Colorado

[dennarahl]

Hmm, they get an organic feed that I buy from a local farmer. He said that it wasn't a protein problem or he would have problems. He said sometimes you just get a bad hen with a chicken and that some are just more aggressive. He said the kind that we had (white leghorn) wasn't great for small outdoor flocks. They have a lot of room, a large coop and a 900 square foot garden they get to roam all day that is full of bugs and even little field mice occationally (super funny when they would fight over who would get to eat the mouse.) Her feathers are growing back, but I will try to add some of your other suggestions for protein. Thanks! And what about the cold? Any suggestions? We brought her inside last night because I get nervous that she will get too cold outside. She seems happy and is still laying 4-5 times a week. 

the amount of protein birds need is easily influenced by living arrangements. it'll be different for birds who free range than for birds who have killed everything in their run. snacks (scratch, kitchen scraps, etc) for the birds will throw off the amount of protein they actually eat. so, even when the feed is adequate number wise, it may not be adequate in reality.

with the cold, the garage is probably fine if it's draft free. If you're really worried, you could provide a heat lamp over the corner of her cage where she can go warm up if she needs to. that way you can tell if she feels cold or not.

 

[ktmikal]

I don't know the whole story but everything from selling the animals at auction for medication medicine to all sorts of other things. I called him once and then he called a few times after to try to convince me he was a good man. He doesn't coop them up. He lets them free range. Then he tells me that he goes through 100# of feed a week on his small flock of 20 because he just lets them eat at will. Now we all know what a crock of bullcrap that is. His name is Joe and just be careful of anyone willing to take a rooster off your hands if you care at all what happens to them.

I even asked how he kept the roosters from fighting... No good answer other than they don't. Most of us have pets that just happen to be chickens. The chickens have no clue to how fend for themselves.

Ok, rant off. Just be warned. This guy is dishonorable. If someone doesn't give a crap about their birds, fine. Let them send them to auction. If someone just wants to get rid of rooster, I can at least insure that the rooster is culled gently, quickly and was cared for before hand. There is no need to mistreat the animal prior. I respect people who are honest with culling when they must and for food, etc. I have little respect for people like Joe. Ok, this time I really mean rant off. He just irks me.


Sorry for having a giggle on this one... but I just can't help it.

Huh I have seen his ads and some of the posts. Some people just plain suck. My babies aren't going anywhere with anyone I don't know. People do the same things with the dogs/cats on CL. They post that they just want a loving pet to give a good home to, and then they turn around and sell them from more than they paid. Just heartless!

 

[coloradogal]

I have a woman coming out on Saturday to look at Fritzle. Fingers crossed he'll be a good fit with them.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I have a woman coming out on Saturday to look at Fritzle. Fingers crossed he'll be a good fit with them.

Just lost my first chick. I went for the noon check and found one of the dark Cornish chicks collapsed and gasping. I tried to get a little sugar water into her but she died five minutes later.

 

[coloradogal]

Just lost my first chick. I went for the noon check and found one of the dark Cornish chicks collapsed and gasping. I tried to get a little sugar water into her but she died five minutes later.

So sorry to hear that. I know some cornish crosses can't take the elevation but you got her here, didn't you? Any ideas? I'm so sorry. Do you have any ideas at all on what the issue could be? The rest are healthy, yes?

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

She wasn't a cross, pure dark Cornish but I think it was either a developmental issue or her face got dunked and she breathed some water (found her right next to the waterer). I have glass fish bowl rounds in there to prevent that but that side seemed to have shifted enough that it could have happened.

 

[coloradogal]

She wasn't a cross, pure dark Cornish but I think it was either a developmental issue or her face got dunked and she breathed some water (found her right next to the waterer). I have glass fish bowl rounds in there to prevent that but that side seemed to have shifted enough that it could have happened.

Regardless, it still sucks.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Regardless, it still sucks.

Definantly. It just drives me batty because I want to fix it so that it doesn't happen again but I don't know if there is anything I could have changed. I am going to go check on them again as soon as DH is home. He went to buy a new pair of snow boots for DS, he has outgrown the pair we bought for him already.

 

[walkingbird]

"I hope you're not using valuable company time to chat on BYC

I just confirmed something I already knew this morning. Do not use cruise control and 4wd at the same time!!! My whole life flashed before my eyes on the way to the gas station and it was really friggin boring."

Actually, don't use cruise control with any slick or wet conditions. Should one wheel slip a little, the cruise control will think it is slowing down, and actually rev to get it up to speed! That's why some newer cars will refuse to engage the cruise control if the windshield wipers are on.

 

[wsmith]

Just took a drive to the mailbox....

Lots of drifts. But the best thing, is that I noticed that since we put up the fences for the chicken compound, snow (translated: Moisture) retention on the property is about 50% more than in past years! this is WAY good!