California - Northern

[Meg2000000]

I see more chicken math in my future!

You should really check out the Marraduna Basque's that Ron and I have. They are soooo beautiful, incredibly friendly (the three year old picks them up almost every day) and very hardy. If you do become interested in more chicken math, I'll have some eggs and/or chicks when you're ready

I too have already been a victim of chicken math.. We wanted 3 or 4 at the most for egg consumption! About two months in and we have 6 pullets, 1 cockerel, 26 quail eggs hatching next week and 21 new baby chicks hatching this weekend. I used to laugh thinking people were so weird when they constantly talked about "chicken math." Guess the joke was on me! hahaha

 

[lawatt]

Congrats Laura! I have three of their sisters They are so beautiful and soft! Great holding pen by the way. I need one of those!

actually, the only problem with this pen is that it doesn't work -- i went down to the coop this morning to check on everybody, and both of the new silver-pencileds were OUTside of their exclusion pen, pecking around and chasing the other birds. i'd set it up in a spot where a perch (an oak branch) was right above the top, so it couldn't be opened -- suppose they wriggled underneath it somehow?

has anyone had chicks/chickens escape from this kind of pen before, and/or found a good solution? i suppose i could figure out a way to stake it down, like a tent...

 

[Meg2000000]

actually, the only problem with this pen is that it doesn't work -- i went down to the coop this morning to check on everybody, and both of the new silver-pencileds were OUTside of their exclusion pen, pecking around and chasing the other birds. i'd set it up in a spot where a perch (an oak branch) was right above the top, so it couldn't be opened -- suppose they wriggled underneath it somehow?

has anyone had chicks/chickens escape from this kind of pen before, and/or found a good solution? i suppose i could figure out a way to stake it down, like a tent...

I saw your earlier post about that but forgot to reply! Try putting down "U" stakes on the bottom. I don't think that's what they're actually called but they look like an upside down U. They're super easy to put into dirt and pull up (for a human at least). Go to google and look under images for u-stakes (BYC is taking way to long to upload a photo!) I'm guessing that's the only way they could have squeezed through.

How old are your new guys? I have one of each: 2 mo, 3 mo, and 4 mo.

 

[lawatt]

I saw your earlier post about that but forgot to reply! Try putting down "U" stakes on the bottom. I don't think that's what they're actually called but they look like an upside down U. They're super easy to put into dirt and pull up (for a human at least). Go to google and look under images for u-stakes (BYC is taking way to long to upload a photo!) I'm guessing that's the only way they could have squeezed through.

How old are your new guys? I have one of each: 2 mo, 3 mo, and 4 mo.

thanks! i'll try that -- and i'm not sure of the exact ages of the new birds (i seem to be settling on the names Frances and Bella), Cheryl just grabbed two that seemed to be similar in size to my previous flock -- three of whom are 8 weeks old (Daisy must be younger, she's still so much smaller), so best guess is around that. Frances & Bella are a little bigger than the others (esp. Frances), and MUCH bigger/stronger feet (they both scratch the ground like crazy, which is great!), so maybe 9 weeks?

next month i'll be getting four additional baby chicks (two cream legbars, two lavender/blue orpingtons), which of course will start in a brooder, but i have the feeling i'll need that pen to more gradually introduce them to the big girls once they've grown enough...

best,
laura

 

[Wishing4Wings]

actually, the only problem with this pen is that it doesn't work -- i went down to the coop this morning to check on everybody, and both of the new silver-pencileds were OUTside of their exclusion pen, pecking around and chasing the other birds. i'd set it up in a spot where a perch (an oak branch) was right above the top, so it couldn't be opened -- suppose they wriggled underneath it somehow?

has anyone had chicks/chickens escape from this kind of pen before, and/or found a good solution? i suppose i could figure out a way to stake it down, like a tent...

You could also put a board with bricks (or something heavy) on top. It doesn't seem likely, but could they possibly be squeezing through? I use an ex-pen (exercise pen) that was originally for rabbits, about 4'x4'. I'd loan it to you, but you'd have to come get it before Friday when I leave for Yosemite. PM me if you're interested.

Lynda

 

[zooweemama]

We use four eggs for breakfast each morning, plus whatever I use for cooking/baking. I sell a few extra dozen per week at work and have friends and family that I supply their eggs for free.

I just gave away five dozen eggs. I have seven dozen in the fridge. I have two dozen boiling on the stove to feed back to the girls. I've been giving my buyers an 18 count when they buy a dozen (I call it the frequent buyer bonus). I've been packing peewee/small pullet eggs and giving them to people with little kids (thought they'd find kid size eggs fun).

I haven't yet collected my afternoon eggs today.

I have eight more pens of birds that are just getting to the point of lay (all my other eggs are from three pens).

I see a lot more boiled eggs in store for my girls. Of course, I'd be complaining if I wasn't getting eggs...................

Don'tcha just love chickens!

Deb

I read that eggs were good for dogs (not as a sole food but in addition to) and also look forward to adding a bit to his diet.

 

[HighNDryFarm]

Oh geez, you sound like me....I'd forget my head it wasn't attached! I think they'll be fine. The day before my broody eggs were supposed to hatch the other broody wouldn't let her pass to get back to her eggs. We'd put up wire so the chicks wouldn't fall off the nesting box shelf and when the broody went to eat she was blocked from getting back. As far as we could tell, she spent all night away from her eggs and on the eggs the other chickens had laid in the box down the way, but the chicks all hatched fine so I'm sure your will be too.

Well confession time...I'm so crazy busy this week. I candled eggs before I was supposed to lock them down yesterday. Instead of putting them back in the bator. I left the tray inside the closet (where I candle!!)

So they were coldish when I discovered my mistake. I quickly put them in the bator but who knows now if any will hatch!! 22 partridge brahma eggs and langshan eggs

 

[lawatt]

You could also put a board with bricks (or something heavy) on top. It doesn't seem likely, but could they possibly be squeezing through? I use an ex-pen (exercise pen) that was originally for rabbits, about 4'x4'. I'd loan it to you, but you'd have to come get it before Friday when I leave for Yosemite. PM me if you're interested.

Lynda

thanks Lynda, i won't be needing one now for a while, so i'll try making the one i've got more secure -- but if i can't, i'll take you up on that!

and have a fabulous time in Yosemite! my mom has a house near there (just outside of Groveland) & i think is up there now...

best,
laura

 

[HighNDryFarm]

On the leg color, I have what I think will be a little EE roo (couple of months old) and he's all white with cute little puffy cheeks but his legs are really pale, even whitish??? I have another one, almost identical but with more of the greenish legs. The dad is a Silver Ameraucana and mom could be from any of my hens....EE's, RIR, Red Sexlink, Black Australorp. Is he lacking in something or is this normal?

I also have a black one that has a beautiful royal purple sheen instead of the normal green metallic. Does that say anything about the color egg she may lay?

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[zooweemama]

You should really check out the Marraduna Basque's that Ron and I have. They are soooo beautiful, incredibly friendly (the three year old picks them up almost every day) and very hardy. If you do become interested in more chicken math, I'll have some eggs and/or chicks when you're ready

I too have already been a victim of chicken math.. We wanted 3 or 4 at the most for egg consumption! About two months in and we have 6 pullets, 1 cockerel, 26 quail eggs hatching next week and 21 new baby chicks hatching this weekend. I used to laugh thinking people were so weird when they constantly talked about "chicken math." Guess the joke was on me! hahaha

Thanks! I am looking forward to my fall/winter of a closed flock to really research and read, look at pics and see what I like about the breeds I have so we can make a move next year. With the cost of food rising - I think a larger flock will be good for us. It would allow us more room to eat eggs and fresh meat as we need it sometimes. (like letting the hens sit periodically and then processing the extra cockerels and spent hens) I would at least be able to rest knowing that we have 2 protein sources when times are tough. My mil and us all share the property so we pool our money together. When the chickens or ducks need food- she pretty much buys every other bag. And what we get back from the chickens I think is worth the feed price- eggs, meat, entertainment, self-reliance (to some extent) and teaches my children some serious life skills (even if they never have a farm themselves). So I see the chicken math as a rock solid investment.

Also being able to kick down extras to friends having a hard time putting some protein on the table is a very nice perk. So I know our flock will increase next year- but what I get to do (fun part) is to decide how and I pretty much have cart blanche from my family as they trust my judgement (they know I research things to death lol).

So I would like to thank everyone for past answers and future answers to all my 1,999,999 questions.