Recent content by jcinadr

Just bumping the thread. Still needing replacement tools.

Just posing in, was active once upon a time in this thread. Lost my old tools. Had bad luck replacing them from Alibaba-per seller due to postal regs-lost about $75 on that. Replaced with US tools, but they were terrible. If you can get a new source, I really want a new complete set.

I have read that if eggs must be stored prior to incubation, they should be stored cool for maximum hatch rates - between 40 (or 50) and 60. I am in Texas, so cool rarely happens naturally inside my house - was wondering if there were any suggestions on how to achieve this temp artificially...

For most of the last year we had American Bress exclusively. We are coming up on our 1 year anniversary with them. I think I have about 30 pullets in that tractor, plus some layers, roosters, and capons in my coop. I honestly don't know what my wife has in the brooder/grow out pens at the...

fwiw, I immobilize the chickens as mentioned above - then calm them with a baby sock over their head. Pre-surgery plucking of the incision area is generally the most disturbing part to the bird. Most likely the UK deals with roosters the same way the US does - hybrid chickens that grow at...

Been tinkering with the tractor for weeks now - but updates are winding down. Last week installed a 22 gallon automatic waterer - brute tub with horizontal nipples. The 30 (or so) girls now have a week worth of water and food inside. Probably will be moving a few of the capons in with them...

Sorry the pic does not show much. The roof is insulated, with air channels between the tin and the insulation - the ridge is vented. For the chicken's pleasure I think there is probably 60' foot of perch space - due to rafters ;), with 24' of those being set at 2' (which is where they mostly...

Good and bad weekend for me. Made 5 more capons (last batch of chicks we incubated). Current season count is roughly 30 roos - with 6 deaths. Not that great of success rate, but learning. Now for the bad part - lost 2 of my oldest backyard capons. No sigh of fowl play - think they eat...

Will mention how I did this weekends batch - just to joke about low tech. We have a bunch of metal trash cans at the house (were feed cans at one time - perhaps again). I used 3 (and a yard chair), one to my left was for trash (feathers and accidents), one in front upside down with a large...

I have been around several different types of commercial bird houses. The one in my backyard (my mother's - she raised parakeets (2k breeding pair)), had a cement floor. We would cover it with sand. Once a year or so, we would do major cleaning (I assume after a molt - I was a kid). Every...

Capons https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/675898/graphic-pics-of-my-day-learning-to-caponize are another way to avoid the crowing. Still would need to feed and house them for the winter. That is not much of a problem where I am, but not sure how hard it is to winter chickens where you are at...

I was expecting to loose 3. That seems to be about the average number on first trys. I have have had 2 post op losses since my post. I am not overly depressed, but wish I could have beat projections. I did not mark the slip or the rooster - so not sure if the losses were capons or not. I...

I read that 1/2" is max if you are doing it stop coons. That is too large for young chicks. 1/4" works ok with young chicks, but clogs quickly. In all fairness, my coop is on the ground - but my birds are rarely on the floor in the coop - they are usually in the run, or perched in the coop...

OM, exhausted. Started this morning a tad leisurely, getting things together. I think the first bird hit the table at about 10am. Light gave me fits because I did not take the time to attach the light to my glasses properly. Then of course there was the bird. Never did find its jewels. 0/1...

Your picture answered a couple questions I have been having. You secured both legs with one cord, but I can not tell - did you only secure the top wing with the other, or both. I don't have an patio furniture - dogs have successfully claimed that territory. That said I have some large...