Spring 2017 first timers post!

[bramblefir]

I am new here and getting my first chicks in April. Neighbor has RIR she was kind enough to "free range" all over the neighborhood last summer and one hatched an egg. She thinks my porch is hers! She commandeered the pet carrier on the porch as her nest box. Unfortunately, I have gotten attached to her and since I have a storage shed, I thought that was the best start on a coop without alot of additional expense.
I started out wanting 1 but since they are social, I said 2. Then I thought since I was new, I might lose one so I decided on 3. But... now I am wanting 4 and I think that will be where I stay.... at least this year.
I am looking at getting a Jersey Giant, Speckled Sussex, Gold Lace Wyandotte & an Austrolorp. Need advice on if those 4 will "play" nice together.

Love this forum... I am learning chicken math quite fast... and I was never good at human math ever! lol

They'll all get along just fine. Unlike people, chickens aren't too particular about how their flock mates look.

You'd better watch out for that chicken math. Next thing you know there will be ducks and dairy goats!

 

[Treerooted]

Thank you! She is lovely! She follows me everywhere in the garden, such a delight. Cant wait for my other 2 to come today. I think nk ive caught the bug!

So after much "discussion" my wife and her friend convinced me to get 8 one week old lavender orpingtons from a local breeder. We have never had birds of any kind before so this has been a huge learning curve. We are allowed 6 hens only in our city but assumed a couple at least would be roosters and would end up in the freezer or a new home. Well 3 weeks later and these are quickly becoming my chickens. The coop is about half done and hoping to have them outside in a week or 2. They are currently in a dog kennel in the garage. I am really excited to see the finished coop and them enjoying it and can't wait for our first egg. Thanks to BYC for the warm welcome I have eceived and the wonderful information. Orpingtons truly are lap chickens and here is my proof.

Oh a lavender orpington! She's lovely!

Hi, I am new to the forum. I am 47 and grew up with Chickens, ducks, turkeys and pheasants as a kid. I did 4-H for many years and even had an Oregon State Grand Champion Mallard hen. New to the forum, and to be honest a little rusty. I finally moved back to the country on 5 Ac. and put our hen house in about 1.5 years ago and do free range chickens Turkeys and chukars.. We have currently 6 hens of an assortment of breed (Barred rock is our favorite). 8 9 month old Rio grande Turkeys (2 hens and 6 toms), and 2 9 month old Chukars. We have lost quite a few birds this last year, 8 ring-neck pheasants, 8 silver pheasants, 10 Chukars, 3 chickens and two Turkeys. We have all sots of predators, from skunks, coyotes, raccoons, bald eagles, and owls. It is tough raising birds. Our losses are due to predators and escapement. We had one terrible night when most of our losses occurred. This was a good learning experience for my kids. close the coop or else. Anyway I joined to ask some questions and hopefully I can provide equal value back.

I am new here and getting my first chicks in April. Neighbor has RIR she was kind enough to "free range" all over the neighborhood last summer and one hatched an egg. She thinks my porch is hers! She commandeered the pet carrier on the porch as her nest box. Unfortunately, I have gotten attached to her and since I have a storage shed, I thought that was the best start on a coop without alot of additional expense.
I started out wanting 1 but since they are social, I said 2. Then I thought since I was new, I might lose one so I decided on 3. But... now I am wanting 4 and I think that will be where I stay.... at least this year.
I am looking at getting a Jersey Giant, Speckled Sussex, Gold Lace Wyandotte & an Austrolorp. Need advice on if those 4 will "play" nice together.

Love this forum... I am learning chicken math quite fast... and I was never good at human math ever! lol

If you folks haven't already there's a new member forum to introduce yourself in as well

Does anyone know anything about fermented feed?

There's some really good information on this site; sorry I don't have a link, but do a search and I'm sure you'll find something!

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.

Ha, I know I know! Henderson's Chart is bookmarked

. I was all set January 2nd when ordering went up, but then found out that their hatching dates started later then I expected...so then I had to rethink things...which led to further rethinking...which, well led us to now

. I will bite the bullet this week. And yes, I've expanded on the number of breeds I was going to get for the reason you mentioned.

 

[sheetmetaltom]

3 1/2 weeks old 1 ee and 1 buff orpington

 

[Treerooted]

3 1/2 weeks old 1 ee and 1 buff orpington

So cute

I'm planning on getting some Buff Orpingtons as well

 

[lroneal2106]

Pretty excited! My BLRWs shipped yesterday. I've got the incubator up and running. Tweaking a few things. At 12 hours temp was 102 so I adjusted it down a tad. 12 hours later we are steady at 100. Now to work on my humidity. Was super high last night in the 90's after soaking and cleaning the incubator all night(borrowed incubator and it was disgusting). I put in a rice sock and today humidity is around 27. Just added some water to the bottom resovoir and gonna let it sit for awhile and see where we are at. Started my log tonight and hung my calendar! Getting ready!

 

[junebuggena]

Pretty excited! My BLRWs shipped yesterday. I've got the incubator up and running. Tweaking a few things. At 12 hours temp was 102 so I adjusted it down a tad. 12 hours later we are steady at 100. Now to work on my humidity. Was super high last night in the 90's after soaking and cleaning the incubator all night(borrowed incubator and it was disgusting). I put in a rice sock and today humidity is around 27. Just added some water to the bottom resovoir and gonna let it sit for awhile and see where we are at. Started my log tonight and hung my calendar! Getting ready!

Still air incubators should be kept at about 101 to 102. Forced air incubators should be at 99.5. And keep in mind, humidity is surface area, not volume. A tiny bit of water, distributed across the entire surface area of the incubator will produce a higher reading than a larger amount of water in a small tray.

 

[jmachado]

What is this "mama" heating pad I've heard about? I read a great post about making a little cave using a heating pad for the babies while they are inside but it sounds like people use the mama in the coop?? Someone clarify please

 

[junebuggena]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update

 

[jmachado]

Ahhhh yes, ok, that's the post I read but I didn't realize that's what was being called the Mama heating pad. Got it!! Thanks! If I get one of those set up in the coop at what age is safe to move them outside? It's chilly here in the northeast. Probably won't get the chicks until march so I'm hoping by May they will be big enough and it will be warm enough to move them.....

 

[Nksg75]

I do the heating pad method as well. I love it! It makes things so much easier! I truly hated the heat lamp. I was always worried about it falling, no matter how well I had it secured.
There are different designs you can use with the heating pad.
You can make a cave like structure, or you can have it raised off the ground a bit and lay it flat(similar to Brinsea eco glow), or A frame like structure.
The heating pads itself are nothing special, Walgreens carries this heating pad in my area.
The one thing that sets it apart from other heating pads is the button that keeps it on. Most others will shut off after 2 hours or so, and this one has the option to stay on constantly.