All about raising chicks and chickens! Also ask questions!

[blackdog043]

Thanks Blooie, I'm feeling the same way you are, reading some of these responses, could do more harm than good.

 

[blackdog043]

Instead of the small dog house, would a 41"L x 23"D x 28"H Dog House fit 6-8 hens?

That would be good for two birds. 4 sq ft per bird inside a coop is prefered. Think of it this way, have you ever been in an elevator that was pretty full and didn't have much room, that's how your chickens would feel and problems between them would start over a period of time. That's my .02, take it for what it's worth. Not saying you can't cram more in a small space but be ready for issues between them!

 

[craziesfarm]

Hi, all!
Here is a simple coop design that is easy and simple to build:
A pvc pipe coop!

Here's the link:

https://beckyshomestead.com/portfolio/chicken-coop-designs-how-to-build-the-flip-coop/

cool! thx for sharing

 

[sassysarah]

Here is a video Of simple chicken coops!

I think this is the same coop.

 

[geina]

Okay, I'm going to respond to this last one and then I'm going to back out before I overstay my welcome.

She may well set on them for another 2 weeks + while the new eggs hatch. But she will most likely lose condition, become weak, and not be able to do an effective job raising them. That's not always the case, of course. Some of them will sit tight for as long as it takes. But you're asking this little hen to sit on eggs for 5 weeks, and that's a lot to ask.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to just back on out of this thread because I feel like I'm doing the hosts a disservice by second guessing their answers.

Thank you that's what I was worried about, so far so good except she keeps taking the eggs the other hen lays and adding it to her clutch this worries me but I think I am ready if she leaves the nest ( been on it not stop so far) then I am ready to step in and incubate them. She did throw out four eggs and replaced with three from other hens i candles them and they had the veins so I put them on incubator. Keeping fingers crossed and praying for a good hatch.

 

[EvansMeXo]

Hello, I have a question about my chicks. I have 3 EE creeping up on 2 weeks, 1 silkie just over a week and two silkies roughly 3 weeks.
It's been rainy here lately so they have just been hanging out in the brooder in the house, however today is supposed to be gorgeous so I want to take them out in the yard. We are in the process of building raised garden beds so I'm planning on putting them in there, it's all grass still we haven't dug it up yet.
However I haven't started giving them grit yet so should I avoid taking them outside until I they some tomorrow?? Or will they find grit in the grass?? What about the gravel driveway??
I feel like I should wait until I pick up some grit tomorrow but it's so nice out I feel bad not taking them out into the fresh air

 

[sassysarah]

Yes, if course you can take them outside!
There is plenty of grit in the dirt! Once my chicks are moved outside I never give them grit, and they are all healthy happy hens!

 

[EvansMeXo]

Yes, if course you can take them outside!
There is plenty of grit in the dirt! Once my chicks are moved outside I never give them grit, and they are all healthy happy hens!

Okay thanks! I've been reading so much on the importance of grit (these are my first time ever being around chickens) I was worried they'd eat some grass and bugs and get digestive issues... their eventually going to be free range we have a few acres so I want to start getting them used to being out there while their still tiny and easy to keep together lol

 

[sassysarah]

No problem!

 

[ChickenNewB17]

Hello, I'm a newbie chick momma, and I have a question. We lost one baby Sicilian Butter Cup chick last week and I am pretty sure it was from mushy chick. When I noticed that she wasn't well, I separated her from the others, made sure she had electrolytes, ect. But she didn't last longer than 24 hours.
Last night, I began to notice that one of our Dominiques looked chilled and her feathers & fuzz were messy. She seems a little lethargic at times, and stays near the heat lamp, but just when I'm convinced she's sick, she gets up and leads the chase for a moth my daughter caught for them.
I'm not sure what to do, if anything. I an changing the shavings daily, and clearing the water from debris several times per day. I recently moved the heat lamp up a bit to make sure it wasn't too hot... any suggestions or thoughts?