Consolidated Kansas

[cherwill]

I lost June, my favorite hen on Thanksgiving. She somehow got in our dog pen and well, dogs play hard

I bought 4 EEs and 4 Buff Orpingtons on March 15. 6 months later and all of the BOs are laying like champs. A couple weeks after that June (an EE) starts giving me beautiful green eggs almost every day. As for the other 3 EEs, one turned out to be a roo and the other 2 STILL aren't laying! What's the deal?

I miss June and her pretty eggs.

I'm sorry about June. I love my EEs; they have such nice personalities and gorgeous eggs.

I think different birds take different amounts of time before they start laying? I'm not sure of that, but it seems like I've never been able to come up with a certain number of months that I could say for sure would be accurate.

Trish there is no amount of money that would make me get out in those black Friday crowds.

You and me both! I'd rather pay full price than go out in that.

 

[Henagerie]

I'm sorry about June. I love my EEs; they have such nice personalities and gorgeous eggs.

I think different birds take different amounts of time before they start laying? I'm not sure of that, but it seems like I've never been able to come up with a certain number of months that I could say for sure would be accurate.


You and me both! I'd rather pay full price than go out in that.

Ditto on the Black Friday avoidance!

Well I did some Google searches for EE laying maturity. Some folks had theirs start at as little as 14 weeks, others not until 38 weeks or more! Maybe since they're a "mutt" breed, they are more variable than others? In the meantime, I'm trying to be patient. In addition to the EEs and BOs, we have a couple barred rocks, a silver-laced wyandotte, 4 white leghorns, and a mystery mix-breed hen and they are still producing quite nicely despite the cold snap we had this month. I've read leghorns aren't ideal for this climate but ours are about 18 months old and seem to be doing well.

 

[chicken danz]

Henagerie, all chickens do fine in this climate other than those that are geared to strictly extremely cold climates. It's all a matter of them acclimating to it slowly instead of for instance being taken from an extremely warm climate and plopped into a climate with sub zero temps. I've had several breeds that were considered tropical but they did just fine. The biggest concern is frost bite on their combs more than anything.
Ive been outside doing things I would normally do in summer. It's a shame that the cold will be back in full force tomorrow. At least I have a new load of feed ready and I have the duck pond cleaned and filling. The duck pond might not be done again for a couple months.
I lost two hens today. One of them was a reject from my buff orps who didn't have the size to be a good breeder so I let her free range as a layer. Obviously a possum had managed to sneak in last night. She was in the duck house which isn't a pen that is protected and closed. The wild geese have decided to take up residence on a pond right behind me and the dogs were out fighting coyotes all night because of it. I guess it let the possum sneak in here. That is the second bird in at least 6 years that a possum has gotten. They are just pretty quiet and can manage to get past the dogs.
The other hen I lost had somehow gotten trapped under one of the lids that goes to my feed barrels. I imagine it was one of those windy days. It's a shame to loose 2 layers in one day. I really don't have that many layers anyway. I guess I am going to have to close up pens at night for awhile. I haven't been doing that with free rangers lately.

 

[Ralph Moyer]

Henagerie, all chickens do fine in this climate other than those that are geared to strictly extremely cold climates. It's all a matter of them acclimating to it slowly instead of for instance being taken from an extremely warm climate and plopped into a climate with sub zero temps. I've had several breeds that were considered tropical but they did just fine. The biggest concern is frost bite on their combs more than anything.
Ive been outside doing things I would normally do in summer. It's a shame that the cold will be back in full force tomorrow. At least I have a new load of feed ready and I have the duck pond cleaned and filling. The duck pond might not be done again for a couple months.
I lost two hens today. One of them was a reject from my buff orps who didn't have the size to be a good breeder so I let her free range as a layer. Obviously a possum had managed to sneak in last night. She was in the duck house which isn't a pen that is protected and closed. The wild geese have decided to take up residence on a pond right behind me and the dogs were out fighting coyotes all night because of it. I guess it let the possum sneak in here. That is the second bird in at least 6 years that a possum has gotten. They are just pretty quiet and can manage to get past the dogs.
The other hen I lost had somehow gotten trapped under one of the lids that goes to my feed barrels. I imagine it was one of those windy days. It's a shame to loose 2 layers in one day. I really don't have that many layers anyway. I guess I am going to have to close up pens at night for awhile. I haven't been doing that with free rangers lately.

I keep a live trap baited with eggs. It has been a while since I've caught anything. I have caught more skunks than possums. The last thing I caught was a large rat. It was about the size of a half-grown rabbit. My cat was trying to get at it while it was in the trap. It took the cat the better part of two days to get it all eaten. He's been hanging close to the trap and he is probably keeping me from catching anything else.

 

[rlh1]

Hello. I just moved to 5 acres just outside of Auburn KS. We decided today where we want our chicken coop and I think I know how I want it built but I want to make sure I have covered all my bases. SO, any advice or tips would be great! We want to have a self sustainable flock for eggs and meat. I think Marens would be the way to go, what breed does well in this climate? I think I want a few EE or OE too...I would have to keep them separated from the marens right?

I had chickens when I lived in Las Vegas, I loved it!! I'm so excited to have chickens again. But I only had 6, we only had hens so I didn't have to worry about what hens were with what roosters.

How many chickens do you suggest? How big of a coop and run? I was thinking of making the run 18X24 feet. They should have 2x2 square ft each? Now Im thinking of having two coops and runs...

Thank you for any tips and advice.
Ricki

 

[Henagerie]

Henagerie, all chickens do fine in this climate other than those that are geared to strictly extremely cold climates. It's all a matter of them acclimating to it slowly instead of for instance being taken from an extremely warm climate and plopped into a climate with sub zero temps. I've had several breeds that were considered tropical but they did just fine. The biggest concern is frost bite on their combs more than anything.
Ive been outside doing things I would normally do in summer. It's a shame that the cold will be back in full force tomorrow. At least I have a new load of feed ready and I have the duck pond cleaned and filling. The duck pond might not be done again for a couple months.
I lost two hens today. One of them was a reject from my buff orps who didn't have the size to be a good breeder so I let her free range as a layer. Obviously a possum had managed to sneak in last night. She was in the duck house which isn't a pen that is protected and closed. The wild geese have decided to take up residence on a pond right behind me and the dogs were out fighting coyotes all night because of it. I guess it let the possum sneak in here. That is the second bird in at least 6 years that a possum has gotten. They are just pretty quiet and can manage to get past the dogs.
The other hen I lost had somehow gotten trapped under one of the lids that goes to my feed barrels. I imagine it was one of those windy days. It's a shame to loose 2 layers in one day. I really don't have that many layers anyway. I guess I am going to have to close up pens at night for awhile. I haven't been doing that with free rangers lately.

Sorry to hear about your loss, chicken danz. I also spent some time outside today. Our chickens and ducks were having a blast in the sunshine, too bad there's no way to warn them about the incoming front. We also have to close ours up at night after losing 3 ducks to something that took the heads and necks and left everything else, it was very weird.

 

[chicken danz]

I keep a live trap baited with eggs. It has been a while since I've caught anything. I have caught more skunks than possums. The last thing I caught was a large rat. It was about the size of a half-grown rabbit. My cat was trying to get at it while it was in the trap. It took the cat the better part of two days to get it all eaten. He's been hanging close to the trap and he is probably keeping me from catching anything else.

I don't normally worry about predators at all cause the dogs keep them at bay. I just didn't account for them being all busy with coyotes. Normally one stays close while the other two work the outside area.

Hello. I just moved to 5 acres just outside of Auburn KS. We decided today where we want our chicken coop and I think I know how I want it built but I want to make sure I have covered all my bases. SO, any advice or tips would be great! We want to have a self sustainable flock for eggs and meat. I think Marens would be the way to go, what breed does well in this climate? I think I want a few EE or OE too...I would have to keep them separated from the marens right? I had chickens when I lived in Las Vegas, I loved it!! I'm so excited to have chickens again. But I only had 6, we only had hens so I didn't have to worry about what hens were with what roosters. How many chickens do you suggest? How big of a coop and run? I was thinking of making the run 18X24 feet. They should have 2x2 square ft each? Now Im thinking of having two coops and runs... Thank you for any tips and advice. Ricki

Welcome to our forum. If you want a pure bred flock you would have to keep them separated. If you don't care if they are mixed you wouldn't need to. Marans are okay but they aren't real meaty. You will find that most of your home grown birds are slimmer bodied than what you are used to as meat birds in the grocery store. Dark eggs are nice but the dark coating on maran eggs does come off. Just in case you weren't aware. The roosters can be a bit mean from time to time as well.
Personally I'd recommend brahmas for meat birds because they are really big birds and they are excellent layers. They are also extremely docile. Some people don't care for feathered feet though. Orpingtons are also very docile and excellent layers. I have raised about every breed available and these two give me more bang for my buck. More meat and more eggs. But of course everyone has an opinion. EEs are a mixed breed and can be any combination so you really don't know what you are getting. I think I'd recommend some Ameraucanas instead if you are looking for a dual purpose birds that lays pretty eggs.
Keep in mind everyone has opinions about breeds and birds and I'm just giving you mine.
As far as housing goes always plan much bigger than you think you need or will ever use.
Owls and raccoons are the two things that are notorious for pulling off heads. My friend just lost her two ducks last night to coons. If the heads are pulled through the fence it is most likely coons. If they are just removed and left where they are it is most likely owls. If owls are interrupted they'll leave their prey behind. Also they tend to kill and sometimes can't lift what they kill so they leave it.
Yesterday was a great day but we are paying for it today. It is getting steadily colder as the day goes by.

 

[Trish44]

Hello. I just moved to 5 acres just outside of Auburn KS. We decided today where we want our chicken coop and I think I know how I want it built but I want to make sure I have covered all my bases. SO, any advice or tips would be great! We want to have a self sustainable flock for eggs and meat. I think Marens would be the way to go, what breed does well in this climate? I think I want a few EE or OE too...I would have to keep them separated from the marens right? I had chickens when I lived in Las Vegas, I loved it!! I'm so excited to have chickens again. But I only had 6, we only had hens so I didn't have to worry about what hens were with what roosters. How many chickens do you suggest? How big of a coop and run? I was thinking of making the run 18X24 feet. They should have 2x2 square ft each? Now Im thinking of having two coops and runs... Thank you for any tips and advice. Ricki

Heritage Barred Rocks are good for meat as well. They're much bigger than the hatchery birds. Oh & welcome by the way. You may want some breeds just for laying that are better layers & then some for multi use.

 

[rlh1]

Thank you everyone for your advice. When I first started thinking about having a self sustaining flock, I was thinking we would only have one flock. Now I'm thinking we will have two, one a mix for eggs and pets and the other pure bred for meat and eggs. I'm not sure if I want a roo with the first flock, but I'll probably end up with one. I love the babies! I have been a victim of chicken math in the past lol, so I am building big!

What kind of materials are your coops built with? We have landscape timbers and I plan on using hardware cloth. Also an enclosed coop with small doors that open and close on a timer so they are closed up at night. The area I am putting the coop is flat dirt with grass but has rock underneath, I'm going to outline the outside of the coop with some of the flat limestone rocks on our propery. Does that sound like,it will keep predators out?

Again, thank you for all the advice and tips!
Ricki

 

[Henagerie]

Thank you everyone for your advice. When I first started thinking about having a self sustaining flock, I was thinking we would only have one flock. Now I'm thinking we will have two, one a mix for eggs and pets and the other pure bred for meat and eggs. I'm not sure if I want a roo with the first flock, but I'll probably end up with one. I love the babies! I have been a victim of chicken math in the past lol, so I am building big!

What kind of materials are your coops built with? We have landscape timbers and I plan on using hardware cloth. Also an enclosed coop with small doors that open and close on a timer so they are closed up at night. The area I am putting the coop is flat dirt with grass but has rock underneath, I'm going to outline the outside of the coop with some of the flat limestone rocks on our propery. Does that sound like,it will keep predators out?

Again, thank you for all the advice and tips!
Ricki

Do you have a preference for egg colors? At my place we try for a colorful basket and have had great success with Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, Silver Laced Wyandottes, and Black Australorps for brown eggs, even in winter. Our White Leghorns lay white eggs, and might be our most productive hens. And for some color, there's always the classic Easter Egger!