"Louisiana "La-yers" Peeps"

[kacklinghen]

This week just keeps getting better. Here's my first Bielefelders egg. And a new CCL is laying one more to go. Pam



Plus went to a dairy farm yesterday and got milk fresh from the cow.

AWESOME

 

[TerriLaChicks]

This week just keeps getting better. Here's my first Bielefelders egg. And a new CCL is laying one more to go. Pam



Plus went to a dairy farm yesterday and got milk fresh from the cow.

NICE! for a first egg!! and nice score on the fresh milk, too!

 

[TerriLaChicks]

We had to stop by a ceramics place yesterday. Superman ended up painting a decorative tray for me. It looks so UGLY now until they fire it. I can't wait to see it when we pick it up!





I don't know why the pictures didn't go on here the first time.

that's going to be so pretty!

 

[LemonMeringue]

This week just keeps getting better. Here's my first Bielefelders egg. And a new CCL is laying one more to go. Pam

Plus went to a dairy farm yesterday and got milk fresh from the cow.

That is great. I want mini cows some day!

that's going to be so pretty!

. I hope so. Hub did all the painting.

 

[TerriLaChicks]

Took my new chicks outside this afternoon - the sun was warm & next to our storage building, it blocked the wind, so I was able to put them out on the ground for the first time. It took a few minutes & then they had a blast! - they ran & skipped & pecked & climbed up on me -- when I called them "chick-chick" they would always run back to me. we stayed out about 15 minutes & then I took them back inside to a clean box w/fresh food & water -- they ate like cannibals & then crashed. We have the big brooder set up in our upstairs study & they'll be moved to it later this week. I am really impressed w/this batch of chicks - they are fearless, inquisitive, friendly - we tried to feather-sex them a couple nights ago, we may have 3 boys, 3 girls, not sure... I looked at vents also but all I can tell you is that they all have a$$holes. I was afraid to squeeze them apparently as hard as you have to vent sex them. So we will wait & see. I don't care. Love them all!

 

[Cody A]

Took my new chicks outside this afternoon - the sun was warm & next to our storage building, it blocked the wind, so I was able to put them out on the ground for the first time. It took a few minutes & then they had a blast! - they ran & skipped & pecked & climbed up on me -- when I called them "chick-chick" they would always run back to me. we stayed out about 15 minutes & then I took them back inside to a clean box w/fresh food & water -- they ate like cannibals & then crashed. We have the big brooder set up in our upstairs study & they'll be moved to it later this week. I am really impressed w/this batch of chicks - they are fearless, inquisitive, friendly - we tried to feather-sex them a couple nights ago, we may have 3 boys, 3 girls, not sure... I looked at vents also but all I can tell you is that they all have a$$holes. I was afraid to squeeze them apparently as hard as you have to vent sex them. So we will wait & see. I don't care. Love them all!

Terri, sounds like you have some nice, healthy chicks. Cool that they can can poop $$

 

[Ron Skekel]

Took my new chicks outside this afternoon - the sun was warm & next to our storage building, it blocked the wind, so I was able to put them out on the ground for the first time. It took a few minutes & then they had a blast! - they ran & skipped & pecked & climbed up on me -- when I called them "chick-chick" they would always run back to me. we stayed out about 15 minutes & then I took them back inside to a clean box w/fresh food & water -- they ate like cannibals & then crashed.  We have the big brooder set up in our upstairs study & they'll be moved to it later this week. I am really impressed w/this batch of chicks - they are fearless, inquisitive, friendly - we tried to feather-sex them a couple nights ago, we may have 3 boys, 3 girls, not sure... I looked at vents also but all I can tell you is that they all have a$$holes. I was afraid to squeeze them apparently as hard as you have to vent sex them. So we will wait & see. I don't care. Love them all!

Thats great!






1

 

[Cody A]

The only problem with this is what if a roo of one breed takes a liking to a hen of a different breed? That pair will try everything to stay together. I know this from experience that's why I have separate coops and free range seprate. You might also want to have a quarantine area for new birds you get or sick birds to keep the whole flock from catching something. Pam

Pam that's a very interesting thought. Only experience can present a dilemma as that. I guess I'll have to deal with that situation when it comes along and then look at my options.
Maybe I should only work with one or two breeds instead of three. But then I guess the problem could still present itself. Your thoughts? Building another coop is out of the question right now, perhaps in the future. I do need an infirmary. I've got a lot of shed roof should I need to make a place to put a sick bird. So far I've been sticking by my guns and not been tempted to buy birds off Craigslist or elsewhere. I'm extremely afraid of bringing something like mites, lice, or disease to my birds. If I can manage it I will only buy hatching eggs and day old chicks until I start hatching my own. Thank you for pointing out the power of sex and how strong it can be. I might need to use 1/4" hardware cloth.....LOL.

 

[lakones]

Seems like everyone is busy, busy, lots of hatchlings too!!!
We finished the new coop today, but I forgot to take pics, I'll have to add some later. It is a duplex of two smaller coops under one roof and we already have both sides full. The 4 campine and 1 Araucana have one side and 9 buff orphingtons have the other. I just got those today, 8 pullets and 1 roo. All of these are about 9 weeks old. It's funny how much bigger the buffs are than the campines even tho they are the same age. Come spring time I ought to have lots of eggs!!! Total now I have 14 girls and 4 boys, but I have separate coops and runs for each group. How does this chicken math work???

 

[Cody A]

I edited the original post, i had to leave my computer before i was done to keep from losing what i had down. I hope this will give you some direction.

Yes. You have definitely given me direction They will be staying separated into groups that's for sure. When I get to the point of needing it I plan to build a small run that the chicks can access from the brooder.

On the run extension I thought of breaking it up into thirds. Each section would be about 10'6" wide. So one section would be 1005 sqft the other two 765 sqft.
However I do it it will be built a little different than the other run. I'll use hardware cloth on the sides and for the top I'm planning to use 2"x2" 16 gauge fencing 100'x72" roll
http://www.redbrand.com/Products/SpecialtyApplication/YardGardenKennel.aspx Support the wire with the 10' lengths of top rail that is used for chain link fencing.
It should be a little cheaper and much easier this way and I don't think I have any worries with something getting in. What are your thoughts on using this wire fencing? I think the chances are slim that something as small as a mink would be around and I'm really not worried about snakes if the birds are of a decent size. There will be doors between the existing run and extension anyway if I want to close them at night.