Proud owner of 22 RSL pullet chicks

[FossilRokRanch]

We're happy. Got ours from Gies (pronounced "geese") Pasture Hatchery in Ft. Plain, NY. I had nothing but great interaction from them. Picked them up on hatching day.

They are all Red Sex-Link pullets. Bought 20, got 22. Nice. All are alive after a week, and are quite strong. Used Gro-Gel (they didn't seem to eat much of it), using quik-chik in the water, and medicated starter food.

Yeah, I've got no reason to use the medicated rations, but I err on the side of safety. The meds will be long gone before they start laying, and from what I've read, somehow feeding them antibiotics actually makes them grow faster and bigger. Huh.

Well, we're using a kiddy pool for the brooder, and it works very well and was the best price, FREE!. Coop almost done (8x8 with a 24x16 run).

Excited for the eggs to start. Told they begin laying in 18-19 weeks. Kewl.

 

[JLS]

Great Job! Have fun with your new babies

 

[Backyard Hencam]

You've got a bunch of good layers there. It sounds like you are ready for it! Best of luck!

 

[FossilRokRanch]

Does anyone think the coop is too small? Its 64 sq.ft., minus laying boxes and feeder/waterer space. Total of 22 birds, with an assumption of a 10% culling/die off. My father-in-law things it should be larger. I didn't think RSL were a "large" hen to begin with, and aren't they usually just stuffed into a box and forced to lay eggs at the egg factories until they become dog & cat food by Purina?

 

[gryeyes]

Well, you're not raising battery hens, so you need to provide 4 sq feet inside the coop for each chicken, and 10 sq ft outside in a run for each one. You can get away with less space, but overcrowding will cause problems. You want to keep your chickens longer than 18 months to 2 years, at which time battery hens are all used up from stress and overcrowding.

 

[FossilRokRanch]

4 sq.ft. per bird??? I read 2-3 feet. Hmmm...best to axe the ones not up to snuff, I guess, as I'm committed to the size of the coop.

The pen is large enough, and I prolly could chop its size down and save wire. I plan on letting them out to "range" on most days, so that should help quite a bit.

Now I'm worried about the coop size being too small. There will be times when they will be in the coop all day due to weather (extreme cold and deep snow). Ahh, unless they get all Hannibal Lecter, they would be within the 3 sq.ft./bird range.

Is there a good site to learn more about these battery raised hens?

 

[catdaddy66]

The number does vary from source to source but they all suggest more space over less. I had 30 10 week olds in 64 sq ft and they were doing very well, though they did enjoy the time out in the run a lot. 22 should be fine. A couple of good tips are to keep the coop clean, provide outside time regularly and keep them entertained w/ treats, obstacles/perches/toys/handling. This site has great suggestions to keep them occupied. Good luck!!