***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[artsyrobin]

@Tony O thanks for the response on the muscovy, do they show any broody signs before disappearing?? Its just weird- would think she'd come in to eat at least, but nothing at all, she was used to sleeping on the porch roof- haven't found any feathers or anything, the other muscovy is also broody, but i took the egg - she insists on brooding that invisible egg... what predator would snatch a muscovy with no sign?

 

[NanaKat]

A photo would help...Is this where you will put their food and water? Do you anticipate the chicks staying in there? Will you be able to weatherproof the dog crate to protect the feed from rain? If not, might be better inside the coop.

This picture was taken this spring. I now have a 2.5 gallon waterer in one corner and the box in the opposite corner is not there. I could put a box or a small crate in that corner for the chicks and the Silkie foster mom. The floor (has been taken out for summer (to avoid too much heat buildup). This is the outside run. I could put the crate in the open corner (yes, I could weatherproof it.) I would put the chicks' water in the crate. My biggest concern is the chicks trying to go down the ramp and not getting back up. Would the Silkie lead them there?

That is really workable. The chicks will learn quickly to follow Mom or follow her call. If they don't follow her, she will return to them and roost on the ground with them. Not a problem if it is dry. Watch them the first night or two and help the stragglers find the ramp if you are worried about them.

 

[chrisnjenny]

So I free ranged my older chickens for the first time yesterday!!!! In my halfway fenced in town small back yard 1/4 to 1/2 acre maybe, Not for very long. I let them out about 30 mins before dusk and watched them closely and "hearded them" with my 11yr old daughter Brooklyn where about we wanted them to stay... away from the neighbors yards full of cats and dogs. It wasnt as bad or as hard as we thought getting them back in their coop/run. Im was excited about this because these are all game chickens who even tho we spend lots of time around and have been here for months didnt live here as babies and dont care for people much... actually they would prolly prefer we leave them alone completely except to drp off food and water from time to time lol anyway, I know they wont stay close by on their own so they wont be getting much "free run range time" but even being able to let them out for 30 mins a day will make me happy, when my young ones (who we started free ranging a few weeks ago) are very well behaved they stay close to their tractor for the most part and the back yard seems more than plenty of run around space for them and they now get let out quite often (with supervision of course). Yep we are learning more and more and chicken tv is pretty awesome lol im glad out of my four daughters (all who like having chickens) Brook has taken a real interest and loves to help do chicken chores and just sit back and watch with me, it is now somthing we bond over 

 

[Tony O]

@Tony O thanks for the response on the muscovy, do they show any broody signs before disappearing?? Its just weird- would think she'd come in to eat at least, but nothing at all, she was used to sleeping on the porch roof- haven't found any feathers or anything, the other muscovy is also broody, but i took the egg - she insists on brooding that invisible egg... what predator would snatch a muscovy with no sign?

Muscovy's are the silky of the duck world. The best setters and mothers. Mine never seem to show any outward signs of going broody. They will start feathering their nest a few days before setting, but you need to know where it is it see it. Hopefully that's what yours is doing. When they set, they seem to go into a trance and don't notice things getting to close to them.

Raccoons will leave signs they were there. Some predators that don't would be fox, coyotes, and bobcats. They snatch and go. I hope that isn't your case.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

That is really workable. The chicks will learn quickly to follow Mom or follow her call. If they don't follow her, she will return to them and roost on the ground with them. Not a problem if it is dry.
Watch them the first night or two and help the stragglers find the ramp if you are worried about them.

X2. Nice setup for a broody with chicks in my opinion!

 

[ashtree]

Is it normal for chickens to lay less after a move? We went from 6ish eggs a day to 1 or 2. It's been a week now, everyone seems to be acting fine.
We are loving the ducks. They are soooo much fun to watch. Not really foraging much tho, think that will pick up as they get more used to a real pond? They hardly talk now, just in the mornings and at night.

There's that barn we are still cleaning out. We are going to have to get a dumpster. In the meantime the ducks sleep in a dog crate in the chicken coop. It works for now.
It's been non stop work out here. And there's lots of drama involving my old house. Glad I'm too busy to worry about it all day. Very grateful for inlaws.
@poco pollo were you able to vent sex the goose?
@NanaKat are you available Sunday for me to come get the pair? PM me when you can and we can go over the details.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Is it normal for chickens to lay less after a move? We went from 6ish eggs a day to 1 or 2. It's been a week now, everyone seems to be acting fine.
We are loving the ducks. They are soooo much fun to watch. Not really foraging much tho, think that will pick up as they get more used to a real pond? They hardly talk now, just in the mornings and at night.

There's that barn we are still cleaning out. We are going to have to get a dumpster. In the meantime the ducks sleep in a dog crate in the chicken coop. It works for now.

It's been non stop work out here. And there's lots of drama involving my old house. Glad I'm too busy to worry about it all day. Very grateful for inlaws.
@poco pollo were you able to vent sex the goose?
@NanaKat are you available Sunday for me to come get the pair? PM me when you can and we can go over the details.

Totally normal. It usually takes about 2 weeks after a move for normal laying to resume. Congrats on the new place! Would love to see pics once you get settled in!

 

[artsyrobin]

Quote: well, the last time she did she was under the porch, so she was safe, but on ten acres there is no telling, i do know we have a bobcat in the area, but i assumed with the dogs, there wouldn't be a risk, only time will tell-

 

[i-love-my-honey]

That is really workable. The chicks will learn quickly to follow Mom or follow her call. If they don't follow her, she will return to them and roost on the ground with them. Not a problem if it is dry.
Watch them the first night or two and help the stragglers find the ramp if you are worried about them.

Thank you for your advice. I feel a lot better about it now!

 

[i-love-my-honey]

X2. Nice setup for a broody with chicks in my opinion!

Thank you, it was the hardest "craft project" I have ever made!!!