Colorado

[MalMom]

Hello fellow Coloradoans, I'm somewhat new to backyard chickens. I have two RIRs that are ~20 weeks old. We are up in Loveland. I'm excited to get to know fellow chick lovers in the area.

 

[gardendufus]

Ok plan B,
we just returned the 300 dollars of chicken wire that we were going to put over the top of the run.
Now we bought electric fencing stuff to put around the top of the fence.

Also, my dad is nagging me to death to order a Nite guard
which is a solar box that flashes a red light from dusk to dark.
he has been after me for the last year to buy one.
Has anyone here ever tried this?


Here is the link...there are TONS of testimonials...
http://niteguard.com/pages/Hom

I like it. Do ya think it would keep out marauding teenagers? If not, maybe those flashy silver strips?

 

[gardendufus]

When the hens become broody, is it something you notice in their personality within their first year of laying?

I have a 16 month old Welsummer that went broody a few weeks ago. If you had asked me before that, I would have said NO WAY! As a matter of fact, I expected her to start crowing next, not go broody, as she started mounting the other hens this spring as tho she was a rooster.

Like Wendell says, chickens are amusing.

 

[gardendufus]

Quote: When I was a kid, I used to love gooseberry cobbler, which is the only thing we did with them other than jam, which was also good if you like tart fruit and I do.

Think I'm gonna have to add gooseberries to my garden next year. Hexe, do you think they would grow in an acidic soil, like under/around a pine tree?

 

[BrotherJosh]

Still waiting on the cool down. Have lots of planned projects. Another roost in the coop. bought a new feeder & waterer for coop. How many of you provide food and water in the coop? During the summer I can leave the door open to the run which is access to food & water. But Gosh for my little coop it makes a mess. I am going to try a different water source in the coop. Must install those. My sand got wet for a few days yuck, Even with a tarp over top. I was thinking of adding pea gravel and sand. THOUGHTS?
Welp I just turned around and I see relaxing cloud cover. Im heading out!! Enjoy the weekend kids!!

ps....how mad does it make you when you see your hen go sit in her spot only to get off later....you go bouncing out to find no egg. Uber bummer!!!

I've used sand in the run for my girls from the beginning and love how easy it is to clean up. I've never had much mess/mud in there since I've got 4-6in of sand throughout and so no water sticks around long. I did have some pea gravel mixed in when I built the new coop and would not recommend it. The sand keeps everything dry and clumped up - the pea gravel not so much. I've had more flies this summer than I thought possible and I figure that the time with pea gravel is at least partly to blame as the chicken poo during the day didn't dry up and clump but stayed where it was on top of the pea gravel. So my 2cents would be for deeper sand, not mixing it with Pea Gravel. You can also make sure you have drainage by installing some simple 4in perforated drain pipe under the coop/run - works like a charm to get liquid out of the area and down to where I would rather it go (in my case to the street!). Everyone has an opinion especially when it comes to your coop/run - just figured I"d pitch in mine.

Cheers,

Josh

 

[gardendufus]

Hi Everyone! Guess I really hit a nerve with the gardening stuff. I sorta feel responsible for changing the thread. lol sorry.

That's why this thread is in the 'Social' section, where the only boundaries are politeness and clean language. Well, probably some others, but I'm old (and tired after a long drive) and can't think of them.

 

[gardendufus]

Baby chicks coming back to Big R July 31, wish I knew what kind.

Good luck finding a Big R employee that has ANY idea what breed their chicks are!!!

 

[Mtn Margie]

Multiple.....

Glad you are back! Yes, you are jaded but that is why we love you!!!!!!

 

[Pozees]

Glad you are back! Yes, you are jaded but that is why we love you!!!!!!

X2! How long before you make the trek from San Diego back to CO? Sorry to hear about the car - just glad no one was in it at the time! Hope your Mom recovers quickly from her fall.

 

[gardendufus]

Quote: Hoping to be back Friday the 26 or Sat the 27..........been away too long already.