Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[NikkiMiChickie]

It's good protective instinct...but I still don't tolerate it.  I don't cull for it..it's a good feature in a rooster.  I usually just give them a good cuffing along side the head for it and it doesn't happen again. 

Thanks, Bee. He startled me, and like I said, I was almost impressed with him so I didn't do anything. This time. Next time I'll let him know who's boss. But then again, I don't have much need to pick up my chickens during the day, usually just grab off the roost, so this probably won't have the chance to occur again. He and I had a couple go-rounds when he was just starting to crow and would puff up his feathers when I walked by. He gets out of my way now, and hasn't been a bit of a problem until this incident. Thanks again!

 

[Beekissed]

He sounds like a keeper! Smart enough to take correction and protective of the hens...my kind of man!

 

[bruceh]

How would you like to have a light on all night when you are trying to sleep?

It does prevent the uptake of melatonin, which is an important chemical known to influence reproductive and immune system health.

You should stroll on over to the Road Less Traveled thread and see the rest of them....they all have improved in a remarkable way since their return from no man's land.

bee i like the light on when i sleep. i find a calming effect to it. however my chickens don't get light after dark.

 

[Beekissed]

Scaredy cat.

 

[bruceh]

no i am not a scardy cat. i am just a big chicken

 

[kathyinmo]

Craigslist score..... if only I was closer.....

Animal Feed (Welch, Ok )

Date: 2012-11-02, 5:33PM CDT
craigslist.

I have hundreds of pumpkins which can be for cooking or animal feeds. Pie pumpkins are in this mix plus speciality pumpkins. I just hate to see all that nutrition go to waste. Thanks

• Location: Welch, Ok
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID:

 

[Nomibear]

Can i get the opinion of the old-timers, Please?
I had a Leghorn go broody a month ago. She was 23 weeks old. She had started laying at 19 weeks. We don't have a Roo, so we got her 5 fertile eggs a week later. The first one hatched Monday morning, and was looking really good when we left that morning. When we got home it was on the other side of the coop dead, with two small (shallow, not deadly) peck marks. We also saw that 2 more chicks were starting to hatch. Tuesday morning they still hadn't made it out of the shell. At 10 am one had died in the shell, and i removed just a small piece for the other one. I came back 5 min later, and the 2nd chick had made it out of the shell. On top if that, the chick was out of the nest box, had a peck mark on her tummy, and (mom) was wondering around.
This one i removed and put in a box indoors with a heat lamp. So far it has had some water, and is looking perky, but hasn't eaten yet, about 13 hours after hatching.
Does this seem like inexperience? Or will she never make a good mommy? Should i not allow her to brood eggs again? Is there anything else i should do for the chick?

 

[Beekissed]

Craigslist score..... if only I was closer.....

Animal Feed (Welch, Ok )

Date: 2012-11-02, 5:33PM CDT
craigslist.

I have hundreds of pumpkins which can be for cooking or animal feeds. Pie pumpkins are in this mix plus speciality pumpkins. I just hate to see all that nutrition go to waste. Thanks

• Location: Welch, Ok
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID:

Wow! Hope we have some folks here that can take advantage of that for their livestock. Lots of folks would love to have this opportunity!

Can i get the opinion of the old-timers, Please?
I had a Leghorn go broody a month ago. She was 23 weeks old. She had started laying at 19 weeks. We don't have a Roo, so we got her 5 fertile eggs a week later. The first one hatched Monday morning, and was looking really good when we left that morning. When we got home it was on the other side of the coop dead, with two small (shallow, not deadly) peck marks. We also saw that 2 more chicks were starting to hatch. Tuesday morning they still hadn't made it out of the shell. At 10 am one had died in the shell, and i removed just a small piece for the other one. I came back 5 min later, and the 2nd chick had made it out of the shell. On top if that, the chick was out of the nest box, had a peck mark on her tummy, and (mom) was wondering around.
This one i removed and put in a box indoors with a heat lamp. So far it has had some water, and is looking perky, but hasn't eaten yet, about 13 hours after hatching.
Does this seem like inexperience? Or will she never make a good mommy? Should i not allow her to brood eggs again? Is there anything else i should do for the chick?

First, let me congratulate you on getting a Leghorn that went broody...don't know that I ever heard of one. Second, even inexperienced broody mamas won't peck at chicks if they are truly good mothers. I wouldn't allow her to do it again.

The chick is living on the yolk still and can continue to do so for up to 3 days without food or water. If you have a source or someone who has chicks of a similar age right now it would be great if you could snag a few...it will do better with companions. If not, just do the normal...heat, food, water, clean bedding, etc. Might want to put a little ACV in the water to give it a little boost.

 

[Nomibear]

Wow! Hope we have some folks here that can take advantage of that for their livestock. Lots of folks would love to have this opportunity!

First, let me congratulate you on getting a Leghorn that went broody...don't know that I ever heard of one. Second, even inexperienced broody mamas won't peck at chicks if they are truly good mothers. I wouldn't allow her to do it again.

The chick is living on the yolk still and can continue to do so for up to 3 days without food or water. If you have a source or someone who has chicks of a similar age right now it would be great if you could snag a few...it will do better with companions. If not, just do the normal...heat, food, water, clean bedding, etc. Might want to put a little ACV in the water to give it a little boost.

Thank you for the reply Beekissed. I was amazed to have a broody leghorn, and so early. I wish i knew who had pecked the babies. I only have the one coop, so she was not separated from the other chickens. I'm not sure if the (Momma) gave the pecks or another hen from the flock. Either way, i found both chicks out of the nest box ignored by the brooding hen. I figured that made her a bad momma....

here is a pick of the one i have now.

 

[Alibabe]

I think its the temps and the humidity. Closing the coop at night may be the problem and the extra ventilation won't make them any less cold...just as long as it isn't blowing right on them. I'd add some more venting up at the roof line..those garden sheds are pretty tight. I'd also encourage hubby to see the light...the extra DL can absorb some of the extra humidity as well. Humidity is the enemy when it comes to frost bite and combs.

Dry is good right now but let it build up and layer it in. Let the chickens do the work of turning by throwing some scratch in the bedding in the mornings when you have to keep them cooped up...they will have it all turned and fluffy when you come back home. I'd do that just every now and again to keep the moisture from the manure form forming "caps" in the bedding.

I think you are on the right track! Keep it up... and welcome to the thread and the forum!

Thanks so much Bee, I am going to follow the advice. I can nag really well so plan to get my own way when it comes to the DL

Hubby is in for a shock! I will try and get some pics but not sure I will be able to today as it is overcast and grey and black outside but will post pics as soon as I can.
Have a great day everyone!!