Texas

[Cockle-Dood]

yeah, the fries arent a staple, lol. were some that werent finished by someone at lunch, and wasnt really enough to dispears among the dogs, so i just tossed them to the birdies....even the guineas were following me around, lol

 

[GFamily]

yeah, the fries arent a staple, lol. were some that werent finished by someone at lunch, and wasnt really enough to dispears among the dogs, so i just tossed them to the birdies....even the guineas were following me around, lol

That is so cute! I love that. My chickens would run from us at first, but now that they know us as the 'food givers' they come up to us. Some of the girls like to be held, some do not. But they all love for us to drop food on the ground.

Is there such thing as a chicken runt? I seriously have a chicken that is half the size of all the other girls. She has as many feathers, but is tiny. She's actually my favorite and lets me hold her for long periods of time. But, she's the lowest on the pecking order and barely ever gets treats before the other girls gobble them up. Just wondering if there is such a thing as a runt in chickens?

 

[yinepu]

Quote:
yup.. there are runts


usually the chicks are called 'failure to thrive" and either starve to death or are culled

occasionally you can have some that survive and do fine.. I had a "micro bantam" that was like that.. super tiny .. and much much smaller than a quail.. she was about a third of the size of the other bantams from the same clutch of eggs. She never laid eggs.. so I have no idea if being a "runt" affected her ability to lay or if it was some other issue with her

 

[yinepu]

we have eggs...

in yesterday's mail: 20 (yokohama and pekins)
in today's .. 60 (ancona ducks.. sumatra.. and araucana)


I have right around 300 eggs total between the bators plus what are waiting to go in (have to settle after their trip)

goose eggs are pipping.. and pulled some clears the other day




I think I even hand turn eggs in my sleep

 

[GFamily]

yup.. there are runts


usually the chicks are called 'failure to thrive" and either starve to death or are culled

occasionally you can have some that survive and do fine.. I had a "micro bantam" that was like that.. super tiny .. and much much smaller than a quail.. she was about a third of the size of the other bantams from the same clutch of eggs. She never laid eggs.. so I have no idea if being a "runt" affected her ability to lay or if it was some other issue with her

She is thriving just fine (except being lowest on the pecking order). Has lots of feathers like the others and is eating and drinking. She is just little...very little. I also noticed she's the only black one with a white dot of fuzzy/feathers behind her eye whereas the other black ones look about the same with blackish/brownish markings.

 

[GFamily]

we have eggs...

in yesterday's mail: 20 (yokohama and pekins)
in today's .. 60 (ancona ducks.. sumatra.. and araucana)


I have right around 300 eggs total between the bators plus what are waiting to go in (have to settle after their trip)

goose eggs are pipping.. and pulled some clears the other day




I think I even hand turn eggs in my sleep

WOW! Lucky luck you! Sounds fun!

 

[Donna4200]

Sorry about your little one, just wanted to say those are some beautiful birds!

 

[kkidsmom]

Does anyone else have chicken brain? I'm at home - doing stuff with the chickens, watching the chickens, showing my daughter how to care for the chickens, I'm at work - thinking about the chickens, and wondering what would be good for the chickens. I'm at a friends house - thinking about the chickens, talking about the chickens..... I feel like I have chicken brain! Loving it!

Absolutely, I have lost most of a couple of nights of sleep planning my new coop, wondering what breeds I'd like to have next, etc. My co-workers are sooo not interested in my chicken talk, lol. Glad my DH is indulging me.

Your coop looks great. Congrats.

 

[kkidsmom]

A few things I have wondered about.
1. chickens verses fire ants... I have seen no mention on this thread since I joined so does that mean they are not a problem?

2. Covered run... what type of material do you use??? Currently we have neon yellow plastic construction netting? I guess you would call it. Works great and seems to be strong, but it was a little pricey and not the most obscure choice. I have never had any predator problems so far, not sure if that is because everything is so secure or they haven't been discovered or what.

3. Is insulating a coop a good idea given the heat in Texas?? What type do you use if you do?

4. Along the same lines... How much ventilation do you have in your coop? If you have a lot, what do you change in the winter months?

5. I notice that many people have short runs like waist to chest height. Pros and cons?? Have you ever had to get to one of your birds and found this difficult?

I am sure I have more, but they have escaped my thoughts at the moment. Thanks in advanced for any comments.

 

[StelleKitten]

Sorry for not answering all the posts I see right now. I am in a bit of a rush. We signed the paperwork on Tuesday about the property. It says that we can. "... live on the property as long as they wish." There is a lot more but basically it states that we are to repair the house to her standards. She will pay for all materials and tools for the projects she needs done. If we want to upgrade anything beyond what she has there we have to pay for the materials. It also says that after we are done repairing the house we will be paying 600 a month in rent. The only thing in there which bothers me slightly is that she and her kids can come on the property to camp, or visit whenever they want. I am going to talk to her to see if they can at least provide me a notice they are coming so I don't schedule something a party and have them show up in the middle of it.

As far as building projects we are going to be putting in a well (we will supervise the people who come to do that), a septic (supervising only), modern electrical, extending the kitchen, rebuilding the bathroom, securing all doors and windows properly, modern plumbing, a pond, electricity to all outbuildings, adding a forge, a smokehouse, and some more stuff I can't remember right now but that we wrote down.

Lots of work but I am pretty sure that we will be happy there for a long time.