OHio ~ Come on Buckeyes, let me know your out there!

[Kraftcrazychick]

@WYNot , it looks nice. Chicks don't seem to understand not to make a mess in the waterer.

I found one of my girls likes to roost in theirs. Came in this morning and her butt and legs were soaking in it. They have a roost stick and she still picks the weirdest places to sleep.

 

[bboggs78]

I'm in Perry County (SE Ohio) and just got my first chicks. We have some more on order that are supposed to be in May 27th. These new babies are added to our animal loving family that includes 2 guinea pigs, 1 hamster, 3 mice, 8 rabbits, 3 dogs, 5 cats and a couple aquariums. Next year we have some other ideas to add as well.

 

[Phaylen]

Oak Harbor Ohio here- way up on Lake Erie! I have a hobby farm.

 

[Spartan22]

Welcome bbogs78

 

[minihorse927]

I'm in Perry County (SE Ohio) and just got my first chicks.  We have some more on order that are supposed to be in May 27th.  These new babies are added to our animal loving family that includes 2 guinea pigs, 1 hamster, 3 mice, 8 rabbits, 3 dogs, 5 cats and a couple aquariums.  Next year we have some other ideas to add as well.

Oak Harbor Ohio here- way up on Lake Erie! I have a hobby farm.

 

[ToniTalley]

Oak Harbor Ohio here- way up on Lake Erie! I have a hobby farm.

Not too far from us, we are a little west of Toledo.

 

[SRHartley]

This year's first brooder. One of the kids' dresser that got turned on its side and a lid added. It is maybe 2-1/2'x4. We took the drawers out. Then reinforced the bottom and laid down a piece of linoleum. They were in that maybe three weeks before it started getting a bit crowded. Couldn't keep the water clean for more than about 15 minutes before someone was throwing chips and poo into it.

10 Buckeyes I got from @SRHartley .



This weekend, the kids and I built a larger one in the back corner of the garage. For some reason their was a section where they didn't pour concrete when the garage was built; it is just bare earth. Maybe 4'x10'. We laid down a tarp then framed in some sides and chicken wire around most of it; about 4'x6'. Added hangers for the food, water, and heat lamp. Put down a thick layer of wood chips. Moved chicks. At first they weren't sure what to do with so much room. They just stood in the corner looking around and looking at each other. Then they started running around like lunatics, scratching in the bedding, and testing the new feeder/waterer. They are enjoying the room. Need to add some branches for roosts/jungle gyms.




Edit to add - The waterer shown in the first pic was cleaned. Then we went to build the other brooder. Come back to move them, maybe an hour and a half later, and that is what it looked like.

The pics are awesome. I am glad you are enjoying them. This breed is so friendly and developed right here in Ohio for our harsh winters and hot summers. The birds we have follow my kids around all the time. When they see us coming the run to us and seem to enjoy our companionship. I am glad to be able to spread this breed around and pass on its unique qualities as a dual purpose bird to others.

 

[WYNot]

Yep. Back before we got our first batch of RIR, when I was doing all the reading and research, I kept running across references to the Buckeye breed. It was like someone out there was telling me that those are what I needed to get. They sounded just like what I was looking for; a dual purpose bird that handles the variety of weather that Ohio experiences. The fact that they were developed here in Ohio for Ohio conditions was a huge bonus. At the time though all I could find were show quality $100+ per bird. No way I could justify that kind of money. So, we got half a dozen RIR to get our feet wet and learn the ins and outs of keeping chickens. I grew up raising cattle but had never dealt with poultry other than one time helping a family friend send some to freezer camp.

Really enjoying watching this batch grow. They seem to have quite the character. Not sure what sets them off but all of the sudden one will charge across the brooder. That triggers one or two more to start charging around. Then it is like a chain reaction. Soon a couple of them are fluffing up and standing up tall and rushing towards each other. Then as quick as it started they go back to scratching in the wood chips and eating or drinking.

They are very curious when I stand there and watch them. If I try to hand them a dried meal worm through the fence, they'll take it but most aren't sure what to do with it once they have it.

Will be interesting to see how both groups react when the young ones get moved outside to the small coop and run. The three RIR we have left stay in their large coop and run and free range when we're home. Should be interesting to see the two groups eyeball each other through the fence. Hoping the integration won't be too terrible. The new batch will outnumber the older ones so hoping they won't pick on the new ones too bad; they'll be too busy keeping an eye on all the new chickens.

Picture of one of the "old" ladies. The other two wouldn't stand still long enough for me to get a picture. Too many bugs to chase I guess. You'd never know that lawn was mowed a couple of days prior. The dandelions are shooting up like gangbusters this year.

 

[lumpy14]

m in new Richmond ohio down by the ohio river!

 

[WYNot]

m in new Richmond ohio down by the ohio river!