Texas

[Fentressfarmer]

60% chance of thunderstorms today         



we live in "the bubble" though.. so everyone around us will get rain.. we will just get clouds... grrr

Where are you? I'm in Seguin at work and we are getting light rain, just hope it makes it to the house the ryegrass I planted is only about an inch tall would be nice to see it get good and thick my poor sheep keep it eatin down pretty good.

 

[showbarnmom]

Not raining in NB.....yet....but its nasty outside!

 

[Fentressfarmer]

Not raining in NB.....yet....but its nasty outside!

I'll try and blow it that way!

 

[Kilsharion]

Hi, my name is Joscelyn. I am just starting research on raising some chickens for fresh eggs. I am located in Central Austin. I would love any help from people around the area. I am so not handy, and all the coops look super complicated to build so I am going to have to figure something out! I'm worried about all the weather changes as well and how you protect you chickens from that.

Also does anyone know if it would be safe to have your chickens in with a rabbit? I'm thinking they could share the same run, and build it where the chickens have a coop on one side and the rabbits have a coop on the other side. Not sure if this would work or not though. Anyone know?

Also, where do people get their chickens and supplies? I went to the local tractor supply and they didn't have a lot of chicken stuff. The local feed store has a few chicks and a few supplies, but no coops or anything.

O, one more question. I would also like to start a large vegetable garden. Would the chickens bother it if they were free ranging in the backyard? Or should I always keep them seperated?

Joscelyn - we make coops for people in the greater Austin area and deliver them for free. We generally build an A frame type coop that is big enough for no more than six chickens. If you just want the coop, I believe Mike's reposted the add on Craigslist; but, I'm not sure. He was muttering about it this morning. Whether he has or not is anyone's guess ;-) The coops are totally water tight, good ventilation and an optional run (you won't need if you have them in your backyard). We are also working out the final kinks in our coop cooler for when the triple digits hit and stay. Yes, think AC for your chickens. Crazy, I know - but, I really don't have much other alternative considering how devastating the heat can get. The winter is easily handled by the birds as they will go into the roost/nesting box and snuggle together if they get cold.



((Coop loaded for delivery - the side you can't see is 100% hardware cloth with a closable three-quarter-door if weather gets inclement. Under the rainguard is ventilation, as well.))

Since you were talking about a rabbit hutch on one end...well...If you have some idea of what you want, PM me and I will ask my husband (the one who does the layout and design) if he can do it and what he thinks it would cost. We could probably work something out that suits you. If Mike doesn't kill me for offering a custom option **grins** I do it to him all the time and he always grouses. I don't think he's happy unless he's cranky.

Many people have mentioned Ideal for ordering chicks - here's an idea, though - I know you aren't going to want a ton, and doubtless do not want the 'extras' they would throw in for warmth. There is a woman (the one we just delivered to last night) who is also looking to order chicks. It might be worthwhile for you two to talk and possibly go in on an order together. She's down around Convict Hill area. Again, PM me if you are interested and I'll get you two in touch with each other.

Another option is driving up to Georgetown Farm Supply (they are on Highway 29, west of I-35). They get their chicks from Ideal and sell them for $3.49/chick.

As for keeping the chicks out of the garden - you're going to have to fence it in. It's the only thing that works reliably.


[edited for clarity]

 

[yinepu]

Where are you? I'm in Seguin at work and we are getting light rain, just hope it makes it to the house the ryegrass I planted is only about an inch tall would be nice to see it get good and thick my poor sheep keep it eatin down pretty good.

In between Lampasas and Killeen there is an area where the hills are JUUUUUST right and when a storm heads our way 90% of the time it will veer off just before it hits us and loop right around.. Cove will get soaked.. Lampasas will get soaked... Gatesville will get it too.. we get to wave at the pretty dark clouds and watch the rain falling in the distance...

 

[Fentressfarmer]

I kn

In between Lampasas and Killeen there is an area where the hills are JUUUUUST right and when a storm heads our way 90% of the time it will veer off just before it hits us and loop right around.. Cove will get soaked.. Lampasas will get soaked... Gatesville will get it too.. we get to wave at the pretty dark clouds and watch the rain falling in the distance...

I know the feeling fentress is the same way, floods here at work in Seguin and kickin up dust at the house!! I have an uncle up close to you who has a ranch outside of adamsville I think hadn't been there in a few years though

 

[KnobbyOaks]

Last fall I let mine in the garden, they ate everything to the ground. The cabbage I didn't mind because I planted the stuff for the chicken anyway, the onions I minded, the broccoli I minded. Ate all the marigolds, hyacinths, the mint and a lot of the herbs, the tomatoes. When they started on my Granny's Amaryllis and rosebush, I called a halt to their buffet.

yinepu: I think I'm in your same bubble, no rain. It goes north or south of us.

 

[KnobbyOaks]

Joscelyn, since you're in Austin, if you're able, you can drive to Cameron (Ideal Poultry) and pick up your order instead of having them mailed. They have a $25 minimum but you get only what you order, no peanuts to fill the box. We picked ours up and it was fabulous cause the chicks were home in an hour, no post office stress.

Kilsharion, those are beautiful looking coops. You have no idea how long I toyed with getting an A-frame. I only got the one I have because it was on sale and could load it up. You have free delivery. Awesome!

 

[Kilsharion]

Last fall I let mine in the garden, they ate everything to the ground. The cabbage I didn't mind because I planted the stuff for the chicken anyway, the onions I minded, the broccoli I minded. Ate all the marigolds, hyacinths, the mint and a lot of the herbs, the tomatoes. When they started on my Granny's Amaryllis and rosebush, I called a halt to their buffet.

yinepu: I think I'm in your same bubble, no rain. It goes north or south of us.

Yeah, we don't let ours out because our property isn't fenced. Instead, they have a pretty good sized run and get moved around the property every few days. It's done wonders for eliminating my ant problem - and, I haven't seen a scorpion in ages. I hope it stays that way **shudders**

Rain - we're getting spit on from time to time, but nothing serious, yet. We have gotten enough over the course of the night to overflow our rain barrels, though. That made me happy.

 

[yinepu]

I kn
I know the feeling fentress is the same way, floods here at work in Seguin and kickin up dust at the house!! I have an uncle up close to you who has a ranch outside of adamsville I think hadn't been there in a few years though

Last fall I let mine in the garden, they ate everything to the ground. The cabbage I didn't mind because I planted the stuff for the chicken anyway, the onions I minded, the broccoli I minded. Ate all the marigolds, hyacinths, the mint and a lot of the herbs, the tomatoes. When they started on my Granny's Amaryllis and rosebush, I called a halt to their buffet.

yinepu: I think I'm in your same bubble, no rain. It goes north or south of us.

Yeah, we don't let ours out because our property isn't fenced. Instead, they have a pretty good sized run and get moved around the property every few days. It's done wonders for eliminating my ant problem - and, I haven't seen a scorpion in ages. I hope it stays that way **shudders**

Rain - we're getting spit on from time to time, but nothing serious, yet. We have gotten enough over the course of the night to overflow our rain barrels, though. That made me happy.

it's spitting rain here.. to the South it looks like Cedar Park area is getting a decent shower.. towards the North it's starting to clear up... grr

Didn't anyone read the memo that we ALL need rain??



We quit letting our hens free range after the winter flock of 40 went down to 3 in about 2 weeks.. between foxes taking out several during the day and at night.. coyotes and our neighbors letting their dogs run out in the cow pastures we lost a bunch that year

granted the grasshoppers have been making a comeback since the birds have been locked up. But it's better than losing so many birds to predators.