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[Derrick]

It took me a long time just to build the coop I have. I'm very time pressed. I will have to see about an automatic door for the coop. I'm still worried about predators. We have racoons that will go out duing the day. They have no fear....

 

[chics in the sun]

And Hawks.... That's what the guy who lives near me with chickens told me to be careful of. I'm most worried about a dog getting into my yard.
Just let me know when and I'll take a few to ease the crowding. I work in Clearwater, so it's closer for me to come by after work, but I don't really have any weekend plans this month (except expanding my coop!), so really anyday is fine. And now I just want to take like 4 or 5 of them, but I am keeping myself in check. It's and addiction, I swear! Do they have Chickens Anonomous groups?

 

[Derrick]

Chics in the sun,

That sounds good. I got home last night a few more had there rumps plucked.... I need more time to spend and find out who the bully is. I now have them in the outside coop with an old screen door seperating them from the 7 wk olds. I will take some pics soon and post them so I can figure out who the roos are and get rid of all of them. I will also try and figure out who the hens are and get rid of a lot of those as well.... PM me contact info so that I can contact you.

 

[chics in the sun]

Did you get your numbers down this weekend? How many turned out to be roo's? I didn't get any work done on the coop, but this week I should have some time to make more room.

 

[Derrick]

I got rid of 13 chicks. I'm new to this whole thing and I have different breeds. I may have gotten rid of some hens but I don't know. I am worried about the BC Marans. I had two different lines. I was comparing combs but now I'm worried that I may have gotten rid of all of one line with larger combs that are just that line and have nothing to do with being a hen or roo. Oh well, I was desperate to get the numbers down. I think they are doing better now. I do have 4 isolated in the brooder healing up and will put them back in the coop in a few more days to see how thing go. I put squash, watermelon and cucumber in with them and they tear into it with gusto. I wonder how much is too much because they eat that stuff instead of their feed.

 

[chics in the sun]

Mine are eating a lot less feed now that they free-range and get their fill of grass and bugs. They seem fine. I only give them a handfull of treats a day (strawberries, grapes, sunflower seeds). I think they are also old enough for "scratch" now, which will keep them occupied during the day. My boyfriend threw rabbit food to them one day to be helpful and get them back into the coop. I was little worried at first, but they were fine afterward. They are pretty hardy, those chickens.
At least you still have like thirty birds left! Post pics on the thread for the Marans for the other ones. It's a very active thread - you'll get feedback right away from some Marans-crazy people that I'm sure could tell you what's what/ who's who.

 

[peachick]

Quote:
as long as they still have acess to the chick feed the fruts and vegies are fine... also when you mow the lawn, give them a pile of fresh cut grass to eat and play in.

 

[Derrick]

Kat,

Thanks for the info. That helps.

 

[math ace]

13 chicks gone .. .. . . . That should help.

So, you got about 30 left and you only want to keep about 10 - - -right ? ? ? ?

I think the next 10 will be harder to choose . . . . .

The closer you get to the number you want to keep the harder it is going to get . . . ..

So what is left ? ?

 

[Derrick]

Math Ace,

I'm not sure. I would have to take a good look at them to see what is left. I may do that later this week. I still have four out in the brooder for recovery after the abuse. One two are Wheaton Marans and two are BLR Wyandotes.