ALABAMA!!

[Dragonfly216]

I'm in a subdivision smackdab in town and honestly haven't seen a possum or raccoon on my street EVER. I have had a few deer that got lost and went from yard to yard, trying to get back out of the neighborhood. Never saw hawks until we had chickens. They figure that stuff out quickly. I'm not super overprotective with my birds (the coop is open day and night...), because I don't have to be. Others are less lucky.


Wouldn't count on it. I've seen folks that had chickens snatched by coyotes while they were standing with the flock. You can buy predator urine (bear, wolf, bobcat etc.), which is supposed to repel smaller predators.. not sure if it work.

Some breeds free-range better than others. A rooster WILL protect his ladies, and sacrifice himself for it. Flighty birds are better free-rangers, but they wont be cuddly lap chickens. Most folks that free-range accept that they WILL lose birds.

I've only been doing this one year myself, but if I learned one thing it's that there's a lot of choices that have to be made when keeping chickens. Some easier than others.


We actually did clean him and he was actually tender as could be. I was quite surprised that a 17 week old cockerel would be tender, as the last one was 12 weeks and tough as a nail.

The other one has been pardonned for now. I am bringing him in at night... he has gotten to a point he only crows when he hears us getting up in the morning.. waits until he hears us moving and talking and then he crows as to say "Get my out of this durn box!" He has not crowed at all during the day... Ofcourse the ladies are not really warming up to him yet and he's too wussy to make advances

Chickens crack me up.

Ok great. My roommate and my boyfriend were all about letting them free roam and I was very nervous so I decided to ask people with experience! Especially with you guys in Alabama since our predators should be the same. Thank you so much for the quick and detailed message! The only problem I can see with that, is now, once I get my chickens, if I ever have any problems, I'm gonna be all over here trying to get advice!

 

[Dragonfly216]

My chickens and ducks free range. They spend a lot of time in the woods. In the summer with all the leaves on I don't see hawks hanging around. But right now with all the leaves off they are around almost daily. The coyote is another story, you could have problems with him anytime. As far as cleaning out the leaves in preparation for your chickens; they love scatching and looking for food in leaves.

Thank you so much for the quick advice! I kinda thought that myself, but my boyfriend and roommate were both gung ho about free-range We're mostly cleaning out the leaves, since they were so deep, to build the coop and to put some fencing (now thinking hardware cloth) around the bottom of the fence to keep things from digging under.

 

[Dragonfly216]

chicken wire will NOT stop a coon from getting to you chickens. You need something stronger like 1/4-1/2" hardware cloth(wire mesh).

Thank you so much! I was wondering about that myself and I'm glad to hear from someone with experience! Never done this before!

 

[Dragonfly216]

I have read that if they are eating pellets or crumble they don't need the grit because it is already processed. I only feed mine grit when I feed them grain. I don't think it hurts them unless they eat too much but I think that is only a concern with the younger ones.

I have a Rhode Island Red x Buff Orpington sweetie rooster, some Langshans, an Easter Egger and a Black Copper Maran roosters. I am in Cottondale andI work in Bessemer. The RIR mix is already full rooster. I love him but I have too many. I can pick him up for snuggles. He already knows the rules.



My friends roosters eat the oyster shells. I have read many many times, vet university websites included, that the layer pellets won't hurt them. Hope they are right. My chickens are super picky. They love chick start, even the grown ones will try to steal it, and only 2 brands of layer pellets. They have stopped eating for 2 days when I tried to change.


Someone was asking how much, here is a good chart.
http://afspoultry.ca.uky.edu/files/pubs/How_much_will_my_chicken_eat.pdf

Oh awesome! i may have to get in touch with you when i get my chickens if you still have him! Don't have anywhere to keep him right now besides a chicken tractor with no bottom and an uncovered fenced in area! Thank you so much!

 

[kingfrodo]

Are your EE eggs fertile?

Yes, but they get put in the fridge. The Roo is a lavender orp. Do I need to save any for you?

 

[DeannaA]

I am interested in fermenting, but I am totally overwhelmed with all the resources about it. I'm the kind of person that can't cook recipes with more than 8 ingredients or my brain will explode

Too many steps and I'm out.

You know any resources on fermenting for dummies?

I startedwith just what I was already feeding them. Then as I researched, I tried different things. At first I read that I had to 12 different things and start it with sauerkraut juice, which my chickens hated. Then my friend said buttermilk ferments easier. I added water to the pellets and a little buttermilk and stir every once in awhile for 2 days. Always leave a little to mix with the new. Then replace as you use but it doesn't have to ferment as long and you don't have to add butter milk again unless it isn't fermenting very well. It smells earthy and yeasty. If it smells sour, something went bad.

Whoa whoa. 4-6 MONTHS?!? Thats not healthy for the birds restricting protein intake. By 8 weeks MAX they should be off starter.

Where did you get this information? Why would you think feeding them chick start would be restricting their protein when chick start has more protein the regular layer pellets? At least the kinds I have used do. I always check protien and calcium levels. I have found that is a big mistake is feeding layer pellets too soon. The calcium is 3 to 4 times higher and can cause several problems. Something else I care about is feeding egg layers differently than meat birds. Meat birds need to grow fast since they are going to be butchered young. Egg layers need to grow slower to let their bones develope properly, so grower/ finisher too soon can cause problems. I get my information from Auburn, Davis, Mississippi and Florida University websites.

Yes, but they get put in the fridge. The Roo is a lavender orp. Do I need to save any for you?

I have lots of fertile EE eggs, but I'm in Cottondale.

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

Ibdont raise traditional meat birds. I dont do b roilers at all anymore. All of my birds meat eggs or breeders get 22% layer mini pellets and 6 way scratch. Oyster shell is always available.

 

[DeannaA]

Ibdont raise traditional meat birds. I dont do b roilers at all anymore. All of my birds meat eggs or breeders get 22% layer mini pellets and 6 way scratch. Oyster shell is always available.

You still haven't said where you got your information and why I am so WRONG?!?. The layer pellets you are using have extra protein. Sometimes they are called super layer which is usually given during molting time or when the need for protein is higher. Won't hurt to have the little bit extra but not a necessity. The chick starters I have used have 22-24%. Grower generally is 18- 20% which is less. If you are using layer pellets you wouldn't need oyster shells for extra calcium because there is already 3.5% - 4.5% added. Grit would be better to help digest the scratch so they have a choice without having to add extra calcium, unless your shells have been thin. Too much calcium can be harmful but not as likely with laying hens. There are many companies that make starter and layer pellets/crumble. They won't always be these % so I read the bag and look it up online. Also paying attention to your chickens is the best way to know if extra calcium or protein is needed. I am sure that you do, just as I do. Depending on where you live and how the chickens are raised can also affect their needs. I have spent a lot of time researching, reading and asking questions before I started raising my chickens and I haven't stopped.

You can feed your birds whatever you like but don't tell me I'm WRONG?!? unless you have a real reason to back it up. I welcome new information but just because it's the way you do it doesn't make it the only way.

 

[BRAFZ1]

Anyone intersted in Hatching eggs or chicks pm me, I have several breeds laying all my breeder birds come from breeders all over the country, I am located in North Alabama and My Flock is NPIP

 

[Wisher1000]

Anyone intersted in Hatching eggs or chicks pm me, I have several breeds laying all my breeder birds come from breeders all over the country, I am located in North Alabama and My Flock is NPIP

Now don't go throwing that fish hook out without the bait! What breeds do you have, where did they come from, and where are our pictures?