Colorado

[EHook518]

Minchi, your bird gives me hope.

Me too. I have what I believe are some Wyandotte/EE mixes that are 7 weeks. They all have different combs; single, pea, and something that I don't know! They all have begun to get red but at times they are pale. I have noticed it changes when they are excited. They all chest bump and fluff their feathers but I have yet to hear any crowing. Does anyone know if Wyandottes develop red combs earlier than other breeds?

Minchi they look similar to yours when I take pictures, and likewise I always think they are redder in person. They do not have the feather color traits of an EE but some have green or slate legs, two have yellow legs.
I went to Denver Urban Homesteading chicken swap today to prepare myself for the upcoming weeks. I did see an EE pullet that is the color I want. I am nervous about having to introduce new birds.

Oh and I just have to share that I am getting braver about letting my chicks free range (I had it in my head that they would fly away lol!)

 

[wsmith]

Hello fellow Colorado chicken lovers. I am new and posted my obligatory Hello just a few moments ago but wanted to be more specific with who I am saying hello to so hopped on here as this thread has been interesting, enlightening and just plain fun to read through.

As I have not started to raise chickens yet, I am looking for ideas and thoughts on this process. We live on 40 acres south of Colorado Springs and plan to go off grid within the next 2 years. This includes raising our own food. Yes, I will be eating some of the chickens I raise but will also be raising layers for eggs and just fun. Does anyone have a good plan for a chicken coop for the layers? We need to start with the building so our little hen house can be ready for it's new homesteaders when we purchase. As we have lots of ground, size is not an obstacle and we plan to have about 12-15 layers.

Seems the Rhode Island Reds are what I am looking at raising as they have many good qualities that work in Colorado from heat to cold resistance. Also, they are a heritage breed and are not so genetically altered to scare me. Do we really eat chickens that grow to full size in less than 12 weeks??? Makes me want to be a vegetarian until we are up and running here on the farm.

Well, I hope everyone enjoyed the rain and am hopeful to get some great ideas.

Welcome! We are also south of the Springs.

 

[ONSTAD1]

Me too.  I have what I believe are some Wyandotte/EE mixes that are 7 weeks.  They all have different combs; single, pea, and something that I don't know!  They all have begun to get red but at times they are pale.  I have noticed it changes when they are excited.  They all chest bump and fluff their feathers but I have yet to hear any crowing.  Does anyone know if Wyandottes develop red combs earlier than other breeds? Minchi they look similar to yours when I take pictures, and likewise I always think they are redder in person.  They do not have the feather color traits of an EE but some have green or slate legs, two have yellow legs.
I went to Denver Urban Homesteading chicken swap today to prepare myself for the upcoming weeks.  I did see an EE pullet that is the color I want.  I am nervous about having to introduce new birds.   Oh and I just have to share that I am getting braver about letting my chicks free range (I had it in my head that they would fly away lol!)

How old are your chicks?

 

[wsmith]

Got the door put together, and the windows framed. Cut out a hole for my 2nd hand store glass lid window too! Worked out some details for the nest boxes. The chickens are growing fast.....Sharon, as soon as the hen house is done, we will pick out 2 Dom pullets for you. Rock Ledge Ranch wants 2 as well.

 

[gardendufus]

Got the door put together, and the windows framed. Cut out a hole for my 2nd hand store glass lid window too! Worked out some details for the nest boxes. The chickens are growing fast.....Sharon, as soon as the hen house is done, we will pick out 2 Dom pullets for you. Rock Ledge Ranch wants 2 as well.

This looks good Wendell, but why does it remind me of the kinda store frontage i would see in a wild west show?

Don't worry bout me, I'm still waiting patiently, letting you pay for food!

Did ya see, my pullets are squatting......wheeeeeee!!!

 

[wsmith]

This looks good Wendell, but why does it remind me of the kinda store frontage i would see in a wild west show?

Don't worry bout me, I'm still waiting patiently, letting you pay for food!

Did ya see, my pullets are squatting......wheeeeeee!!!

I saw! Nice looking pullet BTW.

 

[gardendufus]

I saw! Nice looking pullet BTW.

So everyone says. I'm SO eggcited.

 

[ONSTAD1]

So here is a rather random question... pre-planning of sorts.

What is the youngest you have seen a chick figure out a ramp to a pop door? Mind you mine are brooding in the coop. I'm wondering when I can give them the run of the run (ability to come and go from the coop as they please). At 1.5 weeks I'm letting them forage in the dirt of the run for 15-20 min a day....scratching, dustdathing, playing keep away with a centipede ... so fun to watch.

mo

 

[wsmith]

So here is a rather random question... pre-planning of sorts.

What is the youngest you have seen a chick figure out a ramp to a pop door? Mind you mine are brooding in the coop. I'm wondering when I can give them the run of the run (ability to come and go from the coop as they please). At 1.5 weeks I'm letting them forage in the dirt of the run for 15-20 min a day....scratching, dustdathing, playing keep away with a centipede ... so fun to watch.

mo

I'd just watch them, they will let you know.

 

[EHook518]

How old are your chicks?

They are 7 weeks.