NY chicken lover!!!!

[Cass]

Rancher, if you are not feeding your Marans at least 20% protein feed, they won't lay eggs...

Really? Well, you learn something new every day. I feed my ONE Maran exactly what the rest of the flock gets...she doesn't lay often. You may have shed light on where her eggs are. I have noticed that she is super agressive when I throw the left over soft cat food can out for them....I wonder if she lays an egg the next day, cuz she does lay...just not often. I'm going to have to pay more attention. I really wanted chocolate colored eggs like in your pic....but she doesn't deliver those....kinda a dud in the color department.

Thanks.

 

[Tough Old Bird]

Just got done shoveling out all the coops, paths to the coops and the driveway. What a workout! Cheeps finally came out of their coops after I shoveled out their runs. I had to hear all about it the whole time I was out there. Bunch of whinerpants! Did get a nice bunch of eggs so far.

Going to go get a hot drink. Its freezing rain now . Have a nice day!

We only got a thin coating of snow here near Otisco Lake, pharmchick. You must have gotten a decent snowfall and sounds like a good workout as well!

TOB

 

[Tough Old Bird]

TOB, I used landscape ties on a crushed stone/stone dust mix for a foundation and floored with 5/8 particle board and then tacked a vinyl floor remnant (8x12) around the edges. Then built the walls on top of the vinyl. No holes and cleans nicely. I deep litter with whatever is handy: straw, shavings, leaves, hay chaff, whatever is dry and won't hurt chickens. Clean twice a year and throw scratch feed on it every morning so they stir it around. I use a square ended shovel to clean and a paint scraper (carefully) to work the dried on stuff off. No problems with tearing so far and like someone else said, it mops up nice.





I attached a run and built a raised bed/trellis for cucumbers. This is all on a steep hillside and I had an excavator carve out a flat strip to build on. This year I plan to extend a fence down the hill for more protected foraging. Used the more expensive polycarbonate for the roofing and it is holding up well to snow and ice. I used the smoke colored sun block with a sheet of clear in the middle for a skylight. Playhouse windows off eBay with wire inside and out to keep out predators and prevent breakage.

Hi horsekeeper - thanks for sharing your very practical coop details. I really love seeing what other people have and to hear what works (or doesn't work) for them. I think your cucumber trellis is a great idea. Also, my husband and I were tossing around the idea of a skylight for our birds, as well. I think it's a great way to get some added light. Is your coop mostly in shade?

By the way, what kind(s) of horse(s) belong to the "keeper"? I've got a 21 y/o appendix QH.

TOB

 

[JayinCohoes]

Is it possible to have a molting chicken at this time of year? I went out this morning and found a bunch of feathers in the coop. I checked each bird for signs of trouble but couldn't find anything. Then I noticed when they were outside I had a stream of feathers trailing them in the snow. We're supposed to get real cold here in the next few days and I'm wondering if I should be worried. I thought molting happened in the spring and fall.

 

[rancher hicks]

I think I have to bag site 2, which is the dry spot I was strongly considering yesterday, because it is directly up hill, and not terribly far, from our spring. Never even considered that until today, when I realized chicken poop -- along with everything else -- flows down hill. That would not be good.

So back to site 1 and/or giving things another look-see. Your suggestion re: building up the coop area is a good one. Thanks, Rancher.


TOB

You got pictures of the sites?

 

[rancher hicks]

What a pretty snowfall.

Very nice pic.

Just a dusting here but it's still muddy.

 

[rancher hicks]

Really? Well, you learn something new every day. I feed my ONE Maran exactly what the rest of the flock gets...she doesn't lay often. You may have shed light on where her eggs are. I have noticed that she is super agressive when I throw the left over soft cat food can out for them....I wonder if she lays an egg the next day, cuz she does lay...just not often. I'm going to have to pay more attention. I really wanted chocolate colored eggs like in your pic....but she doesn't deliver those....kinda a dud in the color department.

Thanks.

Well your pretty far away and I'll be setting eggs, but certainly won't be keeping all of them. Not even the hens. I just don't have the room but am working toward improving my flock. I'll keep you posted on what happens. Right now I do have a young hen, at least she looks like a hen. I'm pretty sure since these Birchens mature fast.

I think I may have a broody Del and if I do I'll stick some marans eggs under her too.

They're good layers. I got three for four today.

 

[vmdanielsen]

Funny, I was going to ask for a picture of the sumatras dressed. Or are these the rirXs? What did they weigh?(more or less?) nice job plucking!

 

[stonykill]

Funny, I was going to ask for a picture of the sumatras dressed. Or are these the rirXs? What did they weigh?(more or less?) nice job plucking!

I have no idea what they weigh other than they are the smallest roosters I ever killed. Randy lil things causing he girls too much stress. If I think of it I'll weigh them before I cook them.

Thanks! I really don't like plucking. I need a wiz bang to save time.
They are pure bred 5 or 6 month old Sumatra roosters. I forget exactly when the broody's in that coop all went broody.

 

[Adoravachick]

Mmmmm supper anyone?