2018 Newbie Chat!

[PNW_Peepers]

Better take the center two feeders and put them elsewhere in the coop/run we have 2 about 2 feet apart. One hen can keep everyone away from both! I added feeders elsewhere and we have peace!

Order 15 more chicks from Meyer yesterday. 5 laying hens for us. One for a friend who lost one and is already maxed by the town as to how many he can have 6 for another friend to save shipping. The girl talked me into the last 3. CX’s just to save $20 on shipping. It will be a good comparison as we have rangers coming the week before.

I guess I’m jumping in with both feet when it comes to chickens! We had none last year this time. 14 out in the coop, 4 in the brooder now and how many on the way?!?

I’ll definately take that into consideration, it rains quite a lot where I live. It was the only place that was dry enough to work for feed. What breeds did you get? When do they arrive? How exciting I was thinking of going with Meyer my next time around with chicks, the shipping and selection are always fair.

 

[JMotuzick]

The 4 in the brooder are wynedots 2 golden 2 silver.

2 Golden campines didn’t make it along with 1 bard rock. (Ordered 2 this time) I had ordered 2 buff Brahma that didn’t ship. So there’s my 6. My buddy wanted jersey giants and leg bars.

The 3 CX will grow with these guys for a week or two and then the get put in with the rangers that will be a week older.

They ship the first week in June due to a trip mid May, the rangers come the last week of May. Hopping I can put the rangers outside before the next batch comes. They will get brooded outside in a chicken tractor. I have a friend that does this and says it works quite well in the summer months!

 

[Catwest]

I’m a total newbie in AZ! We are patiently awaiting our 5 chicks from @BlueBaby and we are so, so, so excited! I have our brooder all set up and ready to go, though, our toddler seems to think she should be allowed to play inside of it!

We can only have 5 hens on our property, and of course, I wanted one of each of ALL of the chickens but because my husband is building the coop, etc. I let him have most of the say in breed. He picked Australorps, and I don’t mind one bit!

He is in the midst of building our coop now, with an attached run (we have dogs, and their is a cat lady up the street). The coop is 4’Lx8’Wx4’H and the run is 12’Lx8’Wx6’H and shaded. He doesn’t want to paint it (so boring!), but it’s hard to argue with the person doing most of the work (he will probably give in and let me paint it anyway)!

I am loving reading about everyone else’s startup adventures here, and look forward to reading more.

 

[Cayuga momma]

I am a first-timer. I am getting 3 leghorns and 3 cayuga ducks from cacklehatchery.com on Thursday. I'm starting out my brooders as just cardboard boxes with puppy pads & papertowels, etc. Then moving them to those big octagon puppy kennels until it warms up enough for their coop. We live in western NY so temps are still 30°F outside. We have 55 acres, mostly forested, so we will eventually build up our flock. My Cayugas aren't sexed so I'm gonna try when I get them. We will see how it goes. I wouldn't hurt them just to find out, so I might have to wait till they are old enough for the tail feather curl.
We are getting them for eggs and companionship. I've been driving myself (and everyone else) crazy waiting for them!
Sorry for the book, lol.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

I’m a total newbie in AZ! We are patiently awaiting our 5 chicks from @BlueBaby and we are so, so, so excited! I have our brooder all set up and ready to go, though, our toddler seems to think she should be allowed to play inside of it!

We can only have 5 hens on our property, and of course, I wanted one of each of ALL of the chickens but because my husband is building the coop, etc. I let him have most of the say in breed. He picked Australorps, and I don’t mind one bit!

He is in the midst of building our coop now, with an attached run (we have dogs, and their is a cat lady up the street). The coop is 4’Lx8’Wx4’H and the run is 12’Lx8’Wx6’H and shaded. He doesn’t want to paint it (so boring!), but it’s hard to argue with the person doing most of the work (he will probably give in and let me paint it anyway)!

I am loving reading about everyone else’s startup adventures here, and look forward to reading more.

Welcome! I have one Australorp and she’s one of my favorites. Very quiet and sweet. Don’t forget to post pictures when you get your babies! I love chick pictures.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

I am a first-timer. I am getting 3 leghorns and 3 cayuga ducks from cacklehatchery.com on Thursday. I'm starting out my brooders as just cardboard boxes with puppy pads & papertowels, etc. Then moving them to those big octagon puppy kennels until it warms up enough for their coop. We live in western NY so temps are still 30°F outside. We have 55 acres, mostly forested, so we will eventually build up our flock. My Cayugas aren't sexed so I'm gonna try when I get them. We will see how it goes. I wouldn't hurt them just to find out, so I might have to wait till they are old enough for the tail feather curl.
We are getting them for eggs and companionship. I've been driving myself (and everyone else) crazy waiting for them!
Sorry for the book, lol.

How fun! Welcome, I think you’re the first one on this forum who’s getting ducks, so exciting! Curious to see how your leghorns turn out. They’re a breed I’m really interested in.

 

[BBZZZZTT]

I am a first-timer. I am getting 3 leghorns and 3 cayuga ducks from cacklehatchery.com on Thursday. I'm starting out my brooders as just cardboard boxes with puppy pads & papertowels, etc. Then moving them to those big octagon puppy kennels until it warms up enough for their coop. We live in western NY so temps are still 30°F outside. We have 55 acres, mostly forested, so we will eventually build up our flock. My Cayugas aren't sexed so I'm gonna try when I get them. We will see how it goes. I wouldn't hurt them just to find out, so I might have to wait till they are old enough for the tail feather curl.
We are getting them for eggs and companionship. I've been driving myself (and everyone else) crazy waiting for them!
Sorry for the book, lol.

I am going to need lots of duck pictures!!! I would 100% be getting ducks if they were allowed in my city. My fiance's childhood pet was a duck so he looooves them. He has shown me all kinds of cute videos of ducks and now I wish I could have them too. Haha.

 

[BBZZZZTT]

Okay have I mentioned I really can't get over the beautiful feathers growing through on Kida??

She's an EE so I have no idea what she'll end up looking like.
Someone at the hatchery was generous because I got all different looking EE chicks.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Okay have I mentioned I really can't get over the beautiful feathers growing through on Kida??

View attachment 1295545
She's an EE so I have no idea what she'll end up looking like.
Someone at the hatchery was generous because I got all different looking EE chicks.

Oh my goodness she’s adorable! I hope her feathering stays that unique as she grows!

 

[Cayuga momma]

Hey guys so we got our chicks and ducklings early. They all seemed lively. I did the beak dip and then checked them for pasty butt. My 3 cayugas had it bad. Once I finally got the poop off they just exploded with poop. I can't believe they had that much in them. Now they are all lethargic. Im so worried. I gave them sugar water which they drink a little. I got their temp right around 95°F. I don't know how to start my own thread on here yet. The leghorns are doing great, but my heart is breaking for my cayugas!
Any advice?