Texas

[bnjrob]

I will definitely research The Livestock Conservancy. So far, I've started with the breed clubs.
I will say that chicken math is much scarier than Sheltie math...and I won't even say how many Shelties we had at any given time.
But I just love my chickens!

Oh I understand that. I'm married to a veterinarian, animals are our life. Construction on more and more chicken housing is a never ending process too.

 

[showbarnmom]

How much are your pullets?

I'm fairly cheap, considering. I just do it for hatching. Unless I've bought eggs, they are $3 for chicks under heat , and $5 for chicks off heat. If it's close to point of lay they are $10.

 

[Cassie Collins]

It looks like there are a lot of us that are new to the 'Texas' thread. 

I also have a question about the best material for a larger run.  I was also hoping my dogs and hens would be good friends.....NOT!  We've already had a couple of close calls and we are only 9 weeks into this.  I used 4 foot metal fence panels lined with chicken wire on the side open to the dogs/yard.  It took the hens 5 days to figure out how to fly over it.  I acquired 4 to 5 foot wood fence panels thinking I could use those, but now I think it would be a waste to use it + I can't see the girls through it  when I'm in the house and it won't have the same ventilation as chain link.  If I use chain link, should I put a layer of chicken wire or hardware cloth?  Would it be better to use 4-5' panels and cover the whole run with hardware cloth or get taller chain link and leave it uncovered??  TIA

I say hardware cloth so raccoons can't reach through & I wld cover the top! Always better to be safe than sorry!!

 

[MadieChic]

Oh I understand that. I'm married to a veterinarian, animals are our life.  Construction on more and more chicken housing is a never ending process too.

But it's so great! I love growing out the little ones and being able to evaluate how they mature. The drawback is they stay around for a long long time.

 

[Starfire669]

I'm fairly cheap, considering. I just do it for hatching. Unless I've bought eggs, they are $3 for chicks under heat , and $5 for chicks off heat. If it's close to point of lay they are $10.

I just might have to come see you after my month probation is up. Dang hubby, restricting my chicken math impulses! I been wanting some EE for variety in my flock. I just might have to come and buy some pullets from you.

And if I have room for new pullets I will have room for your extra Roos too.

 

[mshuey1]

Darn silkies there not laying yet!!!!! There making me go crazy! I want to hatch silkies!

my lav pair

 

[harley1975]

Yup smooth and frizzled Easter Eggers. <3 my curly fuzzy chickens

Are your frizzled EE bantams ?

 

[chickieluver26]

Repost:
Hey you guys I'm going to hatch some chicks in July and I will be keeping them in an outdoor brooder(if its ok). Will it be okay for them to be out there from day 2 or do they need to stay in longer? I figured they would not need a heatlamp because......we live in Texas. Will this all be okay? I need to know. If they can't go outside immediately I can accommodate that. I do have a heat lamp if they need it and they will have a good brooder. I have had many batches of chicks, but I've just never hatched them before or used an outdoor brooder. The family refuses to have the chicks inside for the usual 2-3 months . Thanks
-alicia

 

[RustedOak]

I have about 10 Roos that I would like to give someone to process. I don't eat chicken on the bone, and don't process my own. So not sure if anyone is interested ? I would even give ones to someone looking for flock roosters? I just don't want to give them to random people on craigslist. BYC random people make it easier lol (and incase anyone is interested, they are EEs. Both smooth and frizzled).

I'd be interested if they were closer to processing age. Unfortunately, I live in the city and Roos are a no no... Looking forward to selling this place and getting in the country. My wife is a city girl through and through, but I'm slowly converting her

 

[Starfire669]

I have a question. A month ago, I purchased 2 Female African goslings from a feed store that orders from hatchery. 1 is giving me a lot of gander signals and people on a goose thread have said he looks like a he in pics I posted as well. I already contacted the feedstore and they said that the hatchery guarantees their sexing and would make good on it. My question is, are they going to want Cream, my suspect gander back or will they just give me an extra female? It is a very hard decision as Peaches and Cream are both my sons pet geese. (let them have the Africans because they were suppose to be female and are more docile than Chinese). So if the hatchery takes Cream back my older son will be bereft of his pet goose Again (his first pet goose died from poisoning) and I really don't want to put him through that again. A male African is not an issue, I could have 1 African mini flock and 1 Chinese mini flock of geese. The issue is that I have more ganders than goose and we paid the extra for sexed females to try to balance it out. (having extra females would have been great but needed at least pairs or there will be problems next breeding season)

What are your thoughts, suggestions?