Spring 2017 first timers post!

[IdyllwildAcres]

Would you like to loan me your silkie? I got my dog last Feb. The intent was to have her guard my flock from predators. NOT! She has decided it's fun to watch chickens run. She's a JR mix. Currently on a wireless transmitter boundary collar. I plan to get a remote behavior collar this spring to fine tune her training, and hopefully train her in the fine art of chicken avoidance. She also will only come if there's a treat in it for her, and has a prey drive that would include cars if not for her E-collar.

Welcome!

Check out Henderson's Chicken Breeds chart. You want to get that order in early, because most hatcheries sell out very early. In order to get what I wanted, I placed my order the first day the hatchery was accepting orders. Don't forget, that chickens are not forever pets. So, you can do a mixed shipment the first time, and get a feel for what you like, then fine tune for your next group of chicks down the road.

Gary, have you got the wall sections of your coop built? Nothing wrong with overbuilding. Down the road, you'll be glad you did.

To all the newbies finding their way to this thread, may I suggest:

1. Put your general location in your profile. It helps people to connect with you and give appropriate advice.
2. Consider deep litter in your coop and in your run.
3. Build your coop to accommodate deep litter. Build it big enough. Plan on minimum of 4 s.f./bird, with enough height to allow roosts to be above nest boxes and at least 18" between roost and ceiling. Predator proof = 1/2" hardware cloth covering all openings. LOTS of ventilation. the extra height above the perches will come in handy to accomodate the ventilation without putting a draft on the birds. Plan for the eventuality of room for a brooding pen in your coop. This can also be used as a sick bay.
4. Consider using fermented feed.
5. Consider using Mama Heating Pad Cave to brood your chicks.

Gary, hope you didn't mind the hi-jack. Now, back to your regularly scheduled program.

Yes the walls are up, framed at least 2 out of four have plywood, the roof plywood is on with 30# felt paper the shingles are ordered, skylights sitting in garage waiting for shingle day. My coop is dirt floor, with block foundation wall it can handle 8-10 " of deep litter before it even gets to the sill plate. It has a 12' ceiling at the high point, will have a loft above the roost, 3 opening windows (which were an expensive mistake when building my house 8 years ago glad to use them 4 large 2x2 vents up high. It has one wall in run area with just hardware cloth. Ventilation ventilation ventilation.... The concrete footings go a foot in the ground this thing is as close to predator proof as I could make it, I cannot see how it could be breached! Oh, and all this for 6-8 chickens these will be some expensive eggs, I am trying not to do the math.... I am taking pics as I go and will do a coop page when its done or mostly done.

LG, you can hi-jack anytime

Gary

 

[lazy gardener]

Wow. Hope you keep chickens for a good long time!!! I envy you your dirt floor!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Wow. Hope you keep chickens for a good long time!!! I envy you your dirt floor!

So do I, but if things change in the years that come I could pour a concrete floor and re-purpose the building into an office or tiny house, lol.
I lurked and read here for months before breaking ground and everyone who has dirt seems to love it, unless it gets flooded which mine should not.

Gary

 

[lazy gardener]

That's also the idea re: my coop. It would not be hard at all to re-purpose it into a very useable office space. A bit of insulation, some electric (more than it already has). But, I don't see my "farming plans" changing any time in the next decade or two. If any thing, I expect to pick up the pace when I no longer need to be working.

 

[Nksg75]

Clackamas:
I am sorry that you lost them. I agree, it is a hard lesson to learn.
I had a similar situation, so I understand.
Regardless, Welcome!!!

 

[Nksg75]

Lazy Gardner,
I will loan you Miss. Kick *** silkie!!
However, I have Australian Shepards. Completely different personality from a Jack Russell.
I will say that the training collar you get has to have a long range!!
And be really strong(max zinging!!)
Jack Russell's are really persistent, and hard headed!
Good luck!!!!

 

[lazy gardener]

She's a total wuss regarding her transmitter collar. But she's also very smart. It didn't take her very long to figure out that she could go to the edge of her boundary, then take a few quick steps so that the metal shop building blocked her signal, so she could evade the zap and go on a walk about. So, I had to tighten up her range and put up a length of plastic fencing at the back of the shop. Too smart for her own good, that's for sure. yes, she's head strong. I don't expect the remote training collar I get will need much of a range. Because, once I tightened her range, she'll not go beyond it now, unless she's on a leash. She equates the leash with protection from the zap!

But, I'd love to have a chicken that would kick her butt to the curb and back! That would train her without me having to lift a finger.

 

[Yvette 11]

Just my luck, we have avian flu affecting the uk and in wales where i live there is a total ban on poultry bei g allowed to rome. Even backyard chooks.. So currently untill the end of February when situation will be revised i have to keep piir rocky and her new friends {coming tomorrow} in their coop and run! Any suggestions on boredom breakers greatfully received.

 

[CacklebrryHound]

Does anyone know anything about fermented feed?

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Does anyone know anything about fermented feed?

I do not, but I that @lazygardener may...

Not sure tho

Gary