Smoky Mtn East TN

[RedRidge]

ok, I sold all my big girls, but my very friendly buckeye. I have 10, 9 1/2 week ols barred rocks. I did not plan to add the buckeye until 4 months--but I hate she's all alone. Has anyone had success adding 1 hen to a flock so young? This was not suppose to go this way, I fractured my ankle in 2 places june, and could not get any chicks until now. My poor DH was in charge of caring for everyone and making all three meals - and much more until they let me bear weight, then it was another 8 weeks before they would let me in the barn.

If you can make some sort of creep area that's what I would do. If you're familiar with creep gates like for calves or lambs that's the general idea.
When I introduce youngsters to the laying flock I put them in a large wire dog crate. For about a week I simply let them acclimate to the bigger hens around them and visa versa. Then I turn the crate in its side. Most wire dog crates have much larger openings on the bottom where the pan sits. By turning it on its side this allows the smaller birds the ability to come and go but the bigger birds cannot get into the crate. This has worked really well for me when integrating smaller birds.
When combining 2 groups of larger birds I just make sure I take them off the roost at night and move them then.

 

[RedRidge]

After years of breeding and culling my first purebred genetically improved Rhodebars are out of the bator. Very excited! ;-)

 

[amenfarm]

If you can make some sort of creep area that's what I would do. If you're familiar with creep gates like for calves or lambs that's the general idea.
When I introduce youngsters to the laying flock I put them in a large wire dog crate. For about a week I simply let them acclimate to the bigger hens around them and visa versa. Then I turn the crate in its side. Most wire dog crates have much larger openings on the bottom where the pan sits. By turning it on its side this allows the smaller birds the ability to come and go but the bigger birds cannot get into the crate. This has worked really well for me when integrating smaller birds.
When combining 2 groups of larger birds I just make sure I take them off the roost at night and move them then.

When I got the chicks, we decided to turn the dog crate on it's side, to make it easier by having the door on top to put the chick's in with out any getting out-we were preparing the outside coops overhead netting. We did not notice that the bottom wire was larger-at first. then chaos set in. I walked in to get needed supplies, my corgi nosed the door open and went for the big girls coop-not knowing the Little's were even there. Well, as soon as the Little's saw her rush pass they all flew out and into the biggest, piled up part of the barn. We got to play catch the chick for about 30 Min's. From that I wondered if I could integrate using the crate that way. Would 10 weeks be too soon? I was thinking 12 weeks was soon-I really didn't plan on the other selling so fast-. I could start with the only hen in the crate-- and after a week, turn the crate on it's side for the Little's to seek safety. I did try yesterday and the buckeye pecked one and pecked out a feather from another--I scooped her up and she's in the other coop.

After years of breeding and culling my first purebred genetically improved Rhodebars are out of the bator. Very excited! ;-)

these are quite cute, congrats on the success!

 

[RedRidge]

is there anyone that has any bees that would mind me coming out and looking at there setup? im buying a farm here soon and im really interested in the idea of having bees. 

Saw this posted this morning and thought of you...
"Monroe County Beekeepers Assn., will be holding our Beginner Beekeeping Class on November 10 & 11, 6:30-8:30 at our regular Hiwassee College meeting place"

 

[laughingdog]

@Redridge,
Cute chicks! which chicks are which?

 

[RedRidge]

@Redridge,
Cute chicks! which chicks are which?

Stripes are pullets, head spots are cockerels. Wildtype well be breeders, wheaten are culls - will be layers and freezer meat.

 

[fowlsessed]

If anyone is interested in some cool pigeons. For the folks near my area.
I have eight Giant Runt Pigeons available. Very good, quality start with them. There should be 4 cock/hen pairs, but I'll be selling them all as un-sexed until I breed them, which would be next year. Take them all for $400 otherwise $80 per bird. Beautiful mix of colors, and nice types and size.
Halfway between Knoxville and Chattanooga, TN

 

[amenfarm]

Well Red ridge, the advice has worked great! The older hen and the 11 week olds have been together for almost 2 weeks now. The littles have been giving my buckeye a very large buffer of area. Yesterday, we let everyone out together in the run behind the barn. When I checked on them last night after dark-- the buckeye was on the roost and a foot away on that roost were the littles, up until last night they would roost on the crate away from her. Hopefully adding 11 more chicks this saturday. Tried of having egg requests- but not enough eggs

. we do still have the crate in the coop.

 

[MountainGoat]

Hi all, I have this British cream legbar rooster available. We normally harvest extra roos, but he was so sweet and beautiful I kept him back for breeding. Unfortunately, now I have too many roos and must rehome him to keep my ginormous black copper marans from pouncing him. If you think he might be right for your flock, please let me know! I am in Greene County.

 

[SkylineFarms]

I have a pair of Black Mottled D'uccles. The male is not perfect, he does have some red leakage in his hackles. The hen is beautiful! The pair just turned 6 months old. Asking $25.
Also have a solid black bantam Faverolles rooster that is free to a good home.
I will have LF Salmon Faverolles hatching eggs soon!

PM me if interested