"Louisiana "La-yers" Peeps"

[foreverlearning]

Quote:
I believe they were baby cardinals and blue jays. My meat chicks and broody mom made all the local small birds start hatching out. I felt so bad for them because it is a hard time of year to start out. The babies just started flying last week, their regular nests are just on the edge of my pasture.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

From what you guys have gone threw is it easier to integrate already grown pullets or start chicks? I have the area to separate and brood so space is not a problem. I need to add to the flock and want it to be as easy as possible on the pecking order.

I'm still a NEWBE, I was told that using a broody is the best and easiest to add new chicks, the mama will take care of them and by the time they are on their own they are part of the flock.

When I one of my pullets went broody I got some fertile eggs from other members. They are right. the 6 little chicks are fitting right in. Last Tuesday Mama hen moved her brood to one of the coops. Not only that, she moved into the coop with the most dominant hens/pullets, they will not stand for anyone else to roost. The first thing Mama did was clear the coop. Then after she was settled the other girls were allowed in. For the first 2 weeks I kept her and her chicks in a separate pen secure from the wind and drafts. I did put a heat element in so there was a warm spot.

 

[Jipus5]

I'm still a NEWBE, I was told that using a broody is the best and easiest to add new chicks, the mama will take care of them and by the time they are on their own they are part of the flock.

When I one of my pullets went broody I got some fertile eggs from other members. They are right.

the 6 little chicks are fitting right in. Last Tuesday Mama hen moved her brood to one of the coops. Not only that, she moved into the coop with the most dominant hens/pullets, they will not stand for anyone else to roost. The first thing Mama did was clear the coop. Then after she was settled the other girls were allowed in. For the first 2 weeks I kept her and her chicks in a separate pen secure from the wind and drafts. I did put a heat element in so there was a warm spot.

That's awesome! My hens will accept anyones eggs when they are broody, but i cannot get them, any of them, to take already hatched chicks that they didn't sit on. When I tried with my most reliable sitter, she pecked one to death, and another died 2 days later. It's got to be the free ranging i guess, only difference in our flocks. Never have been able to make them go broody either, like penning them up and putting eggs in, Have ya'll ever had that work???

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

Good snowy morning peeps. This is what it looks like at my place. It's snowing in Opelousas. They are advising to stay off of the road. Supposed to be 70% chance of rain. I'm worried about the animals. How is everyone else doing this morning?

we have about 2-3 inches in the back yard. WOW is that a Mercedes? Dang girl, I didn't know you were in such high cotton!

No high cotton. Just low polyester.

My sister is a terrible driver, and she puts on 1,500-2,000 miles a month on her cars. She drives from Las Vegas to Palm Springs to Phoenix every month. Her husband got her a Mercedes with all the safety stuff. We are all so relieved. For her.... Life and death. The first time she drove it, there was a panic call from her........"it is flashing a cup of coffee, telling me to stop and take a break". It has camera's inside to track eye movements and on the steering wheel to sense your grip. It works............. Now safe for us to go back on the road! No, no, that's not what I mean SHE is safe driving now.

 

[Jipus5]

I believe they were baby cardinals and blue jays. My meat chicks and broody mom made all the local small birds start hatching out. I felt so bad for them because it is a hard time of year to start out. The babies just started flying last week, their regular nests are just on the edge of my pasture.

oH MY GOSH! That is so sweet! Where i toss out feed onto the grass for the chickens, I have seen some as well! love the babies, know i have never seen redbird babies before? Til I moved out here. They peck at what my chickens didnt eat after the chickens walk away from the area each day. Think ima get some wild bird food for them as well!

 

[Jipus5]

Broke the ice & he jumped in for a swim

I love that they broke the ice! Swimming is important!! LOL

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

I took the advise given, What I was told, when introducing peeps a day or two old, you need to wait until she has sat on eggs for at lest 3 weeks, then add them at night only. I also heard of unsuccessful introduction of peeps, regardless. I chose the fertile egg under her. I had put ceramic eggs under her at first, then switched to real eggs. But I do think the ceramic eggs were unnecessary.

 

[foreverlearning]

Quote:
I don't put out wild bird seed because it will attract more squirrels. They are fat enough as it is and smart enough not to be in the yard when I am anywhere near a gun. The wild birds have been good and stay out of the coop (where my feeder is) and they clean up the scraps left by my chickens so I'll let them be. If they ever get into the coop I'll have issues.

 

[foreverlearning]

My only broody was killed by a hawk last month. All I have left are naturally unbroody breeds.

 

[bugglesmommy]

Jack Frost was kind to me because we also have a few inches! I am super happy to have some snow besides a slight bit of powdering on a car. This is my first experience with snow. I've never traveled to a place that gets snow in anything but summer. My animals are not as amused as I am. Especially not the girls that dashed out before they knew what was out there and had to wait to get photographed. With heat lights and such everyone survived the night- and I admit I brought my legbars inside. I wanted to be extra sure I didn't lose them after all it took to get those 3.




The horse stuck her nose in the snow and snorted some in then bounced around the field like a rodeo bronco. Too bad I didn't get that on camera.


Hubby threw a snowball for the dog. Poor dear couldn't figure out where it went. She looked for it for ages.