Recent content by BrianV

  1. BrianV

    In what ratio can you merge into an existing flock?

    Hello! I currently have a flock of 3 Jersey Giant hens, a JG rooster, a EE and a 'something'. Unfortunately, I lost 6 other hens a few weeks ago - with the warm weather coming back, I had opened their coop door to let in some extra sunlight, but completely forgot to shut it in the evening...
  2. BrianV

    Shrink bags and variable size birds

    Hi all. I have 6 roosters to cull, and they range in size from smaller leghorn-type roosters at 4-5lb up to a few larger roos with Jersey Giant up near 7-9lbs. I'm interested in moving to shrink bags, but I'm having some problems figuring out what I should get: Does it work to just get large...
  3. BrianV

    Fencing 200' away from the coop

    She did say that, but I didn't take it as rude. I tend to agree with her; I'd feel the same - bird seed isn't cheap!
  4. BrianV

    Fencing 200' away from the coop

    So far, my hens return to the coop to lay pretty reliably. From 6 laying hens, I get 4-6 eggs per day consistently laid inside.
  5. BrianV

    Fencing 200' away from the coop

    I guess a better way to phrase it would be 'to create a disincentive' to going onto the neighbour's property as, well, they can fly. With some more thought - the cheapest way to go would be standard field fencing ($670 for a 49" x 660' roll) and then run some 36" tall chicken wire inside of it...
  6. BrianV

    Fencing 200' away from the coop

    I have a 5-acre hobby farm, and we have a (small) flock of free range chickens. This week, they've discovered the neighbour's property and her bird feeder. We've been asked to keep them indoors as she isn't paying for bird seed for our chickens. 100% reasonable; I want to be a good neighbour...
  7. BrianV

    Whole grains mix to supplement free ranging

    The main reason is really just health, plus I'd prefer to ferment whole grains rather than the pellets, which turn into mush (and dry into bricks). As for recipes, sure - but most I've seen are composed of 10+ ingredients, many of which may or may not be available locally. Plus, many seem to be...
  8. BrianV

    Whole grains mix to supplement free ranging

    Would just getting a generic scratch feed work? I know they are low protein, but I'm assuming the chickens are getting a bunch from outside.
  9. BrianV

    Whole grains mix to supplement free ranging

    So, currently my flock is free ranging ~12 hours per day. They have layer pellets freely available in the coop, but they spend all day outside, and rarely come in to eat. It's basically there for early morning. I've been reading about FF, and am giving it a shot. However, I'm wondering if...
  10. BrianV

    Is this leghorn a rooster?

    They were nestled up under a cedar bush, but some sunflower seeds convinced them to come out. Here's some photos of the one from the second photo. I'm pretty sure it's a 'she'. I've included a photo of her beside 'Scrawny' the Roo.
  11. BrianV

    Is this leghorn a rooster?

    I've been starting to think one of the pullets I was sold isn't going to have a great career in laying. Sorry for the 'not quite fantastic' photos, but they weren't cooperating for phictures Edit: They were apparently born on March 25, so about 13 weeks old now.
  12. BrianV

    How much do you worry about inbreeding?

    I totally meant broody hen - oops!
  13. BrianV

    How much do you worry about inbreeding?

    Hi all, In my current flock, I have 1 rooster and 6 hens, 4 of which came from the same hatch as the rooster. If one of my hens goes broody, I want to stick eggs underneath. Given that the rooster is a sibling of four of the hens, I'm assuming I shouldn't put their eggs under the rooster...
  14. BrianV

    New free range flock, Rooster ignores the pullets

    The hens and the rooster are all a year old and came from the same hatch, I believe. The pullets are about 12 weeks right now. Everyone got along fine in the coop. The hens keep the pullets in their place, but no real outright fighting.
  15. BrianV

    New free range flock, Rooster ignores the pullets

    Oh, and I let them out a little while ago. It's warm and sunny (vs cold and windy yesterday), and they seem to be more inclined to hang out by the coop rather than go around corners for shelter. I think they are just more relaxed.
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