fricassee
Hatching
- Feb 1, 2015
- 4
- 0
- 7
Never touched a chicken before in my life. Gave up city life and headed to the mountains of BC Canada where the elk roam through our yard. I was planning on getting a few hens this spring to feed the 2 of us eggs. As I was pondering all the different options of coop, breed...I stumbled on the opportunity to chicken sit for a neighbour for 8 weeks while he is away. Great chance to gain some experience. Just days before him leaving, something got in to the run and guzzled his roo. Nothing left but feathers. The 4 gals were untouched. He had no time to do much. Just told me the basics on feed and water and said if the ladies are still there when I get back that will be great . So here are some of my questions:
1. Will the hens lay without a rooster present
2. If I get a new roo, does it matter the breed
3. If I get a new roo, do I just toss him in
4. Given it is not my coop, is there anything I can do to deter another predator attack. The run has 5 foot fencing aroun it, but no top. There were tracks inside similar to a small dog. The fence isn't buried. It looks like the assassin crawled underneath.
5. The snow in the run is a foot deep. I shovelled out an area to give them some space. We have been getting temps a little above freezing lately. Should they be venturing outside in this weather
The coop itself is well insulated and heated with a crockpot under the watering can. There is no light on a timer so not sure if the birds will lay at this time of year. He couldn't remember their breed, but they look like buff orps and he did say they were dual purpose.
It's been 2 days and I haven't seen an egg yet.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would really like to keep these gals safe and happy.
Cheers!
Fric
1. Will the hens lay without a rooster present
2. If I get a new roo, does it matter the breed
3. If I get a new roo, do I just toss him in
4. Given it is not my coop, is there anything I can do to deter another predator attack. The run has 5 foot fencing aroun it, but no top. There were tracks inside similar to a small dog. The fence isn't buried. It looks like the assassin crawled underneath.
5. The snow in the run is a foot deep. I shovelled out an area to give them some space. We have been getting temps a little above freezing lately. Should they be venturing outside in this weather
The coop itself is well insulated and heated with a crockpot under the watering can. There is no light on a timer so not sure if the birds will lay at this time of year. He couldn't remember their breed, but they look like buff orps and he did say they were dual purpose.
It's been 2 days and I haven't seen an egg yet.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would really like to keep these gals safe and happy.
Cheers!
Fric
