Meyer Hatchery Chicken pics anyone??

[COChix]

Speaking of oyster shell, I am trying to come up with an idea for something to put the oyster shell in that attaches to the wall or fence in the run. I think I saw something on here before, but I cannot remember what it looked like or who posted it. Do any of you have ideas for containers that could hold oyster shell? I need something that will not flip over. I have used bowls before but eventually the bowls disappear under the shavings and compost in the run, so it needs to be sturdy and attached to something....My chickens right now get their oyster shell when I give them their scratch grains every night. I'd rather just out it out free choice, so I can see if anyone is eating it.

So I got 4-5 small short cans of dog food and emptied them cleaned and removed the label. Then screwed them directly into boards in the run at eye height of the girls. That seems to be working fine, will have to get some pics. I think I saw that idea on here, keeps the oyster from getting spilled. I have noticed the girls with the most reddish comb and wattles are utilizing it the most. In fact it is the first thing that Pepper (the lead egg layer) eats when being let out if the coop in the am. I have noticed a difference in shells already.

Also I have been a good chicken mom and realized that it is more of a detriment to Left Eye to be getting feed in the run up on the roosts. She needs to be following the flock rules and behaviors in order to survive. So I put the food down in the run on Wednesday. I also decided that they all need to roost at night together in the big coop, before winter. So blocking the small coop off in the evening to force them into one coop. Yesterday, Left Eye was chased into the big coop by the boys. She roosts up on the window ledge away from everyone. She was up there most of the day and all night last night. This am I did take her out and put her near the food she had a couple if bites and then ran back into the coop and up on the ledge because a rooster was coming near her. Should I be worried about her and her food intake? I figure another day or so and she should be hungry enough to be a little more brave to stay out to get what she needs. Thoughts and advice? of course I feel horrible but know it is ultimately in her best interest in the long run.

 

[COChix]

Sorry my last post was screwed up, must be this head cold.

 

[christine9]

Sorry my last post was screwed up, must be this head cold.

I think you're right. She will get hungry and eventually more brave. This will help her become independent and find her place in the flock again. Of course, keep an eye on her and make sure she isn't losing a significant amount of weight. I really think she will be okay though.

 

[christine9]

Set up the bottle cap waterer today for the little ones. I showed two of them how it works and a third was the first to try it herself. Now I can hear them going at it! Woohoo! Now I can leave town this weekend without worrying that the MIL will forget about them.

 

[EurekaChic]

So you candled your daughter-in-law and that is what you saw. Life just continues to prove how miraculous it is in every thing. Now if it was just over in 28 days instead of having to wait 9 months for the big event. Congratulations Granny.

 

[autumnhearth]

Speaking of oyster shell, I am trying to come up with an idea for something to put the oyster shell in that attaches to the wall or fence in the run. I think I saw something on here before, but I cannot remember what it looked like or who posted it. Do any of you have ideas for containers that could hold oyster shell? I need something that will not flip over. I have used bowls before but eventually the bowls disappear under the shavings and compost in the run, so it needs to be sturdy and attached to something.

My chickens right now get their oyster shell when I give them their scratch grains every night. I'd rather just out it out free choice, so I can see if anyone is eating it.

First of all congrats! That's fantastic news!

We use these for grit and oyster shell: http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Gravity-Feeder-Bracket-Colors/dp/B0002AS9OM

I found them at TSC, they are also available at PetSmart. We just have them standing on the ground, but they come with brackets and washers that may work with some fencing, I think for the tight hardware cloth you would have to use zip ties.

Speaking of oyster shell (again) I picked some more up at the local nursery that sells chicken supplies. This time I got the 50 lb bag of Coastal Brand Poultry Shell, instead of the small ones that the store repackaged. It's still the white stones and the label says its Calcium Carbonate from ground oyster shell and "coral calcium shell".




I also gave the girls back their egg shells today. I had been saving the shells whole by blowing them out but today was my sister's birthday and both Amelia and Clara laid early today (both on their own in the nest boxes with little to no fuss, like normal pullets) and I had another egg from Clara from yesterday. Amelia's egg was big and pink and beautiful and one of Clara's was more greenish and one more bluish so they made a beautiful little gift with three cherry tomatoes. Anyway she decided to hard boil and have them on salad and sent me home with the shells with a little bit of the whites attached. I crushed them up and the girls loved them.


Still amazed she lays pink eggs, never expected that from a Golden Buff. Once it was boiled it was brown with some darker speckles, but gotta love that bloom!

 

[Melabella]

At this point I am positive that I messed up IDing my chicks from the beginning.

This is the one I thought was the blue ameraucana. I could have sworn those were some fluffy cheeks! But I am pretty positive this was the lav orp (who passed) and that the girl I have now is the splash ameraucana. Yes, on the pea comb. Her color was really disappointing to be lavender. I'm still thrilled about this new discovery. Meyer had me send pictures of her for identification. Their breeding manager is supposed to look at them and get back to me. I can't wait for confirmation! I was hoping to get a splash even if it looks like she'll be clean faced. Now I just have to figure out what to get with my credit. I'm thinking EEs and ex leghorns.

As far as hawks go. I guess fall is a big migration period and we will all see more and more of them. I've seen and heard a lot more owls too. Kinda freaks me out. Peppy (roo) does not leave the coop to free range with the girls. I guess he still doesn't like them that much. So I do not leave them unattended. If he proves to be a protector, I might be a little less paranoid. Time will tell.

my Blue Ameraucana def didn't look like that. I ordered 3 in my last order and received two splash and one blue. My splash were black with yellow on their heads and bellys. Did you have one of those? I will post pics from my phone.

MB

 

[rnchick74]

Can I brag a little? I hope that all of you do not mind?

This little one will hatch around March 24th, 2015


You can see his/her face and belly and the little leg and toes kicked up behind the date there on the right side.

They should be able to tell if the baby is a boy or girl by the next ultrasound. My daughter-in law is letting us come to that one too. I am so excited, she is 12 weeks along now and the next one will be at 16 to 18 weeks.

I cannot believe I'll be a grandmother. To bring this back to chickens: I am excited that once the baby is old enough, I can order little chicks just for him/her.

CONGRATS!!!!

 

[rnchick74]

Update on my flock - I'm pretty sure that both of my Silkies are boys...the other one isn't crowing yet but is really trying to mount the girls. Brownie is quite rough with the girls too! Coco is quite nice with the girls, but getting louder and louder! I've got a listing on here for free re-homing. If that doesn't work, I will post on craigslist too.

I've checked all my local places and the only grower food I can find comes in 50 lbs bags. So, I ordered some Scratch & Peck & paid the outrageous shipping to get a 25 lb bag. Sigh. I also got some oyster shell since it didn't change the shipping charge.

I have a friend who builds pools & he is going to save some scrap PVC so I can build these for dry food, grit, and oyster shell:



I am going to put caps on the top to keep things dry too.

In the meantime I will put the oyster shell in 1 end of the trough feeder I use for fermented feed.

 

[autumnhearth]

Update on my flock - I'm pretty sure that both of my Silkies are boys...the other one isn't crowing yet but is really trying to mount the girls. Brownie is quite rough with the girls too! Coco is quite nice with the girls, but getting louder and louder! I've got a listing on here for free re-homing. If that doesn't work, I will post on craigslist too.

I've checked all my local places and the only grower food I can find comes in 50 lbs bags. So, I ordered some Scratch & Peck & paid the outrageous shipping to get a 25 lb bag. Sigh. I also got some oyster shell since it didn't change the shipping charge.

Bummer on the silkies. While I love Scratch & Peck (I ordered one bag of chick starter from them) its is outrageous getting it shipped to the midwest. I switched to Countryside Organics out of Virginia, cheaper to get 50lbs and cheaper shipping. They have very similar ingredients, both soy free with field peas being the first listed. So that would be an easy switch for you once everyone is ready for layer. I still would like to mix my own local whole grains, its finding the local whole grains that's the problem, but for now I'm pretty happy with them. I like their ingredients and the pricing is a bit better than the non-gmo feed company in Ohio.