NY chicken lover!!!!

[Lynzi777]

I FINALLY got the coop done this weekend!!!
There are a few things I would still like to button up and of course I'm decorating it!

Chicken math also struck me this weekend, I bit the bullet and picked up an EE a friend was trying to give me all summer. Of course I had to introduce a pair,so Jim and Sandy helped me out at Natureberry and also brought home a dark brahma. She is going to be huge! Her legs are enormous! This is also the first bird I have ever been able to pick up with very little fuss the first day having it.

I wish I had a better picture, the small A frame in the back was my original coop, for reference that has a 6x6 footprint and is about 5.5' tall.

That is so cool! What did you use to keep all the branches together and in place? Your new birds are beautiful! They seem to be loving their coop! Now will the others that you have go in there as well or will they stay in the other coop?

 

[rancher hicks]

x2 - I've already begun wearing my winter coat! LOL I hope the rest of Gru's feathers come in quickly before it gets even colder! His neck still looks so bare!



While we were at the show the other day we came across a couple of cages that were using that "Pop bottle" watering system with the little spouts you attach to the end of the bottle. Well I've been looking for them since and finally found some at Meyer Hatchery - $25 for 12 shipped. That was the best deal I could find. Some sites wanted $5 a piece, some wanted $3 but charged $16 just to ship! That was ridiculous IMO, especially for something so small and probably weighs no more than a few pounds - if that! Can't wait to use these in the silkie coop to help keep their crests feathers cleaner!

I found the nipple water things cheaper on E bay. I haven't ordered them since I don't need them yet. Plus I like to change the water to make sure things are clean. Might be okay in the cold weather but in the hot green stuff grows.

 

[rancher hicks]

I FINALLY got the coop done this weekend!!!
There are a few things I would still like to button up and of course I'm decorating it!

Chicken math also struck me this weekend, I bit the bullet and picked up an EE a friend was trying to give me all summer. Of course I had to introduce a pair,so Jim and Sandy helped me out at Natureberry and also brought home a dark brahma. She is going to be huge! Her legs are enormous! This is also the first bird I have ever been able to pick up with very little fuss the first day having it.

I wish I had a better picture, the small A frame in the back was my original coop, for reference that has a 6x6 footprint and is about 5.5' tall.

Very nice indeed.


I tried to introduce an EE roo to the BR coop but he was having none of it. He is not top dog anywhere. I had thought He was a She til I heard him crow once. I've not heard him in a long time.

So I took him out and put him back where he was and put one of the BM roosters and two BM hens in with the BR's, 2 EE and 1 SLW. So far they seem okay. I have to wait to get more BR's and get another rooster.

I may set Del eggs. One of my older hens is not well. I suspect an internal layer. I also suspect it may be my fault since they've all been on grower and the shells may not be a strong as need be. They are still my best layers. I also don't like the looks of the new young rooster. Much to skinny for me.

I hate to hatch now but there may be a chance I have some eggs from the internal hen. She is eating but unless she passes or recovers from whatever is the problem I'l lose her blood line.

The orps have stopped laying as have the CR's and the one RIR hen. I suspect a light problem but I'll just let them rest for now.

I cleaned out a half hoop so that will remain empty til spring if I can keep it that way.

Sunny is that a pencil Rock. There are talks about them on the Plymouth Rock thread. They are very nice but in need of improvement and care to bring them back to standard. At least that what I got from the postings.

I think everyone should keep at least one endangered breed and work on helping it survive. The White Holland is sadly lost to us. Delaware were in trouble when I first got involved. Fortunately I've seen their numbers come back,with the influx of back yard chicken keepers.

Take care,

Rancher

 

[Lapeerian]

While we were at the show the other day we came across a couple of cages that were using that "Pop bottle" watering system with the little spouts you attach to the end of the bottle. Well I've been looking for them since and finally found some at Meyer Hatchery - $25 for 12 shipped. That was the best deal I could find. Some sites wanted $5 a piece, some wanted $3 but charged $16 just to ship! That was ridiculous IMO, especially for something so small and probably weighs no more than a few pounds - if that! Can't wait to use these in the silkie coop to help keep their crests feathers cleaner!

I think I seen those pop bottle waterers at TSC. The ones that looke like little troughs, that you hook on the outside of the cage and the trough sticks through the bars? They were over in the rabbit/small animal section.

My roo still has a bare spot on the front of his neck,but think it may partially be from leaning his neck against the roost before jumping up. I should grab him and check closer, make sure he doesn't have any sores from it. And Luna the broody is full of pin feathers, at least she is multi-tasking!

 

[SunnysideupstateNY]

That is so cool! What did you use to keep all the branches together and in place? Your new birds are beautiful! They seem to be loving their coop! Now will the others that you have go in there as well or will they stay in the other coop?

I drilled holes into the end so they wouldn't split and used long decking screws. Since all the birds have come from Natureberry I put everyone in the new coop at the same time, I put them in at night, very little problems with pecking and now there are plenty of places for the new ones to hide if they need to.

Very nice indeed.


Sunny is that a pencil Rock. There are talks about them on the Plymouth Rock thread. They are very nice but in need of improvement and care to bring them back to standard. At least that what I got from the postings.

I think everyone should keep at least one endangered breed and work on helping it survive. The White Holland is sadly lost to us. Delaware were in trouble when I first got involved. Fortunately I've seen their numbers come back,with the influx of back yard chicken keepers.

Take care,

Rancher

It does look like a penciled rock doesn't it? I have always admired them. This one has feathered feet which are tough to see in the picture so I'm pretty sure it is a dark brahma.

I wish I could choose a breed to focus on, I'm so ADD with this, I love trying one of each breed every year. EE's are my favorite, they is "like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get"!

 

[Lynzi777]

Came across a very interesting article today on raising/housing chickens. Just got done reading it, wanted to share. I'm sure some of you have already maybe come across it online but I thought it was very informative. Especially with how often I'm wanting to "change things up" with my coops.

http://www.richsoil.com/raising-chickens.jsp

 

[Lynzi777]

I think I seen those pop bottle waterers at TSC. The ones that looke like little troughs, that you hook on the outside of the cage and the trough sticks through the bars? They were over in the rabbit/small animal section.

My roo still has a bare spot on the front of his neck,but think it may partially be from leaning his neck against the roost before jumping up. I should grab him and check closer, make sure he doesn't have any sores from it. And Luna the broody is full of pin feathers, at least she is multi-tasking!

I looked online and couldn't see them, and if I drove all the way there I probably would have had to pay at least $3-$5 each for them. I wanted at least a dozen to have extras (I plan to keep a few inside during the cold months so then the bottles outside freeze all I have to do is go out there and swap them out.) Meyer only charged $1.19 each which I thought was a steal. Lets just hope they work!

 

[Tough Old Bird]

Morning!

I have running to do while my older 2 are in school this morning. Now that disability realized I delivered (even though I called the day I did) they sent the payment for 2 weeks worth and I have to catch up my bills. Communication skills are much to be desired with that office!

Well wishes for TOB's mom

You hardly had a minute to breathe after Nora's birth before you are off being super mom again, Tab. Hope the new family is doing well, yourself included. My mother is doing a little better today, thanks. Her eye is a little sore, but she insisted I drive her to the seniors' luncheon, so she can't be feeling too poorly!

It always amazes me when people say that about pits and I truly hope they were talking about your dogs. Our pit mix is one of the most lovable dogs around but people hear the word pit or see a large dog like that and automatically think the worse.

Part of it is media hype, and maybe our proximity to Syracuse where the loathsome pit rings are rampant. I just got an "eye roll" from someone last week when I was telling her what kind of dogs I have. I always find myself advocating what amazing dogs they are and coming to their defense.

TOB

 

[rancher hicks]

You hardly had a minute to breathe after Nora's birth before you are off being super mom again, Tab. Hope the new family is doing well, yourself included. My mother is doing a little better today, thanks. Her eye is a little sore, but she insisted I drive her to the seniors' luncheon, so she can't be feeling too poorly!

Part of it is media hype, and maybe our proximity to Syracuse where the loathsome pit rings are rampant. I just got an "eye roll" from someone last week when I was telling her what kind of dogs I have. I always find myself advocating what amazing dogs they are and coming to their defense.

TOB

As an ex mail carrier, I've been bit twice neither was a Pit. I learned to never label dogs, just their owners.

My SIL had two white English bulls and they had heads the size of a Ford F150. Always scared the bejeezus out of me. Especially when they were under the table with their nose in my crotch. I never moved when they came near me.

I never liked them even though they were no harm.

 

[horsekeeper]

Warning: This is about culling a chicken and if that bothers you, stop reading.

I had to cull an eggbound hen today who just wasn't getting better no matter what we tried. Stony, I wondered if you could expand a bit about how you slaughter. I used a two foot length of re-rod to stun her, then put it over her neck and gave a steady pull until her neck separated. It was very quiet and quick and I don't think she felt a thing it was so quick. Much better than an axe and all that blood and flapping around. The question is, if you break their neck, how well do they bleed out. This seems so much better than using an axe and I have some roosters growing out for the freezer that will be ready for processing soon. Would appreciate more detail on how you proceed after breaking the neck.

So RIP Rose, you were a good girl and we didn't want you to suffer any more.