Illinois...

[cavemanrich]

[. This is a lot of work. And next week we are getting the ducklings. But then we are done collecting things. I think

So its gonna be hot this weekend. Favorite things to do for them to cool off? The run is in the shade of a tree basically all day. Do I do frozen fruit or bathe them? Should I buy them a fan? I searched on here and there are lot of ideas, but I am curious to know what you guys have as tried and true solutions.[/QUOTE]
Done collecting things.????????? I suspect you are whispering a lie to yourself
Now to the more serious question about the hot temps.. Shade is the most important of all. you have that covered. Many peeps in hot climates do offer a shallow pan of water that chickens can voluntarily walk thru and cool off their feet and such. A large surface area and no more than an inch or 2 deep would be ideal. Chickens wont enter a deep pool.

 

[NotAFarm]

I have a fan(s) in my coop.
I don't use them all the time. My flock is outside at 7:30 and can stay out until dark if they want.
If the barn is hot from accumulated heat during the day, I turn both fans on and open the big west door once the sun is down. I close it up once it is dark but leave the window fan on.
I have frozen water in plastic dishes (that are smaller that my big dog bowl water dishes) and use them like giant ice cubes in the water dishes.
I haven't needed to do anything more than that. It cools off out here when the sun goes down and we don't have thermal mass like in the cities to hold the heat.

 

[NotAFarm]

This is a lot of work. And next week we are getting the ducklings. But then we are done collecting things. I think


Done collecting things.????????? I suspect you are whispering a lie to yourself

Just keep telling yourself you are done collecting...

 

[megpie021]

So I just came back from O' Hare after dropping our exchange student to go back home. I went to check on everyone before bed, and Cream Puff and Meringue had escaped their look but dont touch (I wrote see, im tired from all this driving) pen. They were in the coop. Roosting. They were on a different one from the big girls. But everyone seemed settled in nicely. Do I just roll with it? I was going to keep them separated a couple more days, but if they are all ready I will gladly let it happen.
Also tomorrow if anyone is familiar enough with light brahmas I would like an inspection of Cream Puff. She is supposed to be the slowest to develop, but at 9 weeks has the most color happening, just a hint of wattles too...

And well If I keep it up collecting the neighbors may start to notice... I saw the girls walking through the duck tub last time it was warm, so maybe even though the ducks are moving tomorrow they can keep the tub since the ducks will now have a pool....

 

[cavemanrich]

. They were in the coop. Roosting. They were on a different one from the big girls. But everyone seemed settled in nicely. Do I just roll with it? I was going to keep them separated a couple more days, but if they are all ready I will gladly let it happen.
I VOTE WITH YOU TO LET IT HAPPEN...

And well If I keep it up collecting the neighbors may start to notice...
BUILD TALLER FENCES...


I saw the girls walking through the duck tub last time it was warm, so maybe even though the ducks are moving tomorrow they can keep the tub since the ducks will now have a pool...
AGAIN I VOTE.... KEEP TUB IN PLACE..

 

[Junibutt]

I went out with my camera on this bright, sunny day.

Not sure what he's doing, but this downward dog pose made me laugh.
View attachment 1034879

Then I caught Darth Layer & Moose making out.View attachment 1034880

Here are the Mini Moose resting in the shade.
View attachment 1034881

I think he liked the shiny camera & wanted a closer look.View attachment 1034882

You are so right, those mini Mooses look just like their dad when he was young.

 

[Junibutt]

Layer feed is formulated at the lower protein level to minimize cost. (basically what is the lowest minimum to still produce eggs) Higher calcium level is so hen can produce egg shells without depleting calcium from her bones. (osteoporoses in human conditions). Your hens like to consume oyster shell as an added benefit of grit as well. Chickens will not overdose on such consumption. Feeding processed calcium such as in layer feed to non laying chickens and roosters is bad because calcium requirement of those is about 2%. Layer has twice that amount. Many here including myself use the 2% calcium Alflock or other brands of feed and offer the oyster shells on the side. This way I cover all the bases with some of my hens laying eggs and others that are too young or too old to lay. I also try to give them as much of natural scraps. (kitchen scraps) and grass clippings and such to scratch thru to keep busy as well as pick out minerals and such.

I agree with you a 100% but trying to figure out the recommendations from experts or statements like. "Give them a good layer feed as soon as they are ready to lay". If only difference is Calcium that can be provided through oyster shells, how come a layer feed becomes better then? So either there is something else to it or just a marketing ploy which everyone has bought into.

 

[NotAFarm]

I agree with you a 100% but trying to figure out the recommendations from experts or statements like. "Give them a good layer feed as soon as they are ready to lay". If only difference is Calcium that can be provided through oyster shells, how come a layer feed becomes better then? So either there is something else to it or just a marketing ploy which everyone has bought into.

I think @cavemanrich is right. The lower protein in layer feed (12-14%) makes it cheaper to produce so they market it to those that only have laying hens. Buying the higher protein (I use Purina Game Bird Starter at 30% and sometimes an organic starter that doesn't include any corn or soy) and adding oyster shell is more expensive for me but I feel it is what my flock does best on. Mine don't eat much feed this time of year since they spend so much of the day outside. I know they get the calcium they need when given free choice oyster shells.

 

[Faraday40]

So I just came back from O' Hare after dropping our exchange student to go back home. I went to check on everyone before bed, and Cream Puff and Meringue had escaped their look but dont touch (I wrote see, im tired from all this driving) pen. They were in the coop. Roosting. They were on a different one from the big girls. But everyone seemed settled in nicely. Do I just roll with it? I was going to keep them separated a couple more days, but if they are all ready I will gladly let it happen.
Also tomorrow if anyone is familiar enough with light brahmas I would like an inspection of Cream Puff. She is supposed to be the slowest to develop, but at 9 weeks has the most color happening, just a hint of wattles too...

And well If I keep it up collecting the neighbors may start to notice... I saw the girls walking through the duck tub last time it was warm, so maybe even though the ducks are moving tomorrow they can keep the tub since the ducks will now have a pool....

Yes, if the pullets decided to roost in the coop, just let them. The integration process doesn't have to take long. You can leave the other enclosure in place as a "safe zone" for feed & water.

I also agree with the others about the layer feed. The calcium is not good for chicks, but chick feed won't harm adults. The worst I've seen happen to adults on chick feed is runny poop. I have both available because the layer feed is cheap. They free range & eat kitchen scraps as well. I get the layer in pellets which I hope will discourage the young ones from eating it. My hens rarely eat oyster shell (The level goes down very slowly.), but if I crumble up eggshells, it disappears that same day. I keep a container for the cracked eggshells next to my sink & empty it when filled.

 

[megpie021]

Thanks guys. They did find their way back to the separation this morning. But I will leave the top off for now so they can come and go as they please. I have a new problem today though... I went to work on the duck pen setup and this thing is in our fenced in back yard. Dont know how. Theres no obvious holes...

I normally would not care about a turtle, except it looks to be a pretty large snapping turtle and its in the back yard where it could bite my Chihuahua.... I opened the gate for the fence, hoping it will just move through. I am not about to pick it up. Husband is in Tennessee and I dont think calling him on the way to hospital with a 30 pound turtle bite is in my best interest.

Editing. In the time it took me to write this it disappeared. NO IDEAS. I dont know how it got in or where it went. I was out there with a broom checking the edges of the lilac bushes but it wasnt there...