My son and our new flock of RIR.

[mley1]

Hi ya'll! This is my first post here. I found ya'll through a google search. My family and I are brand new at raising chickens. My kiddo's got interested and wanted to raise some for 4H and to provide some eggs for the family. I like the idea of the eggs.

We're converting a 6x10 chain link dog kennel into a coop. Eventually, I hope to have a nice coop like some of ya'll have. But, we're just starting and still learning. I'm glad we're down south in Texas where it's warm and I don't have to worry too much about cold weather hurting the chicks.

Our chicks are about 6 or 7 weeks old. We started with ten, and we still have ten. So, I guess we're doing ok so far. The lady at the feed store said we'd probably lose a few chicks. That's why we started with ten. We were thinking that we'd lose a few. But, not yet. So, we're sorta starting with a larger flock than we anticipated.

So far we're having a blast with the chicks! They are so much fun to watch. And, we're finding that they each have a little different personality so to speak. My kids love them! Here's a pic of one of my sons with 8 of the chicks who decided to roost on his arms.

It surprised him that they actually seemed to like sitting on his arms and decided to stay up there for quite a while.

BTW, just wanted to say thanks for all the info ya'll have on your site. I've been reading for a few day's and ya'll have been very helpfull. Thanks a bunch!

Marty Ley
Santa Fe, TX

 

[Redfeathers]

Look at the size of that grin! what a GREAT picture!

 

[Katy]

Welcome!

 

[Josie]

Thats an awesome picture. Having chickens is even more fun than you think!
Welcome aboard!

 

[ilovemychickies]

Welcome! What a great picture. I hope that you enjoy having chickens! I sure do.

 

[elliemb]

Welcome Marty, your boy has lots of little buddies! Just so ya know it isn't fair or proper to flaunt your green grass in front of us northern folks...lol!

 

[mley1]

Ooops, sorry about the green grass. If I could send ya some I sure would. That stuff grows terrible fast down here along the gulf coast. Makes for lots of mowing.

We moved the chicks to their new home tonight. We got it vermin proofed and got a good rain cover over it. Right now we're using a large plastic dog house for them to get into. We have the wind and weather blocked by plywood on one end of the kennel. My plan is to build a coop attached to the kennel and just use the kennel for a run eventually. But for right now the chicks seem to really like their new home. They are loving the bugs! They've been running all over the kennel eating bugs. We haven't had dogs in there for a long time and some weeds and greens have started growing. The chicks seem to really love it in there. I also put some sand down for them to have some grit and to dust in. We had to get a larger feeder and waterer cause they outgrew the little ones we bought when we first got them. They grow pretty quick!

Got a question. I've been thinking of letting them run the yard a bit while we're outside and can supervise. We have a 4ft chain link fence all the way around our acre of land. Do ya'll think it would be safe to allow the chicks some freedom by letting them out for a while each day. And, if we do, how do ya'll get them to go back into the coop when you want them to?

 

[cockadoodlemom]

Welcome

Your son sure is cute with his lil RIR's. You won't be saying more than you wanted too long if you let all these enablers on here get to you

You will be wanting to build your own incubator and hatch your own like they have made me want to

This is the best chicken place on the net and I hope you enjoy time spent here and your chicks.

 

[airmom1c05]

Welcome aboard! Love your birds and your son. His smile reflects just how my four birds make me feel inside and out. After yours have been in their coop several days, they will know to get back into it close to dusk all by themselves. I think you are right to stay with them when you let them free range to make sure hawks or other predators don't get them. As tame as yours are, you should be able to catch them easily (treats are great lures) to put them back in the secure area earlier than dusk if you want or need to do that.

What kind of brooder did you use when you first got the chicks. My birds were all already old enough for the coop and no heat source when I acquired them. I'm thinking of getting some chicks in a few days from the local seed and feed when they get them, and I am currently interested in all the different brooders folks have used; especially folks who didn't lose any chicks like YOU! Congratulations on that!

 

[elliemb]

Marty, 4 ft may be enough for now as long as you are outside to keep crowd control, however they do grow very quickly and you will find that 4 ft won't be enough if you leave them for awhile. My birds are wily little creatures and one will even fly up about 5 ft onto the shed and look around awhile (while sticking her tongue out at me), then hop down outside the fence and wander the farmyard! As for getting them to go back to the coop I have always had a mama hen with my chicks and she will lead them back in. Maybe someone else can answer at what age a chick is clever enough to head back to the roost. Good luck!