We got 6 chicks the first of April and got our first egg about 2 weeks ago. Pretty exciting stuff. The first of August we got 15 new babies (I hope pullets) from Cackle Factory: Cinnamon Queen, EE, Barred Rock. They are coming along nicely and everyone seems healthy.
We are using Apple Cider Vinegar in their water, DE for dusting in the coops and run, Purina food, unmedicated. We aren't giving them any food scraps, mostly because we don't cook that much. We have offered them various greens but they aren't interested. They do love watermelon. We've got a long way to go waiting on eggs from this little group.
I saw a post the other day from a guy holding his first egg... he said "My $7,000 egg." Pretty funny but it's kind of expensive to get rolling if you do all the things you really need to do for them. We only have hawks, possum, skunks and raccoons as major predators so we aren't really worried about many of the big guys that some of you have to deal with.
We're learning every day and have accomplished very little aside from chicken stuff for about 3 months. Today, my one Polish hen sat on the nest for about 2 hours to lay her egg. That worried me. Maybe it's going to be normal for her but I thought they just sat down and popped out the egg. She's been laying daily but it take about 4 eggs to make an egg sandwich.
There's one little Cochin hen that sits around with her eyes closed a lot. She's done that since she was a baby. She seems to feel good but just likes to nap. Is that what she's doing? Worries me.
We've spent a lot of time with the chicks and they are relatively tame, some know their names, and they don't hesitate to jump up on you when you sit with them. Poop is a problem. I don't mind those nice little poops but since the one hen started laying she poops this absolutely vile stuff and it's stepped in daily by one of us. We've got to do something about them coming onto the patio and pooping all over us and the furniture.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. I had a couple questions there, I do need to do further brain picking.
Thanks for having me.
We are using Apple Cider Vinegar in their water, DE for dusting in the coops and run, Purina food, unmedicated. We aren't giving them any food scraps, mostly because we don't cook that much. We have offered them various greens but they aren't interested. They do love watermelon. We've got a long way to go waiting on eggs from this little group.
I saw a post the other day from a guy holding his first egg... he said "My $7,000 egg." Pretty funny but it's kind of expensive to get rolling if you do all the things you really need to do for them. We only have hawks, possum, skunks and raccoons as major predators so we aren't really worried about many of the big guys that some of you have to deal with.
We're learning every day and have accomplished very little aside from chicken stuff for about 3 months. Today, my one Polish hen sat on the nest for about 2 hours to lay her egg. That worried me. Maybe it's going to be normal for her but I thought they just sat down and popped out the egg. She's been laying daily but it take about 4 eggs to make an egg sandwich.
There's one little Cochin hen that sits around with her eyes closed a lot. She's done that since she was a baby. She seems to feel good but just likes to nap. Is that what she's doing? Worries me.
We've spent a lot of time with the chicks and they are relatively tame, some know their names, and they don't hesitate to jump up on you when you sit with them. Poop is a problem. I don't mind those nice little poops but since the one hen started laying she poops this absolutely vile stuff and it's stepped in daily by one of us. We've got to do something about them coming onto the patio and pooping all over us and the furniture.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. I had a couple questions there, I do need to do further brain picking.
Thanks for having me.
Glad you joined.
