I'm pretty darn proud of myself. Inspired by designs here in these forums, and informed by feedback from folks also in these forums on my initial designs, I designed, did take-offs, acquired materials, and built it entirely by myself. It's the prettiest and most functional thing I've ever built...
So I've decided to build two small chicken tractors rather than the gargantuan monstrosity I originally had in mind, thanks to the kind feedback of members here.
I want to build something similar to this: https://www.ana-white.com/community-projects/frame-chicken-tractor
But with some...
For quail I always use 1/4" because raccoons will grab a little leg and eat it straight off the quail. But is this necessary for chicken runs? Can I use 1/2"? It's SO much easier to work with... Thank you!
Just finished a quail pen today. Woot!
It's made with almost entirely salvaged materials I had lying around. The exception is the 1/4" hardware wire.
I have long kept quail on the ground and, by careful observation, perfected what seems to make my birds happiest. This pen is not only...
Hey all,
Been a while since I've had chickens. Just finished building out a quail run, which is a comparatively simple endeavor. Now I gotta build a chicken coop. I've drawn up preliminary plans and would love experienced critiques from anyone willing.
Needs:
House 4-6 chickens
Include nest...
I know the odds of a broody coturnix making it to term are low, but I'm gonna let her sit. I keep my quail on grass/weeds in a quail tractor, and add lots of enrichment (mostly cover in various forms-brush, branches, an upside down box, etc. They're very, very happy birds. This one has been...
Hey y'all,
So a weird thing happened. I've got an ancient Hovabator (about ten years old) that has been operating like a CHAMP this whole time. Rock steady temps through out all 18 days. But today it spiked up to 103 (briefly), then back down but only to 101 (it's forced air, and I've been...
For many reasons, I haven't hatched or raised fowl since around 2013. But Coronavirus has got me thinking it's time to take control of food supply again. Get some chickens again, and expand my very tiny quail flock.
Only trouble is, everybody else has got the same idea, and all the chicks...
Hey, everyone. Looks like I'm a new member, but don't be fooled. I used to post here a lot, a hecka lot, back maybe... six to ten years ago? My username was iamcuriositycat, in case there's anyone remembers me. I have LOOOoonggggg since lost not only the login info but also no longer use the...
I've got 3-week-old coturnix in a brood pen outside. I tend to go light on heat with baby fowl, finding that most recommendations for heat are way over what is necessary. As a result, these little guys are fully feathered, though only half the size of a full-grown coturnix. I've been leaving...
My incubator's been fluctuating in temp from 97 to 101, so I bought more quail eggs than I actually wanted to hatch, because I figured they wouldn't all make it. And they may not.
But imagine my surprise, upon candling tonight, to discover that I have at least 16, and possibly all 18, live...
Saw this on Facebook and decided to give it a go.
I'd give credit for the photo, but I don't know where it came from originally. Wish I could take credit myself! Anyway, here's my version:
And here's the one my son (age 12) Monty made:
<3
I'm thinking of keeping three roosters with a total of ten to fifteen hens. I'm wanting experienced feedback on whether this set-up is likely to cause problems, and any considerations I should take into account. Here's how it would look:
One silkie rooster (currently fully mature) with three...
Somebody abandoned these at the local raptor center (where my next door neighbor is education director--and knows I'm a softie for waterfowl):
My bet is on runners, but could be pekins. Both are commonly sold in feed stores around here.
The thing that annoys me most is the girl told the...
Anyone here want to take a stab at a "wafer thermostat care guide"?
For instance, when storing one's incubator for the season... or a few years... what can be done to help the thermostat stay in good condition? Should it be dried after each use? Can/should it be washed, ever? What if it gets...
My hovabator is fluctuating approximately 5 degrees up and down, where it used to stay super steady throughout incubation. I'm suspecting the thermostat but want some experienced feedback.
The thermostat is about five years old, and was used heavily for the first two of those. Then I had a...
We hatched four barred rocks yesterday! Woot!
There are more pics & video here--including video of an actual hatch.
Out of 11 eggs, we ended up with four chicks. Four eggs went under the mama, and she had trouble with them from the start. She's a first-time mama and a bantam silkie. I...
Some of you may remember the brooder I built out of a chest of drawers a couple months ago:
I just did a how to write-up. Except, fair warning, I didn't really get far in the write-up. I mean, I wrote about 2,000 words and there are close to 20 pictures... it's just that it took that much...
This is the same hovabator I've hatched dozens of batches in, hundreds of eggs, ducks, quail, and chicken. It's always held a steady steady temp.
My last two batches have been complete flops, and it could be that they were bad batches of eggs (I have a couple reasons to think that may be...