Sadly is was soft and laid while sitting on a perch outside so it lasted all of about five minutes thanks to 13 excited and obviously starving chickens.
Maybe the others will follow suit. Excited about moving them to their own pen.
OK, you can stop waiting. You have Rhode Island Reds. They are a great choice for eggs and general chickenness. But, you will find that the roosters are agressive. Roosters are easy to spot. They are the ones attacking your ankles. When they are 3 or 4 months old, all but 1 need to go to freezer camp. There are youtube videos showing how. Or you can come to the Mooresville meeting at Racinchickins on 7/28 at 11:00 and learn how first hand. I can provide you with a couple of test subjects. The roo you keep should be instructed on proper etiquette through proper application of foot to bird. Use the side of your foot, you don't want to do actual harm to your pride and joy. RIR roos are beautiful birds. Unfortunately, this one got strained through a coyote. He was the neighborhood mean rooster. The men kicked him, the ladies carried a broom. They all loved him, except for one equally mean old lady. Feed your chicks "Chick starter" feed for 4 months. Switch to "Layer mix". They should start laying at about that time. I prefer to keep feed out all the time for them. They will eat what they need and no more. You will need a chicken house (coop) with room for roosts, nest boxes, and loafing space. You will also need room for a lawn chair to sit and watch the little feathered varmits doing chicken things. If you are handy, you can make one. If not, or if money is easier to come by than time, you can buy an outdoor storage shed and put a pop door in it. You can spend any where from $100 to $10,000 on the coop. It can be made of recycled pallets or built to match your house. Try to make it coyote and raccoon proof. If you are not short of funds, consider an automatic door that raises in the morning and lowers in the evening. That way, you don't have to go out at 7 AM to open the door or 10 pm to close it. If the chickens are out at night, owls will find them as well as coyotes and raccoons and various other hungry critters. During the day, all you have to worry about are hawks, dogs, and brazen coyotes that have not been shot at. What are you sitting around for? Get up and get at it!!!!!!!! John
Ok I know I've said it before and you said you drink while writing your stuff, but I've really got to quit drinking while reading your stuff. It might be the death of me. I like your humor.
I might have two bantams I could bring to the meeting however I've never killed anything that wasn't a spider before and its possible it could end badly. They keep going after my favorite hen (lucy) and I'm about to take a shovel to their backsides. Lucy is a red sex-link and while I don't know much about the breeds, she is the sweetest thing going...except for the other chocolate covered red head holding her like a baby. I could really have 5 more just like her (the chicken, not the girl
Ok I know I've said it before and you said you drink while writing your stuff, but I've really got to quit drinking while reading your stuff. It might be the death of me. I like your humor.
John/ Old Salt- that was for you. I just misused my phone.
I agree. I think he is definitely brightening up. So glad you were able to take him. We would have loved to take him, but you are better set for him now.
John, your new run looks great. Glad you were able to get it done.
Anyone have any experience with ISA Browns? I have one that has been a bit aggressive from the beginning (called her Meany), but now today I am wondering if 'she' is a 'he'. Still aggressive/bossy, but that of course could just be pecking order.
19 weeks old. Likes to hang around the chicken coop. Real friendly towards me. Nice straight comb. The comb is really the only thing that is making me question more than anything.
Thoughts please?
If 'she' is a 'he', he will have to go. Already have my designated roosters and he is not one of them.
My cousin has 10 ISA browns and I recently obtained one as well. From my experience (of 19 weeks), mine is one of the top hens, quick layer, and pecks at the occasional passerbyer. She's quite vocal and is the one who fears me the least, going to far as to walking up to me and waiting for something, even if there is nothing to give.
My cousin's hens are very aggressive. They've pecked their chests and backs bald ( I also blame that on the small space the 10 girls are forced to live in) and eat eggs.
But you indeed have a hen. ISA browns are a "brand name" red sex link. They are red in color, and have white feathers tipped on their wings, tail, and around the neck. they are sexed when they hatch. If you had a rooster, he would be white with a few red patches on his wings/shoulder area. No exceptions. They are hybrids that are bred to mature quickly and be egg laying machines. At 19 weeks, she should look full grown just about. Large red waddle and comb are a good sign on this breed. Her aggressiveness comes from the Rhode Islands Red that are bred into the line, a breed that can known for aggressive chickens (roos and hens, though this is not always true). they're made to be aggressive breeders and layers, so it doesn't surprise me that that particular triat carries over into their personality a bit.
Still 6 chicks so far. 1 splash and 5 black (ameraucanas). I had one that started hatching and hadnt done anthing for quite sometime. I took it out and started peeling away the egg, it was dead . One chick that has a tumor or hernia on its butt. It acts a little weak, I will give it a few days and see how it is acting.
e In about 48-72 hours (once the concrete cures), we can finally start building this thing!!
Me and the little ones appreciate the love.
. Has more color!
. One chick that has a tumor or hernia on its butt. It acts a little weak, I will give it a few days and see how it is acting.
