Recent content by darbywpd

Approximately 4 weeks ago I got 8 chicks from our local feed place. Wife wanted white ones though and a week later when I walked in, they now had white chicks (white plymouth rocks - my first 8 were a mix of GLW/black sex links/red cross). I have been brooding them in a 50 gal tupperwear...

To clear up my post some, the poo board would be 20" off the floor and the roost will be approximately 4" above the board (2' above floor). To me, this would allow the chickens to use the area under the poo board. For cleaning, the poo board would be approximately 4 1/2' from ground level...

I am in the middle of building a 4X8 coop, which is raised 2' off the ground. I have heard of people talking about poop boards, but thought it was just extra work (I had planned on the deep litter method). While on the forum last nite, I saw one persons poop board, oh my god that was alot of...

Pat, If the interior boxes are 18" off the ground, do I need a ramp up to them?

Same here, my coop will not have electricty. What is the "black tug thing"?

How do you handle the water during winter?

Where should the water and feed be kept? I have been told that it should never be in the coop, only outside. I will have a 4X8 coop with a 10'X15' run. I plan on only having them shut in the coop at night. What are your thoughts? In or Out?

Same here, wanted them for eggs, but wanted a variety too.

So do I, when I bought my chicks, I tried to get a variety. I also have Red Cross, White Plymouth Rocks, and gold Laced Wyanottes.

New to raising chickens, just wanted to know what "sex linked" are. I thoiught it was a breed, but read something about its a way of sexing chicks.

In Maryland they can not sell less than 5 chicks/ducklings/etc at a time. This is a policy set in place to stop the easter buying spree. Luckly in my county it was just ruled that if you can prove having a flock already. Luckly, I have about all my chicks from the same store, so the manager...

Thanks for all the great information, for now I think the chainlink is not cost effective. From reading everyone's post's, I have come up with this: 6' wood poles chicken wire from top of pole to bottom, plus a 1' apron 4' welded wire over the chicken wire on the bottom half Like I said in...

Was planning on using chicken wire or rabbit wire on the inside of the chainlink.

was worried about digging animals.

Hello, I am new to chickens. I have 8 1-week olds right now and I am working on their 4X8 coop. I plan on sinking 8' posts to make a 12X12 run. Now the chickens will be locked in the coop at night and I will be using hardware wire on all the vents and windows. Due to some finanical issues...