Just read every post on this thread.... even when my eyes glazed. Therefore, even though I have only raised chickens for 1 1/2 years (2nd winter), I now feel I have a PHD in chickenry direct from BYCU. I suppose y'all could call that sentence right there a BS in BS.....
Anyhow.... I have a few questions. I too consider myself a pragmatist meaning I look at all my animals except my girlfriends mutts as having to earn their keep.
I have a house in a valley. With this years rain, the runoff makes it a swamp. I plan to rent a backhoe next year and create a creek to divert runoff. However, My coop, a 11 x 16 repurposed garage which I moved in pieces from a rental house, has no floor. I debated laying wood or tin down so the runoff would run under it, but opted for straw. 1/2 bale keeps it dry for a week. I am hoping as it gets cold, that it will stay dry longer. Comments?
I also slapped a slant roof on it but there is at least a foot of open space all the way around. Would you consider this ventilation or draft? I have 3 sides of windows for summer, but now they are boarded up (hinged so I can open them).
I have 50 plus birds that free range. How do you tell if they are laying or not? I caged 4 that only had 2 fingers space or less and the next morning I found 1 egg. 1 hen escaped when I opened cage to feed, and 3 more days no eggs equaled 3 processed chickens. Upon eviscerating, I found 3 egg like masses bright yellow 3 different sizes, no shell.... I assume developing eggs (never seen anything like this in fish that I have cleaned). The reason I have thinned the flock is because they stopped laying in July. went from 2 dozen eggs per day to 4 eggs. Course the day I butchered and since.... 7-9 eggs per day. Maybe it was a 5 1/2 month moult.
I have chicks in the basement. Hate it. I turned chicks out at 3 weeks old and it was fine. Last batch temps were in the 30's started losing 1 per day. I have 20 4 week olds and 16 1 week old in the basement. 8 weekers are fine. With temps in the teens and 20's at night, is a 500 watt work light bulb ok? It wasn't in the 30's with the others unless they were just weak.
How old does a rooster stay fertile? I have the eldest (Estimated to be 3-4 years old) He is the big Dog. I call him Captain.... Yes I named him but I will be the one to cut his head off when the time comes. I have 3 others and possibly more with the youngsters coming up. I already have several bald hens. Which should I keep?
I BOW to your superior knowledge Oh Gruff Wise Ones..... Hmmm instead of OT's y'all could be OGWO's.... nice sound to that