Consolidated Kansas

Thanks for the Facebook page suggestions! I have joined those groups.

One of my friends actually has amicana chicks that are 5/6 weeks old that are being raised in her garage. Can these birds go out into my coop now, separated from my current big girls and be okay weather wise?
My current flock ranges in age from 34 weeks to 30 weeks. When can the new chicks be allowed to integrate with the existing flock?
Another question I have is can Americana chicks be sexed at 5/6 weeks? If so, how can you tell male from female?
Thank you for your responses!!
 
Thanks for the Facebook page suggestions! I have joined those groups.

One of my friends actually has amicana chicks that are 5/6 weeks old that are being raised in her garage. Can these birds go out into my coop now, separated from my current big girls and be okay weather wise?
My current flock ranges in age from 34 weeks to 30 weeks. When can the new chicks be allowed to integrate with the existing flock?
Another question I have is can Americana chicks be sexed at 5/6 weeks? If so, how can you tell male from female?
Thank you for your responses!!

Unless they got them from a breeder they're most likely Easter Eggers. They're one of the hardest to sex till they get grown because of the pea comb. If they're fully feathered they could probably go out soon but may need some heat yet for awhile. I wouldn't put a heat lamp in a garage though, I would use something like a sweeter heater or something that is less likely to cause a fire. Heat lamps can get knocked down & there have been a lot of coop fires from those.
 
Thanks for the Facebook page suggestions! I have joined those groups.

One of my friends actually has amicana chicks that are 5/6 weeks old that are being raised in her garage. Can these birds go out into my coop now, separated from my current big girls and be okay weather wise?
My current flock ranges in age from 34 weeks to 30 weeks. When can the new chicks be allowed to integrate with the existing flock?
Another question I have is can Americana chicks be sexed at 5/6 weeks? If so, how can you tell male from female?
Thank you for your responses!!

5/6 weeks is probably a little young this time of year. It would be best to acclimate them slowly to outdoor weather conditions before trying to integrate them into a flock. Maybe you could set up some temporary quarters with a heat source for use at night or cold days that they could choose to use as they need it. You need to "harden them off" so to speak so they can get used to changing temperatures. As Trish said heat lamps can be dangerous. If you use one be sure it is extremely secure and not over highly combustible items. Sometimes economics make you use one. Try a lower wattage light with a red color if you can find one. It is a lot safer than an actual heat lamp. I love sweeter heaters but if you aren't going to be raising chicks in the future it may not be worth the expense to buy one. I have also used oil filled heaters I use to heat brooder houses. They have no fan and no open elements that will cause a fire. I use a remote thermostat to control the amount of heat better but you could just adjust it to a lower setting. Those work if you have a larger area that isn't too drafty and warm the space around them. Never use any heater with an open heat element though. You can sex chicks when they are fully feathered in by looking at the shape of the hackle and saddle feathers. But those are often the last feathers to form.
 
[COLOR=0000FF]Unless they got them from a breeder they're most likely Easter Eggers. They're one of the hardest to sex till they get grown because of the pea comb. If they're fully feathered they could probably go out soon but may need some heat yet for awhile. I wouldn't put a heat lamp in a garage though, I would use something like a sweeter heater or something that is less likely to cause a fire. Heat lamps can get knocked down & there have been a lot of coop fires from those.[/COLOR]

Thank you for your response. After talking with my friend, they are indeed EE!

5/6 weeks is probably a little young this time of year. It would be best to acclimate them slowly to outdoor weather conditions before trying to integrate them into a flock. Maybe you could set up some temporary quarters with a heat source for use at night or cold days that they could choose to use as they need it. You need to "harden them off" so to speak so they can get used to changing temperatures.  As Trish said heat lamps can be dangerous. If you use one be sure it is extremely secure and not over highly combustible items.  Sometimes economics make you use one. Try a lower wattage light with a red color if you can find one. It is a lot safer than an actual heat lamp. I love sweeter heaters but if you aren't going to be raising chicks in the future it may not be worth the expense to buy one.  I have also used oil filled heaters I use to heat brooder houses. They have no fan and no open elements that will cause a fire. I use a remote thermostat to control the amount of heat better but you could just adjust it to a lower setting. Those work if you have a larger area that isn't too drafty and warm the space around them.  Never use any heater with an open heat element though. You can sex chicks when they are fully feathered in by looking at the shape of the hackle and saddle feathers. But those are often the last feathers to form.


Thank you for your response! I'm not quite sure what to do cause I have no room in my garage. I could put them in our shed. Does Tractor Suppky or Orsheliens carry the red light you were suggesting? I only have a dog crate to put them in but the shed has power so I could use a heat source there.
 
Thank you for your response. After talking with my friend, they are indeed EE!
Thank you for your response! I'm not quite sure what to do cause I have no room in my garage. I could put them in our shed. Does Tractor Suppky or Orsheliens carry the red light you were suggesting? I only have a dog crate to put them in but the shed has power so I could use a heat source there.


My friend said she would be willing to hang on them for a bit. About what age do you think they would be better suited for the coop this time of year?
 
Thank you for your response. After talking with my friend, they are indeed EE!


Thank you for your response! I'm not quite sure what to do cause I have no room in my garage. I could put them in our shed. Does Tractor Suppky or Orsheliens carry the red light you were suggesting? I only have a dog crate to put them in but the shed has power so I could use a heat source there.
I use red flood lights that are like 75 wt for heat where I need them instead of the sweeter heaters. You can get them about anywhere. Walmart probably has some as well. Or even a 60 wt red bulb would work. Just be sure the holder is secure. If you have a wire dog crate just put that in your chicken coop with your other birds. secure the light on top where they will be able to get some heat from it but not be forced to be in the heat. It's a good way to get them integrated with the other birds. Give them a week or two then open the gate and see if the older birds let them mingle without picking on them. If they pick on them keep them in the kennel a while longer. I would leave the kennel there for a while so they can still seek some protection and get to the heat if it turns cold.
I normally advise every one to quarantine all birds from someplace else. As long as you know they are healthy and your friend has no sickness in her birds you'll probably be okay though. I would definitely worm and treat all the birds for mites, yours included, though just to be sure.
 
I use red flood lights that are like 75 wt for heat where I need them instead of the sweeter heaters.  You can get them about anywhere. Walmart probably has some as well. Or even a 60 wt red bulb would work. Just be sure the holder is secure. If you have a wire dog crate just put that in your chicken coop with your other birds. secure the light on top where they will be able to get some heat from it but not be forced to be in the heat. It's a good way to get them integrated with the other birds. Give them a week or two then open the gate and see if the older birds let them mingle without picking on them. If they pick on them keep them in the kennel a while longer. I would leave the kennel there for a while so they can still seek some protection and get to the heat if it turns cold.
I normally advise every one to quarantine all birds from someplace else. As long as you know they are healthy and your friend has no sickness in her birds you'll probably be okay though. I would definitely worm and treat all the birds for mites, yours included, though just to be sure.


Ok, please forgive my lack of knowledge, but how do you treat for mites and worms? My current flock dust bathes everyday and I know how that helps deter mites but I have never treated for mites or worms in chickens
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If she would hold them I certainly wouldn't get them before they are 8-10 weeks old. Then I would still use the kennel in the coop.


The crate I have may end up being too small if I get 5 or 6 at 8-10 weeks. But I can use chicken wire in the coop to keep them separate. At what age can they start to integrate with the current flock?
 
Wowzer what a WINDY day!!!
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Since my last post about 2-4 weeks ago (time sure flies when I stay busy and have fun doing it!), I've lost 6 chickens, and one duckling. The chickens, I believe were to a coyote. We have absolutely no issues with the coyotes since we've fenced the immediate perimeter, yet some of the smaller breed and/or juvenile chickens continue to climb through the fence to forage the treeline directly beside the fence. We've witnessed coyotes laying in wait camouflaged by the trees and brush. We shoot at'em, chase'em even, yet they keep coming back. I know chickens have some intelligence, yet they seem to lack common sense.
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I thought stringing chicken wire along the bottom of the field fencing would alleviate the issue of climbing through. However, DH doesn't want to deal with the weeds and grass that will inevitably weave itself into the mesh. SIGH!
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The duckling, however, drown. Now, to me, this seems odd. Then I witnessed my dominant drake mounting the ducklings in the pool, which brought me to the conclusion that he drown the poor duckling while trying to mount it.
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The latest conundrums for me are twofold:

1) Fawnzie, my dominant drake who's an Indian Runner, and my King of the Fluffybutts, Goliath, go round and round. Generally, Fawnzie, even though much lesser in weight, wins. However, Goliath got him good a time or two, and I am worried that he will literally shred Fawnzie once his spurs become spears.

2) All the Roos and Drakes bully to a bloody mess my two Polish Roos, Albert Einstein and Billy Idol. They actually gang up on them. Albert becomes the brunt of the abuse more so than Billy does. They both freak out, run and squawk, and then just give up, lying flat on the ground, face buried in the grass - looking like an ostrich with its head buried in the sand. I feel sorry for them.

I have separated them in cages to heal from wounds. Yet, not permanently. My flock of both chickens and ducks run free-range together. I am not setup to keep ducks separate from chickens. They got along just fine until Goliath decided to try and mate the duck hens, which obviously upset Fawnzie. And as far as Albert and Billy, well, none in the flock seems to tolerate their presence, not even the hens. I don't understand this at all. Poor guys.

So, I am looking to rehome AT LEAST Albert. Anyone interested in him?

I do want to wait until after I get back from a week "vacation" in SD next week so I can breed him with hens before I let him go, though. He's typically a fantastic bird, no signs of aggression. I just think he deserves a less stressful life, and its clear that won't happen here.
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Let's see, last post I was telling about the coop remodel. I think Trish44 asked for pics. I still do not have the run completed, as other things have taken precedence.

One thing I have learned: don't use white nesting curtains; they stain badly! Eeew! lol



Coop on the left with red stripe on door (there's sand on the floor now):






Coop on the right (with partial run in front):

I started with white curtains with a quilted pattern...

then switched to blue chambray (MUCH better)...



The roosts in both coops are hinged so they can be raised and hung up to scoop/rake poo, and they allow for 32 sq st of roosting space each.
Each automatic feed bin holds over 50 lbs: one of starter and one of layer (this one holds close to 70 lbs)
The attached brooder measures 67" long x 28" deep x 24-27" high (inside) and allows for two heat lamps.

Each coop has 2-3" of sand/road gravel.
The curtains help alleviate using the nests as overnight hotel rooms. lol
Each nest has either carpet or astro turf. The hens appreciate the astro turf WAY better than the carpet, so, changing them all out to astro comes next.
One coop is nests, the other has cages along one wall for separating as needed for wounded or ill or even mating.
Each coop has a hanging wire cage as well for broody's to cool off and simmer down. lol
The existing run between the coops also has 2-3" of sand and another 25' or so of roosting space as well.
Am working on a 32 gallon automatic waterer that I hope to have completed before winter sets in.
The extended run that will be in front of both coops tying them together (timbers on the ground in the above pics), will most likely be on hold until spring...unless DH surprises me and builds it for me. (He usually only helps when there's something I just cannot do by myself.)
Running electricity and a water line to the coop is also on the agenda for next spring.
And then embellishing the coop and making it "cute" will come spring time as well. Hoping to go for a western town general store kinda feel.

The goats are doing well. Three of them. Love them to pieces - like dogs actually! They love to be petted and given attention and I've mastered bleating at them. lol We've extended their 2 acre pen by another half acre or so to incorporate some of the treeline where they have pretty much devoured the poison ivy and brush. Lookin' good! Now to move the fence line over another half acre or so before winter! DH wants to build them a larger enclosure, even though we've read they're hardy animals and have no real need for it. They already have what we built for the two shepherds we had in that pen previously, and they seem to enjoy cuddling together under there.
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Left to Right: Tearston (because he has tear stains on his face), Maximillian, and Moses. Tearston is a Kiko, Max a Nubian, and Moses a La Mancha. We may be looking into Boers next year. Too fun!

Well, I gotta get back to "work" as I'm still plugging away at the inside house remodel, too. Kitchen looking GREAT, if I do say so myself.
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I hope all is well with everyone!!!
 

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