ALABAMA!!

[waynec1955]

Hi! I'm from the Birmingham area myself! I haven't gotten started with my chickens just yet, just been researching and getting very excited We have a fenced in area that has been used for them previously and we just started clearing out the leaves and digging a trench around it to sink some chicken wire down deep to detract predators hopefully! Then the plan is build the coop and lay chicken wire over the top to keep anything from climbing in at night! We live in a pretty wooded area, the only real clearing is by the pond. Has anyone had luck with free-roaming their chickens during the day in the woods areas? I see at least one hawk flying around and have seen a coyote one morning, but we have two dogs that don't mess with chickens, so I think maybe they would protect them? I would love to let them free roam! But I do have a very heavy chicken tractor already built if I HAVE to use it

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.

 

[Tomtommom]

Just in case you're interested, there are some good sites on fermenting. It cuts down on food and there are a lot of benefits. The fermentaion partially digests the food helping the chickens get more nutrients from the food causing less waste (poop) and the need for less food. Especially if you feed grains. I use buttermilk to start mine. If you have time, check it out. It has cut my food by 1/3 to 1/2 and definately cut down on the smell. Every feed store I have gone to around the area I live has told me there is no reason to do this. Of course they have never tried it. I know a few peple that have done it and love it. Oh the best part, they drink way less so you don't have to refill their water as often. The fermentaion heats the food so in the winter it helps warm them up.

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?

 

[troy1]

Hi! I'm from the Birmingham area myself! I haven't gotten started with my chickens just yet, just been researching and getting very excited We have a fenced in area that has been used for them previously and we just started clearing out the leaves and digging a trench around it to sink some chicken wire down deep to detract predators hopefully! Then the plan is build the coop and lay chicken wire over the top to keep anything from climbing in at night! We live in a pretty wooded area, the only real clearing is by the pond. Has anyone had luck with free-roaming their chickens during the day in the woods areas? I see at least one hawk flying around and have seen a coyote one morning, but we have two dogs that don't mess with chickens, so I think maybe they would protect them? I would love to let them free roam! But I do have a very heavy chicken tractor already built if I HAVE to use it

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).

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

I give mine chick start for 4-6 months.  The lower protien unless they shows signs of needing higher protien.  During molting is a good time for the higher protien.  I ferment my feed and add 20% scratch in the winter.  Corn raises the body temp so I avoid it in the summer.  Chick start is all they really need until 4 months.  I also give bread from the bakery outlet to help with feed costs.  Some people say bread, corn and grains can make them fat and lower egg production.  Mine seem to lay great and they enjoy the bread and grains.  I try not to give them too much.  Feed can get expensive.  Fermenting cuts down the amount I have to feed and they like it much better than the dry pellets.  

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

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

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).

Electricity however will. Most of the time.

 

[JDchicks]

I know I shouldn't complain but I can't help myself.

I have gotten zero eggs the past two days. These girls are freeloading and it is making me sad.

I am lucky that I've at least gotten one or two a day all winter but I thought for sure now that we are getting more daylight a little each day they would pick up instead of quit.

ok, rant over.

Must be something in the air down here. Cause I am not getting as many eggs either.

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

Winter.... cold temps and short daylight hours here people... want more eggs? Force laying with added light or wait it out.

 

[kingfrodo]

I totally understand and respect people who want to add light but I am a believer in that God has them stop for a reason.

I will just wait it out. It seems that the hiatus was just a break b/c I got two eggs today.

One EE and one BO egg.

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

Most times they wont stop completely but you wont be getting eggs daily for nother couple months

 

[Wisher1000]

I totally understand and respect people who want to add light but I am a believer in that God has them stop for a reason.

I will just wait it out. It seems that the hiatus was just a break b/c I got two eggs today.

One EE and one BO egg.

Are your EE eggs fertile?