2018 Newbie Chat!

[CannedMonster]

So I want to share some pics with you guys of the little bantam pullets I got from my friend Kat a few weeks ago.

The two cuckoo ones with the feathered feet are Mitzi & Minnie. Don’t ask me which is which because they’re almost identical lol.
The two other ones are like perfect opposites.
One is dark (Itsy) & one is light (Bitsy).

 

[CannedMonster]

Someone in another thread told me Silkie is a cockerel!

 

[llombardo]

Do you free range your birds when you’re home?

Not technically. They are in a 15x15 covered enclosure. Everytime I think about it I see a hawk, hear the crows, see a coyote and read the predator forum, then I just don't. I've thought about netting the whole yard...lol

 

[llombardo]

So I want to share some pics with you guys of the little bantam pullets I got from my friend Kat a few weeks ago.

The two cuckoo ones with the feathered feet are Mitzi & Minnie. Don’t ask me which is which because they’re almost identical lol.
The two other ones are like perfect opposites.
One is dark (Itsy) & one is light (Bitsy).
View attachment 1468631
View attachment 1468634 View attachment 1468637

I got be same exact fedder and waterer. The ducks are now reaching over to get to the chickens water. I was wondering why it was so dirty and I caught them.

I have a few ideas for a DIY feeder and maybe a waterer.

 

[CannedMonster]

Not technically. They are in a 15x15 covered enclosure. Everytime I think about it I see a hawk, hear the crows, see a coyote and read the predator forum, then I just don't. I've thought about netting the whole yard...lol

It all depends on your specific area.
We are in a really good spot.
Close to town but outside the city limits.
Even though our town and county are rural and there are predators, there’s lots of yards with dogs and I haven’t seen a single sign at all.
Nothing.
Only hawks and owls but there’s so many wild doves and quail out here they haven’t paid any attention to my chickens.
My husband is retired so he’s home most of the time and we have a dog (somewhat of a deterrent).

 

[llombardo]

It all depends on your specific area.
We are in a really good spot.
Close to town but outside the city limits.
Even though our town and county are rural and there are predators, there’s lots of yards with dogs and I haven’t seen a single sign at all.
Nothing.
Only hawks and owls but there’s so many wild doves and quail out here they haven’t paid any attention to my chickens.
My husband is retired so he’s home most of the time and we have a dog (somewhat of a deterrent).

The way I have it set up, i basically have them in one yard and the dogs in another. I know mine, at least 4 of them could literally fly over the six foot fence. They have no issue flying up on the coop that is about 5 ft tall. I don't want to come home to chickens running the neighborhoid and I would be heartbroken if any went missing. They seem happy and healthy. I'm most likely going to make a bigger coop and attach it to the run, so they will have more room without the coop in the run.

 

[CannedMonster]

The way I have it set up, i basically have them in one yard and the dogs in another. I know mine, at least 4 of them could literally fly over the six foot fence. They have no issue flying up on the coop that is about 5 ft tall. I don't want to come home to chickens running the neighborhoid and I would be heartbroken if any went missing. They seem happy and healthy. I'm most likely going to make a bigger coop and attach it to the run, so they will have more room without the coop in the run.

I appreciate your dedication.
I only have 4’ chain link fence.
But I only get heavy breeds so they won’t fly over it.
When my older birds were about 4 months old I had to clip wings because they were light enough to go over.
After that they matured and gained their adult weight so they don’t even try.
Soon I’ll have to clip the teenagers wings so they won’t do it, especially the bantams.
I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to do.
I just needed my husband to hold them.
We plan to put up a 6’ fence around a very large portion of our yard currently unfenced. This will increase their area tremendously.
If I had to keep them confined always I would definitely be searching for breeds that do well in confinement; some don’t.
Or I wouldn’t have them.
It just bugs me for some reason lol.
I have realized though that if they’ve always been confined they don’t know any better.

 

[llombardo]

I appreciate your dedication.
I only have 4’ chain link fence.
But I only get heavy breeds so they won’t fly over it.
When my older birds were about 4 months old I had to clip wings because they were light enough to go over.
After that they matured and gained their adult weight so they don’t even try.
Soon I’ll have to clip the teenagers wings so they won’t do it, especially the bantams.
I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to do.
I just needed my husband to hold them.
We plan to put up a 6’ fence around a very large portion of our yard currently unfenced. This will increase their area tremendously.
If I had to keep them confined always I would definitely be searching for breeds that do well in confinement; some don’t.
Or I wouldn’t have them.
It just bugs me for some reason lol.
I have realized though that if they’ve always been confined they don’t know any better.

All mine are breeds that do well with confinement. I spend a lot of time with them. They are pretty attached if I may say so. They love when I'm out there with them.

I just got them a chicken activity center and I might even add some more things higher up so they can fully use high and low.

 

[imneva]

@imneva
I had to split my order by two separate dates a week apart.
This was because I wanted Speckled Sussex and none were available on the July 9th hatch date.
This also meant I had to pay two $35 shipping fees
But...at least I got what I wanted lol.
So my first order was 1 Silver Penciled Rock, 2 Australorps and 3 partridge rocks. These chicks are 5 days old.
View attachment 1468391

My July 16 order is 1 Silver Penciled Rock, 1 Australorp, 2 EE and 3 Speckled Sussex.
I chose these breeds because they have interesting colors and feather patterns and they are supposed to be calm, friendly and good layers.

I have five 4 month old Naked Necks that I’m really enjoying as well as a Silkie love)
and several bantam Cochins.
I have a gold sex link that’s my dominant hen and an awesome bird and layer.
I have 3 Silver Laced Wyandottes that I’m giving to a friend because I haven’t liked the breed much. They’re bullies about food and treats.

Well then my Australorp EE And speckled Sussex are sisters to yours! Pretty cool.

 

[llombardo]

So a few things today...

I got the chicken activity center put together and they are all using itI also made different feeders for them to create more room. Went with the stand up pvc and zip tied it. I put two out of the coop and one in the coop. Every night I can cap them, which sure beats running out in the rain if I forget to move the feeders. They all love the new feeders too.

Both groups are out and some squabbling but much better. The four smaller ones have found the sandbox for dust baths and are going to town.


Interesting observations for the day...

At one point while I was putting together their activity center, something put them on high alert. Every one of them including the ducks. They were all talking and quacking. Had to be a hawk. My boy was front and center. I was pretty proud of him.

Next I noticed today that Prince is really trying to keep the peace with all these girls. He was running back and forth literally blocking tbe pecking. Again, super proud of him. I have a good feeling about him, I always have and he is proving me right. I have no problem disciplining him if need be and he actually listens. He is up to my knees now. How old are they when they are full grown?

It was a good day.