Recent content by whudson

  1. whudson

    Moving chicks outside (low temp)

    I never hatch 4 or 5 at a time, so I would do things differently if I did, since they would need more heat. I never set less than a dozen eggs, and I acclimate them early; Meaning I don't follow the standard guidelines of "95 for a week, reducing 5 degrees a week". With a dozen or more chicks...
  2. whudson

    What is your ratio of pullets/ cockerels on an incubated/ broody clutch?

    I've always had a higher pullet to cockerel ratio. Most recently, I set 15 eggs, 3 ended up not being fertile, and I ended up with 11 pullets, and one that I'm not sure of.
  3. whudson

    Marans in the incubator. :)

    Instead of starting a new thread, I figured I would ask here: I've been hatching for many years, but this year is the first I've hatched Maran eggs. Today is hatching day, and I have four other breeds that pipped early this morning and are still working at it. None of my six Marans have pipped...
  4. whudson

    Tractor for layers sq ft per hen

    If the tractor is their only outdoor ranging area, a 10x12 would be room enough for 12 to 15 chickens.
  5. whudson

    Sapphire Gem Opinions Please!

    I realize this is an older thread, but just wanted throw my 2 cents in. Myself and a friend of mine had Sapphires and they were egg laying machines for two years. Beautiful large eggs, and a lot of them. Then they just stopped. I got 1 or 2 eggs a week from each hen.
  6. whudson

    What egg colors should I expect?

    Just wanted to update and confirm that they are laying green eggs:
  7. whudson

    What egg colors should I expect?

    Spending a few hours outdoors while the weather is nice. I'm hoping they're all hens. I can't keep any more roo's.
  8. whudson

    Cold nights and 6-8 week old chicks

    I've never kept chicks indoors for that long, and have never lost one to the cold. As long as they are protected from the wind, and temps don't drop below 30F, six weeks is perfectly fine. I'm not sure how cold is too cold, but I had some 12 week old chicks several years ago that I was...
  9. whudson

    What egg colors should I expect?

    I found a hidden clutch of eggs and decided to incubate them. They are a cross with a silkie rooster and starlight hens. All turned out with 5 toes and black skin. I was just curious what color eggs I should expect from them, if anyone knows?
  10. whudson

    Winterizing the hoop coop

    The old barn had to come down, so I built an 8x12 hoop coop for my 17 chickens. The rear is fully enclosed with the top and sides covered with hardware cloth and a tarp. The front is just hardware cloth and the door, with a small solar fan to blow fresh air toward the rear of the coop. With...
  11. whudson

    Escape artist hen

    The only ones I've ever had to escape are my starlights. I have no idea why they're the only ones, but I got tired of chasing them and trying to get them back in the fence. Now they leave when they want, and even though they act lost all day and act like they can't find their way back, once it...
  12. whudson

    13 weeks

    I know this is an old thread, but I just had my earliest egg. I bought a dozen day old chicks on March 16th and they're in their own coop. June 28th, I found an egg! No idea which one laid it, but I'm thinking it's the starlight since she's the chattiest of the bunch. The egg is small, and...
  13. whudson

    Chickens bottom covered in green poop

    I found this thread looking for "green poop". My Barred rock hen was acting normal yesterday, but her bottom was covered in green poop, and her comb was gone. (separate incident)? Anyway, I checked on her today and she has died. No idea of cause, she was definitely eating normally.
  14. whudson

    best rat poison

    Quote: I bought a box of those (The LARGE box that Lowes sells) There were over 20 left in the box when I caught the neighbors dog in our garage. He had eaten the entire box of poison! This was several months ago, and the dog is doing just fine. He never had any ill effects. (other than...
  15. whudson

    Young Layer Hen: Only got 3 eggs in the last 3 months. Why?

    Lots of people I've talked to seem to be getting less eggs the last couple of months. I have no idea why. It doesn't seem to be limited by breed or location. I bought a bunch of chicks in March, then another hatch a few weeks ago, so I got rid of most of my older flock and only kept four...
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