Texas

[ShadowsFIAL]

I had thought about planting wild Trumpet vines to cover my coop, but decided that as it grew larger it would eventually mess up my wire. I'm using 1/2" hardare cloth, so the openings are small. I did plant pole beans this summer to climb up the side of my coop. It gave the girls plenty of shade. This was at the start of summer. The whole end was covered by the end of summer. Hope everything works out and ya'll get to get your chickens.

I am not too worried about the chicken wire. If anything I figured it would make the fence sturdier over time. I plan on folding the runner back in till it is nice and thick, then just cut whatever starts to grow down. I just don't want to have to replant something every year.

Keep in mind that plants around the coop are perfect homes for snakes. I'm having a horrible time with rat snakes. I don't mind giving up a few eggs but they are big enough to kill my chickens. It has gotten better since clearing all the brush around the coop

Not too worried about snakes here, but then again I am only five city blocks from the creek. I might just have to go out there and check daily. I kinda do that looking for bugs for them anyway. And any little snakes I know aren't poisoness I can throw to them to devour. *evil laughter*

 

[magpiesing]

From y'all's experience...how long should it take for new birds to be accepted? We've had four in the grow out pen for a couple of months now so they've been seen by the whole flock. We tried to let them come out into the chicken house but they got jumped right away. We tried twice now to put them in the yard, which is 20 x 30, with the gang and they have gotten chased and feather pulled mercilessly both times. After a few minutes all they want to do is run back to the safety of their pen. They are really out numbered 39 to 4! They are 4 months old so a little bigger than bantams. We tried putting out trays of treats and then let them out...that seemed to make it worse. We've introduced others without this much trouble. It seems to be the older pullets causeing more trouble than the mature hens.

 

[ShadowsFIAL]

From y'all's experience...how long should it take for new birds to be accepted?  We've had four in the grow out pen for a couple of months now so they've been seen by the whole flock.  We tried to let them come out into the chicken house but they got jumped right away.  We tried twice now to put them in the yard, which is 20 x 30, with the gang and they have gotten chased and feather pulled mercilessly both times.  After a few minutes all they want to do is run back to the safety of their pen. They are really out numbered 39 to 4!  They are 4 months old so a little bigger than bantams. We tried putting out trays of treats and then let them out...that seemed to make it worse.  We've introduced others without this much trouble.  It seems to be the older pullets causeing more trouble than the mature hens.

I would wait till they are almost the same size as the adult hens, possibly even till their baby voices go away. Some hens are just turned into angry machines when they hear that peepy voice. Also if they are bigger they have a better chance sticking up for themselves.

 

[lpina]

Hi, I'm in San Antonio and have a small flock of Seramas. One of my hens hatched this good looking guy back in May and he has been handled daily since then. I would love to keep him but my neighbors wouldn't be to thrilled if I did so I'm hoping to find him a good home.

 

[needlessjunk]

So is anyone else as excited as I am about this "cold front"? I am sooooo looking forward to fall and being able to finally spend time outside. The last few days have been wonderful in the mornings and my kids are actually playing outside now!

 

[Starfire669]

Hi, I'm in San Antonio and have a small flock of Seramas. One of my hens hatched this good looking guy back in May and he has been handled daily since then. I would love to keep him but my neighbors wouldn't be to thrilled if I did so I'm hoping to find him a good home.

! I am in San Antonio as well. I have a mixed flock of BRs, RIRs, SLW, BOs, and BAs. I have 2 Roos, and don't need another, plus Screwball and Smoke would not like another Roo in their flock. I do hope you find him a good home though, he is a cutie!

 

[magpiesing]

So is anyone else as excited as I am about this "cold front"? I am sooooo looking forward to fall and being able to finally spend time outside. The last few days have been wonderful in the mornings and my kids are actually playing outside now!

Oh yes!! Very much so! Not only for cooler temps but to get rid of the bugs too. DH and I like to sit outside in the evening but the skeeters have been so bad we can't enjoy it.
Also hoping cooler will mean more eggs.

 

[ShadowsFIAL]

So is anyone else as excited as I am about this "cold front"? I am sooooo looking forward to fall and being able to finally spend time outside. The last few days have been wonderful in the mornings and my kids are actually playing outside now!

I am so looking forward to the cold front! It has been so miserable to sit outside with my hens, not to mention I can see how hot they are!

On a separate note, does anyone here bathe their chickens?

 

[magpiesing]

I am so looking forward to the cold front! It has been so miserable to sit outside with my hens, not to mention I can see how hot they are!

On a separate note, does anyone here bathe their chickens?

Have only washed dirty butts,not the whole chicken. I have misted them when it's been really hot. Some like it but most don't. They do love walking in shallow water and mud!

 

[Quackers Mama]

These babies and their daddy need good homes

Please tell me your in Houston? lol

So is anyone else as excited as I am about this "cold front"? I am sooooo looking forward to fall and being able to finally spend time outside. The last few days have been wonderful in the mornings and my kids are actually playing outside now!

I hate Texas weather, I don't believe in "future" cold fronts lol. I believe them when I feel them haha. Born & raised in California, & being out here in Houston for about 3 years I've learned to 1) never believe the weather man 2) just because there's lots of thunder & lightening it doesn't mean it's going to rain 3) that Texas' mother nature is going thru menopause with her hot flashes & moodiness. Did I mention I hate Texas weather? Lol. I won't even go into the skeeters topic. When people say "everything is bigger in Texas" I joke around & say "the only things bigger are the skeeters & roaches"