Hello from Houston!

Jose Trevino

In the Brooder
Jun 23, 2017
3
1
14
Hello,
I am new to backyard chickens, somewhat new to raising chickens. When I was in High School (~6 years ago) I was in FFA and raised broiler chickens and goats. It was a fun and learning experience.
(present day) On a rare day where I have an entire day to myself (no school or work) my friend and I decided, as we passed our local feed store, LETS GET CHICKENS! We decided to first build them a coop and get things ready before we bought pullets. So since we're broke college students we used scrap wood laying around and built a ( to what we thought) a decent coop and run. A week later we bought 4 8 week old pullets. Once having the pullets we decided that our coop was not up to par so we upgraded it extended it and till today(5 months later) I have no problems with it. So here is my first question. Q1 In my coop it is mostly just dirt, I have Shavings placed in strategic areas like where they lay their eggs. Should I cover the entire area with shavings or sand instead of dirt? has anyone had a problem with dirt ground?
Oh and also since then I bought six more including a rooster. so 10 total. I have 2 Ameraucanas, 2 barred rocks, 1 production red, 1 leghorn, 1 buff Orpington, 1 Black sex link, 1 idk breed, and 1 rooster(idk breed) oh and 1 welsummer. so 11 i guess.
So I have had some accidents, I guess should mention I have 2 huskies. Bad idea? yea maybe.
my oldest husky was raised around the time I raised the broilers so hes okay with the chickens BUT! the other one she is like a wolf. so I mostly keep her inside. she was able to get to the welsummer :( and she is no longer with us. hence why I only said 10 at first. Also, my rooster got very sick, i kept him inside and eventually he passed. I think he may have gotten a respiratory infection, although nobody else got sick.
As of right now I have 9. I plan on getting maybe 2 more hens and one more rooster.
I plan on getting maybe one more leghorn and one more production red or welsummer, although idk where to buy a welsummer here in Houston. Q2 what breed rooster should I get if I plan on incubating eggs in the future given the breeds I have now?
Just a FYI I am giving away the female Husky back to my uncle, she is a trouble maker and cant risk losing any more chickens. I cant blame her for her instincts. and my other husky loves to be inside. (Especially in this summer heat!!!)
One last thing, my entire family has enjoyed the chickens. They're so funny and interesting to watch. And we especially enjoy the eggs they provide us. Thank you for taking the time to read my first post. Have a great day!

He's the friendly husky
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my ladies eating strawberries
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just chilling on a swing
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this is the rooster that got sick and passed. Idk what breed he was but his cheeks look furry
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Idk what breed she is maybe yall can help
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the middle egg is huge! and I dont know where its coming from. please help. list of breeds above.
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Howdy neighbor!
Welcome to BYC.
Nice colorful looking flock you have there!
I usually order my girls from Ideal Poultry, you many wan to look them up, I have Welsummers from them.

You won't get pure breeds unless you have a hen and rooster of the same breed, so it's really up to you as far as what breed rooster you will want.
Rooster are no bueno in my opinion so I don't keep any. (they can get mean, and I can't trust one around my children)
 
btw..your black girl with there green shine looks like an Australorp.
Dirt ground is perfect for the "deep litter method", it's what I use too.
 
:welcome Glad you joined!

Having had all the breeds you mentioned except Leghorn and Orpington, I would say that x-large egg came from your Production Red. The white egg is obviously Leghorn!

Your Rooster was quite handsome, most likely an Ameraucana or EE (Easter Egger).

If you are interested, there's a thread for Texans to converse.
Texas | BackYard Chickens

There is a man @RoosterCogburn7 in Livingston currently selling some Blue Ameraucanas and Black Copper Marans. Hens and Roosters. He mentioned it this morning. :D
 
Pick up a square bale of hale next time you pass the feed store and place it in your run...they will spend it out for you and it will get you started on the deep litter method.
 
:welcome Glad you joined!

Having had all the breeds you mentioned except Leghorn and Orpington, I would say that x-large egg came from your Production Red. The white egg is obviously Leghorn!

Your Rooster was quite handsome, most likely an Ameraucana or EE (Easter Egger).

If you are interested, there's a thread for Texans to converse.
Texas | BackYard Chickens

There is a man @RoosterCogburn7 in Livingston currently selling some Blue Ameraucanas and Black Copper Marans. Hens and Roosters. He mentioned it this morning. :D
Awesome. I'll check it out. Thanks a lot.
:welcome Glad you joined!

Having had all the breeds you mentioned except Leghorn and Orpington, I would say that x-large egg came from your Production Red. The white egg is obviously Leghorn!

Your Rooster was quite handsome, most likely an Ameraucana or EE (Easter Egger).

If you are interested, there's a thread for Texans to converse.
Texas | BackYard Chickens

There is a man @RoosterCogburn7 in Livingston currently selling some Blue Ameraucanas and Black Copper Marans. Hens and Roosters. He mentioned it this morning. :D

Awesome thank you! maybe I'll get another production red. And I'll definitely check out the Texans thread!
 
Pick up a square bale of hale next time you pass the feed store and place it in your run...they will spend it out for you and it will get you started on the deep litter method.
Ive heard of DLM, but not quite sure how it works, afterwards I just keep adding to the pile? How often do I need to replace it?
 
Just keep adding to it correct...
Leaves from the yard...anything really.
It breaks down over time and the chickens love to dig in it.
I clean mine out every few months to add to my garden, some people leave it for a year, and some people never change it.
If you add a bale of hay your will see how quick they tear that up.
 
:welcome Glad you joined!

Having had all the breeds you mentioned except Leghorn and Orpington, I would say that x-large egg came from your Production Red. The white egg is obviously Leghorn!

Your Rooster was quite handsome, most likely an Ameraucana or EE (Easter Egger).

If you are interested, there's a thread for Texans to converse.
Texas | BackYard Chickens

There is a man @RoosterCogburn7 in Livingston currently selling some Blue Ameraucanas and Black Copper Marans. Hens and Roosters. He mentioned it this morning. :D

Yes, I am. I am in Livingston, and we are downsizing. I am trying to sell out half my FBC's and all my Blue Americanas (not Easter Eggers). People often confuse them.
 
Hey Roger...how many Blue's you trying to rehome?
Any pics?
 

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