Recent content by mmktdox

I've got six BR hens and one rooster all housed in a 8 x 6 coop for the winter with access to a 8 x 8 fenced & covered run. They've wintered fairly well with one exception. Two of the hens have missing feathers on the back of their heads. Both are bald back there and one is pink but not...

Once they are fully feathered they are all fine to move to the barn as long as they have an additional heat source. Depending on how many chicks you have, you may need two heat lamps so that they don't smother each other. They have a tendency to pile up if there's not enough heated space.

I put several layers of paper towels over the shavings, remove the dirty layers each day for four days and by the fourth day they are on the shavings. They pick at them a bit at first but I've never had any issues.

Well done!

Darn right! The hatchery I get mine from calls them White Rocks. I think they do it to keep us guessing!!

I've always put my broiler chicks on pine shavings with no issues. Make sure they have enough heat, sounds like the smothering issue is actually them trying to keep warm. How many do you have and how much space do they have? AVC in their water will help the pasty butt, it should pass in a day...

How many do you have in that area? And how old are they? I had to separate my white rocks from the other chicks, they always got picked on and bloodied up. I was never sure if it was a space issue or just different temperments but separation fixed the problem for me. Good luck!

X2! The Barred Rocks are very friendly, excellent layers and they do well in all types of weather!

I have nine in a four by eight coop and it's too small. I feel that you could house ten in an eight by eight building comfortablly. I plan on doubling the floor space as soon as the snow melts but for now they'll have to make do. I open the pop door each day so they can get out into the...

If your chicks are fully feathered they can go outside. I would block the wire only side with some plywood. 38 degrees fahrenheit is not too cold for them but they need protection from the wind and rain. It's been 0 degrees here and colder for weeks and I only turn on the heat lamp once it...

X2!

I would be concerned about predation. Bales and hay and a piece of plywood are easily moved by coyotes and I think even a couple of determined raccoons could find their way in and eat your dinner before you get a chance to!

Yes TSC should have it. I'm sure all feed stores would carry it too.

I have four pullets and a cockerel that are approx 18 weeks old, all barred rocks. The little roo is crowing now and mounting a couple of my older hens so I'm expecting eggs from the pullets soon. I just used the last of the chick starter up and will be feeding them the same layer feed that...

I put my plastic gallon waterer right into the heated dog bowl and so far it's good. The temp was -25'Celsuis this morning (brrrrr!) and the water was not frozen. I think in extreme cold the sand would act as an insulator and reduce the heat transfer to the waterer. Just my two cents!