Hello from Tallahassee, Fl

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I hope you finished your coop over the weekend so you can contain those babies! I had to put a baby gate over my four RIRs that are still on the back porch. They are standing on the water/feeder and trying to fly.

This evening I noticed that their new yellow feathers are now turning red! I was worried that they weren't really RIRs because their feathers were coming in yellow.i thought it looked like blood on the back of one chick, but it was the red feathers. I was so excited!

My other chicks outside are growing like weeds. They are having a great time playing in the run. And every evening they come in the coop at exactly 7:45 p.m. My neighbor came over Sunday evening because she wanted to see for herself, and they all were inside the coop by 7:45!

I had some excitement at my house over the weekend. Late Saturday night several wild hogs came from the preserve area behind my house and dug up my front yard and knocked over my mailbox. A deputy sheriff came to take a report, and he told me that if it is hunting season for them, then I can shoot the boars. After what they did to my yard and mailbox, I felt like it!

I got the trim paint over the weekend but did not do any painting. I worked on my income tax and filed it this evening. I would have rather painted!
 
KallippidesKoop said:
I hope you finished your coop over the weekend so you can contain those babies! I had to put a baby gate over my four RIRs that are still on the back porch. They are standing on the water/feeder and trying to fly.

This evening I noticed that their new yellow feathers are now turning red! I was worried that they weren't really RIRs because their feathers were coming in yellow.i thought it looked like blood on the back of one chick, but it was the red feathers. I was so excited!

My other chicks outside are growing like weeds. They are having a great time playing in the run. And every evening they come in the coop at exactly 7:45 p.m. My neighbor came over Sunday evening because she wanted to see for herself, and they all were inside the coop by 7:45!

I had some excitement at my house over the weekend. Late Saturday night several wild hogs came from the preserve area behind my house and dug up my front yard and knocked over my mailbox. A deputy sheriff came to take a report, and he told me that if it is hunting season for them, then I can shoot the boars. After what they did to my yard and mailbox, I felt like it!

I got the trim paint over the weekend but did not do any painting. I worked on my income tax and filed it this evening. I would have rather painted!
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Oooh you had the 'blood' experience too!!!
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My little 'golden' chicks did the same thing and I picked one up thinking it was injured on it's neck and the feathers were a super deep golden/red color! I was surprised to say the least... Bet you were relieved they are RIR's after all!
I do think I'd like to have a couple of those in my flock eventually.


Did your neighbor have to come see your babies come in because she just couldn't believe it? I think it's cute and wonder if mine will have a certain time they prefer ?? What possesses them TO come in at the exact same time??


I bought these chicks on the 27th of March I've had them three weeks and here's what they look like

now (taken today, the 16th)

I can ONLY imagine how big yours are!! Have yours grown at a similar rate? You need to post some before/now pics of them :)

And YES, we finished the coop!!! Hubby used the sprayer to put the last coat of paint on and I thought about trimming certain parts out in red, but chose not to so they could move in today. I worked my fingers to the bone getting it ready for them to move in! I put sand and DE, plus a bit of PDZ in the sandbox under the roosts. I sprinkled DE/PDZ on the floor then placed the bedding and once satisfied I turned them loose a few at a time. They were SOOO happy! It took them a while to decide the water/feeder wasn't a monster and eventually started drinking and eating. They're all huddled under the heat lamp tonight and seem to be adjusting very well.

I cannot believe hogs would/could knock over your mailbox?!! I've heard they're horrid creatures and destructive to all things we cherish (gardens, yards, and some tame animals) ... We have an open season year round on wild hogs in Oklahoma - at least it was that way the last time I checked. Do you, or hubby, plan on shooting them if they come back? Were you awake when they arrived? I would imagine they were making all kinds of noise! At least they can't get into your backyard or near your chickens. I think they'll eat anything!!

I'm with you on painting versus taxes, but at least it's over and now you can paint :D
 
Oh happy day! I know your chicks were very excited to move into their new home. And I know you are happy to have them there too. I don't know if yours are as messy-dirty as mine, but I can't keep anything clean for long.

What are "golden" chicks?

Yes, I was very relieved to find out that the red was not blood after all and just reddish feathers. Here are two pictures of my RIRs with the new reddish feathers:




I got them on 4/2/14, so they are a little over three weeks old also. I guess they were a couple days old when I bought them at the TSC in Bainbridge, GA. I rotate them from the box into the plastic tote and keep the baby gate over them because they stand on the feeder/waterer and try to fly out. I've had to chase them all around the back porch already. I really need to move them out to the coop to join the others, but our weather is bad right now.

Yes, my neighbor came over to enjoy "Chicken TV" and watched them come in at 7:45 on the dot. However, this week it has rained almost every day, and the chicks come in earlier because it is dark outside because of the cloud cover. It is raining right now and supposed to continue through Tuesday. Part of my run is covered and the other part isn't. I might go by Walmart or Lowes tomorrow and buy a mid-sized tarp to put over the run so that they can stretch their legs a bit more. This is why I can't move the RIRs outside to join the 6 Leghorns and the 4 Rocks. The nights have been down in the low to mid 40s. Strange weather for Tallahassee for this late in April.

With all the rain we've been having and more to come, I won't be painting anytime soon.

Apparently, the wild hogs came around midnight, and I slept through it all! Several of my neighbors have seen and reported them also. My next-door neighbor, the one with the dogs, borrowed his father's traps and caught 5 so far. I need to check with FL Fish and Game to find out what I can legally do. I'm afraid my options are trap or shoot. For many years after he retired from the military, my father was a gunsmith. So getting a gun would not be a problem. However, I would have a hard time pulling the trigger! (My ex-hubby would not hesitate shooting the wild boars at all, but it's a "fer" ways to drive from TX to FL to get bacon!)

I hope you have a nice holiday weekend with your family and your baby chicks!
 
llippidesKoop said:
Oh happy day! I know your chicks were very excited to move into their new home. And I know you are happy to have them there too. I don't know if yours are as messy-dirty as mine, but I can't keep anything clean for long.

They were SO happy and I am delighted to be taking care of them in a much larger environment. It's pretty simple really.


What are "golden" chicks?

To be honest, I don't know. I am repeating what the gentleman said at Atwoods. They call them "Golden Sex links" and "Black Sex links"....

Yes, I was very relieved to find out that the red was not blood after all and just reddish feathers. Here are two pictures of my RIRs with the new reddish feathers:




I got them on 4/2/14, so they are a little over three weeks old also. I guess they were a couple days old when I bought them at the TSC in Bainbridge, GA. I rotate them from the box into the plastic tote and keep the baby gate over them because they stand on the feeder/waterer and try to fly out. I've had to chase them all around the back porch already. I really need to move them out to the coop to join the others, but our weather is bad right now.

Oooh they are adorable!!! I think they are some of the prettiest chickens. My mom use to have them and I always liked how they looked. My 'brooder' is about a 200 gallon water trough. It's fairly wide, but mine were doing the same thing as they got a bit bigger and growing the feathers. None escaped and I'm glad because they spent part of their time IN a storage building with tons of stuff and had they gotten out they had PLENTY of places to get under where we couldn't reach them lol Yours will survive until the weather improves.

Yes, my neighbor came over to enjoy "Chicken TV" and watched them come in at 7:45 on the dot. However, this week it has rained almost every day, and the chicks come in earlier because it is dark outside because of the cloud cover. It is raining right now and supposed to continue through Tuesday. Part of my run is covered and the other part isn't. I might go by Walmart or Lowes tomorrow and buy a mid-sized tarp to put over the run so that they can stretch their legs a bit more. This is why I can't move the RIRs outside to join the 6 Leghorns and the 4 Rocks. The nights have been down in the low to mid 40s. Strange weather for Tallahassee for this late in April.

Your neighbor sounds a lot like mine. Funny, quirky, and supportive :D You're so lucky to have rain and please send your excess my way. We haven't had much rain to speak of most the winter and .2" or so this entire month. If a tarp is the only thing keeping the youngsters from stretching their legs by all means help those babies out!! They'll appreciate your effort greatly!

With all the rain we've been having and more to come, I won't be painting anytime soon.

Too bad we're not closer you could come help me :D~ We are nearing the finish line, but when the guys have done the last of their part it will be time for me to finish the painting and trimming.

Apparently, the wild hogs came around midnight, and I slept through it all! Several of my neighbors have seen and reported them also. My next-door neighbor, the one with the dogs, borrowed his father's traps and caught 5 so far. I need to check with FL Fish and Game to find out what I can legally do. I'm afraid my options are trap or shoot. For many years after he retired from the military, my father was a gunsmith. So getting a gun would not be a problem. However, I would have a hard time pulling the trigger! (My ex-hubby would not hesitate shooting the wild boars at all, but it's a "fer" ways to drive from TX to FL to get bacon!)

Oh good neighbor for catching 5 of the beasts!! If your house is well insulated OR you are a heavy sleeper I can see sleeping through the commotion lol Pulling the trigger is not something I enjoy doing on a live creature, but it depends on what the creature is doing. I do think Tx to FL is WAY too far apart for the ex to come huntin' hogs!

I hope you have a nice holiday weekend with your family and your baby chicks!

Thank you, you too! We're working on the run, but also taking time for family. My granddaughter will be here tomorrow evening for the night and we'll do our little Easter fun with her.

YardBirdMom
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Happy day after Easter! I’m sure you enjoyed your granddaughter’s visit over the weekend. I bet she wanted to play with the chicks.

It’s funny, but your first sentence in your last post was “…I am delighted to be taking care of them in a much larger environment. It’s pretty simple really.” Those are exactly my thoughts since I’ve moved all my chicks into the main coop. All that scrubbing of feeders/waters and changing totes/boxes and litter was wearing me out, and my poor hands are dry from all the hand washing! Plus, I was worried about my cat or dog getting the chicks on my back porch. Now they just sit and watch the chicks through the wire.

Are your Golden Sex Links and Black Sex Links from Atwoods already sexed for you? How many chicks do you have total now?

And what is Atwoods? Local feed and seed?

I bought a tarp and put it over part of the run for the chickens to have a place to stretch their legs over the weekend. It’s good I did because it rained almost all weekend. I’m not complaining, but I wish it would spread out over the month instead of all at once.

Did you know about “poop boards”? I read about them on the BYC site. I was trying to figure out what I could use when I had an “inspiration.” I have six hard plastic trays that I use during the winter to put under my plants that I bring in because they will not survive over the winter outside. These are actually “boot trays” (32” X 12”) that you set inside your door for people to set their dirty shoes on. I got them at Lowe’s a couple years ago for $6 each. (I noticed Saturday that Lowe’s still sells them.)

Anyway, I got one of these “boot trays” and put it in the coop and it is a perfect fit under the roosting boards. I’ve been using them for three days now, and it really keeps the coops cleaner. I rotate two. Take out the dirty one in the morning, put in a clean one, and rinse the dirty one to swap out the next morning.
The coop stays much, much cleaner!

The sun is shining now and it is a beautiful Monday! I hope it stays this way for a few days to dry everything off so I can paint a little in the evenings after work.
 
Same to you Kalli :) I did enjoy her! We found her this lovely pink wicker basket that had pink 'pearls' designed in the shape of rabbits. OH SO CUTE and so is she!

Miss Serenity and her basket of goodies (My Little Ponies, gorgeous shiny purple eggs, and candy - we also got her this HUGE stuffed frog)


Her purple eggs


~ She found the chocolate after this pic was taken and the rest was unimportant for a while LOL

Oh I think this deserves a "good minds think alike" !!! The scrubbing was killing me too! Especially since the temperature has not been great and I'm washing things off outside in cold weather/water ... brrrr!! I'm glad your cat/dog can only watch safely through the wire now! My two cats realized the birds were loose in their run yesterday and the eldest, Mama Kitty, slowly (very slowly) made her way all around the perimeter seeking a way in. She didn't find it and you can see her frustration.

My new chicks arrived today

and I was cringing at the thought of doing the brooder thing all over again because it is such a tedious chore, but I am keeping them in our shop which has a sink and running hot water. It will make it SO much easier than in the storage shed. I didn't want to put them in the coop because they need the heat lamp and the others don't. Just simplifies the process I think.

Atwoods is like Tractor Supply. They sell feed, bedding, plants, lawn mowers, you name it and they pretty much have it. Yes, the term "sex links" means they are born a certain color when female or male and are identifiable by that at hatch. So, they should all be females.
I did some research, "Black sex links are the result of crossing a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire Red rooster over Barred Plymouth Rock females. Both sexes hatch out black, but the males have a white dot on their heads. Pullets feather out black with some red in neck feathers. Males feather out with the Barred Rock pattern along with a few red feathers. Black Sex links are often referred to as Rock Reds. "
The Gold ones:
"Bovans Goldline chickens are an European sex link produced by crossing Rhode Island Red males with Light Sussex. This cross produces red hens and roosters largely white in color."
So, they are hybrid chickens and should be excellent layers, but not good for producing future layers. In all likelihood they will be butchered when their laying days are over.

I guess the tarp kept the area fairly dry then? Good! I'm glad they are able to stretch out. Mine have improved attitude wise tremendously since they can spread out. Case in point for other BYC'ers who I've seen caution against overcrowding!! Have you noticed an improvement in attitude amongst them as well?

I read the term 'poop boards' on this site, but also saw the sand boxes and that's what I chose to do. After cleaning up after the girls the last few nights on their roosts I am thinking we made them too wide, for young birds at least. They are pooping ON the roosts and missing the sandbox completely, but as they get larger and their backsides hang over the roost they should hit their mark nicely :)
Several of them have discovered the sandboxes and are using them to dust in, which is fine I put DE in it, so it serves dual purposes. Using a cat scooper was awesome!! I may end up putting sand in my coop floor yet!

The 'boot trays' are an excellent idea! I have one in my tack room I'm not using, perhaps I can see if it will fit. You might try putting sand in them and then just scooping out the poop daily. Would save you from all that rinsing :D Just make sure the sand does NOT contain silica ... read somewhere (on here) that it wasn't good for chickens.

What is your routine with your chicks? Are you doing the same thing every single time you tend to them in the coop? Do you go check on them or visit them more than morning and night now? Just curious for curiosity's sake.

Ah, you are going to get to paint finally!! Yay!!! Please post before and after pic's .... My plans were to paint today, but that isn't happening. We have rain!!!!! Whoooo hoooo!!! I was SOOO excited to wake up to rain pattering on the roof. We need it desperately, so please send it all our way, you can paint, and then I'll send it back to you when you dry out and I can paint!! LOL
 
Your granddaughter is darling! I know she had a wonderful Easter. It’s too bad you couldn’t find her a huge stuffed chicken!

Keeping your baby chicks in the shop with the sink will make things much easier for you. You are so lucky to have that available to use. It has just warmed up here within the past week or so, and I was also washing and rinsing nasty stuff outside in the cold. I’ve had to keep applying Neutrogena hand cream to compensate for all the hand washing recently.

You mentioned that your hybrid chickens will be butchered when their laying days are over. Will you and your hubby do that?

I pulled the tarp off yesterday and the run has dried out rather well. I had to make the RIRs go outside because they wanted to stay in the coop. I shut the coop door when they came out to eat. The sun is shining and it’s warm enough. They also have shade if they need it.

Like you, I put sand, DE, and Sweet PDZ in the bottom of the coop and scoop it out every couple of days. The poop board helps catch what falls from the roosts. I hadn’t thought about putting sand on them too. I’ll try that and see if it helps. I’m sure it will.

You asked about my routine…well I let them out of the coop at daybreak. (I’m an early riser, so that’s not a problem.) I’m fortunate that in my current job I telecommute to TX, so I work from home and can check on the chicks during the day. I usually take a break about every two hours or so to rest my eyes from the computer and stretch a bit. In the evening, I’ll sit and watch Chicken TV for about an hour before they go in for the night. I check on them one last time when I take my Chihuahua out at 10 p.m. to make sure the chicks are locked up good and tight.

I haven’t painted yet. I’ll take some before pics ASAP. I’m off this upcoming Monday, so will probably try to get started over the weekend.
 
Oh it is awesome you get to work from home. Ever work in your PJ's? LOL Had to ask because I know I would, especially on cold days!

Yes, Serenity is a lovely little girl. We got her a stuffed chicken last year and it's name is "Chicky Mo Mo" ... Do NOT ask me where that came from, but it's cute. We chose the frog over the stuffed chickens because frankly the chickens weren't that soft and the frog is soft like a new baby chick!! Maybe next year they'll make them softer.

We bought this property and it had a 960' sq ft "house" on it. Once upon a time it was a shop building that has been converted into a "house". The inner walls are eventually going to come down, we are tearing out the bathroom this year and moving the hot water tank to a different location. So, in a way yes I am fortunate to have this dwelling and have only had use of it the past 2 weeks.

Up until then my son was living there with his SO and Serenity. In January I put up the deposits, first months rent, and helped the SO get established. My son was still in school and on contract til April for his internet service and did not move out until then. NOW we can proceed with converting it back into a 'shop', however it will maintain one section of kitchen cabinetry, a stove, a refrigerator, two upright freezers and the master bedroom will remain intact for visitors or teen sleepovers.

We didn't find out until after we bought the place that the sewer line was not properly installed so we've had issue after issue with it. We had a 16x80, 4 bd, 2 bath mobile home we moved here at purchase. In 2010 we did a complete remodel, converted the 4th bedroom into a walk-in closet and moved in to it. I was NEVER so happy in all my life and would rather live in a "box on wheels" than that freaking 'house'!!! Guess you can say I am bonafide "trailer trash" LOL

Your routine with your girls sounds pretty much like mine with the exception of up at dawn. Oh, I hate getting up early, so 7am is going to be their norm. I guess locking the birds out of the coop the first day or so is probably normal? I had to do the same thing, but since then they are running all around and over my feet waiting for me to open that door!! :D

I can't wait to see your photo's and enjoy your Monday off! Glad things are drying up for you.

Oh on non-chicken news; My 4th and final calf was born yesterday afternoon and that always makes me feel better. However, it's mother (Turk) is my most defensive cow-mom and finding out if it's a bull or heifer calf always present a problem. So, wish me luck lol
 
No, I don’t work in my PJs, but I have been known to work in my sweats during the winter when it is really cold. It's funny, but that’s the question I get most of the time when people learn that I telecommute!

How did your son and his SO come up with the name “Serenity”? I love that name!

Your mobile home sounds very similar to the one my aunt purchased about two years ago. She sold her three-bedroom, brick home in a small town and bought a 4/2 mobile home about the same size as yours. It is beautiful. Inside you would never think that it is a mobile home because the rooms are huge. Her bathroom is larger than my master bedroom! Guess you can say that she is “trailer trash” too, but she and her new husband are very happy in it! BTW, they also bought an old, used, portable building like they have at some of the schools for the overflow of students. They use the portable building for storage. It has rows and rows of metal shelving units. Talk about organized! She sent me out to it to get a big pot, and she knew exactly what row and shelf it was on.

My chicks are staying out later in the evenings now. Instead of going in at 7:45 pm, they now go inside the coop about 8:30 pm. They seem to know that the days are getting longer.

So you have calves also! You do live on a farm. I think that is exciting news. Do you raise them to sell or to butcher?

Do you feed your chicks medicated feed? And are you worming them yet?
 
OMG! I had this big reply all typed and hit the back button!! Grrr lol I'm on my phone so its easy to do!!!

Serenity: from a baby book I think. I love it too and while it doesn't fit her its beautiful
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Your aunt sounds supremely organized and I'm only so-so! When it comes to kids and critters I'm 100%, but not so with myself
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We get the same response from people who come in. It looks like a house inside. I think I'd like your aunt and uncle
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Yes, we live on a farm. We raise all of our meat, sheep on occasion, buy chickens from FFA kids, grow a garden, and purchase eggs from a neighbor. We are desperately trying to avoid grocery stores as much as possible and know we're very blessed. The chickens are an important piece to the whole. Add a milk cow and I'm replicating what I experienced as a child when I visited my maternal grandparents!

I am feeding the older chicks a higher protein feed and no longer the medicated. I worked them with Wazine and followed the directions. I'm also feeding organic yogurt mixed with crushed 'mealy' worms. They LOVE it!
 

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