2018 Newbie Chat!

[llombardo]

Of course on my day off its raining and tomortow it will be 72 and sunny...while I am at work...

I'm never going to get anything done like this

 

[CannedMonster]

How are the best boxes in that coop? Can you go under the nest boxes to attach it?

What are the double sided ones called? I may need to get those.

It looks like this:

There’s three holes for screws at the top.
I guess it’s for feeding minerals to goats but it works really well for us for grit and oyster shell.
We attached a board to the exposed studs in the coop at a good height for them and screwed the container to the board.
DH didn’t want it attached directly to the walls because it’s siding and he doesn’t feel it’s strong enough.

 

[CannedMonster]

DH checked the broodys and we have an empty shell!!!


He didn’t want to disturb them so he didn’t lift them up to look so I’ll be doing that later.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Is it really necessary to feed grower? Or can I just keep them on starter and switch to layer? Btw I use the scratch and peck organic starter.

I also use scratch and peck. I personally don’t use layer at all. My babies get starter until they are 8 weeks, then I switch them to grower and I keep them on that. I also ferment which I recommend doing with Scratch and Peck, not only will your chickens go nuts for it, but it doubles the volume of feed. I feed my 18 adults 10 cups every two days. Welcome!!!

 

[PNW_Peepers]

I use all flock with oyster shell on the side too.
Which brings up a question. What do all of you put your oyster shell in? I tried a bowl, they tipped it over and scratched it all out. I tried the little feeder I used when they were chicks and they tipped that over too. Funny thing is, their grit is in a bowl and they don't tip that over or scratch in it.

This is what I put my grit and oyster shell in. They are cheap and easy to make. Plans are all over online.

 

[CannedMonster]

We have 2 chicks so far!!

One is a NN that looks a lot like Cleo did.
The other is a fully feathered black chick.
Here’s hoping the other two eggs hatch!

 

[CannedMonster]

Omg all 4 hatched!!

The first two are dry now.
The other two are still wet but starting to dry.
Bootsie only has the one black chick under her.
The other 3 are under Itsy, my Japanese.
The two new chicks also are black but I can’t see if they’re NN because I keep getting the crap pecked out of me

I’ll leave them alone for a while.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

View attachment 1727595

Meet my dark brahmas. View attachment 1727636
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View attachment 1727638 Shipping wasn’t the easiest on these guys, they seem a little delayed as far as eating and activity go. The Welsummers did not take to them very well, I’m hoping to reintroduce and try again in a week.

Awwwwww they are beautiful, such cuties

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Angus made it to his new home yesterday evening and I’m told he settled in well.
The man who took him has been looking for a NN rooster for a long time and was just tickled to have him.
He does have another, older rooster but he says he is not very aggressive and has a mild personality.
With 40 hens I think they’ll work it out.
Angus always chased Oliver but he never beat him up or drew blood so I don’t feel he is terribly aggressive either.
I’m feeling pretty good about the whole thing now.

AND our broodys eggs are due to hatch Monday.
I’ve only candled the one time so I have no idea how it’ll go.
I was thinking of splitting the two broodys up with two eggs each.
I’m afraid they may fight over the chicks!

So glad for Angus, relieved you found him a nice home

 

[Anna Ranieri]

The little ones had a field trip outside today. It was about 68 degrees. They were outside for about 7 hours. They explored everything. They are just over a month and Sweet Pea made her way to the top of the coop. One of the EEs found a worm and the chase was on--it was hilarious.

I got most of the run cleaned up. Took plastic down, cleaned up some rabbit poop(got more to go), unplugged all electrical stuff, etc. I still got to clean out the feeders and waterers. Got the ducks a new temp pool until I get what I want set up for them. I took netting down on the side area and I'm redoing that--I got a plan to get the little ones out there safely during the day. Catching them is not fun--they fit everywhere.

I had the electric cords in pvc tubing and it was chewed up. I don't think its mice, but leaning toward moles and voles. I saw one at the start of winter. Little buttheads did a number onthe cords. I was waiting for one to pop out of the pipe.

Took some pictures. Sweet Pee decided my head was a good place to be--she stood there for quite a while. Didn't poop on me either..lol

When they first got out there
View attachment 1728848


They started exploring pretty quick

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They made themselves at home in the coop
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They were all over the branches(little one could not get up there--she tried and tried)

View attachment 1728854

Alina walked up and down this branch
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No name yet but full of confidence
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On my head
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Awwwwwww the little darlings having so much fun, they are beautiful