I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.
"Louisiana "La-yers" Peeps"
- Thread starter Sassymygirl
- Start date
Quote:
Very Nice!!
Very Nice!!
- Feb 12, 2011
- 201
- 0
- 89
Quote:
- Feb 12, 2011
- 201
- 0
- 89
Quote:
Somehow I merged our posts.
Somehow I merged our posts.
Quote:
Somehow I merged our posts.
It's the strawberry ale! LOL!!!
Chris
Somehow I merged our posts.
It's the strawberry ale! LOL!!!
Chris
- May 6, 2011
- 12
- 0
- 21
My chickens are about one year old. I built a real nice coop and run when I got them at around 5 months. They seemed to enjoy both for about a month when I was keeping them locked up. They would go in the coop at night and stay in the run all day. One day I decided to let them out in the yard for some freedom. About a week later they stopped going in the coop at night. Sooo, I tried keeping them locked up in the run and they would go nuts all day to get out. Anyway, they are happy now. They roost on the fence every night. Will it get too cold for them in New Orleans at some point? If so I am not sure what to do. Locking them up seems like not an option. TIA for any advice.
Quote:
Perhaps I'm a bit TOO bossy -- but my animals don't have the choice of doing what they want to do versus what I want them to do.
I treat them the same way that I would my students... "This is what we are going to do today..." They have the choice to enjoy the activity or, the choice to do the activity and be unhappy doing it. That is the choice! One way or another the activity is going to be done (like it or not).
Your chickens earn a "safe haven" with you by being productive and cooperative. Once they become obstinate pain in the butts they may lose their safety status and move up to menu status. Again, their choice! You must always keep in mind that they are low on the food chain. For mankind, their main purpose in life is to provide food to us whether it be eggs or meat. Again,"their choice" to provide us with eggs or meat.
All kidding aside, they are much safer in their coops at night. It only takes one time for them to be wiped out as they sleep. Also, with regard to the cold temperatures and/or rainy weather, I think having shelter is a great benefit to them. Where do they lay their eggs? Also, you don't mention having roosters but, if you do you'll likely end up with baby chicks at some point. If you have no way of penning up and catching your chickens you'll be overrun with wild birds before too long. In addition, if you need to administer medication to your flock how are you doing to do it?
I apologize if this post offends anyone. I grew up on a small farm where most anything was at risk of being on the menu. I learned very early in life not to bond with the animals that were raised and bred for the purpose of food or food products. When you live by this frame of reference the rest becomes very easy.
Good luck with your chickens! I love raising my chickens and geese! They bring a great deal of pleasure to my life.
Perhaps I'm a bit TOO bossy -- but my animals don't have the choice of doing what they want to do versus what I want them to do.
Your chickens earn a "safe haven" with you by being productive and cooperative. Once they become obstinate pain in the butts they may lose their safety status and move up to menu status. Again, their choice! You must always keep in mind that they are low on the food chain. For mankind, their main purpose in life is to provide food to us whether it be eggs or meat. Again,"their choice" to provide us with eggs or meat.
All kidding aside, they are much safer in their coops at night. It only takes one time for them to be wiped out as they sleep. Also, with regard to the cold temperatures and/or rainy weather, I think having shelter is a great benefit to them. Where do they lay their eggs? Also, you don't mention having roosters but, if you do you'll likely end up with baby chicks at some point. If you have no way of penning up and catching your chickens you'll be overrun with wild birds before too long. In addition, if you need to administer medication to your flock how are you doing to do it?
I apologize if this post offends anyone. I grew up on a small farm where most anything was at risk of being on the menu. I learned very early in life not to bond with the animals that were raised and bred for the purpose of food or food products. When you live by this frame of reference the rest becomes very easy.
Good luck with your chickens! I love raising my chickens and geese! They bring a great deal of pleasure to my life.
Last edited:
Quote:
Perhaps I'm a bit TOO bossy -- but my animals don't have the choice of doing what they want to do versus what I want them to do.
I treat them the same way that I would my students... "This is what we are going to do today..." They have the choice to enjoy the activity or, the choice to do the activity and be unhappy doing it. That is the choice! One way or another the activity is going to be done (like it or not).
Your chickens earn a "safe haven" with you by being productive and cooperative. Once they become obstinate pain in the butts they may lose their safety status and move up to menu status. Again, their choice! You must always keep in mind that they are low on the food chain. For mankind, their main purpose in life is to provide food to us whether it be eggs or meat. Again,"their choice" to provide us with eggs or meat.
All kidding aside, they are much safer in their coops at night. It only takes one time for them to be wiped out as they sleep. Also, with regard to the cold temperatures and/or rainy weather, I think having shelter is a great benefit to them. Where do they lay their eggs? Also, you don't mention having roosters but, if you do you'll likely end up with baby chicks at some point. If you have no way of penning up and catching your chickens you'll be overrun with wild birds before too long. In addition, if you need to administer medication to your flock how are you doing to do it?
I apologize if this post offends anyone. I grew up on a small farm where most anything was at risk of being on the menu. I learned very early in life not to bond with the animals that were raised and bred for the purpose of food or food products. When you live by this frame of reference the rest becomes very easy.
Good luck with your chickens! I love raising my chickens and geese! They bring a great deal of pleasure to my life.
Well Twiley summed up what I was thinking when I first saw your post wispa. Ive never had much luck letting any of my animals being left out in the wide open at night. Ive got way too many hungry varmits running out around here (owls, coons, dogs, coyotes, foxes, possums, minks, weasels, hawks, crows, bobcats and house cats. Any of these critters can wipe out a flock in no time. The ones I do have running loose, the rogues that are impossible to keep in a pen other than caging them up completely still always go back to the coop at night or let me catch them and put them in. But as Twiley says you have to be the dominant one and TRAIN them on how things are going to be or else and yes you can train them just as any other pets or kids it just takes a lot of repetitive do-overs and overs till they get it. I teach my broody mothers to come back to cat carriers every evening for lock-up. So to answer your ques. the cold will probly not harm them too much 'cept for them getting wet and cold as this is surely to lower their resistance down for another type disease(viruses/ect) to invade them that they could normally fight off with a healthy immune system but the fact that something sooner or later WILL come by and have a smorgasbord out of your weak/delicate little birds that have hardly any defense against such critters that are way up higher on the food chain.
Sorry for the run-ons but that's the way I type 2 fingered and staring at the keyboard and typing as it comes to mind. What I'm trying to say; is to you and the best interests of the birds to lock them up if you really want to keep them around for a spell.
Perhaps I'm a bit TOO bossy -- but my animals don't have the choice of doing what they want to do versus what I want them to do.
Your chickens earn a "safe haven" with you by being productive and cooperative. Once they become obstinate pain in the butts they may lose their safety status and move up to menu status. Again, their choice! You must always keep in mind that they are low on the food chain. For mankind, their main purpose in life is to provide food to us whether it be eggs or meat. Again,"their choice" to provide us with eggs or meat.
All kidding aside, they are much safer in their coops at night. It only takes one time for them to be wiped out as they sleep. Also, with regard to the cold temperatures and/or rainy weather, I think having shelter is a great benefit to them. Where do they lay their eggs? Also, you don't mention having roosters but, if you do you'll likely end up with baby chicks at some point. If you have no way of penning up and catching your chickens you'll be overrun with wild birds before too long. In addition, if you need to administer medication to your flock how are you doing to do it?
I apologize if this post offends anyone. I grew up on a small farm where most anything was at risk of being on the menu. I learned very early in life not to bond with the animals that were raised and bred for the purpose of food or food products. When you live by this frame of reference the rest becomes very easy.
Good luck with your chickens! I love raising my chickens and geese! They bring a great deal of pleasure to my life.
Well Twiley summed up what I was thinking when I first saw your post wispa. Ive never had much luck letting any of my animals being left out in the wide open at night. Ive got way too many hungry varmits running out around here (owls, coons, dogs, coyotes, foxes, possums, minks, weasels, hawks, crows, bobcats and house cats. Any of these critters can wipe out a flock in no time. The ones I do have running loose, the rogues that are impossible to keep in a pen other than caging them up completely still always go back to the coop at night or let me catch them and put them in. But as Twiley says you have to be the dominant one and TRAIN them on how things are going to be or else and yes you can train them just as any other pets or kids it just takes a lot of repetitive do-overs and overs till they get it. I teach my broody mothers to come back to cat carriers every evening for lock-up. So to answer your ques. the cold will probly not harm them too much 'cept for them getting wet and cold as this is surely to lower their resistance down for another type disease(viruses/ect) to invade them that they could normally fight off with a healthy immune system but the fact that something sooner or later WILL come by and have a smorgasbord out of your weak/delicate little birds that have hardly any defense against such critters that are way up higher on the food chain.
Sorry for the run-ons but that's the way I type 2 fingered and staring at the keyboard and typing as it comes to mind. What I'm trying to say; is to you and the best interests of the birds to lock them up if you really want to keep them around for a spell.
Quote:
Perhaps I'm a bit TOO bossy -- but my animals don't have the choice of doing what they want to do versus what I want them to do.
I treat them the same way that I would my students... "This is what we are going to do today..." They have the choice to enjoy the activity or, the choice to do the activity and be unhappy doing it. That is the choice! One way or another the activity is going to be done (like it or not).
Your chickens earn a "safe haven" with you by being productive and cooperative. Once they become obstinate pain in the butts they may lose their safety status and move up to menu status. Again, their choice! You must always keep in mind that they are low on the food chain. For mankind, their main purpose in life is to provide food to us whether it be eggs or meat. Again,"their choice" to provide us with eggs or meat.
All kidding aside, they are much safer in their coops at night. It only takes one time for them to be wiped out as they sleep. Also, with regard to the cold temperatures and/or rainy weather, I think having shelter is a great benefit to them. Where do they lay their eggs? Also, you don't mention having roosters but, if you do you'll likely end up with baby chicks at some point. If you have no way of penning up and catching your chickens you'll be overrun with wild birds before too long. In addition, if you need to administer medication to your flock how are you doing to do it?
I apologize if this post offends anyone. I grew up on a small farm where most anything was at risk of being on the menu. I learned very early in life not to bond with the animals that were raised and bred for the purpose of food or food products. When you live by this frame of reference the rest becomes very easy.
Good luck with your chickens! I love raising my chickens and geese! They bring a great deal of pleasure to my life.
Well Twiley summed up what I was thinking when I first saw your post wispa. Ive never had much luck letting any of my animals being left out in the wide open at night. Ive got way too many hungry varmits running out around here (owls, coons, dogs, coyotes, foxes, possums, minks, weasels, hawks, crows, bobcats and house cats. Any of these critters can wipe out a flock in no time. The ones I do have running loose, the rogues that are impossible to keep in a pen other than caging them up completely still always go back to the coop at night or let me catch them and put them in. But as Twiley says you have to be the dominant one and TRAIN them on how things are going to be or else and yes you can train them just as any other pets or kids it just takes a lot of repetitive do-overs and overs till they get it. I teach my broody mothers to come back to cat carriers every evening for lock-up. So to answer your ques. the cold will probly not harm them too much 'cept for them getting wet and cold as this is surely to lower their resistance down for another type disease(viruses/ect) to invade them that they could normally fight off with a healthy immune system but the fact that something sooner or later WILL come by and have a smorgasbord out of your weak/delicate little birds that have hardly any defense against such critters that are way up higher on the food chain.
Sorry for the run-ons but that's the way I type 2 fingered and staring at the keyboard and typing as it comes to mind. What I'm trying to say; is to you and the best interests of the birds to lock them up if you really want to keep them around for a spell.
I completly agree. Even though for a couple of years mine free ranged everyday, they were always locked up every night.
Perhaps I'm a bit TOO bossy -- but my animals don't have the choice of doing what they want to do versus what I want them to do.
Your chickens earn a "safe haven" with you by being productive and cooperative. Once they become obstinate pain in the butts they may lose their safety status and move up to menu status. Again, their choice! You must always keep in mind that they are low on the food chain. For mankind, their main purpose in life is to provide food to us whether it be eggs or meat. Again,"their choice" to provide us with eggs or meat.
All kidding aside, they are much safer in their coops at night. It only takes one time for them to be wiped out as they sleep. Also, with regard to the cold temperatures and/or rainy weather, I think having shelter is a great benefit to them. Where do they lay their eggs? Also, you don't mention having roosters but, if you do you'll likely end up with baby chicks at some point. If you have no way of penning up and catching your chickens you'll be overrun with wild birds before too long. In addition, if you need to administer medication to your flock how are you doing to do it?
I apologize if this post offends anyone. I grew up on a small farm where most anything was at risk of being on the menu. I learned very early in life not to bond with the animals that were raised and bred for the purpose of food or food products. When you live by this frame of reference the rest becomes very easy.
Good luck with your chickens! I love raising my chickens and geese! They bring a great deal of pleasure to my life.
Well Twiley summed up what I was thinking when I first saw your post wispa. Ive never had much luck letting any of my animals being left out in the wide open at night. Ive got way too many hungry varmits running out around here (owls, coons, dogs, coyotes, foxes, possums, minks, weasels, hawks, crows, bobcats and house cats. Any of these critters can wipe out a flock in no time. The ones I do have running loose, the rogues that are impossible to keep in a pen other than caging them up completely still always go back to the coop at night or let me catch them and put them in. But as Twiley says you have to be the dominant one and TRAIN them on how things are going to be or else and yes you can train them just as any other pets or kids it just takes a lot of repetitive do-overs and overs till they get it. I teach my broody mothers to come back to cat carriers every evening for lock-up. So to answer your ques. the cold will probly not harm them too much 'cept for them getting wet and cold as this is surely to lower their resistance down for another type disease(viruses/ect) to invade them that they could normally fight off with a healthy immune system but the fact that something sooner or later WILL come by and have a smorgasbord out of your weak/delicate little birds that have hardly any defense against such critters that are way up higher on the food chain.
Sorry for the run-ons but that's the way I type 2 fingered and staring at the keyboard and typing as it comes to mind. What I'm trying to say; is to you and the best interests of the birds to lock them up if you really want to keep them around for a spell.
I completly agree. Even though for a couple of years mine free ranged everyday, they were always locked up every night.
I'm also a bit uneasy if I know one or some of the birds are not in the coop when I lock up at night. I even do a head count to make sure no one is missing, lol! I find leaving the light on in the run usually gets them all in all by it self. I turn the light on and go in. When I go back out to tune the light off and lock up they are all inside the coop on their roost.
Well guys I spent the day working on the coop/run. I'm putting an addition on it to allow me to house another 18 to 20 birds. This will eventually become 3 separate breeding pens when my birds get a little older. Knocked about half of it out already and hope to have it all done by the end of this weekend coming up. I'll post some pics to get feedback when I get a chance but I think it's going to work out really good for me.
Chris
Well guys I spent the day working on the coop/run. I'm putting an addition on it to allow me to house another 18 to 20 birds. This will eventually become 3 separate breeding pens when my birds get a little older. Knocked about half of it out already and hope to have it all done by the end of this weekend coming up. I'll post some pics to get feedback when I get a chance but I think it's going to work out really good for me.
Chris
Similar threads
New posts New threads Active threads
-
Latest threads
-
which roo should I keep: the less dominate, or the larger more dominate?
- Started by llcardinale
- Replies: 0
-
Not an "Emergency," but could sure use advice- Started by DarkWater1929
- Replies: 0
-
-
-
-
Threads with more replies in the last 15 days
-
-
Question of the Day - Thursday, August 14th, 2025- Started by casportpony
- Replies: 75
-
-
-
-
