Recent content by PetalumaChicken

  1. PetalumaChicken

    Least traumatic way to expand a flock of chicks

    Bless you, PolishPrincess and may your flocks flourish. I had integrated 4 newbies with 2 first year layers by the method of separating them in the same pen for 6 weeks first. It sorta worked with a fair amount of nonhomicidal fighting, chasing newbies, preventing newbies from getting at food...
  2. PetalumaChicken

    Least traumatic way to expand a flock of chicks

    I had 2 black minorca 8 month old layers and bought a cuckoo maran, buff brahma, dominique, and americauna all 3 months old. I divided my chicken pen with wire, created a new roost for the newbies and let them live side by side for another 6 weeks. Then at night i took down the barrier and...
  3. PetalumaChicken

    At what age do chicken farmers send chickens to the slaughter house?

    I assume you mean spent layers. For backyard layers I sent mine to a friend to eat when their egg production fell down to 1 a week or less, and I couldn't bring myself to kill them. That happened when they were about 3 years old. If I can get beyond that in the future, I'll try pressure...
  4. PetalumaChicken

    Rookie with ?'s

    I had barred Plymouth rocks for my first chickens. I found them to be very mellow and easy to deal with. Since they are a New England chicken, they are very cold tolerant. I have seen pictures of chicken coops buried in snow. There are many tricks in this website to learn about keeping...
  5. PetalumaChicken

    Cost vs. Benefits of Chickens

    I had 4 barred rocks for 3 years. The first egg cost me $1000 at least. I can't leave my chicken coop or pen alone, but always seem to be remodeling. Lost 2 hens to injury or illness and when the egg production of the remaining 2 fell way off I contemplated eating them or making chicken...
  6. PetalumaChicken

    introducing young to older chickens

    I had 4 barred rocks for about 4 years. 2 died and introduced the remaining 2, Hester and Priscilla to 2 black minorcas, Barack & Obama a about 6 months ago. It was quite a deal getting them to get along. Had to divide the pen for a couple of months or more. A little fighting when they...
  7. PetalumaChicken

    New to BYC

    Introducing myself to BYC forum. Had 4 barred rocks for about 4 years. 2 died and introduced the remaining 2, Hester and Priscilla to 2 black minorcas, Barack & Obama. It was quite a deal getting them to get along. Had to divide the pen for a couple of months or more. A little fighting when...
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