November 2016 Hatch-a-long!!

[FridayYet]

I used to have separate nest boxes, but they all wanted to lay in the same one and would stuff themselves in on top of each other sometimes. So when we moved and I built the coop inside of an existing shed on the property, I decided to try a community box. I've had 7 hens in there at one time with no problems.

Since I'm still hatching mostly shipped eggs until my stock is built up, haven't let anyone brood yet. (Well I did once- and the hen turned out to be a murderer.

)

I do have a totally separate space that could be sectioned off if If needed though.

 

[NysiaAnera]

That is the crazy thing here... we actually have an area that was all set up for chickens. I guess it might be called a "grow out pen"? It is half of a 24'×12' loafing shed, and we sectioned it for raising meat chicks. The other half we use for our outdoor supplies and tools. Well, the chickens started getting up under things and laying eggs, so after the meat birds were processed, the dividing panel was moved out so the whole front is now fenced to keep the chickens out. Then the chicken side ended up as a "just put it here for now" spot, that has scrap wood, a 1 ton bag of grain, and a riding lawnmower taking up a lot of the space. This is where we put the chicks. As long as the chickens are out and about they will all be able to get to know each other through the wire. Hopefully there will be no issues when we move them later.

I have only seen one hen try to squeeze into a nest box on top of another so far. They might do it more frequently, but I am usually asleep when the bulk of the laying is happening.

Also, I got some pictures of the chicks when we moved them. They are mostly covered behind gloved hands, they are just too difficult to get a good hold on, they really fight it. Willy is the easiest one, because she(he?) is the one that got attacked, and I had to pick her up frequently to take care of her. I never got a good picture of her to post when she was tiny, but here she is now, all healed up. Up until a day or two ago, she had a big black scab on her face. That is finally gone.

I really do hope she is a pullet. She looks like it, but that big comb makes me wonder.

 

[Mylied]

That is the crazy thing here... we actually have an area that was all set up for chickens. I guess it might be called a "grow out pen"? It is half of a 24'×12' loafing shed, and we sectioned it for raising meat chicks. The other half we use for our outdoor supplies and tools. Well, the chickens started getting up under things and laying eggs, so after the meat birds were processed, the dividing panel was moved out so the whole front is now fenced to keep the chickens out. Then the chicken side ended up as a "just put it here for now" spot, that has scrap wood, a 1 ton bag of grain, and a riding lawnmower taking up a lot of the space. This is where we put the chicks. As long as the chickens are out and about they will all be able to get to know each other through the wire. Hopefully there will be no issues when we move them later.

I have only seen one hen try to squeeze into a nest box on top of another so far. They might do it more frequently, but I am usually asleep when the bulk of the laying is happening.

Also, I got some pictures of the chicks when we moved them. They are mostly covered behind gloved hands, they are just too difficult to get a good hold on, they really fight it. Willy is the easiest one, because she(he?) is the one that got attacked, and I had to pick her up frequently to take care of her. I never got a good picture of her to post when she was tiny, but here she is now, all healed up. Up until a day or two ago, she had a big black scab on her face. That is finally gone.

I really do hope she is a pullet. She looks like it, but that big comb makes me wonder.

Willy looks like a cockerel to me. At least from the breeds I've seen. My girls all stay pale and small combed and no wattles until almost time for laying. Willy is pretty pink. But then, I guess you would have others the same age to compair it to? Chick looks good though.

 

[NysiaAnera]

Willy looks like a cockerel to me. At least from the breeds I've seen. My girls all stay pale and small combed and no wattles until almost time for laying. Willy is pretty pink. But then, I guess you would have others the same age to compair it to? Chick looks good though.

I actually am certain that most of this group are cockerels, but I am still holding onto a ridiculous amount of hope that Willy is just fooling me. I think out of the 12 I might have 2 pullets. The 6 that the momma kept are more difficult to get a good look at.

 

[Mylied]

I actually am certain that most of this group are cockerels, but I am still holding onto a ridiculous amount of hope that Willy is just fooling me. I think out of the 12 I might have 2 pullets. The 6 that the momma kept are more difficult to get a good look at.

Unfortunately, I know how that goes. I seem to be a rooster magnet when it comes to chicks. ;-) Good luck!

 

[NysiaAnera]

Thanks! That really is the way it goes. But, it is okay, since our flock really is dual purpose for us. It is just that I would hate for Willy to end up in the freezer after all the horror and then the time spend doctoring and indoor brooding.

 

[NysiaAnera]

So my sister got ahold of me today very concerned about my chicks, hoping I had decided to wait a little while longer before kicking them outside because the temoeratures for the next week are going to be sub-zero, and there are warnings being issued to take steps now to protect all livestock.

I already knew and had some plans, but any suggestions on how to handle this would be great.

 

[Faraday40]

So my sister got ahold of me today very concerned about my chicks, hoping I had decided to wait a little while longer before kicking them outside because the temoeratures for the next week are going to be sub-zero, and there are warnings being issued to take steps now to protect all livestock.



I already knew and had some plans, but any suggestions on how to handle this would be great.

Is there room for them to be caged inside the warmest part of your coop? or Do you have a basement for a couple days during the worst of the cold?

My chickens must stay outside without heat during those temps, but the coop is insulated & they had several months for their bodies to adjust. Young chicks will have a more difficult time.

 

[FridayYet]

Good ideas, Faraday. Maybe in a garage in a dog crate?

My chicks have a brooder plate they can tuck under or roost on top, but our temps are nowhere near as cold as that! I think we'll get in the teens at night next week though.

 

[NysiaAnera]

No garage, no basement. The coop is the back half of a large shed. Not insulated, but well built, and draft free. I do have a crate I can put the chicks into inside the coop. I was planning on giving them a couple weeks to acclimate and then move them. I was not expecting such extreme cold.