ALABAMA!!

[Tomtommom]

it takes a real man to handle it. My late husband, said he took me hunting when he found himself attracted to me. When he took me hunting, when he saw me start to field dress right away, he said his heart was mine. When we got home he asked to see my feet. I had new Red Wing boots, broken in on the trip. I had blisters, I told him, what do you expect with new boots, I brought plasters for them, but ran out. He said he loved me even more. He said he was a strong man and wanted a strong woman to walk beside him. You must have a strong man.

He's a strong, but gentle man.. I actually had to teach him how to stand up for himself. One of those folks that are just TOO kind sometimes. Not a thing he wouldn't do for me or his kids.

My mom was disabled, but it wouldn't stop her. Just kept on going. So many times we had to tell her to slow down and take it easy. *laugh*

She passed earlier this year, extremely suddenly and entirely unexpected.. But she worked in the garden until the end. That lady was a handful ;-)

 

[Dylon]

Guys, I have a question.

I have a broody hen...in December..I was thinking about letting her hatch some eggs.

I was thinking of setting up a "brooder" and putting the hen and chicks in there until the chicks feather out.
What do you think?

And I figured I would ask you guys, because no one outside of Alabama really understands our freaky weather lately

 

[Wisher1000]

Set her up with an enclosed nest with lots of shavings/hay for her eggs. Make sure it stays dry in rainy weather and give her room to stretch when she gets up, and food and water close by. I like a separate broody pen and mine is 4'x8' but 4'x4' would be plenty. It can even be outside in the cold, if it is covered and not prone to flood when it rains. Make sure it is preditor proof. She will keep her eggs, and ultimately her chicks warm and if it is cold, they will feather in quicker. It is much easier (and better) than a brooder.

 

[Crickett]

Set her up with an enclosed nest with lots of shavings/hay for her eggs.  Make sure it stays dry in rainy weather and give her room to stretch when she gets up, and food and water close by.  I like a separate broody pen and mine is 4'x8' but 4'x4' would be plenty.  It can even be outside in the cold, if it is covered and not prone to flood when it rains.  Make sure it is preditor proof.  She will keep her eggs, and ultimately her chicks warm and if it is cold, they will feather in quicker.  It is much easier (and better) than a brooder.

Totally agree with this! Momma will take care of the little ones, keep them safe and show them all the ins and outs of chickenhood.

 

[Dylon]

That's actually more what I ment when I said brooder. It will actually be a big cage in the barn .

Its big, but not too big so a chick can still run to mom warmth

 

[Wisher1000]

Just make sure the chicks can get in and out of the nestbox and don't provide any supplemental heat, the hen will keep them warm.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

Set her up with an enclosed nest with lots of shavings/hay for her eggs.  Make sure it stays dry in rainy weather and give her room to stretch when she gets up, and food and water close by.  I like a separate broody pen and mine is 4'x8' but 4'x4' would be plenty.  It can even be outside in the cold, if it is covered and not prone to flood when it rains.  Make sure it is preditor proof.  She will keep her eggs, and ultimately her chicks warm and if it is cold, they will feather in quicker.  It is much easier (and better) than a brooder.

I have a broody as well, do dec 22-24. Days are in the 60-70F, nights 40-50F right now. A week or so ago we had a frost into the low 20F here. We usually do not freeze until January and February, we get between 200-500 hrs freeze, a lot of fruits need a freeze to fruit. I have tried to move my broody's nest to a better location. But she refused to set on the nest. I hope I did not wait to long to put them back. I have a 6 x 10 grow out pen. But no coop. I have used a tote with an opening for shelter. We seldom get nice rain. When it dose, it come hard often with straight line winds, I lost my pet chicken to the wind, slammed her into the patio door, her mate ended up a foot way tangled in a grate.

Ater she hatches out I will move her. Usually I do not give them heat. Now I have single comb girls as well as pea, cushion, and rose, usually we do not have worry in the valley. The mountains are different story.

Question: is there a problem with chicken thieves? We have a problem here. Mostly game and Phoenix cocks. But hens/pullets and chicks. This time fence cut and gate left open. It is hard enough protecting from predictors, people is unforgivable. Do I need to figure in to my budget higher level of security?

 

[Crickett]

I have a broody as well, do dec 22-24. Days are in the 60-70F, nights 40-50F right now. A week or so ago we had a frost into the low 20F here. We usually do not freeze until January and February, we get between 200-500 hrs freeze, a lot of fruits need a freeze to fruit. I have tried to move my broody's nest to a better location. But she refused to set on the nest. I hope I did not wait to long to put them back. I have a 6 x 10 grow out pen. But no coop. I have used a tote with an opening for shelter. We seldom get nice rain. When it dose, it come hard often with straight line winds, I lost my pet chicken to the wind, slammed her into the patio door, her mate ended up a foot way tangled in a grate.

Ater she hatches out I will move her. Usually I do not give them heat. Now I have single comb girls as well as pea, cushion, and rose, usually we do not have worry in the valley. The mountains are different story.

Question: is there a problem with chicken thieves? We have a problem here. Mostly game and Phoenix cocks. But hens/pullets and chicks. This time fence cut and gate left open. It is hard enough protecting from predictors, people is unforgivable. Do I need to figure in to my budget higher level of security?

I'd set up a motion security camera like they use for deer and such.

 

[Tomtommom]

Those are often the cocks used for fighting in South American countries... :-/ Might be why they're stealing those in particular.

 

[Dylon]

Try one of those motion activated wild game cameras. They can be found for under 100$ and I think you can get them at WALMART. Its camouflaged and attaches easily to a tree or post.