Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[darajosami]

Hi, I am not necessarily new here, been MIA since 2014

I have since lost all my flock as they refused to go in there coop and they know roam free on another property They are basically wild birds now and I see them occassionally but were never very tame.

I have ordered this incubator, I am now looking for some fertilised eggs to start my flock as I want to be able to raise them to be friendly. We are also going to build a run for them, but I am also looking at prices of ready made ones and may even get them.

The breeds I am looking at are either the Plymouth Rock or the Barnevelder as they are the ones that are possibly the best for our family, are friendly and can be tamed to allow to be held and also do the best in confined spaces. Am open to any other ideas also, but they do have to have nice roosters that are not aggressive.

Hi @Elliebeans, you will find a welath of knowledge here.

 

[MaryJanet]

My Barnevelder is a lovely little hen, top of the pecking order (usually), courageous and ok to pick up and handle. Her eggs aren't dark brown and her legs aren't yellow, so I'm pretty sure she's got some other breed in her family tree.

Point is, it's a lovely breed and you'll do well with them.

 

[thatbeechick]

Hi, I'm new here - VIC, western surf coast. Anyone nearby?

 

[MaryJanet]

Hi @thatbeechick not in your area, no. Do you keep bees? So does @Ribh up in Queensland

 

[Ribh]

Hi, I'm new here - VIC, western surf coast. Anyone nearby?

Other end of the country ~ but @ least on the same coast.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Hi, I'm new here - VIC, western surf coast. Anyone nearby?

Sorry @thatbeechick , I'm in NSW But welcome!

 

[MaryJanet]

Hi Aussies
As if the fires weren't enough, apparently we have this coming https://amp.news.com.au/technology/...b9c39b18897faa0e085?__twitter_impression=true

I use a cheap misting system from Bunnos to keep the chooks cool.

What are your tips?

 

[Ribh]

Hi Aussies
As if the fires weren't enough, apparently we have this coming https://amp.news.com.au/technology/...b9c39b18897faa0e085?__twitter_impression=true

I use a cheap misting system from Bunnos to keep the chooks cool.

What are your tips?

Fill used milk bottles with water, freeze them, put in the water dishes. Freeze & put in the coop. Water down the coop & run. Lots of natural shade. Frozen fruit treats. Watermelon ~ any melon really. Plenty of fresh water. I find I'm topping up a lot more when the weather gets really hot.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Hi Aussies
As if the fires weren't enough, apparently we have this coming https://amp.news.com.au/technology/...b9c39b18897faa0e085?__twitter_impression=true

I use a cheap misting system from Bunnos to keep the chooks cool.

What are your tips?

My Coops and run are under trees, but if the chooks are getting too hot I put the sprinkler over them. Of course with water restrictions in my area I will have to think of other cooling ideas.

I like Ribh's ideas and someone else on another thread suggested a tray of water with a block of ice in the middle so they can paddle in cool water.

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

We usually use a sprinkler under their favourite tree, soak ground and then during day this is where they scratch and dig and stay lovely and cool. For this summer we will also be growing pumkin vines over their pen, to add some extra shade. The house is half a tank so you can imagine how roasty it'd get with no cover. As Ribh said, frozen bottles work a treat! We use to use them for rabbits. You could combine the 2 ideas above. Another maybe plausable idea, depending on size of your coop (mines too big) we had a lot of blackouts last summer, but thankfully this glass house has alot of windows, so hanging wet sheets in the windows/doorways created a beautiful cool breeze and made it bearable in 46+ degree heat. Looking forward to seeing everyone elses ideas