Dixie Chicks

[bamadude]

how much? Probably couldnt get any till the 15 th of next month though

Very little. Just pm me when u are close to being ready

 

[bamadude]

Amberjem: the legbar cross is most likely an F1 olive egger

 

[Cold Canadian]

@Cold Canadian Wow! Nice! We are getting to much rain also, some stuff is suffering because of it. Never thought I'd be praying for dry weather... Looks like you have some nice dirt.

Been working this plot now for the third year , was rather clay based , but with all the leaf litter each fall , plus grass clippings added as well as some manure it is beautiful deep rich black/sandy soil that can produce very nicely

 

[BriardChickens]

I went to do my morning chores and saw the ancona ducklings in the chicken run. Didn't think much of it until I started to miss the Cayuga drake who was looking after them. Pretty sure the fox got him when he was defending the ducklings (one has blood on it's back but is running around just fine).

The ducks have a temporary enclosure in the chicken run until they take over the big shed.

Upon further inspection I found 2 spots where he tried to dig in. On one he hit wire and gave up, but dug deeper on the next spot.

I doubt anyone in that run is safe during the day now....

 

[minihorse927]

I went to do my morning chores and saw the ancona ducklings in the chicken run. Didn't think much of it until I started to miss the Cayuga drake who was looking after them. Pretty sure the fox got him when he was defending the ducklings (one has blood on it's back but is running around just fine). The ducks have a temporary enclosure in the chicken run until they take over the big shed.

Upon further inspection I found 2 spots where he tried to dig in. On one he hit wire and gave up, but dug deeper on the next spot.

I doubt anyone in that run is safe during the day now....

. Better keep then locked up tight. Reinforce everything with heavy wire or chain link and dig that wire deeper!

 

[chickisoup]

morning everyone!!!

BriardChickens - so very sorry!!! Have you discovered any more missing?

Ravn - can't believe you are having so much trouble from FAMILY!

Can't believe all the losses lately!

 

[BriardChickens]

Thank you! I ran out of time to do much reinforcing this morning. Hopefully the fox has his stomach full for the day.

Big losses these days and people having bad hatch rates too. I have been following a thread on another forum, question: are you still hatching? The common answer is yes, due to bad hatch rates/poor fertility earlier.
I am hoping to set my last eggs for the season at the end of this week. And you?

 

[chickisoup]

I want all of it.... on the next build. up till my last flock loss I was feeding once per week and they were getting their water automatically.

I will have to do it all with Solar systems for Lights and doors. I will have three breed partitions so will need three doors so they can each share the run on rotating days. The guineas will be allowed to free range when i am there so they will have two pop doors. One will only activate if I am there.

I dont want nipple waterers... My water is too hard for one and it gets too hot for the other.

Egg collection will need to be passively automatic... nest boxes with roll out egg drawers. And I hope to chill those nest boxes with piping from the water... at least to keep the temp down to around 70 if possible. Easy to do if you have an aeriator to pump the water up and let it fall through the system.

deb

I like your thinking Perchie!!!
I already have light (s) inside and out on solar panels and they work great. Couldn't believe how well the panel stood up to our crazy winter weather but they did fine. Don't trust the automated pop hole doors. Always afraid somebody would get caught outside and I know I would be out there checking every night anyway, so the point? With our well setup/ crazy freezing winters I don't see the possibility of an automated water system working for us. I do have an oil based electric heater in my coop for when the winter gets crazy. It sets on a platform next to the waterer and gets set just to keep the water (and the chooks) from freezing when it gets serious cold. The way my nestboxes are set to easily access from the outside with a protective overhang I only had to lift the top and reach in.

 

[minihorse927]

Thank you! I ran out of time to do much reinforcing this morning. Hopefully the fox has his stomach full for the day.

Big losses these days and people having bad hatch rates too. I have been following a thread on another forum, question: are you still hatching? The common answer is yes, due to bad hatch rates/poor fertility earlier.
I am hoping to set my last eggs for the season at the end of this week. And you?

of course I'm still hatching! I actually had awesome fertility and hath rates on everything but the Swedish flowers. Maybe my luck will change there. I recently put my mauve orpington rooster in with my chocolate and black orpington hens too, so testing fertility there

 

[Amberjem]

25 weeks

wow thats a long time isnt it?