Kathy B RN
In the Brooder
- Aug 17, 2017
- 3
- 4
- 44
1 week Chicken owner. We've never had chickens before. Got 1 rooster and 3 hens that are 5 1/2 months old from our neighbor. Rooster is a Barred Rock. The hens are a Leghorn, Ameraucana, and I think maybe an Australorp? (or something similar). We have gotten 5 white eggs so far, 1 of them larger than the rest. All have pretty hard shells, which I read here is normal for young chickens. We have a 3 bed coop and a long run for them with gravel for the coop pan and run, pine chips for the beds. Thinking of trying cedar for the beds next, as the pine doesn't smell so good. They have a mister for the hot part of the day and we keep them shaded. They seem healthy and happy so far.
Don't try cedar as it's harmful to their respiratory tract. If you want to brighten up their roosts and nest boxes use herbs. Just do a search on "nestbox herbs" and there's plenty to read and lots of different recipes. 
