Recent content by CovertChickOps

  1. CovertChickOps

    My idea for a chicken/duck tractor (opinions welcomed)

    Anybody can get a copy of the plans at the following link: https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B6GLk2sdmwM4Rks5My1mWG1OMHM/edit PM me if you have any questions and good (c)luck!
  2. CovertChickOps

    Egg Laying Statistics

    Ok, my australorp is definitely broody again - so I can now give a full summary: BREED/HATCHED WKS 2 1st EGG #EGGS 1st 52WKS AVG WT (OZ.) BROODY(#&DAYS) % PROD REMARKS Red Sex Link 6/24/12 21 332 2.61 - Jumbo 0/0...
  3. CovertChickOps

    Egg Laying Statistics

    Here's the full year stats on my second Red Sex Link: 351 eggs in 365 days for 96% + productivity. No broody periods, no softies, no weird eggs whatsoever; just nice brown eggs averaging extra large, but with quite a few jumbos and a few super jumbos in there. My last hen is the Australorpe...
  4. CovertChickOps

    Egg Laying Statistics

    Yeah, I'm certainly not expecting that, but really I do not know what to expect since I can't seem to find any data beyond 80-100 weeks. That's why I am keeping records and posting it here. I hope others do the same. Again, I am most interested in the data I get after my hens do their first...
  5. CovertChickOps

    Egg Laying Statistics

    Since we got our chicks towards the end of June, they started laying late November, early December last year - so I did use lights. I am letting them molt this year - so no lights, but they haven't started yet. My second (prize) Red Sex Link has three days to go and so far has layed 350 eggs...
  6. CovertChickOps

    Egg Laying Statistics

    We got them at mypetchicken.com. They seem to be very healthy so far, although we did get one RIR that was mis-sexed, which we gave away. Our last hen, an Australorp, is at 70%, mostly due to two long broody periods.
  7. CovertChickOps

    Egg Laying Statistics

    I have only 4 hens, so I can tell each by the egg size and color, but mostly by the shape. I know the egg laying will start to taper off, but that is what I am most interested in documenting. I will keep records of size and productivity between each hen's molting periods. By the way, my other...
  8. CovertChickOps

    Egg Laying Statistics

    Hi everybody, I don't know if there is another thread like this out there all ready, but if there is, I apologize as I could not find it. I am keeping meticulous records on the eggs my girls are laying (how often and how big) and I am going to post them here as there seems to be a lack of...
  9. CovertChickOps

    backyard chickens make the news..

    Susie Coston 'National Shelter Director' for a non-profit called Farm Sanctuary. This is a vegan based non-profit whose main aim seems to be to rescue farm and other animals from becoming, um, well, food. As such, she is the self-appointed expert and we, the great unwashed, a bunch of idiots...
  10. CovertChickOps

    Ended Official BYC Contest: Waterers & Feeders - WINNER ANNOUNCED

    I did a modification to my chicken tractor waterer. I think it is now freeze proof, but those in Montana may need a larger wattage aquarium heater or multiple heaters! https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/water-cross-waterer-for-small-coop-or-tractor
  11. CovertChickOps

    Sponsored Post Let There Be Light: Ensuring Egg Laying During the Darkest Days of Winter.

    Again, research does not support your argument - please read the attached link. Most of us with backyard chickens do not have roosters anyway, and are not breeding show birds or any birds for that matter.
  12. CovertChickOps

    Sponsored Post Let There Be Light: Ensuring Egg Laying During the Darkest Days of Winter.

    Not to pick a fight, but most of the statements of the previous two posts are not backed up by any research conducted by the top agricultural universities in the U.S. or Canada. That research says artificial lighting does the hens no harm, provided they get proper nutrition and are allowed to...
  13. CovertChickOps

    the best lighting for chickens

    Ok Hokum - I understand "to each his own". I just thought suggesting that people on this forum are treating their chickens like battery hens because they keep some lights on a few extra hours was a bit unfair. People on here truly care about their chickens and having them lay in winter is an...
  14. CovertChickOps

    the best lighting for chickens

    I get up with my chickens and they go to bed before me. They get to free range at least 3 hours a day - the bugs in our yard are having a tough winter, but the chickens are happy, spoiled, and laying. This issue has been studied extensively. A hen will never "run out of eggs", they will quit...
  15. CovertChickOps

    My idea for a chicken/duck tractor (opinions welcomed)

    If you are worried about your PVC frame being too light you can always put sand in the bottom pipes for stability.
See more
Back
Top Bottom