Willowbird45
Chirping
- Feb 20, 2021
- 11
- 43
- 51
I am new to this forum. I have/had 7 chickens. 1 died today - which is why I logged on to try and get some advice. I currently have (2) 7 month old's - a RIR, and a Columbian Wyandotte....then I have 4 that are 10m old, and all laying. They are 1 black australorp (my star/head hen), 1 black star, 1 speckled sussex and 1 golden-laced wyandotte. I got the 4 older ones from McMurray hatchery - at 4 weeks, and they are extremely healthy. I got the younger ones from TSC - as day old chicks. I actually bought 2 RIR's and 2 Columbian Wyandottes - but 1 of the wyandottes died at about 1 week, for no apparent reason....the other 3 were healthy - until today....1 of my RIR's died. It got down to about mid 20's last night, and I was told that they would be fine - and to not give heat or worry - so I didn't. However, the younger 3 had a small coop inside the main run - and they always slept there, not in the big coop. I think maybe it just got too cold in the smaller coop. Or maybe just a freak accident. Didn't see anything apparent on her - that caused it - and she was fine yesterday. Anyway - I believe most, or all my pullets are laying - I get 3-5 eggs per day. I have them set up to be self reliant...with multiple large self feeding tubes, a tube with oyster shell and grit, and a 3 gallon heated waterer...the coop door opens/closes on its own. I got out every day - and check on them - and give them afternoon treats. I clean the coop every other day. This is the only situation I have ever had. I have a 12x5x8 run - attached to a 5x5x5 main coop w/6 nesting boxes that hange off the sides. Everything is sealed with hardware cloth, and also that is extended out a foot on all sides. I have not had an intruder, or even a rat or anything inside so far. Roof over the run. I have a dirt floor, I mix it with sand, and rake it daily - and replace the top couple inches every 3 months or so - to the composte pile. Then I put in some new dirt and mix sand. No roosters. They do not forage, but I bring them things from the yard in the summer, and scraps of vegetables/fruits in the winter. I give them regular layer commercial feed - and supplement with a little scratch in winter. So far, so good - except this one casualty. Mainly - they are quiet, unless they lay an egg - then they sing for a mintue or two. We have a lot of predators, so free ranging is not an option. I have resident hawk families on the property - so, it would not work well!
So sorry for your loss, and I hope you are able to get the advice you are looking for. Beautiful chicken and chick pictures!
Glad you joined.
