Texas

[Tx812]

Hi Texaschicmom, Buna is about 30 miles south of Jasper,Texas and 30 miles north of Beaumont,Texas. Ive been spending lots of time on my chicken barn and almost finished. The way you described your barn sounds exactly how I built mine. I have a solid tin wall on the north and west side. The west side has ventilation at the top and the other sides (east and south) are half tin with the top half 1/2 x 1 wire. I will take pictures and post them soon.


FYI- Every Friday starting at 5:00 p.m., there is a very large poultry sale (auction) in Dequincey, Louisiana, which is only 45 minutes from my house. I went this past Friday and they had every kind of chicken, duck, geese, guinea, pheasant, quail, pigeon, dove and all kinds of rabbits. They have cages, hardware cloth, nest boxes, hatching eggs, chicks, you name it. I left at 10:30 p.m. and they was still auctioning chickens... If you live close, this is worth the drive to experience it. They charge 25% consignment, if you bring anything to sell.

 

[texaschickmom]

OK, for some reason I thought it was more in West Texas, but I think that's Buda maybe.

Sounds like a good coop for our hot summers. I worked really hard during our 100 deg. days but still lost 1 hen to heatstroke. Of course, she was my favorite. I hope we don't have another one like last year. I'll take winter any day.

Thanks for the info about the poultry sale. I'm afraid it's a little too far though...over 4 hours from me. Texas is a really big state, isn't it?

I wish I could find something like that up here. I've had pretty good luck selling extra roosters and some chicks on Craig's List.

Looking forward to pics of your barn. Here's one of mine from a distance.

 

[Tx812]

W O W..... Very nice barn. What breed of chickens do you raise? Yep, Buda is near Austin. I hope to get pictures of my barn posted soon.

 

[texaschickmom]

Thanks! I raise Delawares, Welsummers, Black/Red Sex Links right now. Next year I will have Speckled Sussex and Black Australorps available. This is on a small scale, mind you. I have 3 table top incubators. It's so much fun and addicting!

 

[henryholub]

I still can't get over how wonderful your setup is for your chickens out there. I'm hoping to be able to have something like that in the next few years. Just in case no one has caught it, Chick days started today at Tractor Supply Co's all over the US. The one here in tyler doesn't have chicks in yet, but i'm looking forward to going out and seeing them all whenver they do get in.

Also, have we made any progress on a DFW Area/East Texas meetup?

 

[texaschickmom]

Good morning, Henry! I enjoyed meeting you yesterday and sure hope those hens start laying quickly for you. Please let me know how things are going. I do enjoy my chicken barn. I got the idea from a BYC member in Florida. She was so nice to post many good photos. I will do the same when you're able to build one yourself.

Sounds like you guys will be getting some chicks from TSC!

There's nothing cuter than a baby chick, I'm convinced of that. Be sure and read up here on BYC all about raising chicks. And feel free to send me a PM or call or text if you need to. I'm no "expert" but I have raised several batches of chicks.

I'm not sure where we stand on a meetup. Somewhere in between DFW and Tyler would be nice. Maybe Canton? Terrell? I don't know anyone in that area with chickens.

Have a great day!

 

[henryholub]

I really enjoying meeting you too Martha! Those hens didn't miss a beat and the RIR, who seems to have claimed her an early spot atop the pecking order, laid an egg this morning....right by my foot as I did some cleaning in the coop. I know this because I found the egg with my foot about a minute later. I'll get them trained on the new nesting boxes though and hopefully I'll remember to look where i step before each step in the run. The speckled sussex is a beautiful bird and the RIR snacked out of my hand this morning. The three I have don't do that yet, so you've done something right with your birds. Thanks again! I'll definitely keep you updated.

For a meetup, I wonder if we could find a city park or country church yard somewhere that we could use/rent for a few hours to cook out and hang out. I'm sure there are some places right off of I-20 that meet that criteria. Are there still people interested?

 

[texaschickmom]

Yeah! I'm so glad to hear that Henny Penny laid an egg for you! I'm sure she'll figure out where her new nest box is soon. I spend LOTS of time with my chickens and feed them lots of treats by hand from an early age. That little sussex has always been shy, so it might take a little longer to get her up close.

I'm still interested in a meet up. I like your idea about a park or church yard. I have several friends here who have chickens who would probably be interested as well.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

The TSCs have chicks in now? Does anyone know if they have ducklings?

~ Aspen

 

[ponyup]

Hi Jim,

Sorry, can't you much. It's the same story in my neck of the woods. I can find pullets, but juveniles and adult laying hens are just impossible to find.
Hopefully someone from your area can steer you better, but in the meantime, you might also try a google search of Feed+Pet stores in your area and call them and ask. I found one here that does sell juveniles, but they sell out within hours of restocking every time.
Good luck!

I found this on Craigslist...it might help you guys. Good luck!

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/grd/2854210403.html