Quote:
Originally Posted by jrsckn 
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Just another word on caged birds: I started out raising my CX at the end of May, I had every intention of raising them in the yard on green grass so they could forage and be "happy." Mother nature intervened and I lost 7 birds to the heat at 4 weeks. I can tell you my birds are much happier in pens in the cooler garage than out in the hot dead grass. It's not what I wanted for them but it's what has kept them alive and ensured I will have food in my freezer. Losing 1/3 of my birds was devestating both emotionally and financially, I can't imagine that kind of loss at a production level. I think free range is a more natural way to go but it isn't always the most practical.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Just another word on caged birds: I started out raising my CX at the end of May, I had every intention of raising them in the yard on green grass so they could forage and be "happy." Mother nature intervened and I lost 7 birds to the heat at 4 weeks. I can tell you my birds are much happier in pens in the cooler garage than out in the hot dead grass. It's not what I wanted for them but it's what has kept them alive and ensured I will have food in my freezer. Losing 1/3 of my birds was devestating both emotionally and financially, I can't imagine that kind of loss at a production level. I think free range is a more natural way to go but it isn't always the most practical.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrsckn
Actually, they were well taken care of with plenty of shade and water. However, when the chickens chose to pile on top of oneanother rather than spreading out, it was out of my hands and I put them in the garage where it was 10 degrees cooler and no heat index. I do accept full responsibility for their deaths because I chose to put them outside.
(I didn't mean to imply that I had them out in the sun with no shade all day, just meant they were happier with their indoor accomodations 'vs' what was outside)
Actually, they were well taken care of with plenty of shade and water. However, when the chickens chose to pile on top of oneanother rather than spreading out, it was out of my hands and I put them in the garage where it was 10 degrees cooler and no heat index. I do accept full responsibility for their deaths because I chose to put them outside.
(I didn't mean to imply that I had them out in the sun with no shade all day, just meant they were happier with their indoor accomodations 'vs' what was outside)
Quote:
I am with my TP, so exciting is a witch...Originally Posted by Olive Hill
There are many awards lists at the top of which you will never find a CX. As a group they're not pretty, they're not all too hardy, they don't tend to be long lived. And though I too tend to lob names such as "dumb" and "nasty" at them on occasion. If you get right down to it, they're not all that stupid so much as their genetics often interfere with them behaving as other chickens might. There is one thing for sure: they're hardwired to seek sustenance. At that they excel like no other bird. Usually then, if they die of thirst or hunger it's not because they are "too dumb" to find it, but because something prevented them from doing so. In the case of hot days the heat itself can prevent them from being able to function as usual. Because of their rapid growth and efficient use of food their bodies produce more internal heat than "regular" chickens. What is a tough day for a normal chicken can be a downright debilitating day for a CX. It's definitely a production consideration for alternative farms who can't control the temperatures for their birds. Misters on really hot days can be helpful. Otherwise, for people just raising for their own family I'd highly recommend fall raising. Get them in the late summer when it's warm enough so you don't even have to heat the chicks and then it gets progressively cooler as they grow and become more heat sensitive. Savings all around!
There are many awards lists at the top of which you will never find a CX. As a group they're not pretty, they're not all too hardy, they don't tend to be long lived. And though I too tend to lob names such as "dumb" and "nasty" at them on occasion. If you get right down to it, they're not all that stupid so much as their genetics often interfere with them behaving as other chickens might. There is one thing for sure: they're hardwired to seek sustenance. At that they excel like no other bird. Usually then, if they die of thirst or hunger it's not because they are "too dumb" to find it, but because something prevented them from doing so. In the case of hot days the heat itself can prevent them from being able to function as usual. Because of their rapid growth and efficient use of food their bodies produce more internal heat than "regular" chickens. What is a tough day for a normal chicken can be a downright debilitating day for a CX. It's definitely a production consideration for alternative farms who can't control the temperatures for their birds. Misters on really hot days can be helpful. Otherwise, for people just raising for their own family I'd highly recommend fall raising. Get them in the late summer when it's warm enough so you don't even have to heat the chicks and then it gets progressively cooler as they grow and become more heat sensitive. Savings all around!
I was terrified I'd lose mine. I would hang frozen water gallons in their coop at night. I built an extension out of small skids so the heat would be diminished at night. They were out side as well. Their whole run was under the trees. The run size they had was bigger than the run attached to the egg birds coops. I would routinely hose the whole run, and mist the birds directly. They also had a fan on them day and nite. Watermelons became their very best friends. Started mine in may also. I decided to wait till the end of August for next round. I hope I have a nice broody hen who will train the to forage more. If not, the same as last time. I enjoyed raising te ones I did, even though they were more work. I did consider moving them to the garage for a minute...
At the very least, wipe the poop off your feet before getting in the car.
"Member of the Derperella Club-- We're just all goin' round' the rooster, here!"
Good night sweet Trousers, The Derp Club will miss you.
Treasure the love you recieve above all. It will survive long after your gold and good health have vanished. Og Mandino
"Member of the Derperella Club-- We're just all goin' round' the rooster, here!"
Good night sweet Trousers, The Derp Club will miss you.
Treasure the love you recieve above all. It will survive long after your gold and good health have vanished. Og Mandino
At the very least, wipe the poop off your feet before getting in the car.
"Member of the Derperella Club-- We're just all goin' round' the rooster, here!"
Good night sweet Trousers, The Derp Club will miss you.
Treasure the love you recieve above all. It will survive long after your gold and good health have vanished. Og Mandino
"Member of the Derperella Club-- We're just all goin' round' the rooster, here!"
Good night sweet Trousers, The Derp Club will miss you.
Treasure the love you recieve above all. It will survive long after your gold and good health have vanished. Og Mandino
