Alaska hatchers..How is everyone doing? Baby pics !!!!!!

[Wolfwoman]

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Thank you

I'll make sure and get a variety of sand down there then!! Probably yummy bugs in it too

Tree branches aren't enough for them to roost on? Why a 2x6 rather than a 2x2 or 2x4?? I am clueless!!

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Quote:
Thank you

I'll make sure and get a variety of sand down there then!! Probably yummy bugs in it too

Tree branches aren't enough for them to roost on? Why a 2x6 rather than a 2x2 or 2x4?? I am clueless!!

Chickens are tropical birds. If they roosted on a branch, curling their feet around it to grip, their toes would be fully exposed and freeze solid.
The ideal size seems to be a 2x6, because they can fully cover their legs and feet with their fluff for the night.

Here is a funny/sad story. When my dh was very little, and his parents first got chickens, they used some old metal pipe laying around for the roosts, without ever thinking about what would happen.
We both grew up in Northern MN, which has similiar weather to here.
Anyways, they promptly froze their toes off

They changed the roost situation right away, and the chickens learned how to run around on stumps.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Yikes!

Well. Now I know why my last chickens (I had three) lived to be 6 years old and KEPT all their toes!! ... I never GAVE them a roost, just a HUGE yard to play in and a 1/2 of a dog kennel turned upside down to crawl in at night... Live and learn!! I guess they were just fine with it because I never had any other troubles with them either. See, I come on here and LEARN things and the poor chickies are at risk!!

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

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They are tough creatures with only a few needs due to our crazy climate! Since they were sleeping on their feet fully, they did well!

 

[sgt_dane]

Can i house my pheasants, chukar, quail and ducks together? or the pheasants, quail and chukar with the ducks seperate? Anybody know the best way to house them where there will be the least amount of picking on eachother as possible??

 

[MissDeb]

Picking is the least of your worries, Quail will KILL anything they come across if given the chance.....


We have a pen inside our coop that they can come into in the winter and a flight cage out the back.

 

[Ban seabhag]

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Sam uses 2 inch thick branches for his to roost on. They haven't had freezing problems. I think if the branches are big enough there will be no problem. The more wood the more heat it will hold. I don't know Paula, but 2x6 is much larger than I have ever used. Maybe a little overkill? I am sure the chickens don't mind!

2 x 2's have worked for me so far. Of course the coop is insulated.

 

[sgt_dane]

MissDeb

Wow well thats nice to know! maybe i should do a bit more research before they hatch.. i still have two weeks before hatch date.

There are only two quail eggs so it will be easy for me to house them... Thanks for the help

 

[Wolfwoman]

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Sam uses 2 inch thick branches for his to roost on. They haven't had freezing problems. I think if the branches are big enough there will be no problem. The more wood the more heat it will hold. I don't know Paula, but 2x6 is much larger than I have ever used. Maybe a little overkill? I am sure the chickens don't mind!

2 x 2's have worked for me so far. Of course the coop is insulated.

I think I will put both in this winter as this is somewhat insulated, but it's a trailer, how much insulation can there be?? lol

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

We tried 2x2's, but now we use 2x4's. I'm sure 2x6 would be ever better, but as long as they can sit on their feet to cover their toes they should be fine.