black watermelon seeds for chickens?

[GuppyTJ]

Okay thanks I was thinking he would have a funny crow for his size but to my surprise he was really loud lol

He sure looks like he's got a lot of personality!

 

[123xxxxx23]

Okay thanks and yeah he toughened up and went off on my little dog that kept harrassing him lol Should i let them free range when its later in the day and starting to cool off?

 

[GuppyTJ]

Hi again,

I just re-read your question above, you asked about breeds. The rooster, I don't know. The red one could be a Rhode Island Red or a New Hampshire Red. Google for images (not web) for both and see if these look like a fit for what she looks like.

In terms of free ranging... can you explain the question more? I don't understand the question. Are you asking if you should let them out in the evening only, because it's too hot during the day? I free range (no fencing at all, no run at all) all day, every day, regardless of how hot or cool it is. I lock them in their secure, predator-proof coop at dusk and let them out at sunrise. I live in Kentucky, BTW and our summer temps are not nearly as warm as yours. We're in the upper 80s most days. I have 16 chickens that are 13 week old. They go where they want so when it's hot, they try to find the coolest place, which can be behind the barn or up into the shady woods. They kind of run around all day, sometimes returning to the coop, then they head back out. When it cools down later in the evening and dusk starts coming on, they tend to hang out in the barnyard which is front of the coop. I have spread out 3 water bowls outside the coop in various places near where they tend to go. I also have water in the coop as well, which is where their chicken feed is.

But the point is, you can let them free range whenever you feel comfortable doing it. If you want to only let them out when you're around or all the time or only in the evenings... whatever works for you. But whenever you let them out, they'll go where they're most comfortable. If it's coolest in the coop during the day, that's probably where they'll spend most of their time. I don't know what your set up is like. Does the area around the coop have any shade? Do you have or can you put out water for them around where they can free range? In terms of keeping them cool in your very hot heat (much hotter than mine), there are some good ideas on this forum for that. Search for terms like "keeping chickens cool" and try all sorts of variations like "hot weather" "cooling chickens" or something. I've seen several articles on this topic, people doing things like freezing milk jugs filled with water and putting them in the coop... I don't remember but things like that.

Hope this helps, reply with other questions.
Guppy

 

[123xxxxx23]

Yes thanks and I work most of the time so I don't let them out b/c I don't trust the dogs when I'm gone until I'm home. And yeah they have plenty of shade it just looks like there hot and with the feathers and what not Must be hotter. Thanks ill look into that

 

[califarmgirl]

Not sure how old here's a pic of them

The one on the left looks similar to my butterball who is a bantam Mille fleur cochin. Does he have a big cushion of feathers on his butt?

 

[Joan71]

Yes, they love sunflower seeds, too as a treat.

 

[Joan71]

I let mine free range the last hour before dark. When it comes time for bed, they just go back to their pen, go in and get on their roost for the night.

 

[kacklinkelly]

123 you might want to check out the AZ chicken thread. Lots of ideas on how we are keeping our chickens
as comfy as possible this time of year.

 

[hcsarg]

Does anyone know if too much melon is a bad thing?

Last year I fed my chickens an abundance of watermelon and cantaloupe from my garden. Maybe should have cut back for special treats only. One of my hens developed sour craw (crop), I think. She may have consumed more than she could process through her system. I read many accounts on how to treat these symptoms but I wasn't successful in correcting her condition. She finally got to the point after a few weeks that she became lethargic and had labored breathing. I had to put her down.

 

[SonSet Farm]

Does anyone know if too much melon is a bad thing?

Last year I fed my chickens an abundance of watermelon and cantaloupe from my garden. Maybe should have cut back for special treats only. One of my hens developed sour craw (crop), I think. She may have consumed more than she could process through her system. I read many accounts on how to treat these symptoms but I wasn't successful in correcting her condition. She finally got to the point after a few weeks that she became lethargic and had labored breathing. I had to put her down.

O I am so sorry to hear this!!! That is very good to know...I had never heard anything like tis a might have made the same mistake, so....thank you for sharing!! So very sad =(