Texas

[Starfire669]

Forgot to say that a goose is not able to fight off attacks from predators. But its loud call enables you to come running to defend the flock. Also Africans are a lot like Chinese geese, except slightly more docile and they are nearly double the size of a Chinese. A Chinese gander will weigh about 10-12 pounds and an African gander will about 20 pounds, making the African a great meat bird.

 

[showbarnmom]

Hi from San Antonio!! I just joined and I'm new to raising chickens but loving it so far! This site is sooo informative!

Howdy from New Braunfels!

 

[Belott]

Okay chatty Kathy's.... here's something to be chatty about...

Dewberries!!!!! My friend and I just walked down the creek ( a seven mile round trip ) and ate ourselves stupid. Going back tomorrow with buckets and the horses to get more than we can carry.

This time last year we were picking dewberries out the wazoo!!! This year they are still green now!!!

Fresh dewberries and Bluebell Vanilla Ice Cream!! Lord have Mercy that's some Gooood eatin!!!


David

 

[henless]

Happy Monday, all!

Prior to getting my first chickens, I built an open air coop with dreams of my girls eventually just free ranging after they figured out their coop was home. Now, the intensity with which my dogs circle their coop leads me to believe free ranging...not such a good idea.

So that leads me to having to build an additional run for the chickens. Like many other open-air-coop-builders, I'm a little confused on how much more I should build. I looked through the "Hot weather coops" thread and some others, but cannot find good consensus on how much space to add.

Current dimensions: 12' x 8'
Base: sand
Chickens: 15 hens, 1 rooster, 6-8 weeks of age

Conventional calculations are:

• 4 square feet per bird in coop (64 square feet for 16 chickens)
• 10 square feet per bird for the run (160 square feet for 16 chickens)

I am currently at 96 square feet per bird. Am I correct in discounting the recommended coop calculations and only using run calculations, therefore aiming for the 160+ square feet? For instance, if I added another 8' x 8' section would the ladies be comfortable?

• 96 sq. ft. existing + 64 sq. ft. addition = 160 sq. ft. for 16 birds

I know this question is asked pretty often, but I want to make sure I'm doing right by the girls (and roo)!

The more space you can add, the better. I think it would be doable if you only added an 8x8 section to your current pen. But, if you can add a bigger addition, it would be better since you will not be letting them out.

Is there anyway you can put up a fence to keep the dogs away from the chicken area? Maybe let them in that area at night to help "patrol" for predators?

I have an open air coop/run that is 10x20. I have 21 chicks, so technically I'm 1 bird over the limit. I expected to loose some babies since it was my first time, but no, they all lived!

Plans are in the works to build an outside run, 20x20 which should give them plenty of room. But, I would also like to eventually free range them. That won't be until the last pasture fence is put up and a cross fence to keep my dogs out of the pasture. Mine like to watch my chicks too.

 

[Starfire669]

Look what I found in my dogs' water dish............ better not let the dogs see this, they will think they got special delivery!


And here are a few of the goslings swimming in the heat..... I really wanted to join them!






And finally, the flock keeping to the shade looking for snacks

 

[mshuey1]

Aw Yorkie pups!  Congratulations! 

- TieDyeMommy

Ty, TieDyeMommy! I have to bottle feed two of the puppies bc there so tiny! There so dam cute!

 

[TherryChicken]

Hi, im in austin. I was wondering if there is anyone near me selling chocolate muscovy drakes and some black copper maran hens or older pullets?

 

[Starfire669]

Hi, im in austin. I was wondering if there is anyone near me selling chocolate muscovy drakes and some black copper maran hens or older pullets?

. From south San Antonio. Sorry I don't have any of what you asked for to sell.

 

[LightningTFarm]

Those of you with ducks... Do you have a separate coop/pen for them? What do you do for water for them to play in? Is a little blue pool big enough for then to get what they need for a lifetime?

I don't have chickens, so I can't help you with that question. I do know some people on this thread house ducks and chickens together in one coop at night. As the for water, I have about 20 ducks and they have 2 kiddie pools to swim in and bathe in. I put clean water in them every day, and they have a ball. You don't need a big in-ground pond. A kiddie pool will do fine!

 

[TherryChicken]

Thank you starfire! Hopefully someone will