Recent content by Ourfamilyflock

Great Job! Love that the whole family got involved. The yard looks fantastic too, love to see gardens!

19 weeks would be a bit early. 21-23 is more typical for first eggs. 20 if you have early layers.

1. Rhode Island Reds -great layers, tasty eggs, fun personality 2. Buff Orpingtons - Beautiful birds with a gentle easy going personality 3. Partridge Rocks - love the coloring and their laid back personality 4. Black Austrolorps - Great layers, funny birds with easy going nature 5. Easter Egger...

Wow, thats surprising and sad. Chickens are usually pretty hardy by the time they reach 5 months old. Wonder what they died of. So sorry for the loss, but glad to hear about the sex links.

Our EE is now 22 weeks, and no egg yet, let me know when you get your first, not as familiar with this breed, plus they are mixes, so who really knows. My Rhode Island, BRs and BO's are all laying now. at 21 and 22 weeks old. Only 1 (runt) buff and the EE arent laying yet.

Use pine shavings here, about 3 to 4 inches deep. Got our first 2 eggs today from our 20 week old Rhode Island Red and Barred Rock. Still have 6 others we are waiting on.

Depending on the breed most start to lay eggs between 20 to 24 weeks.

I agree with the above post, I think these Girls are older then 10 weeks, the Barred looks like ours does at 20 weeks. Barred Roos are lighter in color, they are more white with black bars rather then black with white bars, so I'm pretty sure thelma is a she. The EE looks like a hen as well...

Welcome to BYC from Central Oregon! Glad you made the chicken plunge, we did this year for our first time as well! You made the best step you could have made by joining this site. So helpful, so many people with years of experience and all willing to answer questions and help.

We too have one and sometimes two really mean Barred Rocks towards their feathered sisters. To us they are very responsive and sweet, but very mean towards the other chickens. Pecking for no reason. At first I had thought it was a stage as we combined flocks at 7 weeks old, but they are now...

Could just be an early maturer. Tail feathers dont look like roo, might be a little to early to tell. Might have to wait till it crows or not. Im leaning hen, but have not owned that breed before.

All roos but the last one which is a hen. Buying straight run is always a gamble. We bought 8 this year, but sexed and all 8 turned out to be hens. Its worth waiting till they are a week or so old to buy them for a few reasons. Sexing is easier, as well most unhealthy chicks die within the...

Glad you like the chickens you picked, not the most colorful eggs, but friendly and happy. :) Loved the dog story. Look forward to hearing more.

I put up a very sturdy pallet, and they use that for the same thing. Didnt even need to build anything. My pullets dont care for my grape leaves. What kind of grapes are you growing?

Chickens can keep themselves plenty warm, just hold one for about 5 minute and feel the heat they generate, you will be surprised. Keep them dry and they will be fine without the heat lamp even in freezing temperatures. I put fake plastic easter eggs that are the color of the eggs my hens will...