Our newest Hobby~ Chickens

[Pozees]

The biggest problem with the smaller trees is that they have been raised in sheltered nurseries, so they get out in the sun with no humidity to speak of, and have not been acclimated to it, especially when combined with the hot wind. We set up a bench next to our barn where there are a few bigger trees to the other side, to help get plants "weathered in" - then if they are going to a completely unprotected site, after we plant them we surround them with cedar fence pickets cut in half (so each is 3 feet tall) pounded into the ground in a circle, so they don't get wiped out by the first strong wind or 100 degree day. We still lose some trees, but this seems to have helped quite a bit.

Did you do anything to introduce your 6-week old Cochins to the older girls, or just put them in the coop? I have two older girls and 5 young ones, and right now they are in separate coop-and-run setups inside a 10x10 enclosure. I've let the bigger ones out of their run so they can get to know the little ones, and any day now I will do the reverse, so they still have a layer of wire between them and no one can get hurt. Chickens just instinctively seem inclined to eliminate anything they consider an intruder; I'm guessing it is an evolved response.

 

[Ashdoes]

Yep, we built a baby pen, for in the big run. The bigger Cochins and silkies have been put in there daily, for like three weeks now. The big girls jump up on the baby pen and mess with the little ones, it's kinda sad. We're giving the younger Cochins one more week of being in the baby pen and garage brooder, then they're going in the coop. The silkies take so long to grow, it's amazing after seeing how quick the others grow.
I feel a little bad, but I think at some point I'll only want Cochins and Silkies. Although, since hubbies favorite is the Barred Rock, she'll be around for a while. The other layers are really only here for eggs. It's fun to learn with easy ones and go from there.

 

[Ashdoes]

took a couple pics of the Cochins today...
The corner one is Boots, the other white one is Crazy Hazel, unless she's a Roo, then he's Crazy Hazy. The black one
is Hawk and then the one is the back is our mess, Smoke.


They're all so fluffy, except Smoke, which is why i call him a mess, not sure if he's a he at this point.


And here's Smoke...he was such a cute little chick, and he's half soft fuzz and half regular feather...I'm hoping its
an ugly duckling kind of thing.

 

[Ashdoes]

Testing
ETA- finally figured out how to upload pics from my iPad.
This pic is my car after someone ran a red light and mashed me. I get it back Wednesday!

 

[Hedgfun]

wow you guys did a great job, nice big run being built. What your nightly rates, im coming to stay! hahahaha

 

[Ashdoes]

wow you guys did a great job, nice big run being built.  What your nightly rates, im coming to stay!  hahahaha

Thank you! I actually spend an hour out there every night, while the ladies and gents decide to go to bed. It's very relaxing.

 

[Hedgfun]

ahhh how can you call smoke an ugly duckling?? he is cute. Hope no one was hurt in your accident.

 

[fishnet1971]

I gotta ask, How do they like the red part of their coop? Just wondered because my 'Bird HATES red. He will attack me if i have anything red on or bring anything red into the coop!

 

[Ashdoes]

ahhh how can you call smoke an ugly duckling?? he is cute.  Hope no one was hurt in your accident. 

Nope, just me in the car and just a little air bag burn.
And Smoke is filling out a little more now. I'm hoping he gets his fluffy back feathers soon, he's pretty bare and it's getting colder. All the other Cochins are full and fluffy, even the two we think might be Roos are fluffier than Smoke.

 

[Ashdoes]

I gotta ask, How do they like the red part of their coop? Just wondered because my 'Bird HATES red. He will attack me if i have anything red on or bring anything red into the coop!

Wow. We've not had any problems. The big girls have been roosting there for almost two months, and the Cochins are all starting to roost as well. No problems during the day either.
I mostly picked the red because it's my favorite color, and it was in a high gloss for easy cleaning.
I guess some birds have more of a dislike for it, and some are just interested in it. I have red running shoes and haven't had an issue the few times I've worn them out there.