Chicken rescue ... Nothing like a little fire, aim, ready ....

[Americana]

That's awesome if one of them do. I'll literally fall over laughing.

Thanks ... Now to build a coop.

Good thing I had decided that I WANTED rir's ... kinda wanted Plymouth Rocks though too.

Oh good, you can get some Rocks too when your coop is built, Once you start with chickens..........Beware ...of......



Chicken Math!

 

[bagawk]

When I got these two out of my friends coop her leghorns were spazzing out. The rir's just stood there. I walked up to them calmly and picked each one up and but them in the carrier. They are both pretty tame. They don't flap about or act up. I can pet them and handle both but if they were out loose I'm not sure I'd be able to walk up and catch them.

I have two stalls but they are fairly open and what you call "Florida Style" Stalls. The birds can easly get out if they wanted to. I dont use the stalls very often. I dont need to and the more you use them the more you have to clean them ...

I'm thinking if I use this as the 'base' for them by putting the kennel out there. If they had to they could easily roost in there, safely out of the way of predators But it's so freakin' cold right now. I'm not sure I like the idea of putting them in the dog kennel out there. Maybe if I had it on a table off the ground? ....

So I'm not sure what to do.

I mentioned making one of the stalls into a coop and got stink eye. I'd have to line that in chicken wire ....

I should mention that I live out in the toolies in Central Florida. I have foxes, bobcats, bears, panthers, raccoons, possums, armadillos, gators, nasty snakes .... all kinds of lovely animals ....

I'd hate for something to happen to them in the kennel and they cant' get away ...

 

[bagawk]

oh lord. I'll bite. What is chicken math?!

 

[Americana]

oh lord. I'll bite. What is chicken math?!

LOL! You just wait. Too complicated to explain....

Just kidding. Lots of people use different formulas for this....

In other words, just a justification for getting and keeping as many chickens as you can

Look it up in the search bar and you will get a mighty chuckle!

I am in Central Florida too! Dunnellon to be exact

Hi neighbor!

Yes, we gots lots of critters trying to get our chickies

edited to say, don't let your hubby find out about chicken math lol,

 

[Americana]

It is too freaking cold! I agree. I've been putting heat lamps in a couple of my mamma-with babies pens(even though the youngest group is 4 weeks old)

The stink eye...ooops!

Oh well, work on him. I agree with you about your new girls being in the kennel.The large slats are a risk, even during the day( hawks will grab, kill and consume through wire-

)

Everything wants our chickens, we can't get around that!

Even on a table they probably might not be safe unless you can get or have hardware cloth that you can fasten around the whole kennel.

Good luck, sounds like you are thinking everything through and are going to do what you can to keep your new girls safe!

(edited to add I meant in the kennel @ night with no protection- In the garage you are good to go!)

 

[KimberlyJ]

Sounds like you are having lots of chicken fun already

You say it's "cold" in Florida??? It was 1.3 degrees when I went out to the coup this morning. My coop is a converted tool shed, the thermometer inside said it was 10 degrees. My chickens were quite comfortable, I love to pick then up on a cold day...and marvel at how warm they are covered in all that down! Even their feet are warm! I do give them treats of warm oatmeal or alfalfa cudes softened in hot water, it makes us all feel warmer

KimberlyJ~ Welcome to BYC! (and chicken math)

 

[bagawk]

HAWKS. OMG I didn't think about freakin' hawks! I have a hawk family in the neighbors tree across the road!!!!!!!!

Will they harass full grown chickens if I let them out to free range like I had planned?!! oh noes!

For now I think I'll keep them in the garage. It's draft free and nothing (big) can get in and harass them. Rats and mice won't bug the chickens right?

Now I want to bring them into the house ....

I live in East Saint Cloud. As far east as you can get without having to say you live in Holopaw! It's in the lower 40s tonite. Granted it's not cold to some of you ... but when you are used to 90 degrees and humidity, a 40 degree change (sometimes we get freeze warnings even) ... it's a big deal.
Especially because most people down here don't even OWN cold weather clothing.
*brrrrr*

 

[Chemguy]

Will they harass full grown chickens if I let them out to free range like I had planned?!! oh noes!

Yes, they will. I would make sure that they have cover to run to. Bushes are good. If you have none, prop a piece of plywood on four milk jugs filled with water (or anything that'll hold the weight and is same height). They can run under there. Chickens aren't stupid, so they won't be caught unawares, but they need some help.

 

[bagawk]

Well I have the stalls, porch, overhang where I cross tie the horses for grooming, front porch, cars, horse trailer. I think they've got enough cover if needed.

I went out this morning and pulled the tray out of the dog kennel. Well, I pulled the whole kennel out and cleaned it. Dirty birdies. I left the bottom off the kennel and I put them back in after setting the kennel on the grass. I put a dish of their food in, and their waterer. They are busy picking at the grass. Probably the first time since their rescue that they got to pick at the grass.

I think tomorrow I'm going to pull the kennel out into the horse stall and let them get used to seeing that. I'll let them out and I will throw some sunflower seeds and scratch down for them and let them pick it a bit. I can only do so much because I have to go back to work tomorrow. I'm debating if I should keep them caged until next Saturday so I can let them out early in the morning and keep on eye on their wanderings for a while.

 

[bagawk]

Update ...

The girls have been wandering loose for a week now. They are doing great. Unfortunately I leave in the morning when it's dark and come home at night after dark. The only time I get to see my girls - which is the same as my four horses - is during the night. So they are roosting. BUT what I do see all around the stalls and cross tie area in the dirt is busy chicken feet doing what chickens do best! They are clearly comfy in their home and eating well!

Today I came home to find that I got my first egg. One of the girls hopped up onto a steel barrel I have in the cross tie area and laid an egg on top of it. It looks normal, smooth and is tan in color like RHI supposed to be. The shell is neither too thin or too thick. It looks good. I threw some hay on top of the barrel in hopes of providing a more inviting spot to leave eggs. I hope this is the first of more to come. Even if they don't, they are running around eating bugs and mole crickets. That in itself makes them worth every penny I put into them!

Yay!!!