Hello All!!! First time raising chickens for the wife and I. Would love to have a small farm someday (although running out of days) but the chicks will do for now. Our Gordon Setter has been wanting companionship since his surrogate mom passed away a couple of years ago but I don't think this is what he had in mind. How do you teach a bird dog that chickens aren't birds. He has adapted wonderfully (see attached pic).
We were introduced to chickens by a friend of my wife who lives in farm country NJ (is there such a thing). Next thing you know he picked up 6 chicks for us and was raising them in his brooder until we were ready. Well, a few weeks in, he decided to get more chicks for himself and we had to make a make shift brooder in a bathroom using a portable dog pen, suv floor mat, some carboard, broom handles, heat lamp and window screens to cover the top. They are now about 10/11 weeks and we are still in search of a coop but we venture them outside in a temporary pen or free range when weather and watchful eyes permit. So I think we have 6 Golden Comets (sex-linked hybrid). Maybe someone can tell by pics. Te person that provided us with the chicks said we need more color so I think 2 Black Copper Marans are in the near future although our Gordon is probably hoping for a Golden Retriever.
I have to many other projects going on that might make buiding a coop humane enough for 8 chickens an issue and keeping it low profile. But that is next problem to solve.
Great to be aboard!
We were introduced to chickens by a friend of my wife who lives in farm country NJ (is there such a thing). Next thing you know he picked up 6 chicks for us and was raising them in his brooder until we were ready. Well, a few weeks in, he decided to get more chicks for himself and we had to make a make shift brooder in a bathroom using a portable dog pen, suv floor mat, some carboard, broom handles, heat lamp and window screens to cover the top. They are now about 10/11 weeks and we are still in search of a coop but we venture them outside in a temporary pen or free range when weather and watchful eyes permit. So I think we have 6 Golden Comets (sex-linked hybrid). Maybe someone can tell by pics. Te person that provided us with the chicks said we need more color so I think 2 Black Copper Marans are in the near future although our Gordon is probably hoping for a Golden Retriever.
I have to many other projects going on that might make buiding a coop humane enough for 8 chickens an issue and keeping it low profile. But that is next problem to solve.
Great to be aboard!