Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[magsrags]

Yes, I am wondering where all my crows are lately???? I have tons of doves/pigeons etc. Last year the hawks/falcons feasted on them. I am hoping my hens appear too large and they go for smaller prey.
But truth be known I am really now afraid for my tiny little mAffenpinscher who is 1/2 the size of my hens but guards them like a mother.
I know lichick can tell you stories of hawks and her little dogs out in her yard whil;e she is standing RIGHT next to them mind you. Very scary.

My husband has seen Peregrines take toy dogs playing offleash twice in the grass of central park. Right up into the trees to feast much to the horror of onlookers and the pet owners. Good grief can you imagine.....your dog of all things?

Careful of those hawks early in the day and later in the afternoon..... thats when I see them around the most.





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[gfletch]

Busy weekend with the chickens! Since the addition of the two Plymouth Rocks made us outgrow our original portable, ark-type coop, I've been hunting for a new one -- with all the features I've learned are important over the past few months! -- at a reasonable price, and the Agway in Riverhead came through as always:

Picked up this new coop, which says it will comfortably house 8-10 birds. Since I only have six, they'll be living in the lap of luxury! Built the temporary yard for them as well. Come spring, once I move my shed and re-arrange my vegetable garden, I want to move the coop, and will build the chickens a larger, more permanent-type yard.

The first ones in are the "babies" -- Amy and Emily, the 3-month-old Plymouth Rocks, who are now about the same size as the four, full-grown Japanese Bantams (George, Tammy, Loretta & Conway). I'll let the PR's get adjusted this week, then move the JB's in over the weekend. Hopefully, since it will be the PR's "turf", the JB's won't pick on them like when I first tried to introduce them in the original coop. If my one aggressive JB hen (Loretta) does still bully them to the point of injury, I'll separate her back into the old coop for a week or so and see if that settles it.

Lastly ... Roberta, I think in a recent post you mentioned that you may be able to find homes for roosters? Is that still true? I think, unfortunately, I'm going to have to part with George (that's him above). Beautiful bird, but he's really noisy for the quiet suburban neighborhood I live in -- crows *a lot*! My neighbors haven't complained, but to be fair, I need to solve it before they do. What's funny is, his brother, Conway, doesn't make a sound!

George

 

[goldeneggtees]

Just wanted to say that once you remove George, you may find Conway starts crowing. I think it's usually the dominant roo who crows most. So if Conway becomes the dominant roo, he may start crowing. (or so I've read).

The coop looks awesome but can I add one interesting bit of advice that probably never comes up. You should be careful where you put your coop when it's in close proximity to an older building. You know how lead paint was often used on structures built before 1978? That lead paint usually ends up in the ground near the structure's walls in the form of paint chips which can be miniscule. Hens love to peck at the soil and anything they find that is small and they can ingest the lead paint chips. I know this from first hand experience with my own chickens and very old depression era coop where they are kept. I had some issues with lead in the spring, it was a very costly lesson. Anyway, just an FYI.

Your chickens are purdy, especially the roo boys!

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[stoopid]

George, that PR in the back looks awful roo-ish...
I might take him, would like to step up my Japs.
The BTBs I have now, both the dummies had gotten frostbite so bad, they look rediculous!
As long as he gets along, shouldn't be a problem.

 

[gfletch]

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Regarding the PR ... I know! It is quite possible that "she" will be a "he". Guess I'll find out soon enough ...

Meanwhile, if you are able to take George in, that would be awesome. I know you'll give him a good home! I've had no issues with him, other than the noise. He's one of those "frequent crowers", and we're just too built up in this area. I'll message you off the boards and we can make a plan to get him to you. I just wonder what his departure will do to the dynamics of the flock ...

 

[Toxic Chicken]

Gfletch, I like your new coop. I have been
looking at coops online but I will check out agway
in riverhead before I order one. I found a local
feed store near me that sells chicken feed,
Shirley Feed on montauk hwy, but I didn't see
any coops. Does Agway have organic feed?

 

[gfletch]

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I checked out Shirley Feeds, too, and they told me they didn't carry coops. Good selection of feeds, though.

The Agway in Riverhead is awesome -- great people, really friendly and know their stuff. I never asked about organic chicken feed, but they might well have it, since they do carry a large line of organic dog foods. The bags of chicken feed are in the back -- you pay up front, tell them what you want, and they give you a loading dock slip to pick up the bags. Same thing with bales of hay and wood shavings.

They seem to sell the coops quickly. The 3x4 I bought was the last one of that size they had in stock. There were larger ones and some small, hutch-style ones still on display. They're always ordering more, though, and they often have a circular with a coupon for $$ off the price, so it's worth the trip out there!

howlinggood ... If Conway crows *occasionally* after George goes to live out east, it should be okay, but if he ends up being as noisy as his brother, he'll need a new home, too. We currently have good relationships with the neighbors, and I want to keep it that way!


George

 

[smkchick]

There's something very exciting about egg #2, also! I guess this means we're in the groove...
Go, Gladys!!

 

[magsrags]

Oh that's a nice coop George!
I agree, the alpha roo crows now.....and Conway will take his place when you re-home him. No getting around roos unfortunately. I've tried so many in hopes of finding that illusive quiet one. Had a roop who physocally couldn't crpow. Lovely double tufted, rumpless black Aruacana named Jack. He's gone now. Had a hiccup instead. And he was such a gentleman, I could pick him up anytime.

I wonder if I should test the waters in my new digs. It's big/roopmy but my yard backs up to an entire block of other folks backyards it's so deep. Love to keep my blue cochin roo. He's gonna be a huge boy and a handsome one at that. hmmmmm...i see that chicken math happening roberta.

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[magsrags]

I still get excited finding all my eggs.

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