Michigan

[keyt1969]

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well put!

I take my rabbits to shows and I have some that are not too overly friendly...and I've told people many times not to poke my rabbits. Well, I got tired of telling them so now I put the mean ones on top and one quick bite from a 10lb rabbit usually gets the point across

My earlier post wasn't me picking sides on this arguement, it was me saying "Just drop it"

 

[CricketYang]

Anyway!

I let my little ones have feed 24/7 but once they're grown I mostly just feed them at night before they all get settled into bed. That way they're forced to forage/free-range during the day and are guaranteed the food at night. Not only does it cut down on my feed bill drastically but it also makes them go out, run around and get the daily chicken exercise they require.

I got my dark maran eggs into the 'bator two days ago and I cannot wait to try to candle them in a few days!! The seller said that she had pretty decent fertility rates so I'm just trying to keep busy or sit on my hands until next week when I can look into them.

I also want to try to breed some olive eggers. From what I've been reading, it can be done by combining a dark egg layer (maran) with a green egg layer (EEs) and then POOF! You have olive eggs!! Does that sound right?

 

[Olive Hill]

Jen -- You had me laughing about the having a grand structure in your head but it not turning out that way. I do that .... well, we'll just say often.

I picked up some Partridge Cochins (shhhh! I totally broke my own rule about them pulling their own weight. They're pets! And banties to boot! LOL! But so CUTE!) and I have a really grand upcycled coop in my mind for them, we'll see how it turns out though. LOL! As for the feed, it's 24/7 here too. I don't have the whole bag kind of feeder set up. I buy feed in bulk so ... but I do have two big feeders that last anywhere from 2-5+ days depending on the time of year. Right now they're lasting 3-4, in the dead of winter it's 2, in the height of summer it can go a week at times without needing filled. Ours free-range dawn to dusk regardless of time of year. Like chickflick said, chickens are naturally constant foragers. Given the opportunity they prefer not to feed at set meal times but rather throughout the day. They pick here and there and then go run around, take a nap, eat some more, pick a fight with another chicken over a roosting spot, nag at someone to hurry up and get off the nest, eat some more, etc, etc.

Cricket -- Yep, sounds about right. You can cross regular brown egg layers with EEs for a lighter "olive" (brown-green) egg, too.

 

[CricketYang]

I think I'm just a chicken egg color hoarder

. I got my marans (for dark brown), and legorns (for white, gotta have at least one white egg layer) and just waiting on someone to bring some welsummers to Chickenstock so my egg color collection will be complete!

the olive color I want is more along the lines of a browner/green.. think army colors lol

I think that people would much rather go for multi colored eggs (when buying for eating). I made little Easter baskets for my neighbors this year (to bribe them to keep putting up with my roosters in the middle of the night) that had a dozen or so eggs, chocolates, seed packets and dog treats, and they absolutely loved the blue, green and brown speckly colors! Who wouldn't, you know? My grandma came to visit a few months ago and would only eat the green eggs lol

 

[chickflick]

If my chickens can get out on grass....they're outta here. They free range all day whenever they can. But like us, snacks just don't cut it, they need something to fill their tummies a few times a day. I don't see them around the feed dish constantly, but like Olive said, eat, nap, nag, nap etc.

 

[chikkaboomboom]

Well I did it, I put my poor defenseless 2 and 1/2 week old babies in there coop today, there first night out, I drove hubby crazy looking for drafts they have a 250 watt bulb and I cut the coop in half with plywood to keep them in one area....I wont sleep AT ALL tonight.
I have to be up @ 3 a.m to drive hubby to battlecreek anyways... sigh....they have fort knox for a coop and 3 large hairy patrol dogs... and theyll be warm... maybe I should go check again...
Army GREEN EGGS??!!!!! Now thats something my family can relate to..lol....might have to get a few of those too....

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

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I've always appreciate input from my fellow BYC'ers - keep 'er comin!

 

[HenoftheWoods]

Huston's Happy Hens :

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I've always appreciate input from my fellow BYC'ers - keep 'er comin!

 

[michickenwrangler]

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Aww,

Sorry my hen died so I couldn't get some chicks for you.

Glad you found some!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Huston's Happy Hens :

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I've always appreciate input from my fellow BYC'ers - keep 'er comin!

Me too. And if it something I already knew then I figure maybe someone else might learn in the process.

Check out my NH's...looks like I might have a roo and three pullets