Hello from Belize Central America

[Warthog]

Hi to all, I am a Brit now retired

and living in Patchakan Village, Belize, Central America.

I have just bought 12 layers, but here in Belize we do not have the choice of breeds it's just layers, broilers or roosters.

I have had them over a week now and all seems to be well. I have searched the internet before and since getting my little ladies.

But any advice you can give a newbie to chicken keeping would be useful.

My husband built a coop and run which is 4' high, but I am a little concerned with wing clipping, is this really necessary? I do not want my chickens to get out because we have two large dogs and three cats, need I say anymore, although I must amit I have been very surprised in that they are only curious about the chicks, which are now four weeks old.

The chicks are now coming out of the coop in the cooler hours of the day and scratching around which is wonderful to see.

We are feeding them on the starter and have been told by our supplier to change them over to layer after 5 months.

When can I start feeding them treats of greens etc?

Information in Belize is limited so again any advice would be more than welcome.

Maybe in time to come I will be able to advise others.

Many thanks.

 

[FarmerDenise]

You can give your babies treats of greens and fruit right now.
I don't clip my chicken's wings, unless I feel I have to. I rather my chickens have the ability to escape a predator. When we found that our chickens could get over the fence into the garden, we made the fence higher.
Neither cats nor dogs do neccessarily go after chickens! We trained our dog not to.
Just keep an eye out on the dogs and cats for a while. You may find that your dogs will protect the chickens. Our dog has learned to watch for hawks and chases them off. She protects our chickens now.
Enjoy you chickies!!!

 

[PeepsNLadybugs]

from N Florida. I only have a little advice about the run; if it's only 4' high I would cover it with something to keep the animals out. As for the greens, I started giving mine that stuff after about 6 weeks. But I'm new to keeping chickens also. Someone will help you, I'm sure of it. I don't know what I would do without the people on this site helping all of us newbies out with important information. Good Luck.

 

[Imp]

from Washington State

Congrats on getting chickens

Imp

 

[ems_chick]

im from panama!

 

[Schultz]

 

[b.hromada]

and

from S. Florida. Glad you joined us all!

 

[patyrdz]

 

[HippieChickens]

.

 

[danielle82]

from washington state!
Hey EMS chick, my nephews are Panamanian too! My oldest nephew just moved in with me a few days ago, from what he tells me, Panama is beautiful