NY chicken lover!!!!

[PiperJane]

Yep, we certainly can...we give them a little corn (I mean little) every night before they go in, I can start mixing peanuts and seeds in with it like I do when they molt. But whoever this picker is, seems to pick no matter the time of year. I think she's just a bit**, lol. And never thought about that regarding free ranging, makes sense....my hubby must have instincts towards that because he said we should keep them in the run for a couple hours longer every morning and see if that helps...bet it will! So bummed, went down this morning and one of the eggs are smashed on the board leading into the nesting boxes. No one touched it, looks almost like the girl waiting a few seconds too long before she decided to go in and lay it. Got it cleared out before someone had a taste.
Thanks for the tips, will give them all a try!!!!

 

[Danif123]

Does anyone from Long Island know where in Suffolk roosters are legal to keep?

I believe it is legal in the town of Riverhead, I can be wrong though. I would call and just double check. I did try and look it up on the website but I didn't see anything and some times the legal jargon is a little over my head. My parents live in the town of Riverhead and one of their neighbors have one and also my moms friend who also lives there and said it was legal. But I don't want you to take my advice and I'm wrong, you know.

 

[Chickidee26]

Can any NY’ers help me with coop/run questions? I have a small pre-fab coop with pull out tray. Figuring best to just do pine shavings inside? Do I put the shavings in the nest boxes too? How do the chicks know when to use nest box and not sleep in it?

As for the run I was planning on doing the deep litter method. I would appreciate any guidance on how to start that out. We have very hard ground with clay, no dry dirt. More leaves then I ever care to have, lots of fallen branches/trees. Will the deep litter method attract mites and flies, etc?

What should I use for them to dust bath or is the deep litter good enough.

Do you keep food and water in coop or just the run, and what about overnight?

I need to get my chicks in their coop real soon. They are outgrowing their brooder.

 

[DuckGirl77]

Can any NY’ers help me with coop/run questions? I have a small pre-fab coop with pull out tray. Figuring best to just do pine shavings inside? Do I put the shavings in the nest boxes too? How do the chicks know when to use nest box and not sleep in it?

As for the run I was planning on doing the deep litter method. I would appreciate any guidance on how to start that out. We have very hard ground with clay, no dry dirt. More leaves then I ever care to have, lots of fallen branches/trees. Will the deep litter method attract mites and flies, etc?

What should I use for them to dust bath or is the deep litter good enough.

Do you keep food and water in coop or just the run, and what about overnight?

I need to get my chicks in their coop real soon. They are outgrowing their brooder.

1) Pine shavings are a good bedding choice. You can put it in the nest boxes too.

2) They might sleep in the nest boxes but will probably choose the roosts instead if the roosts are higher than the nest boxes and if there's plenty of roost space for everyone. You might try blocking the nest boxes until they've learned to use the roosts to sleep.

3) I don't have much experience with deep litter, you might post a new thread in the coop and run section or search the forums for ideas - lots of stuff on here!

4) You can do either. I don't keep food and water in the coop, (which means they don't have overnight access) because my ducks who live with the chickens make a mess with it. Even the chickens can sometimes make a mess, spilling the water. They are fine without it overnight, they don't eat/drink while sleeping.

Hope this is helpful and that you are able to move them outside soon!

 

[ChickenNoob1017]

Anyone want my rooster?

 

[Gramma Chick]

yes ...just because they free range they dont have to be out all day

Can any NY’ers help me with coop/run questions?

pine shavings inside coop ?
You can use that or dried grass , or Leaves , hay or alfalfa.
I put dried grass in the nesting boxes .
Deep litter can be done 2 ways ..
just put it in deep and mix it occasionall.y
I do it this way as it gets dirty I mix it some and add more on top
Deep litter is usually for the coop ..but you could use it for the run .
Usually the run is made of grass .
You could put leaves in it .
To dust bath they need dirt ...or wood ashes works too
I keep food and water in the coop ...
I dont let them out at the crack of Dawn ..
usually noon - 2;00 ...As I am a night owl and dont get up early ..
and they are fine till I get to them and let them out

 

[Shchora]

Another rooster that needs a new home

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cute-cockerel-in-brooklyn.1371265/

 

[Gramma Chick]

so did everyone get snow yesterday ?
We went on a short road trip to get Americana eggs .
The snow was coming down so much ..we could barely see cars headlights in the distance .
By the time we got back home ..it was clear and no snow ..it had all melted again

 

[DrumlinPoint]

ISO Marans eggs. Doea anyone know where I could find some non-hatchery fertile eggs?

 

[Gramma Chick]

Can any NY’ers help me with coop/run questions? I have a small pre-fab coop with pull out tray. Figuring best to just do pine shavings inside? Do I put the shavings in the nest boxes too? How do the chicks know when to use nest box and not sleep in it?
As they age they are more likely to want to roost ..Make sure the roosts are higher than the nest boxes .and the nesting boxes ahould be dark . You can put some fake eggs in there to give them the idea . ( Easter Eggs ? )

As for the run I was planning on doing the deep litter method.

I forgot the answer about the deep litter method. =
2 ways to do it ...
1)You can put grass , straw , leaves down to a certain thickness .
You or the chickens will stir it ...the used stuff goes to the bottom
2) I do it this way
Put a small layer of bedding stuff down ..
As it gets used stir it a little and add clean litter on top as needed