sure, and if you want to address a specific post, simply hit quote, then reply. until you hit reply, you won't see what was quoted. you can then add questions or comments after the quote. I have been tempted to do a demo video of how to do the hardware cloth, because it's kind of unforgiving and a bear at first.
Yes...of course ..that makes perfect sense. What a chicken head I am. Most people do post out of a concern they may be having. I have indeed looked into vets around here...found one that has her own chickens..so i am sure she does euthansia. Probably cost hundreds of dollars to do it..lol. But ya know what I would pay it..as I sure dont want a being to suffer. Also we have a farmer friend..who is somewhat of a mentor with a gun. WaaahhhYou have to remember that people don't post on BYC when everything is going perfectly, they post when something goes wrong. Proper management, adequate space, good feed, appropriate breed choices---these are things that go a long way towards having a healthy flock, and you should have few issues especially if you only have a few birds. Read as many posts as you can by @Beekissed and follow her management suggestions.
If it seems overwhelming, what I'd do is find an experienced neighbour or friend to mentor you, and only listen to them. They've kept birds alive and laying, their advice can't be that terrible. Then as you gain confidence you can research, change your methods if you want, and eventually become independent in their care. If you don't live in a place with many bird keepers, then I guess you're stuck with us.
One thing I now recommend to every single person is to have a plan for euthanasia. Your birds will die someday, and unfortunately a quiet death in their sleep doesn't happen all the time. You owe it to them to have a way out so that they aren't forced to die slowly from some terrible injury or disease in case the worst happens. Me, I had my neighbour shoot them until I was confident enough to do it myself. Nasty part of chickens, I know, but IMO it's one that ought to be considered at the start. Don't let me pee on your parade,, just be aware that this might happen.
Good luck, and I really hope you decide to get chickens! They are such a joy.
Great! You sound like you're willing to compare completely, even for the nasty bits. Do you have some breeds you are eying?
Chantilier..rhode island red..probably spelled it wrong..I am in ontario..canada..so its gets pretty darn freezing..and I am understanding that it is better to not heat a coop..it gets pretty darn humid and hot in summer too though.
Chanteclers? I own them, they're fantastic birds and the only ones that laid through sustained -28Cish temperatures. Quite docile, too; can't imagine you being disappointed in them. I live in a climate like yours and was so impressed with the Chanteclers I'm selling off most of my other birds except my Ameraucanas.
Well, the worms were kind of obvious when my son sent me a picture of poo with a worm in it while on vacation. Generally, a day or two of the medication which was very cheap (26 cents) for 15 chickens will kick those worms out of them and restore normal poo. Luckily, the cocci can't survive the winters and that is probably why Corid isn't carried until spring. Although, mine came down with coccidiosis right before a severe temperature drop. Once again, 5 days of Corid in the water supply (treat one, treat all) took care of the issue. Also, a bag of Corid should last quite a while, so you should be good once spring hits and you get a bag.
Here's a thought that I've been bouncing around in my head for a while now. I think I've got a way to do it for next winter...use the heat generated from a composting bin to add a little heat to the coop. Right now, I run electricity from my house and just have a cinder block heater that I made myself (pretty easy and cheap to make), but I'm thinking since I have a composting bin anyway and it generates heat that is just being wasted, I should capture it and use it. So, I'm considering composting along side my coop and running pvc thru the bin angled upward toward the coop. If I have both ends open, the warmer air should rise. If I attach that end of the pipe to the coop (with a valve to shut off), the warmer air should flow into the coop and draw in colder air from the other end to be heated. Ideally, I could have that end plugged in to the bottom of the coop to pull the cold air from there. Not sure if anyone else has tried this, but it sounds like a fun project.
Chanteclers? I own them, they're fantastic birds and the only ones that laid through sustained -28Cish temperatures. Quite docile, too; can't imagine you being disappointed in them. I live in a climate like yours and was so impressed with the Chanteclers I'm selling off most of my other birds except my Ameraucanas.
Definitely better if you don't have to put heat in. I almost burnt my coop down a few years ago; now I cull for hardiness instead.
Some of my lovely Partridge Chanteclers, pictures taken back this fall when there was still such a thing as green grass...
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I haven't had RIRs but I wouldn't recommend them unless you're purchasing from a real breeder. The hatchery lines are quite widely known to be aggressive bullies. I see very little good about them.
