NY chicken lover!!!!

[tao chick]

I would not have guessed that selling my rooster would make me sad. He was bringing tidbits to eat for my pullets. He was so good to them. I hope he enjoys his new home and 8 new girlfriends.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Thanks!

Have you tried putting fake eggs or golf balls in the nesting boxes? That usually is all the encouragement they need to lay there.

I have tried both in separate boxes. They have 10 boxes in the coop. 3 with golf balls 3 with wood eggs 4 with nothing. Those crazy birds refused to lay yesterday and only 1 today since I "grounded" them. Guess they will lay or get egg bound? ?

 

[Pyxis]

They'll lay, they can't really choose not to. Stress like locking them up can put them off a few days, but once they get making eggs again they have to lay them, unless they get egg bound, which isn't something they can choose to do but rather happens when they don't have enough calcium. It's why birds in horrible factory farms conditions lay - they can't choose not to. If they could, I bet they wouldn't in those conditions.

 

[HISIRISHGEM]

I just saw a youtube video on that watering system. I was thinking of going to the farm supply store for the automatic watering system thing-a-ma-bobs (uh boy have I got some learning to do) then make our own with PVC pipes but was worried about it all freezing until I found a YOUTUBE video on using the bird bath warmer.

Glasshen, forgive me if this sounds silly but how does the heated dog bowl get heat? with batteries or electricity? I may just try your way this year since we're trying to pull it all together this year and then see how to tweak it once we get the girls in. Are you all using the compost method? I've heard that this method can keep the girls warm as well.

 

[PhoredaBurds]

I'm interested in converting to this watering system too.  Any advice would be helpful.

So far, they were easy to install in the buckets, but that's as far as I've gotten. Still have to convince the birds to use them. I was waiting for a day when I have some time to hang out with the birds, show them how it works, and watch for their cooperation. Will keep u posted.

 

[PhoredaBurds]

I have tried both in separate boxes. They have 10 boxes in the coop. 3 with golf balls 3 with wood eggs 4 with nothing. Those crazy birds refused to lay yesterday and only 1 today since I "grounded" them. Guess they will lay or get egg bound? ?

How old did u say ur girls are? Sometimes they're real inconsistent layers when they're young. Maybe they just need more time? Also, I've noticed that the stress of being locked up & warm sometimes short circuits laying. I've got a year old hen who normally will very consistently lay every day. Last week I put her into a large dog crate in the chicken house (which tends to stay a little warmer than outside) to separate & treat her for a foot injury. She laid an egg the first day, then nothing since. Fortunately her foot is doing better. :/

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
Works most of the time ...I think I heard some have trouble with the nipples freezing if it gets too cold .

Electric Heated Dog dish - attached to a heavy duty extension cord .
This works great ....I raise mine up so they dont kick up so much litter in it .. ducks still made a mess of it ...daily


https://www.google.com/search?q=Heated+Dog+dish+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

 

[Gramma Chick]

I would not have guessed that selling my rooster would make me sad. He was bringing tidbits to eat for my pullets. He was so good to them. I hope he enjoys his new home and 8 new girlfriends.

A good boy is special ...I have a bunch of them to share ...mine are more like the wild bunch ..LOL

 

[Pyxis]

I would not have guessed that selling my rooster would make me sad. He was bringing tidbits to eat for my pullets. He was so good to them. I hope he enjoys his new home and 8 new girlfriends.

A good boy is special ...I have a bunch of them to share ...mine are more like the wild bunch ..LOL

Good roosters are just hard to part with. They have so much more color than the hens and you only keep a few of them, so they really stand out. Plus they're gorgeous. When you have one with a great personality that takes good care of your hens, it's easy to get attached.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

How old did u say ur girls are? Sometimes they're real inconsistent layers when they're young. Maybe they just need more time? Also, I've noticed that the stress of being locked up & warm sometimes short circuits laying. I've got a year old hen who normally will very consistently lay every day. Last week I put her into a large dog crate in the chicken house (which tends to stay a little warmer than outside) to separate & treat her for a foot injury. She laid an egg the first day, then nothing since. Fortunately her foot is doing better. :/

the girls are 5 months. The have outside area to play in all day but not getting out to free range. They are all happy just didn't lay today. They will situate soon I hope.