Then it sounds like we have a deal. Just kind of wanted to make sure he wasn't hatchery stock; I've had enough of those. ;=) My old boy is about 6 and is having a rough molt this year. Poor guy, some BO pullets pulled his tail feathers out and picked at the new ones coming in; he had a bald butt for the longest time, tho his tail is finally coming back, he still does not seem fertile. I"ve been trying to find a decent male for awhile.I got him from Redrocketrooster. I believe she got the eggs from the Garry Farm. I can ask her for specifics. If I can't find a home for him, he's dinner for us, too. I always like to try to find a home for my cockerels, but if not, we are not opposed to processing them. Since this guy is reportedly from good lines, I'd love for someone to take him for breeding. Then I can buy some Wellie eggs from you later.
Thanks! Yes, it is east/west. I never thought about the sun's angle. This is a great learning experience!
Sounds like you are doing well by the chickens. Congratulations!
I am guessing that your corral is oriented east-west (narrow ends to east and west). If this is true they may be just fine. They have a 2' strip of shade now - in the winter when the sun is at a low angle - but they should have more shade as the sun gets higher in the sky in the summer. Shading the west side is highly recommended.
Oddly, I have found it helpful to shade the North side as well as the west side, because that hot late afternoon summer sun blasts in from the northwest from April through mid-September.
You could hang a vertical strip of shadecloth on the south side so they have some options about sun vs. partial shade vs. full shade.
On my breeding pens, which are mostly going to get winter use, the sun blasts in the open south side and the pens are only 6' deep so they have no shade for several hours mid-day. I am putting an 18" horizontal strip of plywood across the front starting about 18" off the ground, at the height of a roosting chicken. (The pen roosts are 18" off the ground.) This throws a strip of shade into the breeding pen and also helps protect roosting birds from direct winds coming from the south.
Growing stuff up the wire is great, as long as you can keep the plants alive and leafy. Backup shade sources are always helpful. Plants have a way of defoliating just as their shade is most needed. Mine are always getting stripped by ants. And if the ants don't get them the caterpillars do. I am a big fan of shadecloth
We were looking for land so we could have chickens and other livestock. We were excited that they were established and laying already, making it easier for us. We actually put the chickens and their supplies in the written contract when we made an offer on the house.
During the 8 weeks we waited to close, I read pretty much every chicken book in the library plus internet reading.
They are starting to taste better, and I think they are getting bigger as well. And I am surprised, with them being older chickens...that every egg we have eaten has been fertilized. It grosses my husband out...he says he wants store bought eggs again. I never should have told him!
