger diameter. If the pipes get dirty, just hose 'em off. Three lengths should do it.
That is a great idea! Thanks! |
Luk 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
Proud Member of Ranstad's Militia
| What kind of in-the-hen house watering solution have you guys used? The chickens are crazy thirsty by the time they are let out. |
The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned. – Pennsylvania Constitution, Article 1, Section 21.
RIP shawnofthedead
RIP shawnofthedead
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Originally Posted By Tacberry:
What kind of in-the-hen house watering solution have you guys used? The chickens are crazy thirsty by the time they are let out. I have just hung a 2.5 gallon or so watering can (TSC brand, etc.) from my top roost pole. It would probably take the better part of a week to get it to go dry, and that is 14 young chickens. |
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Originally Posted By Tacberry:
What kind of in-the-hen house watering solution have you guys used? The chickens are crazy thirsty by the time they are let out. There are all sorts of watering solutions out there. The easiest thing to do is buy a pre-made waterer and give it a try. I like the galvanized drinkers best. The main thing is to make it a priority to get something as you don't want your chickens to be thirsty. |
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Originally Posted By Feral: Originally Posted By Tacberry: What kind of in-the-hen house watering solution have you guys used? The chickens are crazy thirsty by the time they are let out. There are all sorts of watering solutions out there. The easiest thing to do is buy a pre-made waterer and give it a try. I like the galvanized drinkers best. The main thing is to make it a priority to get something as you don't want your chickens to be thirsty. I've been putting a galvanized drinker in the house, but every morning it's tipped over or full of crap & hay. Are the hanging ones tough to refill? What other solutions have ya'all come up with? |
The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned. – Pennsylvania Constitution, Article 1, Section 21.
RIP shawnofthedead
RIP shawnofthedead
| I have one of the plastic hanging ones from Tractor Supply. It works ok, but my chicks are at the point that they are trying to fly, so they knock everything around. I put a block of wood under it to help keep the sloshing down. It helps, but they still get a lot spilled in the litter. I have been taking a garden fork and turning over the litter every 2-3 days to help it dry out. |
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Originally Posted By Tacberry:
Originally Posted By Feral:
Originally Posted By Tacberry:
What kind of in-the-hen house watering solution have you guys used? The chickens are crazy thirsty by the time they are let out. There are all sorts of watering solutions out there. The easiest thing to do is buy a pre-made waterer and give it a try. I like the galvanized drinkers best. The main thing is to make it a priority to get something as you don't want your chickens to be thirsty. I've been putting a galvanized drinker in the house, but every morning it's tipped over or full of crap & hay. Are the hanging ones tough to refill? What other solutions have ya'all come up with? http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-equipment/chicken-equipment/2-gallon-poultry-fountain-2167523 I believe this may be the exact item I have. If you hang it from above, several inches off the floor, it gets much harder for them to completely cover the water with bedding. I haven't had to attend it near as much since I raised it up off the ground. When the coop gets opened up, I'll likely have the big water can and feeder hung from the 2'+ under the house, so most of that mess will stay outdoors, but keeping it off the ground is still important. If I make this move, I'll likely put a small water "fountain" and feeder inside, but likely at neck level of the smallest bird. |
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I want Chickens but the town says no. Just 6 or so for eggs and such. Pisses me off. |
"Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. Liberty is two wolves attempting to have a sheep for dinner and finding a well-informed, well-armed sheep."
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I was told this but I did some searching and found this http://library6.municode.com:80/default-test/template.htm?view=browse&doc_action=setdoc&doc_keytype=tocid&doc_key=e33b2d090d11a56829fa5c171e3c15bc&infobase=10044 so it looks like I am fine as long as I am 30' from the house. |
"Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. Liberty is two wolves attempting to have a sheep for dinner and finding a well-informed, well-armed sheep."
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Originally Posted By Breugel:
I was told this but I did some searching and found this http://library6.municode.com:80/default-test/template.htm?view=browse&doc_action=setdoc&doc_keytype=tocid&doc_key=e33b2d090d11a56829fa5c171e3c15bc&infobase=10044 so it looks like I am fine as long as I am 30' from the house. That sounds more like it, especially for an SC muni. You should be able to have you some! |
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OK What i would like is to have a few for eggs to start. What is the minimum I should have? I need some that will tolerate some heat as it gets in the 90s with high humidity. In the winter it gets in the 20s and maybe a few nights in the teens. later i may raise some for meat but now i want eggs to learn on. Thanks |
"Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. Liberty is two wolves attempting to have a sheep for dinner and finding a well-informed, well-armed sheep."
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Originally Posted By Breugel:
OK What i would like is to have a few for eggs to start. What is the minimum I should have? I need some that will tolerate some heat as it gets in the 90s with high humidity. In the winter it gets in the 20s and maybe a few nights in the teens. later i may raise some for meat but now i want eggs to learn on. Thanks http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html Do you want them just for the most possible eggs you can get? You'd get a White Leghorn, Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, etc. if so. But if you don't need 1 egg a day for nearly 300 days a year out of every chicken, there are many neat breeds that will give you good eggs and are quite friendly as well. If you intend to have no hatched eggs, I'd go with a minimum of 3 hens if possible. 3 and up will do great for you. |
