North Carolina

[chris4kdz]

Thank you I will take all learned and do my best.

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

When I raised turkeys I always started out by dyeing a baggie of food green and putting on their regular feed for the first few days.  This got them eating well and I never lost a single poult.  I used Game bird starter that is 30% protein.  They grew very well.

[COLOR=FF0000]**Warning**[/COLOR]
Once they get used to eating out of a specific feeder in a specific place, DO NOT CHANGE FEEDERS or MOVE IT.  At least not until they are old enough to grow some sense.  I did almost kill a group like that.  They suddenly stopped eating.  Took me 2 days to realize I had switched feeders when I had washed everything.

Matt

That color thing is a neat trick! I'll give that a try, too!

 

[my little peeps]

I'd like to try to free range my girls on the weekend(I live in a neighborhood) I have a 4 foot chain link fence. What is the best way to get started? Should their wings be clipped first?

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

Good Morning, Happy Chicken People!

My Little Peeps, if they are heavy breeds clipping may be unnecessary, but in town I would clip lighter breeds. Start by letting them out an hour before their bedtime, so they don't have time to get too adventuresome. Pull up a chair and watch Chicken TV!

 

[atmaclean]

Right now I would be happy with ONE rooster of any of those colors. Breed isn't that important as long as it isn't a game bird. That won't fit into my goals.

What do you have?

Oh, I've got a blue Isbar rooster, a pretty jaerhon roo, a black Americana that is from a beautiful blue line, and a wyandotte roo that was supposed to be blue laced red but he came out black laced red, I guess.... Not sure how you say his coloring. I also have a rhodebar too that is a cool mix of coloring. I would have to send you a pic. They are all about 6 mos old.
Angela

 

[dutchbunny83]

I'd like to try to free range my girls on the weekend(I live in a neighborhood) I have a 4 foot chain link fence. What is the best way to get started? Should their wings be clipped first?

Personally I've never liked clipping wings.
I live in a neighborhood in the city limits of Fayetteville and have a 5 1/2ft wooden fence around the yard and a 3ft wrought iron fence from my breezeway entering the backyard.
Mine never tried to escape and they easily could have.
I think they just associated it with home and food and the rest of the flock, and I never had one wander off.
My personal opinion is before jumping to cut their wings, let them free range while you are home and watching them. That way if one did try to escape, you'd be right there.
Also, I'm not sure on your set up, but make sure you leave the coop/run open so they can go back in it and have constant access to their food and water.

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

I'd like to try to free range my girls on the weekend(I live in a neighborhood) I have a 4 foot chain link fence. What is the best way to get started? Should their wings be clipped first?

Personally I've never liked clipping wings.
I live in a neighborhood in the city limits of Fayetteville and have a 5 1/2ft wooden fence around the yard and a 3ft wrought iron fence from my breezeway entering the backyard.
Mine never tried to escape and they easily could have.
I think they just associated it with home and food and the rest of the flock, and I never had one wander off.
My personal opinion is before jumping to cut their wings, let them free range while you are home and watching them.  That way if one did try to escape, you'd be right there. 
Also, I'm not sure on your set up, but make sure you leave the coop/run open so they can go back in it and have constant access to their food and water.

. My sis tried that and lost several of her birds...over a six foot fence. But she has Leghorns, so they're a lightweight bird. They went over the back fence, so by the time she drove around and figured out which house that was and got someone to the door....the neighbor's dogs were about finished with them. I'd rather be safe than sorry. The wing will molt back out as they get trained to stay in the yard. You don't have to keep them clipped forever.

 

[dutchbunny83]

It's a personal preferance, but thought she should give it a try while watching them before jumping right to cut their wings.
Mine were heavier-- barred rocks, wyandottes, americaunas, and none of them ever tried to leave the yard even though they were capable of it.
Either way, I think when she first lets them free range she should only do it when she is out there and can watch them.
Even with their wings clipped a dog could easily jump the chain fence and then the chickens couldn't fly away.
My neighbors down the road have a retriever mix that jumps their 5ft fence, then comes and jumps both gates to my breezeway to get in my yard.
Came after the chickens twice, fortunately my husband was out there both times and could grab it before it did too much damage.
The owner said "Oh let me know if he kills any of your chickens, we will buy you some baby chicks from TSC to replace them!" Like that's the same thing!!!!

 

[crazyhen]

Chris
I grew up in Shallotte. Small world. Now I am a mtn woman. Yikes. Best beaches but I prefer the mtns cooler weather and better growing weather. Its easier on my full size hens too.

 

[pwand]

I have ? for someone out there. I asked this on the turkey page but no hits :/ . Maybe because they don't know. I know about chickens I had a few in my time. We are trying to hatch turkey eggs. My ? is there any difference in raising turkeys and chickens. I just want to have everything ready for them if they hatch.

I was told you need baby chicks to teach your baby turkeys to eat and drink. Now this could be wrong, my neighbour use to have a farm. Check into this to be sure.