Consolidated Kansas

[HEChicken]

We are here in Wichita.
A year or so ago, I looked at this site thinking....chicken would be kinda cool!
I really didn't have time to build a coop so I just forgot about it.
Last Friday (3/9/12) I was looking at Craigslist and a woman was giving away 5 chicks.
I emailed her and picked them up Saturday. (she gave us 8, 3 week old chicks)
Ok so now we have 8 chicks and no food, feeders, or a coop!
I go to Lowe's, get the stuff to build a coop, and Wednesday was their 1st whole day/night in it!
They are so funny to watch!
This will be fun

Glad you found the Kansas thread. There are quite a few of us in Wichita (although I will be moving out of Wichita in the next couple of months). You must be a pretty speedy coop builder! Would love to see some pics.....

Hello All,

I am here in Wichita! Finally convinced the spouse to let me get chicks!!! Anybody know where I can get specific breeds in town or within an hour drive? I have been to TSC and At Woods and all they have are assortments

. I have done a bit of research to find what breeds i think i want, and would like to end up with them. Can't order online because I only want 4! I'm in a pickle!

What do I do if I get a male? I can't even think about that right now, DH would make me sleep with the chickens for sure!

Hoping to get my chicks this weekend, perhaps even tomorrow. Waiting this long has been soooooo hard!!! The minute he agreed I designed a coop and run for them!

How high should my fence be when I let them free range in my garden? I have a setter and a grey hound and really don't want to worry about them getting out of the garden when I'm not looking?

When I clean out their coop can I just throw bedding and all into my compost pile or do I have to do something special?

What should I have on hand before I bring my babies home? We have a LARGE dog crate and heat lamp. What kind of bulbs do I need? I have 60 watt plant bulbs right now. How often should/can I handle them?

I have so many questions, seeing as how I am terrified I will accidentally murder my chickee chickees, but it is very late and I am very tired!

Looking forward to being a part of this wonderful group!!!

Rachel

- glad you found us too! Which Atwoods did you look for chicks at? The one in Andover gets in breeds that none of the other feed stores get. I think what they do is tell Ideal to send them several different "unusual" breeds a week. By unusual, I mean the kinds of breeds you typically don't see during chick days. So where TSC gets the standard red & black sex links, barred rocks and Rhode island reds, Atwoods gets Marans and Brabanters, Yokohamas, Minorcas, La Fleche and so on. (I've seen all of these breeds there). The only thing is, they can't tell you what they'll get or when so you just have to keep checking back there. Also, some of the unusual breeds are straight run so you do run the risk of getting a male. There are several options for what to do if you get one of them - eat him, rehome him away on CL....

For fence height....I have 6' privacy fence around most of my yard and the chooks never flew over. One fence is 5' rod iron and this year I had a pullet fly over it a couple of times but she hasn't done that for weeks now so maybe she grew a little and got too heavy to go over. Around my vegie garden I have a 4' t-post & chicken wire fence. This has kept the chooks out very well - the flimsy top of the chicken wire doesn't look like a good place to fly up to and land so they don't do it.

The compost will LOVE the bedding from the cleaned out coop. Straight chicken poop won't compost very well because it is too nitrogen rich, but mixed with the bedding to provide the carbon, it will soon turn into lovely humus.

For your heat lamp, look at Atwoods and TSC for red heat lamp bulbs. They should be around 150 watts. They also have white bulbs and you can get one of each if you prefer the white light. I prefer the red because it makes a softer glow to allow them to sleep at night. Depending on what side of town you're on, there is also a feed store not far from downtown called CW Feed (on Washington between Murdock & 13th) and you can get all the supplies you need there too.

To start, the dog crate will work fine and you have the heat lamp. You'll also want bedding, a feeder and a waterer. The chick versions work great but you can also use a regular shallow bowl for water. If you do that, fill it with marbles so they can't get in an drown. For the first few days, I sometimes use an egg carton as a feeder - the egg cups work great to hold food and afterwards I can dispose of it. By the time they're 2 weeks old though, they start tipping it over and then you'll need something more substantial.

You should handle them often - the more you handle them as chicks, the more friendly they will be and the easier it will be to handle them as adults.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Wayne&Kim, thanks. I can't believe it doesn't look like even one is going to make it.

MsFrizzle, great stuff-- for a weed! I picked a whole bunch and threw it in with my big girls... they look pretty confused at first like I was trying to kill them!

Cherwill-- yep, you described it perfectly!

ixr-- Hey, welcome to the Kansas thread and

!!!!!! You'll love this group! Let us know if you run into any coop questions! Congrats on your 8 babies!!

SapphireBlue--- uh oh.... the chicken math is catching up with you! Your ducks sound cute! Sounds like Sarge is already taking his job seriously! What a great boy!

Rvroman-- another new person here!! YAY! Welcome to the Kansas thread and

!!! Don't buy any males if you live inside Wichita city limits, they are not allowed. It's easy NOT to get a male.... just don't buy out of the "straight run" bin. ONLY buy out of the "Pullet" bin-- those are the girls. Usually bantams can't be sexed, so if you buy any bantams and they don't say "pullets" you'll probably end up with boys. Last year I did that and bought two-- BOTH are now crowing. Great. LOL! Your fence-- mine can't fly over their 6ft fence, and from what I've read on the board, most birds don't. In an extreme situation-- they are being chased, they can probably get over the 6ft fence. If they are content and happy (and nothing is chasing them), they will stay in a 4 ft fence while free ranging. I wouldn't want your dogs out when your chickens are out, though.... never know what might happen there. Don't want your own mini chicken massacre. If you are going to use the DLM (deep litter method) you won't need to change your litter for a good 6 months or longer. I'm on 5 months and figure mine still has two or 3 more months left on it. I'd throw it in a compost pile and wait for it to compost down further. The shavings hold up pretty good and you'll want them broken down before using them in your garden. A dog crate and a heat lamp should work out fine. Be sure to have the heat lamp only on ONE side-- they need to be able to get away from it if they get hot. If it's heating up the whole cage, they could die if they are too hot. And how often to hold your babies--- handle them as much as you want! The more the better! I used to sit with a couple in my lap inside and watch tv with them. I still do that with one of my cockerels-- he's a sweetie. The more you hold them, the easier they will be to manage when they're older. There are NO dumb questions when you're just getting started, so ask anything you want!

 

[tweetysvoice]

We are here in Wichita.
This will be fun

Welcome ixr!!! Glad to have you on the board. There are several here from the Wichita area and everyone is great at answering questions!! Have fun with the new babies!!

Well, I'm nuts...went to McPherson today and couldn't pass up the amazing deal on week old chicks and ducklings. Came home with 3 ducklings, 3 barred Plymouth Rocks, and 4 bantam chicks. The ducklings are already getting cuddly with me and one of the bantams that has "house slippers" fell asleep in my hands. Yup, imma sucker!

Welcome sapphireblue76! sounds like you have a great assortment! I got ducklings a couple weeks ago and aren't they fun!! I'm finding that so far they are much more personable and wanting to snuggle - compared to the new chicks!

Hello All,

I am here in Wichita! Finally convinced the spouse to let me get chicks!!! Anybody know where I can get specific breeds in town or within an hour drive? I have been to TSC and At Woods and all they have are assortments

. I have done a bit of research to find what breeds i think i want, and would like to end up with them. Can't order online because I only want 4! I'm in a pickle!

Welcome rvroman!! Yay! We love new people around here!! I only ordered 4 chickens - from chickensforbackyards.com The shipping was high, but I ordered exactly what I wanted and they arrived the next day after shipment. Packed really well and they are doing great!

What do I do if I get a male? I can't even think about that right now, DH would make me sleep with the chickens for sure!

Hoping to get my chicks this weekend, perhaps even tomorrow. Waiting this long has been soooooo hard!!! The minute he agreed I designed a coop and run for them!

Lucky for you! I'm still waiting for my DH to make our coop and run.. LOL! We took off the first week in April to build it. I'm so going to be ready for them to go outside by then!

How high should my fence be when I let them free range in my garden? I have a setter and a grey hound and really don't want to worry about them getting out of the garden when I'm not looking?

This really depends on the type of bird you get. If you get a heavy breed (such as barred rock or orpington) then the fence doesn't need to be too high (3-4ft) since they have troubles flying. If you get a smaller breed such as a bantum, then sometimes a 6 ft isn't high enough. You might consider building it high and adding a bird netting as a roof. That's what we are going to do in the bird's perm run.


When I clean out their coop can I just throw bedding and all into my compost pile or do I have to do something special?

Yup, you can throw it all into the compost! If you use pine shavings, I've heard that it breaks down pretty fast too!

What should I have on hand before I bring my babies home? We have a LARGE dog crate and heat lamp. What kind of bulbs do I need? I have 60 watt plant bulbs right now. How often should/can I handle them?

I suggest a red bulb. I've been using the 250watt red bulb on a socket with a dimmer so I can lower it. The red bulb will help them keep from pecking each other and isn't intense since you have to keep it on all the time. Re; Handeling - I've held them several times a day from day one. I started by putting their feed in my palm and now they see my hand coming they all run to it thinking i've got something good, like wheat grass clippings or mealworms. If you feed them something other than chick starter, be sure to sprinkle grit around their cage so they can scratch for it. I'd recommend waiting a week before you do feed them something else to just get them used to eating their chick food.


I have so many questions, seeing as how I am terrified I will accidentally murder my chickee chickees, but it is very late and I am very tired!

Feel free to throw more questions at us! There are some people on here that are very very experienced and love answering questions! Above all, remember that there is no one set way to raise your chicks - have fun with it!!

 

[chicken danz]

Welcome new people! I just wrote a long message to each of you and bumped something and lost every tab I had open.
Sapphireblu Sarge is going to be a good dog. When the chickens are large enough and you have time to monitor him you should put him in with the chickens.If he starts to play rough tell him a firm No. The pup I kept is doing really well. She is able to come and go as she pleases and is hanging around the chickens. They have started going in her dog house and napping with her. A couple have even laid eggs in there.

 

[Trish44]

for the newcomers, we're always glad to see new people. It sounds like you're getting a great start.

For those who know me, yes I'm on here earlier than usual, we have an appt. in Wichita today, so I'll "see" you all later. I hope you all have a great day!

 

[chicken danz]

I'm leaving today when I get ready to take birds up to Gardner. I should be moving but need my time to relax. Things have been so hectic with my Mom. I have to go catch the birds and get them secured in the pens. Oh what fun. No help this AM either. Orschlens is having peanut days so their feed is on sale really cheap. I think I am going to do some stocking up. I'm taking the car so I won't be buying too much.
Then whenever I get back I'll be heading to town to tend to my parents. My sister has a granddaughter who is very sick and they don't expect her to live so I am pulling double duty today. when it rains it pours!

 

[checoukan]

Great bunch of folks here, just join in and ask, someone will do their best to help you!!!!
Yesterday, after I finished my Jury Duty

I came home to find babies from the U of A Hatching

it was only day 18!!! More hatched thru the night, and I just looked, and couple more have hatched!!! Oh, my was not ready completly for these babies, I thought I had this evening to set up. I am hurring.
Hawkeye, I am sorry, I will make your loss up to you. I Promise!!!! Gotta go.

 

[ChooksChick]

Renee, did you get those button eggs from Sandy? I am hoping to make a trip up to your area soon and do your flock and Sandy's and anyone else in that area that needs birds tested. I haven't set a fee for it yet because it will depend on how many people want testing done. In your spare time

you might see if any of your acquaintances near you need PT testing done. Maybe we can schedule on a day that everyone is available.

I did get them!! There were a bunch of cracked ones, but at least 20+ are good, so they're in and cooking away! I have no idea when I set them, though, so don't know when they are due! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Let's do get together for some testing! And I'm still praying for your parents.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Great bunch of folks here, just join in and ask, someone will do their best to help you!!!!
Yesterday, after I finished my Jury Duty

I came home to find babies from the U of A Hatching

it was only day 18!!! More hatched thru the night, and I just looked, and couple more have hatched!!! Oh, my was not ready completly for these babies, I thought I had this evening to set up. I am hurring.
Hawkeye, I am sorry, I will make your loss up to you. I Promise!!!! Gotta go.

OH, Checoukan, you don't have to do that!! This is totally NOT your fault in the least! I really think the PO messed these eggs up. I'm a little worried about shipping more-- they might get the same treatment. WOW-- Day 18 and your babies are hatching! That is amazing! Glad your Jury Duty is done! I never minded being called in. Never got put in a jury, though.

 

[Hawkeye95]

I'm leaving today when I get ready to take birds up to Gardner. I should be moving but need my time to relax. Things have been so hectic with my Mom. I have to go catch the birds and get them secured in the pens. Oh what fun. No help this AM either. Orschlens is having peanut days so their feed is on sale really cheap. I think I am going to do some stocking up. I'm taking the car so I won't be buying too much.
Then whenever I get back I'll be heading to town to tend to my parents. My sister has a granddaughter who is very sick and they don't expect her to live so I am pulling double duty today. when it rains it pours!

Oh wow-- I can't imagine losing a grandchild or her parents losing their child. So, so sad, I hope she ends up being okay. Hope your day works out well and nothing goes terribly wrong. I know how things can get crazy when you get started. The other day-- when my mom and I went to go get the lumber for my brother's coop, we discovered that her truck had leaked out a bunch of radiator fluid. SO instead, we came down to my house to get my truck instead, and it sits in the barn most of the time, and the battery was DEAD! I was ready to scream. So we went back to my mom's house and filled the radiator and I drove behind her in my car in case the truck stranded her. I didn't want us to both be in the truck and get stranded together. Nothing works out the way we plan it. We charged my truck later that day and it's fine. It's a diesel and I think the glow plugs draw on the battery even when it's turned off. It needs to be started at least once a week to be reliable (battery wise).