San Diego Chicken meetup and Chat thread

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I was just wanting to know where the feed is kept for the person/s that was haveing mice and rat problems. And what its being kept in?

I think all of us are having rat problems right now being spring and all.

I keep mine in a secure shed, some keep theirs in metal trash cans and I have even heard of them being kept in large chest freezers.

 

[perchie.girl]

I Keep my feed in Galvanized trash cans and a dead chest freezer. I also Keep extra bags high up in the horse trailer.

All my feed losses are from squirrels and birds. The downfall of having coops made of chainlink and tarps.

Once you get your feed stored in a secure container the battle is in the coop. I have looked at those treadle feeders and they look like they might be worth the investment. They rely on the weight of the chickens for access.

deb

 

[gabrielle1976]

Hmm wonder if there is such thing as coop kitties lol just have a big ol cat in the coop to discourge the rats and mice

Rats and mice unfortantly are extreamly good survivalist and much smarter then something with a brain the size of a pea should be. I love them actually rats being my favorit animal hands down. I cant help much with the loose feed in the coop all I know is you have to do what you can to limit there acess to food and comfy nesting spots wich is easyer said then done.

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Dana, so far all look black in color, but you can see little fluff around their cheeks, must be from their Ameracauna daddy? They are stinkin' cute!!! Broody Sussex might not be up for the job, I tried putting a few chicks under her, and she was not nurturing at all. Oh well... More for me to cuddle, kiss, and raise!!

 

[flower]

I read "somewhere' that Cayene added to the feed helps since chickens can not taste hot pepper but the mice,rats and ground squirrels do. I just added a few ounces to 50 lbs of feed. I'll try to determine if I have less feed eaten by critters others than chickens.

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

I know I posted how cute my chicks are already.... but

You all don't know how long its been since I've actually had LF chicks!!! I've been raising Seramas for the last 12 months, and you can't really touch the babies much for the first few weeks, they are just so tiny and fragile. These little buggers you can actually hold and cuddle right away!! LOVE IT!!

Thank you Dana! I hope I don't have 4 roosters....

 

[dfdesigns]

I was just wanting to know where the feed is kept for the person/s that was haveing mice and rat problems. And what its being kept in?

I keep my stock sealed in the tack/feed room in my barn. The rats and squirrels steal it straight out of the hanging feeders in my coop...

 

[aaajjss1]

Shoot of course I will be out of town at a graduation for the meet up, are they held often?

 

[dfdesigns]

I know I posted how cute my chicks are already.... but

You all don't know how long its been since I've actually had LF chicks!!! I've been raising Seramas for the last 12 months, and you can't really touch the babies much for the first few weeks, they are just so tiny and fragile. These little buggers you can actually hold and cuddle right away!! LOVE IT!!

Thank you Dana! I hope I don't have 4 roosters....

I'm so glad you're enjoying them! Here's another little thing I read: feeding ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) in the water can help favor pullets over cockerels... my chickens always have Bragg's organic ACV. My first hatch netted me 4 pullets and one cockerel - easy to discern as they were mostly sex links. This current hatch is all Ameraucanas (the Marans were from shipped eggs), and I probably won't know for a long time if my good luck continues.

All of the OEs I hatched previously have terrific beards and muffs - aren't they cute?

 

[DonaldFan]

Rescued Pekin update! The girls have been named Daisy and Daffodil. My husband quickly put together a quarantine area for them. Both have been eating and drinking and talking with my boy Pekins. This morning I let the muscovy, Beaker, and the boys, Donald and Ducker out to wander free while I went to work. I let the girls out of their crate and let them loose in their pen. Had a mild panic attack when I came home from work today because the girls were not in their pen. Beaker was by the porch but the boys were no where to be seen, either. Called the boys and they came around the barn...with the girls right behind them. When the boys went back to their pen the girls went right in with them. So much for quarantine.