Texas

[hensfortherapy]

I get my seeds from Baker Creek. Where do you get yours from?  Have you tried dragon tongue beans?  They are yummy!

RIW lay brown eggs.




I found another chicken breed to add to my list.  My list keeps getting longer!  I am going to have to move to keep them all.  I think zoning laws say I can have 12, but I think my yard is too small for that many.  I only have about 1/4 acre....  It's a Sundheimer.  Aren't they pretty?

Extremely windy here today. At least it is warm though.

I don't think Princess is a RIW. Single comb. Oh well, so much for buying chicks from the local farm store.
The Sundheimer looks a lot like a light Sussex I saw on the breed page. I think they are pretty.

 

[Brookshire11]

I get my seeds from Baker Creek. Where do you get yours from?  Have you tried dragon tongue beans?  They are yummy!

RIW lay brown eggs.




I found another chicken breed to add to my list.  My list keeps getting longer!  I am going to have to move to keep them all.  I think zoning laws say I can have 12, but I think my yard is too small for that many.  I only have about 1/4 acre....  It's a Sundheimer.  Aren't they pretty?

Extremely windy here today. At least it is warm though.

I was just about to comment on the wind...i cant keep my back door or mud room door closed to save my life. Lol.
Oh! And there was a hawk in my little tree today, in the back. Camping out..like he knows..lol
He was big!
Looks like no free ranging for my future girls..

 

[hensfortherapy]

Sand harbors e-coli. Don't use sand at all. See here for ideas.

I use sand in the tray under the wire floor of the part of the coop the girls roost in. The poop doesn't stick to the tray and it seems to cut down on bugs. I just toss it in the compost heap with the poop.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Hung, you might want to look into this kind of dog for your chickens. Not sure ow they will do in the Texas heat though.

This post is by RedRidge on here...
info about maremma...

IF they are properly bred and properly bonded they require NO training... they may require guidance between 6 and 12 months, but their instinct to guard their livestock is bred in. Being properly bred is genetic... being properly bonded begins before their eyes are open and is up to their breeder to do. The only thing I "train" my puppies to do is to sit for their food and not drag me on a leash (not heal, just not drag).
Beyond that, they should require very little.

Attention and time.... most people give their dogs, especially as cute, fuzzy pups, too much time and attention. The bond needs to be with the livestock and not the humans. I tell my puppy people to limit their time with them each day to 10 minutes. I spend far more time feeding and pottying my "indoor pet and competition dogs" than I do my maremma. Once they are a year old they get fed once a day, as in... a bowl put down, a pat on the head, and walk away.

Pets... these are NOT pets. If you want a dog who will be a pet and a deterrent, get another dog. There are plenty of dogs who can easily be a deterent to both human and animal predation. More importantly.... that is all a lot of folks really need... a deterrent, not an lgd. These are working dogs who, when properly bred, are very intuitive and would not like being separated from their livestock for even 5 minutes. They live with the stock 24/7, never come in the house.

Expense... it's funny how many people think they can't afford an lgd.... then, after they have lost hundreds, if not thousands, in livestock in just one night they get all in a hurry and want one today. I mention this because years ago, in one night, I lost 8 sheep and a dozen chickens.... on a rainy night because a neighbor didn't want to walk his dogs in the rain so he let them run. Each of those ewes was irreplaceable, the vet bill was enormous trying to save those who were still alive. And trust me, spending several hours picking up body parts is heart wrenching... no one should have to go through it. How much is your livestock worth to you if it was all taken away tomorrow? Don't wait like I did.

Side note... my ammo expenses have gone down to nothing but practice ammo since acquiring my first maremma... and... I am a darn good shot, so prior to that I didn't waste ammo. But with the price of ammo these days I'd rather not loose sleep and take a chance. I sleep sound all night without ever having to worry, watch, or take aim.

 

[lovingmyhens]

I couldn't find the sundheimer on the breed section. They are pretty. Are they hardy? Do they go broody easily?

 

[hensfortherapy]

I couldn't find the sundheimer on the breed section. They are pretty. Are they hardy? Do they go broody easily?

I think you need one too loving.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

I couldn't find the sundheimer on the breed section. They are pretty. Are they hardy? Do they go broody easily?

They look a lot like a Columbian Wyandotte.


Edit:
See if this link works for you...

Another edit
more pictures Click "Bildergalerie" and click on the third and last link on there you see better pictures of the breed.

 

[mi2bugz]

Sand harbors e-coli. Don't use sand at all. See here for ideas.

Oh no! I will look at the website closely. I have heard bad things about the deep liter method also so what is the best, safest way to go?

 

[mi2bugz]

Sounds like you need a close-tined rake to pick up the straw and let the sand sift through.  Or perhaps a lightweight shovel, maybe a plastic snow shovel, with a bunch of holes drilled into it that will let you scoop up the straw and let the sand fall through.

This is what I am using but still takes a long time

 

[ronniewayne]

I will have to look at Princess's comb. I was reading a thread on BYC from a couple of years ago on Rhode Island Whites and it seems they are rare and should have a rose comb. It also says they lay orange jumbo eggs. She hasn't started laying eggs yet. She should in a couple of weeks yeepie! I am guessing she is really a White Plymouth Rock.

if she has red ear lobes she should lay a brown egg. either white Plymouth rock or rhode lsland white. an exception here if she has any ameracauana in her she could lay a green egg?