Kayla’s Flock!

[HuffleClaw]

Fay is red banded & Laura is orange banded:

 

[HuffleClaw]

You GO Girl!

The man that came was super nice, he offered to come back if I ever needed to get rid of anymore chickens. I was super lucky! I just know everyone of the birds has a good home.

 

[Rysktal]

Woohoo!! Inspiring. I know I have mentioned in another post, but I am going down from 60+ chickens as well. Hoping to stick to 20.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Woohoo!! Inspiring. I know I have mentioned in another post, but I am going down from 60+ chickens as well. Hoping to stick to 20.

thank you

 

[micstrachan]

Wow! I’ve missed a lot of activity! Glad things are looking up.

 

[MROO]

Fay is red banded & Laura is orange banded:
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I never thought of using zip ties! How often do you have to change them as the babies grow? I just bought a little pack of colored leg rings for the Nankins. Now that we have a second generation approaching adult size, it'll get harder to sort them out quickly. Right now, the babies are in a "look-no-touch" kennel in the main coop. I took the lid off of a long, metal chick feeder & put it up against the kennel wall so everybody, inside and outside of the kennel is sharing the feeder. That way, at least they get close to each other without any bleeding. I really want to open that gate and let them all join forces, but I think I'll wait until after we're done medications. No use adding more stress to the mix if I don't have to!

 

[HuffleClaw]

I never thought of using zip ties! How often do you have to change them as the babies grow? I just bought a little pack of colored leg rings for the Nankins. Now that we have a second generation approaching adult size, it'll get harder to sort them out quickly. Right now, the babies are in a "look-no-touch" kennel in the main coop. I took the lid off of a long, metal chick feeder & put it up against the kennel wall so everybody, inside and outside of the kennel is sharing the feeder. That way, at least they get close to each other without any bleeding. I really want to open that gate and let them all join forces, but I think I'll wait until after we're done medications. No use adding more stress to the mix if I don't have to!

I change them as I see leg growth, don’t want them getting too tight!

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

Winter. Ick. I REALLY don't like
What do the rest of you do to prep for winter? Have you found any particularly good ways to protect your flock?

Honestly I let the chickens do their thing, but the coop is the real deal- wicked warm in the winter, and we usually don't get any problems with frostbite. Nights are usually 20oF or lower and it stays around 30oF inside. If it gets into the negatives or single digits- in comes the heat products! xD

As for combs, I try to avoid single combs. All but one have pea combs or rose, and those guys are a lot warmer. I put vaseline on combs and feet anyways. xD

Also, my chickens LOVE sunflower seeds and grilled chicken scraps... sounds wrong but it supplies them with warmth.

For the run, over time, the wire stretched. Eek. We have decided next year we have to redo the wire and add a roof over the majority (or all) of the run. Why we didn't do this in the first place is unknown xD. Because now I spend another hour clearing the coop, another digging the way to them, as well as shoveling the driveway for two hours. Winter of 2015 and the 3ft-a-day was NOT fun.


Another question: Has anyone tried chicken sweaters? (google it if you don't know) I feel like it would be nice for the late molters, but, they are.... sweaters... for chickens...

(also, good night everyone )

 

[Rose Quartz]

I used zipties before. They work better on the littles than any leg band ive bought, but theyre not always easy to get off. Human nail clippers worked for me on the more difficult ones especially on the squirmy birds

 

[HuffleClaw]

Honestly I let the chickens do their thing, but the coop is the real deal- very warm in the winter, and we usually don't get any problems with frostbite. Night are usually 20oF or lower and it stays around 30oF inside. If it gets into the negitives or single digits- in comes the heat products! xD

As for combs, I try to avoid single combs. All but one have pea combs or rose, and those guys are a lot warmer. I put vaseline on combs and feet anyways. xD

For the run, over time, the wire stretched. Eek. We have decided next year we have to redo the wire and add a roof over the majority (or all) of the run. Why we didn't do this in the first place is unknown xD. Because now I spend another hour clearing the coop, another digging the way to them, as well as shoveling the driveway for two hours.


Another question: Has anyone tried chicken sweaters? (google it if you don't know) I feel like it would be nice for the late molters, but, they are.... sweaters... for chickens...

I have yet to try chicken sweaters... I think it’s a good idea for cold weather but it doesn’t get too cold where I am.