Texas

[FreeRangePamela]

Hi neighbor.
I am in Liberty Hill too. I am in High River Ranch off 284, are you close? I would love to hear more on your neighborhood's rules changing. I am being harassed by our POA's board and lawyer. We'll see if it goes to court. I am not worried though, the POA's lawyer wrote a book and in it states that the Federal ADA guidelines on therapy pets trumps city, state and HOA restrictions. My chickens are and have always been my therapy animals. We'll see. I can't do anything but trust common sense and human kindness will keep it out of court. None of my neighbors have ever complained and our property is 4 acres.

We are off cr 200 near 29, so I think you're on the other side of 183 from us. Anyway, our restrictions are likely changing because one neighbor went around and collected signatures on a petition to allow hens (not roosters), and I guess enough people signed it to make it so -- at least for our section of the neighborhood (Sundance Ranch North 2). I think the whole neighborhood is looking at changing the rules, and not just our section, but there has to be a vote in each separate area. Kind of a pain, and political, but I'm happy someone took the lead on this. Here's hoping the therapy animal argument is successful for you -- and hope common sense and human kindness will prevail. You'd think it wouldn't be worth pursuing unless a neighbor actually complained, but, oh, well....

 

[hensfortherapy]

We are off cr 200 near 29, so I think you're on the other side of 183 from us. Anyway, our restrictions are likely changing because one neighbor went around and collected signatures on a petition to allow hens (not roosters), and I guess enough people signed it to make it so -- at least for our section of the neighborhood (Sundance Ranch North 2). I think the whole neighborhood is looking at changing the rules, and not just our section, but there has to be a vote in each separate area. Kind of a pain, and political, but I'm happy someone took the lead on this. Here's hoping the therapy animal argument is successful for you -- and hope common sense and human kindness will prevail. You'd think it wouldn't be worth pursuing unless a neighbor actually complained, but, oh, well.... 

I know where you are. Glad to hear they are changing their rules. I have some friends that live in that development.
I have considered going through the neighborhood and arranging for a vote. But I think it would be too stressful for me and if it went against chickens I would be right where I am now anyway.
It is a fact chickens can reduce anxiety and reduce the need for medications that can be very dangerous. They also have been effective with children with autism and related disorders.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Hey guys,

DH and I were gone all day today. We just got home about an hour ago to a massacre. As of right now out of 14 chickens, we have 2 left. We found 8 dead scattered throughout the property along with a dead rabbit (whole). 4 are missing. Hoping they will show up tomorrow. I am just sick about this.

Lisa

We think it was the neighbor's dogs. He has 4 or 5 dogs which always run in a pack. They are always chasing the calves down in the neighboring pastures.

Lisa

Oh Lisa, I am so sorry! Did you call the authorities? Something needs to be done with a pack like that. Children could be next on their list.
I hope the missing ones come home tomorrow.

{{hugs}}

 

[hensfortherapy]

I am so thankful my neighbors are responsible dog owners. I live next to 3 huge dogs, but they are well behaved. They will come to my fence and watch the chickens but have never acted aggressive. I know all bets are off should one of my hens cross over into their yard. So far none have.

 

[LBejaran]

Hey guys,

DH and I were gone all day today.  We just got home about an hour ago to a massacre.  As of right now out of 14 chickens, we have 2 left.  We found 8 dead scattered throughout the property along with a dead rabbit (whole).  4 are missing.  Hoping they will show up tomorrow.  I am just sick about this.

Lisa

Oh dear, I'm so sorry for the loss. I absolutely hate it when people don't take responsibility for their dogs and let them run awry. Our little chihuahua, Dino, was killed by a pack of dogs in our neighborhood . I'll pray for those chickens to show up. I hope they are okay.

 

[harley1975]

Schools are closed today in whitehouse. Is 16 here and ice everywhere. Took me almost an hour to clean the ice off the wife's car so she could go to work. Tryed to talk her into stay home but she says she just can not. She works up in Tyler at mother Frances Hospital as a admissions transporter and has to be there at 5am.

 

[jajeanpierre]

oh yeah, and some vent holes in the nest box. I use a hole saw and make small round holes up at the top of the walls of the nest box and cover with wire. And make the nest box roof to that it overhangs the sides pretty good to keep rain out. It gets hot in those next boxes in the summer.

This summer I want to hatch some of my own chicks. I'll be using bantam Cochins and Silkies to hatch. I just can't imagine a heavily feathered Cochin sitting for three weeks in a enclosed nest box in the Texas summer (I'm just north of San Antonio). Last summer it got up to 107F. I'm really worried about this breed and our summers.

I'm setting up a pen of four little Cochin pullets to hatch the eggs. I'm thinking of making a row of four nest boxes that have strong wire for sides, covered in shade cloth with a little front area for them to be able to get access to food and water at all times just outside the nesting area. I will lock them up at night in a little dog-house coop or the nest box coop if they are setting on eggs. This little nest-box coop will be inside one of my parrot aviaries under trees.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Which way are the prevailing winds in the summer? I'm pretty new to the Texas and never paid much attention to the wind direction until this winter.

 

[harley1975]

 

[jajeanpierre]

Good info here. You can also see them called Americauna, and some do it on purpose but others don't. If you want colored eggs, it's not an issue. If you want to breed or show, make sure to get from a reputable breeder. For me, I'm in it all for the eggs. I've got no EEs but would love some one day.

Paul Smith, the breeder I got my Ameraucanas from is in your area in Gainseville. He is a director for the Ameraucana Breeders Club and has an outstanding reputation.

If you ever see Ameraurcanas birds offered for sale, but the name is spelled Americana with an "i" you have a pretty good idea it is an Easter Egger.

Sometimes Easter Eggers don't produce a blue egg, but various shades of brown mixed over top of the blue, giving anything from khaki egg to a greenish egg. The brown color is added at the very end of the egg-making process, almost like a paint. You can even scrub it off. The blue is from something that is added to the calcium, etc, that makes the shell, so the blue color goes right through the shell. I think a lot of people are selling Easter Eggers that don't produce a nice colored blue egg.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Hey guys,

DH and I were gone all day today. We just got home about an hour ago to a massacre. As of right now out of 14 chickens, we have 2 left. We found 8 dead scattered throughout the property along with a dead rabbit (whole). 4 are missing. Hoping they will show up tomorrow. I am just sick about this.

Lisa

Oh, Lisa, I am so sorry.