Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[ChickenAl]

Suzanne, four weeks is a little young for them to be out in the cold. You have a valid point of possibly leaving some heat in there for them. Normally at about eight weeks they move from the brooder to the coop and that isusually in summer. I am reconsidering what I said and think some additional heat or at least a small Rubbermaid tub turned on its side so they can snuggle inside it might be a worthwhile idea. Even a sixty watt lightbulb would be a good thing. They ususally are not completely feathered out to protect them from the cold for a few months, even though they might look it. Be careful of any cold snaps coming our way. Your temps out in LI are more moderate than here so you will have some wiggle room with having to do something special or not.

Good luck, and keep an eye on those babies. Bake those cookies, and eat a few to take these off the empty nest syndrome. Just don't eat them all. Save some for us...Pleeeeease...

 

[smkchick]

Thanks for the advice, Al. I have a small plastic shoebox sized rubbermaid thing that I will put out there tonight. I'll put the warming mask in there and they can snuggle up that way. Just like Mommy! I'll give them a little boost for the next few weeks. I'm hoping everyone will work out their differences so they can sleep in with the bigger hens. That will help keep them warm. They're enclosed on all sides out there, so it's warmer than the rest of the coop. Just a couple of inches of ventilation near the top. I've been watching their behavior, and it seems like they're okay - very perky, no huddling.

Only Spring chicks for me from now on!!

 

[ChickenAl]

Suzanne, forgot to add my two cents for the breed vote. I would go with the BO. Only because I think they are big, hardy and nice looking. I like RIR for the egg factor. SLW are another nice choice. I would like or have fancier chickens if we had the space to add more. A Chanticleer rooster would be tops on my list if we were allowed roosters. Ah, so many chickens, so little land. What to do? Move to a larger piece of property and drop off the grid, that's what! But only in my dreams. My dear wife would kill me.

 

[ChickenAl]

Wanted to give you guys an update. I went to a second opthamologist yesterday and the results were inconclusive on the double vision. Considering I have all the symptoms of fourth cranial nerve palsy, I am still having to wait for a firm diagnosis. It may be the diabetes setting it off or it could be viral or just genetic. The neurologist gets to throw his hat in the ring tomorrow. I think this is where I'll get the true diagnosis. Until then, I will deal with it. No driving, as per doctor's orders. So, home I sit, waiting, waiting and waiting....


Hey, as anyone heard from Roberta? Not like her to miss posting couple of days in a row. Hope all is well with her.

 

[smkchick]

My dream, too. Bobby went to a reunion for retirees that he goes to sometimes and was talking about the chickens. He said everyone was surprised that he was interested in them. I put farming on my list of things people are surprised to learn about me. Also on there? I love professional boxing.

I'm reviewing the breed charts. Hmm. Delawares?

After seeing Fred, Roberta's Welsummer rooster, I'd put them at the top of my wish list. I'm limited to 8 hens, no roosters. I'm very happy with the 5 I've chosen so far. I think I want to stop at 6 for now, so I'm only going to choose 1.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking.

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
Good that you have the ventilation worked out for no drafts. I forgot about that. Yeah, spring chickens are easier to get up and rolling. Plenty of summer to make the necessary adjustments and be able to have them outside.

Ours were all up on the top roost a couple of nights ago. They have to squeeze I there and I have no idea how they do it. The top roost is the shortest and they cannot turn around if they are all up there. I guess they have to wait for someone to jump off in the morning so they can make room to turn and get down. It is funny to see two facing forward and four to the wall. I wanted to make that top roost longer but I angled it and it is only about four feet. Chicken math gone awry, again! Don't know if I am going to add another top roost or just leave it so they can snuggle. They don't seem to mind being squished on there. The normal routine is that two go up top and the other four spread out on the lower roost. I need a chicken brain to figure all this stuff out!

 

[smkchick]

Al, I'm sorry you're still having symptoms. My money's on the neurologist. Please keep us posted.

No driving + waiting = chicken time (chicken math there)

I have to add a top roost for Gladys. I'm hoping she's less cranky that way. She's still chasing Aggie, especially first thing in the morning. Maybe she needs a cup of coffee.

I sent Bobby and email with links to these breeds: BO, Delaware, GLW and SLW. I know what he'll say: "Whatever you say, honey."

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
Pro boxing? You? Really? I am a huge fan of pro boxing, except for the last few years of retread boxers who are just using their notariety to cash in on some less than noteworthy bouts. I was always a heavyweight fan but lost the interest when the Klitchko brothers were able to reach the higher ranks. Giants, who run out of gas in three rounds should not call themselves professional boxers. They are playing to a crowd of freakshow carnival attendees. It seemed bigger meant better, as with all things in this life, but bigger meant slower and boring. I went to the lower weight divisions to see a real fight, but that too has gotten so full of retreads that it is another sideshow.

We will never see the likes of a Gatti/Ward fight again, I'm afraid. Their first fight at the casino in CT was a surprise gift to the boxing world. A friend of mine wanted to go see it and I said, nah, it'll be just an average fight between a no name and a guy who many thought was past his prime. Boy, was I wrong. Saw it on PPV and regretted not going to this day. I've gone to closed circuit TV bouts in the old days a couple of live fights and met some pros. One of my customers actuall held the heavyweight belt for a while, Larry Alexander. Got beaten by Greg Page. That was a while ago. I haven't watched much in the past two years. I can't watch MMA at all. Like street fighting to me no sweet science involved. Until they can get a fresh new breed of pro boxers I am not going to invest much time looking. My wife had to leave the room when I was watching for all the screaming and popping out of the chair I do. Wish it could be like that again.

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
Yeah, chicken math. Makes perfect sense to me! I sat with them while they free ranged yesterday but it was windy and cold here. I just realized I have not let them out yet. Oops...

 

[Thespoiledchicken]

Good morning everyone

Al- I sure hope the neurologist can figure all this out for you!!! In the meantime it's great that you are staying so positive. Keep those good spirits up

I can just picture all those chickens squeezing into 4 ft

love how the chicken brain works, lol. My favorite time is watching all the girls hop up to roost- hilarous watching a few squabble and jockey for the best spot. I have 1 Light Brahma rooster that is so huge, every night he tries to jump to a high perch- he can't even get his fat butt 6 inches off the ground let alone jump up 4 ft- it's hilarous. He finally gives up and walks the plank to his waiting perch. A few of my fliers will perch anywhere they want, including the eaves, and i'm sure this just makes him mad, lol.

Suzanne- I agree with Al, 4 weeks is a little young to go without heat. LI has gotten down to 39 at night already! Right now I have about 40+ 4 weekers in my new coop with 12 weekers and I have 2 red 250 watt bulbs going at night because it gets chilly. They are not completely feathered out yet and I would hate for them to get stressed because of the cold. I'm sure they would survive but being stressed could cause lots of problems. In the summer I put 4 weekers out without any additional heat and they do great.
I think Wyandottes would be a great choice for you. Friendly birds but not prone to being picked on. They are normally great layers and will lay in winter too. I love the Blue laced Red Wynadottes but all Wyandottes are pretty! Good Luck with your choice

Trish