Colorado

[samsr]

If they're the grubs I'm thinking of they give me nightmares, They eat up my seedlings every year.

That would be a cut worm in the photo. When you plant. Put a dixie cup with the bottom cut out around the seedling. This will help keep them from getting to the seedlings. Either that or let the chickens at the garden area before you plant. The chickens should take care of the cut worms in pretty short order and you will have a nicely tilled and airated garden to start out the year with.

 

[maggiemo]

These decisions are not easy for anyone, at least no one I know personally. If you are breeding, this sort of hen really can't be considered unless she can be bred to a cockbird out of a stellar layer, and if you only have your flock for eggs, hens like this are money down the drain. I would suggest you advertise them for free on Craigslist for someone who wants a lovely yard ornament, if you can tolerate the possibility they will grace someone else's dinner table, or process them yourself if you can. Some chickens are beautiful but do not produce, at which point (and 14 months is plenty of opportunity, they should be laying well at this point) there are decisions to make. If the rest of your flock is laying well, are you willing to feed a non-productive hen for the pleasure of looking at her? Some are, some are not, there is no shame in either.

Blah thanks. This is my first flock and I knew I would have to do this. I have a friend who has chickens. We have a deal that I will kill her chickens and she will kill mine when the time comes. Last fall I killed 8 of her culls so I guess it is time to call her and do the deed.
I was thinking I might wait until Fall and take them to Wendell's when we have our BYC fall processing. But I know in my heart there is no point in waiting.
Thanks.
mo

 

[BlueJaye]

Is anyone interested in taking my sweet blue splash bantam cochin? He is such a sweet heart, but I live in the city so I can't keep him.

He's almost 11 weeks old. very handsome, and definitely the friendliest of my chicks.

I only want him to go to a good home, so if you think you are it, please PM me!

He is FREE to the right home!

 

[Chook Chick]

I am following the Nutrena feeding schedule, and according to it I should start feeding the big girls layer feed now. That's why I was asking about mixing the Layer and Grower feed together as I don't know how I'd keep the feed separate, they all eat from one feeder. There is nothing I can see in the layer feed that is any different from what's in the grower feed, with the exception that the layer feed has 2% less protein....so I was thinking I could mix the two together and give the big girls oyster shell on the side.......my girls all free range in my backyard and so I don't feel I need to give them grit. I have some old tupperware dishes that I give the kids their yogurt and treats in

I don't expect the big girls to start laying until sometime in July.

Ok all, I posted this a couple weeks ago because I wanted to know about mixing the Nutrena grower and layer feeds. I contacted the company but they have yet to get back to me. The reason I wanted to know is because I just had the feeling that the girls were going to start laying soon.....even though they are only 18 weeks old. Well, sure enough, Patty, my Araucana (that I bought from Pozees!) laid an egg this morning!! The sun had come around and gotten to it so is it any good? It was pretty warm when I found it.



What a surprise!

 

[Pozees]

Chook chick, congrats! Terrific news! I would suggest you continue to feed grower and add oyster shell free choice.

Sharon, I have some juvenile RIR that I plan to breed later this year, probably fall to late fall when they're old enough, but they will be my first so if they are anything like the ones I"m growing right now, I wouldn't venture a guess (at least a confident one) until they are in the neighborhood of 4-6 weeks of age. I might improve my sexing skills in the meantime, I have some eggs in the incubator now that I got from Greathorse (Paul) up in Berthoud which I'm hoping for a hatch from.

 

[WendyGeisler]

I just went out and watered the chickens and the run. Poor girls it is so hot outside! I have shade and places for them to be cool, but I am melting, I can't imagine wearing a coat of feathers too!

 

[WendyGeisler]

Just saw the news about a wildfire in Black Forest. If anyone needs to evacuate I can take their chickens. Wendy

 

[cosbackyard]

If we don't get some rain this'll just be the beginning of another epic wildfire season.

 

[samsr]

I can also house some displaced birds. Up to about 10. I am South of fountain.

 

[Ashdoes]

We're in Peyton, down Falcon Hwy. I can see the smoke from my backyard and the wind is blowing it this way. It's looks big. I hope they're able to get it out soon. Wish it would rain.