Recent content by RandRRanch

My small flock started finally laying the other day. First one was uncracked and in a nice little nest in the corner. The next two have been inthe middle of the chicken coop and have been cracked. I feed mine the same as my layers but looks like I may need to add some oyster shell and toss some...

I am on my second batch with welp. The first batch had a 40 percent loss due to high quality feed resulting in ascites and chf. Not welps fault. Second batch is 1 week old and we lost 6 in the first 48. We were credited the loss and costomer service was great. Since then there has been anothe 7...

I use to live in Houma years ago as a kid. Don't miss that weather one bit. I looked into making a plucker but I have so many other iron in the fire right now that it is just not going to happen. My chickens are doing great and we are swinging from 50's-60 down into the 20's so I think they are...

I must say I was a bit worried but upon waking upnthis morning the chicks were up and moving around like no big deal after a 28F night! They seem much happier on grass and we seem to be on the right track. So time to start thinking about scalders and pluckers. I have used an ezplucker but am...

Sorry for the lag in record but my computer decided to take a break with a faulty power cord. Never buy Asus! They are not what they used to be. So after stretching out the brooder time to 4 weeks there was a break in the cold and I figured what the heck. Lets see if they are going to live. They...

Just over 3 weeks into this now and freezing temps in the 18-25F range are wreaking havoc on things. One bird dead under a lamp likely from suffocation and I have another one in the house right now guppy breathing and looking pretty bad. The rest are doing there thing but this guy is probably...

So I have a new curve ball to deal with today. I went to change the water out as I normally do and when I moved one of the lamps, the breaker for the barn blew. I can only run one lamp now as the breaker blows with two. Not sure how I made it over 2 weeks and now this is happening, but it is...

They are doing great thanks. The are sprouting feathers or something that looks like feathers at this point. Seriously think it was the feeders which is good because now I know. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. Been busy here getting things ready as I am still making pies right now. Love this...

I am loss free today and starting to think that the feeder was the problem more and more. They seem so lazy it is hard to believe that in 5-7 weeks from now I will be having an amazing chicken dinner. No More foster farms for me!!! They still look so small though. Like little fluffy baseballs or...

Looking good today. They seem to be ok and I think the feeders may have been the culprit. Wish that would have been a bit more obvious at first and perhaps I would be sitting at 1-2 in losses.

Thanks everyone. I am heading out to pull the feeder guard right now. As for the lights, we are in the freezing temps at night and the brooder is 4x5 half open. The lights are high enough to not start a fire but they are definitely needing the heat but have plenty of room to escape it if it gets...

Alright, I have just about lost it I think. This morning one is dead at the feeder. This afternoon, all is well. Tonight, another squashed at the feeder. ***!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These are your standard metal feeders with the sliding top that has holes in it. Something is wrong and this is really...

Now that's funny. Thank you everyone for the replies. been a bit busy what with it being hunting season (starting to hate wild turkeys) and getting ready for the holidays. Current loss at the 1 week mark is 5 of the 51 birds. I went out this morning to let the ducks and the layers out and...

I really want to avoid given them anything as far as supplements. Obviously if they were dropping dead 2 at a time I would change my tune but 2 in 51 is probably not a big deal. None dead this morning and all seem to be happy, eating and pooping and drinking. They are a curious bunch and quite a...

Lost another today. Lets hope that is the end of that mess