Recent content by MakNugget

  1. MakNugget

    75 degrees to 40 in the coop!

    There's nothing to worry about those conditions -- they're fine well below freezing as well. Your main concern with cold weather is to reduce drafts and making sure there is water available in liquid form! And please try to refrain from adding a heat lamp. They do just fine huddling up with...
  2. MakNugget

    the [egg] wait is driving me crazy!!!

    My second flock of three are approaching 25 weeks on Friday with no eggs yet. By this time, I had two layers in a flock of three from my first flock. The big difference between the two is that one has timed lighting and the other does not. Plus this second flock was purchased later so I knew...
  3. MakNugget

    Can Chickens Eat Grapes?

    Quote: That's the look I get sometimes when I don't go to meet them well stocked.
  4. MakNugget

    Black australorp, average age for laying? *update*

    Mine was either 27 or 28 weeks. My other two in the flock were 22 (RIR) and 24 (BO).
  5. MakNugget

    I think a quail snuck in and laid an egg...lol

    Looks like a fart egg.
  6. MakNugget

    Nipple waterer users!

    It's supposed to be high enough so they can reach up to it. You can either place it at full grown height, and place steps right up to it for short hens, or have the unit adjustable. Mine are adjustable in the coop/run. I have one vertical PVC nipple that is secured with a bracket that I can...
  7. MakNugget

    How long can a fresh laid egg be unfrigerated and be safe to eat?

    Here is what I did last year with my first batch of chickens. Freshness is going to depend on ambient temp too, so to get a gauge on how long my eggs stayed fresh on the counter, I numbered and dated each one with a pencil (date on paper, number on egg). Do this and consume eggs FIFO or lowest...
  8. MakNugget

    Broody hen question..

    Maybe it's time to isolate her in a broody pen with no nest box. It can't be good for her to be broody for that long, especially with no eggs.
  9. MakNugget

    Water Tower in Winter?

    I didn't bother since it seemed too difficult to make it work. The problem with PVC lines is that the PVC and tubing are so thin, it's the first thing to freeze over. Insulation is possible but becomes somewhat impractical the longer it is. I chose to keep it up until freezing weather...
  10. MakNugget

    How to prevent algae build-up in nipple waterer?? Help!

    About 1/2 tsp per 5 gal, but prevention by blocking out light is best, and chlorinating should be used as last resort IMO.
  11. MakNugget

    How to prevent algae build-up in nipple waterer?? Help!

    You want to use a reservoir that is dark, to avoid light transmission, because that's what algae needs to propagate. Preferably placed in shade, or maybe make an enclosure to keep light out.
  12. MakNugget

    Practicing in nest boxes, but no eggs???

    You're doing fine. For my first coop I had a camera in there so I got to watch their antics all day. I have some serious dysfunction... I won't deny it. Trying out nestboxes is the red alert of readiness I think. Mine have layed about 2-4 weeks after showing some kind of interest. One...
  13. MakNugget

    Solar powered LED lights for chicken coop?

    I'm still trying to find the perfect light. I bought this for the first coop. Perfect set up, with a solar panel, hi low settings, pull to turn on. But the darned thing is far too dim for human use. It's probably just fine if you're trying to extend laying though. With that said, I don't...
  14. MakNugget

    Sand Maintenance

    As is, it's not that bad. It no longer rinses/drains as fast as it used to due to all the undigested solids incorporated into the sand. If the ground is moist and the temp is warm enough, there is a detectable smell, but it's not anything like straight chicken droppings. Just smells a...
  15. MakNugget

    Sand Maintenance

    I'm 15 months into my sand run, 8x12, and I'm in the process of amending it. Up until now, I've added new sand/gravel/DE and rinsed off just fine. This summer it's clear that doing this alone will not be enough as droppings dissolve, but the solids contained do not. The composition of...
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