NY chicken lover!!!!

[stonykill]

In the almost 20 years I've been in this home, I've never seen a bear here, but I found one pile of fresh scat 2 years ago, while pushing through thickets in pursuit of a warbler (crazy bird lady).

How the heck do you keep a hungry bear out of your pen and coop?! Hot wire?

Stony, where's Canaan? Near the Adirondacks?

TOB

nope. 30 miles SE of Albany near the Mass border. We have a lot of bears. Never even had one come remotely close to a coop

 

[Gramma Chick]

Is there anyone near enough to me that wants 3 RIR pullets that just started laying for $15?

Let me know.

Hi , is that 3 RIR for 15.00 total or 15 .00 each ? Are they hatchery or breeder chicks ? I live in Jordan.. are you near me ?

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
So you are trying to scare us with bear stories ?

LOL


So some of the Sum..totally free range & some dont at all ?

 

[stonykill]

So you are trying to scare us with bear stories ?

LOL


So some of the Sum..totally free range & some dont at all ?

not at all. Actually it should be the oposite. We have a lot of bears and never lost a chicken to one.

 

[rancher hicks]

Heres a hen. They have crests like stiff brushes...a V comb that is protected by the "brush" and buffs & beards like Ameraucanas.Feathers are spangled, that is where mine need work.

I got 5 eggs today out of 11 hens, they are finally settling down. I've only had them 3 weeks. Mine are Cream, they are the rarer of the 2 colors inthe US. The other is a darker gold color. They are not so flighty as a leghorn, I'm finding they were frightened at first, but now, actually come towards me when I am filling the feeder, so they are settling down. They do not fly up into my face, so that is a plus....

and they don't eat a lot!

Eggs are fertile, so another plus, the roo actually breeds the hens...

They say they can fly though, so I don't know how that will work out in the spring when I put the outside.

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

Everyone is on 21% egg producer pellets by Agway. Except the youngsters of course. The marans lay well as do the Delaware. The marans do miss a day now and then but I usually get a couple of eggs from the four of them. I'm getting ready to set eggs and hope I can get a few with more color on the hackles. Though I don't have room for many of them. I suspect I'll have to grow them all out before deciding who to keep.


Your sussex is good too. I really like her. Lays nearly everyday. She's also friendly. Plus everyone gets scratch with boss.

I do like the ceramic tile floor idea and wonder if it could be done with a bunch of mismatched tiles. That would save money for sure to buy peoples leftover tiles. Of course for me that will mean chickens staying in the run for a few days til the floor is completely dry.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

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!

 

[Tough Old Bird]

If you have concerns to water, what I suggest is to fill in the area making a slight "berm" so the coop sits high and water can run down. Perhaps a good truck load of any kind of fill would work.

You could also use a load of "runner crush" or gravel. I think the gravel would work best at making a berm. Drainage would be better.

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

 

[Adoravachick]

RANCHER ------> Silkies Ahead -------------> Here they come ---------------> Helmets on Please.



Newest batch of lovies. A partridge popped out of my Blue and Splash pen....nutty.
My boy is getting big!

 

[Adoravachick]

What a pretty snowfall.

 

[stonykill]