Eastern Tennessee Thread

[tennesseeckn]

I wish I'd seen the Nellabrooder plans before I went and tried it on my own. I built one with three levels. The lights are on dimmer switches you can see stuck on the side. Each level is a different size because I eyeballed it. I would have loved to take better pictures, but I couldn't get far enough back. My back is up against my garage door as it is. The front used to be entirely hardware cloth until I got tired of sweeping up shavings. I had to use the good stuff because snakes have been known to wiggle into my garage

. I stuck a piece of linoleum behind the bottom piece of hardware cloth to try to keep the mess contained. Now that I've switched to brooding on pellets, I'm REALLY glad I added that lip.

The main advantage I see in the Nella design is the fact that it can be MOVED. Mine is so heavy that even when I'm working with DH, it's a beast.

 

[TNBarnQueen]

One of my best brooders is a bathroom cabinet that had 2 doors. DH cut the inside of the doors out to put fencing in as well as on the top. With it being a laminate type wood it cleans like a dream. It is also tall enough that you can put a perch in it. I have raised a lot of chicks in this one. It is my starter before they going into the bigger ones. And...it is really cheap. I got this one from someone who was going to throw it away. So..if you know a good source or see them on the roadside for garbage pick-up...they are very easy to convert. Also..putting the wire on top lets you sit your brooder light on top. Will try to get a pic tomorrow. Things like this save a lot of money which you can use to buy more CHICKENS!!!

Tennesseeckn...people still do not believe that is a real chicken I was holding! Believe it or not the Blue one that someone left at my house is pretty close to his size...she is just really breasty!

 

[CherokeeTradition]

For how old it is (20+ years) have to say my hova bator has really impressed me, lol. Have had some awesome quail hatches from it in the past months. Sadly I tucked it away again as I've had almost zero interest as far as people interested in buying them! I have every available bird cage/hutch (also built a new hutch)/ & aquarium I own full of quail.

 

[ladyride]

Since we always build coops for the different breeds we have we have used a big ole galvanized horse trough for a brooder. We slide the brooder in use it for about 3 weeks then turn them loose in their coops. If you are wondering so far 2 coops 1 tractor. The tractor will be used again after the meaties are gone. Right now the meaties are in the brooder in the tractor til they are big enough to turn loose in it. I love this huge thing I used to use it when I had rotties to give them a bath.

This thing has been handy as a pocket on a shirt . Thanks tn barnqueen had not thought about a bathroom cabinet that I also have.

 

[tennesseeckn]

I'll need some more brooders and I like both of those ideas! Especially since I wouldn't have to operate heavy machinery. Although, I would run a circular saw or chop saw all day to avoid having to cut one piece of chicken wire or hardware cloth. I have scars from that stupid stuff.

It is so cold outside! My one little silkie looks like she's hating it. Are they more susceptible to cold? This is my first winter with one and I'm used to my orps who LOVE cold weather. They're practically dancing around in the run today.

Barnqueen, I'll have to get a picture of his brother, Blue for you. He's a lot taller than Roo was. I'm not planning on using him for breeding unless I have to because he is so leggy. I'm just really glad he's really sweet. I would hate to have that much bird come at me mad.

 

[stanglover2001]

Quote:
I've noticed the one silkie I have is awful looking right now too, I think she's not going to make it... she was listless this morning and not moving much... I guess they really aren't cold weather birds...

Edit: I just went and checked on my silkie, she didn't make it... we were only gone a few hours...

 

[stanglover2001]

Hey tennesseeckn, does this handsome man look familiar?

He's looking good now that he's filling out... I don't think he's going after the hens yet though, and hardly crows... lol

Nella,

here's an update for the 2 hens I got off of you... havn't been very broody but they do lay eggs

 

[tennesseeckn]

Quote:
He's looking very handsome! I'm glad he hardly crows. His brother crows from daybreak til dusk. When he's not crowing he's making this "whoooo-ooooo" noise that's like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.

Good news is that my silkie has acted fine all day. Maybe she just needed to get used to the cold. She's still pretty young so maybe she can tough it out. I put extra shavings in the coop and closes down almost all the vents. I guess we'll see how she does.

 

[TNBarnQueen]

My silkies stay in a XL dog carrier at night. I keep hay in it and there are 10 of them. I left them out tonight. I think they will be OK. With that many and all their feathering they should keep their body heat up pretty good. But I have got to get the door in and the wall finished for them to stay in the hen house. I did not imagine this kind of cold snap so quick!! I did put my Polish up though.

Tennesseeckn...would love to see a pic of your roo! I let my lavenders out today....are all Orps a bit...mmmmm..well, not very smart? Mine can never figure out how to get back in the coop.

My lavender roo is going to be a monster. He is at that juvenile leggy, long necked stage. I think he is going to be a beauty though once he matures. I am really eager to have eggs from them and my English Orps I have from you. Those two are so funny to watch. Right now they have HUGE legs and have molted off leaving naked butts!

I hope everyone stays warm...I hate cold weather...but then I hate hot weather. Would it not be wonderful to stay at 70 year round.

 

[tennesseeckn]

I wish I could tell you that my orps are geniuses, but bless them, they will run their beaks up and down the fence looking for the door that's two feet to their right. At least they're not flighty. It makes me crazy when they're too dense to figure out where the door is but then freak out when you go into the pen to direct them, like a certain ameraucana I know... The orps are kind of relieved when I come in to show them where to go.