Chicks for the first Time

[boyswillbeboys]

I heard one of my chicks try to crow this morning, and it was a very well developed crow, so I think it was a broiler, as they have stopped cheeping and sound like regular chickens already, the rest seem to be cheeping still. It sounds very cute when I turn off the light for the night, with a mix of cheeps and clucks.

 

[Elena2424]

Depending on what predators you have in your area be very careful and cautious

 

[winchuck]

We are blessed living only four miles from the ocean not to have many bugs of prey. We have mosquito fish in our pond to take care of any problems and it is working. I bought my flock a big block of a seed treat thing that I could barely carry back to the coop from the driveway. They have managed to eat a corner off of it. I turned their bedding, scrapped poop off of surfaces and generally cleaned up their area. I hope I am appreciated. I also found a nice size branch out in the forest for their screened porch under the coop so they can roost on something other than the ramp. Our coop looks like posted pictures but we have added a fenced roofed area under and besides the coop; where they will always be safe. When they get past cat lunch size they get to go out to the larger fenced area and from there hopefully to free range. We are refinishing the floors where I have my computer so cannot post pictures from husband's office since they aren't here on his machine.

 

[Elena2424]

I said that becuase long story short we put our chickens in a horse paddock and something completely destroyed our flock, and I was not happy, I thought they would be ok becuase we had straight run that time and had like 15 roosters and thought well if anything messes with these guys they are done for well I was wrong, so I really didn't want that to happen to anyone that is new to chickens especially for people that love chickens like me

 

[Elena2424]

Also I don't know how big ocean birds will get along with your chickens so just be careful, like I said I really want you to have a good first time with chickens

 

[winchuck]

Thank you, Elena! We have more cougar here than anywhere else in Oregon along with many hawks and millions of coons. My Jack Russel is also a danger. LOL The coop itself has been made as safe as safe as can be with buried foundation, fencing etc. It is totally enclosed with a roof and all possible entry spaces blocked. We sat there watching our cat find possible places to get into high up and fixed them immediately. He was good reality check as he seriously wanted to get to them. I check for digging and fill them back in with rocks. They will be put in each night into the "safe" area under the roof. I've been letting them help themselves to go inside the actual coop area thinking that there was no danger outside as long as they are in the protected roofed and fenced space just outside and under the coop. I call it their porch and patio area. A couple of them were acting a bit like roosters today, but know that females can do the bump chest thing so still do not know what I have for sure. I bought a watermelon today knowing I bought it mainly for the chickens. We will eat on it, but save some for them too. They sure love that melon! Black bears will be coming in soon as apples are getting bigger. I sure am glad they aren't into chickens. I have a solar device on the coop that blinks a light at night when something or someone is approaching their area. It is suppose to keep evil doers away. Hmmm? Wonder?

 

[Elena2424]

That's a good Idea to bury the foundation

 

[Elena2424]

Yeah always be careful with openings and fence becuase predators will do anything to get in including digging holes and I would also make sure if you have cougars make sure your wire is really strong , cuz if a hungry cougar comes along that is desperate they will try to break through
But that light ought to work pretty well

 

[Elena2424]

Yeah chickens I've been around love watermelon, yogurt, and meal worms
Also I recommend to spray your coop for mites and anything you can do to prevent mites becuase when mites get on you it makes you want to take a shower in lava

 

[winchuck]

I read that dried rosemary helps with mites so I generously dumped some all around everywhere yesterday. I always have so many dried and/or fresh herbs. I can't seem to throw away anything; which makes me a hoarder!! OMG! Now comes the lavender that is blooming everywhere. I often find a bag of something way up in a closet forgotten but not thrown out. LOL