New Englanders! Much ado about New England!

[spook]

Hi and greetings to the new folks! Well, we have the 3 month old Lite Brahma's on the porch, 25 Cornish X in the brood box in the kitchen, and 2 of the sweetest looking Ameraucana's I've seen in ages, just hatch out yesterday. Almost lost them sitting right here! There was something that happened and the heat went up to 104!We saved them, thank heavens!
We are out to bleach water the coops and dig up 1-2 inches of soil up in their yard to clean it out and all that good stuff.
I think we may do that tomorrow, I just heard a hawk and can't release the girls today!!! Ugh!
So, its a busy busy day, sunshine and wonderful temps to get some spring things done...like another run for the growing up layers.

Have a super day!

 

[gotpoodle]

Quote:
Love that! What are the dimensions of your coop?

 

[gotpoodle]

Quote:
Hmmm...I thought I saw RIR's or something similar, but they were back from the road so I didn't get a good look. Now I'll be on chicken patrol, checking out the whole neighborhood! LOL!

 

[sianara]

gotpoodle wrote: What kind of coop/pen set-up do you have in post #1086?

I've actually got 4 coops:
A big 8x24 (8x8 house with 8x16 run) one for the standard 12 hens.

Attached to that is a 3x16 (3x7 house with a 3x9 run) for the 6 bantams.

Then a 10x17 run (has a dog house size house with 100 gal pond inside) for the 3 big ducks.

Finally, an 8x16 (4x8 house and 8x8 run) for the old silkies which I'm renovating for the 10 new bantams coming in 1.5 weeks!

I've got a pair of young adult australian spotted bluehead bantam ducks coming in October and I'll be building them a 4x14 house/run in the yard adjacent to the new bantam/old duck yards!

Once they're all done I'll be creating a BYC page.

 

[sianara]

gotpoodle, If you are interested in a few bantam chicks for free let me know. I just broke two of my bantam hens from being broody last week. I didn't want to deal with homing new bantam chicks in this flock when I've got a completely new flock coming in May 20. These girls are great layers albeit their eggs are smaller than BOs

They are very good tempered hens and the rooster "Alexander The Great" is the best gentleman to the hens. I have to remind him from time to time who's boss (between he and I) but he treats his women very well. In fact, I think I'll let him brood with the hens the next time I let them brood. He has tried to sit with them in the past, but I've shooed him out. He and two of the hens are millefleur d'uccles. Two hens are porcelain d'uccles and the last hen is a quail d'anver. They are the best mothers! The last two years three of the hens have brooded/raised chicks together. I only let them set on 3 eggs because I didn't want to be overrun with chicks last year as their set up is really best for 6-8 bantams total.

Anyway, let me know in PM if you're interested and the next time they go broody (probaby within the month) I'll let them set. Keep in mind, you'd probably end up with at least ONE millefleur d'uccle and the others would be mixes. One thing that's weird is of the three chicks they've raised in the last two springs, they have ALL been millefleur d'uccles.

I'll PM my website URL to you privately so you can see pix of them if you are interested.

 

[birdlovin gal]

gotpoodle, the coop is 5 x 6' and I'm not sure about the covered run. I drew what I wanted on paper and hubby & I are building it with help from his brother. The roof is recycled from under our deck, and the siding/windows were from a restore. And 2 windows facing East were from our basement. BTW, I actually did knock on the door of a couple who free range their chickens to get info and see their set up. They were super nice and encouraging and even told me about a chicken raising seminar. I think chicken people are just friendlier!

spook, glad you could save the baby chicks, & send me your weather!

 

[gotpoodle]

Quote:
Thanks! I kinda have my heart set on BO's! It's looking like this is my summer for setting things up, then chicks next spring.

 

[sianara]

Not a bad plan

 

[TcherDawn]

birdlovin galwrote: welcome TcherDawn! I live next to Ware, MA. Did he raise chickens before or is it new to both of you? Have fun with your new pullets!
DH's grandfather raised chickens, but he was very young. His family still lives all around there. We got our 5 brown Hyline pullets yesterday! What a fantastic mother's day present! OMG, I just realized I finally have girls in my household now!! Does anyone have pink chicken dresses that I can put them in??? Lol. My MIL always wanted me to have an girl, now she has 5 grandchickens! I scooped my first chicken poo today, on Mother's day. How appropriate.

After 24 hours they are eating out of our hands. I think that is pretty good. I am worried about the cold tonight. I hope they stay warm. It was so warm last night(their 1st night here), but tonight it is already mid 40s. Just a worried chicken momma I guess. Such cold in mid May. Depressing.

 

[ChickensInTheNorthWoods]

CT
Good Ol' New England - AKA the Land of the Frozen Chosen!