California - Northern

[OR4-hmom]

i recently got a new waterer/feeder (the bowl on the bottom can be flipped over to change it from one to the other, rather handy) that's quite wide at the base & a short "jar" above -- and the chicks haven't managed to knock it over even once. makes a HUGE difference from those usual narrow/tall ones!

I have one of those also, the gallon size I use in the breeder pen. The only problem I have with it is the bottom plastic is getting brittle. I have to use both hands to pick it up or risk breaking the base. I've had it for about 8 months.

 

[Chickengirl1304]

When does everyone that uses lights turn them off?

 

[ronott1]

When does everyone that uses lights turn them off?

November to February for egg production.

 

[Chickengirl1304]

November to February for egg production.

No I mean when the days get longer again like around spring/ summer we don't need them anymore but when in northern cal is a good time to take away the lights?

 

[ronott1]

No I mean when the days get longer again like around spring/ summer we don't need them anymore but when in northern cal is a good time to take away the lights?

For Chicks, When they are Fully Feathered they do not need lights for heat. In Woodland they do not need light for heat ever when they are older.

I use ecoglow contact heaters mostly so mine do not get extra lighting.

Sorry if I am not understanding the question.

 

[Chickengirl1304]

For Chicks, When they are Fully Feathered they do not need lights for heat. In Woodland they do not need light for heat ever when they are older.

I use ecoglow contact heaters mostly so mine do not get extra lighting.

Sorry if I am not understanding the question.

Sorry I'm not being clear

I mean lights to keep them laying through fall and winter. When are they not really needed anymore. When do they have enough natural light hours and don't need the artificial lights any longer

 

[gryeyes]

For Chicks, When they are Fully Feathered they do not need lights for heat. In Woodland they do not need light for heat ever when they are older.

I use ecoglow contact heaters mostly so mine do not get extra lighting.

Sorry if I am not understanding the question.

Sorry I'm not being clear

I mean lights to keep them laying through fall and winter. When are they not really needed anymore. When do they have enough natural light hours and don't need the artificial lights any longer

For those that do this, when there are fifteen hours of daylight.

 

[debs_flock]

Ugh. Every freakin night my chicks knock over their water(which is up on a wood block), meaning they have nothing to drink at night(from whenever the knock it over until I get up) and it leaves the sand wet. But if I take it off the wood block, they fill it with so much sand that they can't get any water.
These chicks are driving me nuts!

For my indoor brooders, I use hamster bottles for them to drink from. Just hang it on the side of the bin. Push their beak into the tip until you see them swallow and they instantly learn how to use it. Water stays clean!

Quote:
Production birds aren't known for their temperament, just for pumping out eggs quickly. When people come to my house, the first pen they always stop at and say WOW is the RIR pen. They don't even recognize what the bird is until I tell them. An exhibition RIR looks NOTHING like a feedstore bird. And they are HUGE!

Quote: Optimal is 14 hours of daylight or more. Just count sunrise to sunset. If the daylight hours are over 14, you need no extra lighting.

 

[debs_flock]

For those that do this, when there are fifteen hours of daylight.

Optimal is 14 hours of daylight or more. Just count sunrise to sunset. If the daylight hours are over 14, you need no extra lighting.

Well, 14-15

 

[PetRock]

Hi, where are you guys in the East Bay? I'm in Pleasanton.
Demaris

I'm over the Hwy 4 hills in the East Bay Delta region!