- Mar 18, 2013
- 23
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Hi Everyone!
I have checked out BYC many times over the last year. I have finally quit being "chicken" and jumped in with both feet. We have a small hobby farm on the edge of some Florida wetlands. I couldn't resist the chicks this spring at TS and our local feed store. We have 12 all together...we call them the "Ya Ya Sisterhood". Did we get in over our head?
Seven weeks old now...3 Rhode Island Reds, "Roxy, Maryanne, and Ms Priss", all lap sitters and one sun bather (Ms Priss)...3 White Leghorns, "Henny, Penny and Jenny"...Named so because, for them, the sky is always falling. Though, Jenny will sit in your lap...Henny & Penny suffer so when you hold them.
Three weeks old...3 Buff Orpingtons...still finding their names, 2 Araucanas..."Mable and Sable"...and 1 Black Jersey Giant...so far called "the Princess".
Last week the older girls were introduced to the outside. They have an 8' X 8' predator proof enclosure, domed wire roof with 2/3rds covered with white 4mil plastic, 5'3" high at center, sand floor in a 12" raised bed, a shallow water feature, and a blanket covered rabbit hutch 3'x3' full of hay with a red bulb 100 watt light for night time warmth. Wild orphaned duck babies were raised in this until they flew off to find their own way.
The younger girls are living in the laundry room in a 3'x3' pen of PVC and garden netting with a screen top...1/2" pvc roost 4" off the floor, pine bedding, slate stacks to climb on, needless to say, becoming quite comfortable to indoor life.
I am looking for a good design for a mobile coop/ tractor and yard for 12 hens, that will be easy to move...we sometimes have water issues with a tropical storm situation.I also would like to not have a "chicken yard" fixed. We have 6-7 acres to move over, fertilize...share with 3 horses and 4 dogs...and Barred owls in the woods, Red Shouldered Hawks at the meadow edge...Haven't seen any fox or raccoons since the dog population reached 4.
Also...any advice is welcome...Can I mix the two groups easily and at what age? No one is showing much aggression...just some definitely more outgoing with people than others. Everyone is healthy...All on Starter/Grower...occasional live meal worm treat. Vaccinations?
I know, rambling on...but so excited! Thank you for this website...I have learned so much!
I have checked out BYC many times over the last year. I have finally quit being "chicken" and jumped in with both feet. We have a small hobby farm on the edge of some Florida wetlands. I couldn't resist the chicks this spring at TS and our local feed store. We have 12 all together...we call them the "Ya Ya Sisterhood". Did we get in over our head?
Seven weeks old now...3 Rhode Island Reds, "Roxy, Maryanne, and Ms Priss", all lap sitters and one sun bather (Ms Priss)...3 White Leghorns, "Henny, Penny and Jenny"...Named so because, for them, the sky is always falling. Though, Jenny will sit in your lap...Henny & Penny suffer so when you hold them.
Three weeks old...3 Buff Orpingtons...still finding their names, 2 Araucanas..."Mable and Sable"...and 1 Black Jersey Giant...so far called "the Princess".
Last week the older girls were introduced to the outside. They have an 8' X 8' predator proof enclosure, domed wire roof with 2/3rds covered with white 4mil plastic, 5'3" high at center, sand floor in a 12" raised bed, a shallow water feature, and a blanket covered rabbit hutch 3'x3' full of hay with a red bulb 100 watt light for night time warmth. Wild orphaned duck babies were raised in this until they flew off to find their own way.
The younger girls are living in the laundry room in a 3'x3' pen of PVC and garden netting with a screen top...1/2" pvc roost 4" off the floor, pine bedding, slate stacks to climb on, needless to say, becoming quite comfortable to indoor life.
I am looking for a good design for a mobile coop/ tractor and yard for 12 hens, that will be easy to move...we sometimes have water issues with a tropical storm situation.I also would like to not have a "chicken yard" fixed. We have 6-7 acres to move over, fertilize...share with 3 horses and 4 dogs...and Barred owls in the woods, Red Shouldered Hawks at the meadow edge...Haven't seen any fox or raccoons since the dog population reached 4.
Also...any advice is welcome...Can I mix the two groups easily and at what age? No one is showing much aggression...just some definitely more outgoing with people than others. Everyone is healthy...All on Starter/Grower...occasional live meal worm treat. Vaccinations?
I know, rambling on...but so excited! Thank you for this website...I have learned so much!
