NY chicken lover!!!!

[Gramma Chick]

Well I'm down seven. Five C. Rocks and Two Olive eggers.

Who knows maybe by winter I'll have two empty coops or more.

Do you have any young easter eggers ?

 

[HISIRISHGEM]

Hi Ladies!

Lots to talk about I see.

Well, it's official, we get our 6 girls the end of the month (that is if we can finish the coop and run in time). I had planned 8 (4 Orps which she never received) and 4 easter eggers. She ended up giving me two golden laced wyandottes and two of the black australorps and only spoke of 2 easter eggers. I didn't have the heart to tell her we were hoping for 4 easter eggers. I've heard they can be flighty (no pun intended) lol so I'm letting it go. It will give us a chance to get used to things, see how the girls do over winter and maybe order some Buff Orps next spring. So what is your take on the different breeds? I'm sure everyone has their favorites. I figured the australorps and wyandottes because I've seen they're good for our climate, have lovely temperaments seem to be overall a good fit for our family.

I have a question for everyone concerning the food. Where do you get quality non-medicated mash, GMO free whole corn, etc for feeding your pullets? Do you find any infestation of mince, rats, etc. getting into your coops? We're putting the hardware wire around our coop and I think it's 12" under but I'm still wondering if they can still get in? I'm going to set up a PVC system in our coop for the feed so hopefully it won't be as messy and I think we'll just do the heated dog bowl as some of you have mentioned.

I'm also wondering what's best for the base of the floors. Hay or the wood shavings? We'd like to do the compost method, anyone doing that? I've heard it can keep them warm in the winter with the heat from this but I also worry about ventilation. I'll ask about that in the next few days to get some input on how to ventilate properly but thought I'd ask these questions with the excitement of the pullets we'll be getting in a few weeks. Woohoo!

Happy Memorial Day!

~Rebecca
P.S., I love all the talk of canning and crafting. We're getting a lot of tomatoes and we're going to try to grow a winter greens garden on the other half of our garden to see how we fair. I'd like to get to my quilting but with a preschooler and some foster kids coming through the doors, I'm not sure if I'll have the time. I'm getting excited for fall to come round though.

 

[Pyxis]

Congrats on getting the birds! Not sure where you are, but if you're anywhere near me I have some year old orps I was looking to part with if you're interested. I've never had a problem with mice in my coop. Chickens will eat them, you know! I use wood shavings, but I know others also use hay. I have ducks so wood shavings work best for me, since hay when damp is a perfect growing ground for aspergillosis which I need no part of, lol. I think mostly it's a personal preference. I think a couple people in here do the deep litter method. I don't, just because my coop isn't built for it.

 

[HISIRISHGEM]

Congrats on getting the birds! Not sure where you are, but if you're anywhere near me I have some year old orps I was looking to part with if you're interested. I've never had a problem with mice in my coop. Chickens will eat them, you know! I use wood shavings, but I know others also use hay. I have ducks so wood shavings work best for me, since hay when damp is a perfect growing ground for aspergillosis which I need no part of, lol. I think mostly it's a personal preference. I think a couple people in here do the deep litter method. I don't, just because my coop isn't built for it.

Sorry, I think I wrote something on your thumbsup comment. lol I'm still getting used to things around here. We're in Oswego area closer to Syracuse, NY. I'm guessing if your in Vermont we're not close? lol

 

[Pyxis]

Lol it's okay. I'm smack on the NY/VT border, technically on the NY side of it. But it you're near Syracuse that would be quite a drive over here!

 

[boskelli1571]

Hi Ladies!

Lots to talk about I see.

Well, it's official, we get our 6 girls the end of the month (that is if we can finish the coop and run in time). I had planned 8 (4 Orps which she never received) and 4 easter eggers. She ended up giving me two golden laced wyandottes and two of the black australorps and only spoke of 2 easter eggers. I didn't have the heart to tell her we were hoping for 4 easter eggers. I've heard they can be flighty (no pun intended) lol so I'm letting it go. It will give us a chance to get used to things, see how the girls do over winter and maybe order some Buff Orps next spring. So what is your take on the different breeds? I'm sure everyone has their favorites. I figured the australorps and wyandottes because I've seen they're good for our climate, have lovely temperaments seem to be overall a good fit for our family.

I have a question for everyone concerning the food. Where do you get quality non-medicated mash, GMO free whole corn, etc for feeding your pullets? Do you find any infestation of mince, rats, etc. getting into your coops? We're putting the hardware wire around our coop and I think it's 12" under but I'm still wondering if they can still get in? I'm going to set up a PVC system in our coop for the feed so hopefully it won't be as messy and I think we'll just do the heated dog bowl as some of you have mentioned.

I'm also wondering what's best for the base of the floors. Hay or the wood shavings? We'd like to do the compost method, anyone doing that? I've heard it can keep them warm in the winter with the heat from this but I also worry about ventilation. I'll ask about that in the next few days to get some input on how to ventilate properly but thought I'd ask these questions with the excitement of the pullets we'll be getting in a few weeks. Woohoo!

Happy Memorial Day!

~Rebecca
P.S., I love all the talk of canning and crafting. We're getting a lot of tomatoes and we're going to try to grow a winter greens garden on the other half of our garden to see how we fair. I'd like to get to my quilting but with a preschooler and some foster kids coming through the doors, I'm not sure if I'll have the time. I'm getting excited for fall to come round though.

Congratulations! You are going to be busy..... if you want to do the deep litter method, make sure you understand what's involved - it's actually quite a science and done wrong leads to an awful, icky mess!

I don't deep litter because my coops are inside a barn, I use about 6 inches of straw, shavings & leaves.
You have a good selection of girls there, I have a lavender Orpington I'm currently 'chicken-sitting' for a freind!
I'm further west of you and the only organic feed store I know of is in Clyde. I think Nuttyfrom6kids sells organic, she's fairly near you,
Have you been to the Homesteaders thread? lots of info on canning, & crafting, good luck,

 

[tao chick]

Congratulations! You are going to be busy.....  if you want to do the deep litter method, make sure you understand what's involved - it's actually quite a science and done wrong leads to an awful, icky mess!   I don't deep litter because my coops are inside a barn, I use about 6 inches of straw, shavings & leaves.
You have a good selection of girls there, I have a lavender Orpington I'm currently 'chicken-sitting' for a freind!
  I'm further west of you and the only organic feed store I know of is in Clyde. I think Nuttyfrom6kids sells organic, she's fairly near you,
  Have you been to the Homesteaders thread? lots of info on canning, & crafting,   good luck, 

How often do you do a deep clean in your barn? My coops are in a barn too. I have a few inches of the same stuff you described. I was going to take out heavily soiled stuff, add DE or barn lime to the floor, then add to get it to 6 inches before winter. I was planning on a good deep clean in spring. It's not deep litter method, but similar concept. Do you recommend something different?

 

[tao chick]

Hi Ladies!

Lots to talk about I see. 

Well, it's official, we get our 6 girls the end of the month (that is if we can finish the coop and run in time).  I had planned 8 (4 Orps which she never received) and 4 easter eggers. She ended up giving me two golden laced wyandottes and two of the black australorps and only spoke of 2 easter eggers. I didn't have the heart to tell her we were hoping for 4 easter eggers. I've heard they can be flighty (no pun intended) lol  so I'm letting it go. It will give us a chance to get used to things, see how the girls do over winter and maybe order some Buff Orps next spring.   So what is your take on the different breeds? I'm sure everyone has their favorites. I figured the australorps and wyandottes because I've seen they're good for our climate, have lovely temperaments seem to be overall a good fit for our family. 

I have a question for everyone concerning the food. Where do you get quality non-medicated mash, GMO free whole corn, etc for feeding your pullets?  Do you find any infestation of mince, rats, etc. getting into your coops? We're putting the hardware wire around our coop and I think it's 12" under but I'm still wondering if they can still get in?  I'm going to set up a PVC system in our coop for the feed so hopefully it won't be as messy and I think we'll just do the heated dog bowl as some of you have mentioned. 

I'm also wondering what's best for the base of the floors. Hay or the wood shavings? We'd like to do the compost method, anyone doing that? I've heard it can keep them warm in the winter with the heat from this but I also worry about ventilation. I'll ask about that in the next few days to get some input on how to ventilate properly but thought I'd ask these questions with the excitement of the pullets we'll be getting in a few weeks. Woohoo!

Happy Memorial Day!

~Rebecca
P.S., I love all the talk of canning and crafting. We're getting a lot of tomatoes and we're going to try to grow a winter greens garden on the other half of our garden to see how we fair. I'd like to get to my quilting but with a preschooler and some foster kids coming through the doors, I'm not sure if I'll have the time. I'm getting excited for fall to come round though. 

Congratulations! Post pictures when you get them.

 

[boskelli1571]

How often do you do a deep clean in your barn? My coops are in a barn too. I have a few inches of the same stuff you described. I was going to take out heavily soiled stuff, add DE or barn lime to the floor, then add to get it to 6 inches before winter. I was planning on a good deep clean in spring. It's not deep litter method, but similar concept. Do you recommend something different?

Nope - that's about what I do. I have a fellow coming over this weekend to rake out the coops, barn etc. and re-litter. I usually do spring and fall only, although if it looks mucky in places I will clean up those spots. I still use DE in nest boxes, perches etc. but use it sparingly b/c of negative environmental impact. I must research barn lime - it sounds like a great idea!

 

[tao chick]

Nope - that's about what I do. I have a fellow coming over this weekend to rake out the coops, barn etc. and re-litter. I usually do spring and fall only, although if it looks mucky in places I will clean up those spots. I still use DE in nest boxes, perches etc. but use it sparingly b/c of negative environmental impact. I must research barn lime - it sounds like a great idea! 

Barn lime is much less expensive but doesn't control lice or mites. I guess it does real well with odors. We just had a bonfire last night so I'm adding a dustbath of wood ash too.