Maine

[LadyCluck77]

Inspiration. Mansard style coop with run.
Actually, this would be a really fun project to build. What you could do this spring is take the existing privy, expand out the back by about six feet, staying true to the shape, use the back as your coop, the remaining part used for feed storage, separated by a screen door, and then attach the two side run areas with the coop in the back. It would look similar to the drawing.

When you finished you could sell your old coop on unclehenrys or Craigslist.

Some breeds I have are perfectly content in their space, the Faverolles for example. My leghorns, however, could never have enough space. They frequently maneuver to fly over the fence and visit the neighbors.

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm curious. What are you folks finding for dates stamped on feed bags at the feed stores that you buy from? I was at a local large chain store who shall remain nameless today, and was totally shocked to find the date stamped on the bottom of some of the bags... not just some, a lot... dated back to MID OCTOBER! I walked out in disgust, and took my business elsewhere. As a matter of fact, after checking a lot of bags, I don't think I found a single one dated in March.

 

[buckabucka]

I already wrote my long saga about returning rancid feed. The date was right on the bag, but it was in the standard Blueseal code. Even though I knew how to figure it out, I was tired (perhaps lazy) and bought it without thinking through, but later figured out it was September.

I have found two issues, -some stores just don't sell a lot of feed, and some stores have employees that are too lazy to rotate stock. (And then there are jerks like me who will dig for a fresher bag).

I started buying all my feed in New Sharon. It is a drive, but I like the feed better and so far it has been fresh. We make the trip every 2 weeks, more or less. My other advice would be to seek out the big chain stores in the more chicken-populated areas. Skowhegan seems to go through a lot more feed than Waterville. You might not have a lot of choices in your area, but I recommend looking for the most popular store with good feed turnover.

 

[lazy gardener]

Can you tell me about the Blue Seal code? Because, that's where I went after seeing the Oct dates at the other store. I actually may not be any better off!

I started giving the flock some extra multi-vitamins today. Hoping that the extra nutrition will produce some extra strong chicks when i set eggs on the 20th.

 

[buckabucka]

If I remember correctly, the first two letters are a code for the specific plant the feed came from. This is followed by numbers, which indicate the number day of the year, with the last number signifying the year. AB2454= plant AB, 245th day of the year (that's the part that I never feel like figuring out when I am tired) 2014. AB375=plant AB, 37th day of the year (early Feb.)2015.

I got this information off their website. At least one of the store employees was not aware of how to read the code when I returned the feed, which would mean that he wouldn't be able to figure out how to rotate stock, either.

 

[lazy gardener]

Thank you. I just checked the last bag I bought, and it was dated for Feb 24. Much better than October, ya think???

 

[VioletBlueIvy]

Inspiration. Mansard style coop with run.
Actually, this would be a really fun project to build. What you could do this spring is take the existing privy, expand out the back by about six feet, staying true to the shape, use the back as your coop, the remaining part used for feed storage, separated by a screen door, and then attach the two side run areas with the coop in the back. It would look similar to the drawing.

When you finished you could sell your old coop on unclehenrys or Craigslist.

Some breeds I have are perfectly content in their space, the Faverolles for example. My leghorns, however, could never have enough space. They frequently maneuver to fly over the fence and visit the neighbors.

i want THAT coop!

 

[Marcy54]

I have had a Rhode Island Red rooster for about six months. He is huge and has always been a pretty good rooster, not aggressive at all in the past week, he has attacked me twice. He has also pecked my husband. I try to stand my ground with him, but today he got behind me and pecked me in the legs and arms. Any suggestions?

 

[LadyCluck77]

I have had a Rhode Island Red rooster for about six months. He is huge and has always been a pretty good rooster, not aggressive at all in the past week, he has attacked me twice. He has also pecked my husband. I try to stand my ground with him, but today he got behind me and pecked me in the legs and arms. Any suggestions?

Early spring, right now, is the time of year cockerels will fight to have breeding rights of the hens. Your rooster may associate you with competition.
Still, don't be afraid to put him in his place. If he tries to rush you, introduce him to your boot.
Sometimes, they get over it and submit pretty well. Some individuals just get ugly as they mature.
There is a really good thread about getting roosters to behave like gentlemen.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/821717/how-to-raise-a-rooster

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I have had a Rhode Island Red rooster for about six months. He is huge and has always been a pretty good rooster, not aggressive at all in the past week, he has attacked me twice. He has also pecked my husband. I try to stand my ground with him, but today he got behind me and pecked me in the legs and arms. Any suggestions?

I would eat him. No reason to tolerate a mean roo even if it is spring. There's plenty of nice roosters that need good homes and flocks.