Texas

[NickyPick]

Ugh, project merge was a bust. Of 27 chicks (9 weeks), I put 5 in the small 5 hen, 1 rooster coop and 3 of those hens were so aggressive, the chicks could never come out of the coop to eat or drink. Sunday night, they were in the rafters as the hens wouldn't even let them roost anymore. The other 22 chicks were in the bigger coop with 26 hens/1 rooster group and they were ok. So, last night, I put the bitchy hens back in the big coop and moved all of the chicks to the small coop with the rooster. He's really good with the little ones and the rooster in the big coop beats his butt. I think I'll just keep them separate like this until the chicks are closer to 18-20 weeks, then get them separated/merged again.

 

[lauragutknecht]

Ugh, project merge was a bust. Of 27 chicks (9 weeks), I put 5 in the small 5 hen, 1 rooster coop and 3 of those hens were so aggressive, the chicks could never come out of the coop to eat or drink. Sunday night, they were in the rafters as the hens wouldn't even let them roost anymore. The other 22 chicks were in the bigger coop with 26 hens/1 rooster group and they were ok. So, last night, I put the bitchy hens back in the big coop and moved all of the chicks to the small coop with the rooster. He's really good with the little ones and the rooster in the big coop beats his butt. I think I'll just keep them separate like this until the chicks are closer to 18-20 weeks, then get them separated/merged again.

I don't let my juveniles run with the adults until they are at least 3 1/2 months old. Besides, their young bodies can't really handle the laying ration until they are about 4 months old. I have seen some people rig up a small escape niche that is a space the young ones can squeeze into when they need to, in order to get their own food and water (or just be safe), but the grown chickens cannot squeeze into.

 

[NickyPick]

I don't let my juveniles run with the adults until they are at least 3 1/2 months old. Besides, their young bodies can't really handle the laying ration until they are about 4 months old. I have seen some people rig up a small escape niche that is a space the young ones can squeeze into when they need to, in order to get their own food and water (or just be safe), but the grown chickens cannot squeeze into.

I mix my own feed, so it's not so calcium heavy that the chicks can't handle it. Hens get calcium as a supplement. I did try the escape hole, but I've got some small hens and it didn't help at all. I totally didn't plan for space requirements for growing peeps when I got this bunch this year. Gahhh!

 

[MingusChicks]

I have to start all over :/
Dogs got a taste of blood Friday morning and took out the rest Monday morning

I'm going to wait until I get their place ft.knoxed before we get anymore

Where would be the best place, either local or through a hatcher,to get chicks and ducks

We live in stephenville, tx

You can order new ones through tractor supply if the no longer have any. I live in Mingus and just finishe my ft Knox for my babies. I planted berry bushes and flowers on the out side to keep the dogs back from the fence

 

[NickyPick]

I have to start all over

Dogs got a taste of blood Friday morning and took out the rest Monday morning

I'm going to wait until I get their place ft.knoxed before we get anymore

Where would be the best place, either local or through a hatcher,to get chicks and ducks

We live in stephenville, tx

Ideal Poultry is in Cameron, TX - about 2+ hours from you. You can order a small number of chicks, as long as the minimum price of the order is $25. I've gotten as little as 7 chicks before and I picked them up, which saved on shipping and any packing peanuts.

 

[Belott]

Lmao I keep forgetting that my hair is my icon.... I was bringing birds, but, things changed.
Welcome from Trinity!

David, I do believe I'm not complaining... Just fussing. Everything's drowning, trees uprooting... a little dry weather would be nice but not another drought please! I had to drive north for feed and hay... it was terrible.

I know you're just fussing Kate. I am too!! I got my 4 wheel drive 35hp tractor stuck in my firebreak in January. I tried digging and winching it out but it would not budge. Front right tire was in the hole from a stump. My axles were buried. It sat down there for nine days before I broke down and had to pay a guy $400 to go down there with a Cat. to get me out. He lifted the front end and drug me 8 feet and I had from there.

I have more water standing on my back 53 acres and it will be a bumper crop of skeeters this year. The only dry part of my property is my front 10 acres. I have been trying to get a prescribed burn done on my back 53 for two years now and it has been put off till next March now.

It sure is a beautiful day today!!!

David

 

[wday]

Hey does anyone know of a Cochin (standard or bantum) breeder that is close to Cleveland,Tx?

 

[rbgoff]

Newbie here in Garland, TX - we have had our 3 chicks for about 2 months now and enjoying it a lot! Looking forward to this adventure and welcome all the advice and tips from these forums.

Penny, Piper, and Peep - I think these gals are white leghorns.

 

[judykarlson]

welcome~ I am from Arlington

 

[hensfortherapy]

Yes

I have to start all over :/
Dogs got a taste of blood Friday morning and took out the rest Monday morning

I'm going to wait until I get their place ft.knoxed before we get anymore

Where would be the best place, either local or through a hatcher,to get chicks and ducks

We live in stephenville, tx

Howdy! Be forewarned: chickens are addicting

(No one told me)

Yes they are. Soon you will trying to brood chicks and wondering what in the _ell is the matter with you.
My dear husband is building me a brooder for 2 little chicks (cause I couldn't possibly have gotten just one).Because I can't put them out in the coop yet and the tub they are in is getting too small. So is 5x5x3 ft. high big enough for two 4 week old chicks for awhile? It will be in a large workshop. Hopefully predator proof.I guess that's if we remember to shut the doors at night. Does it need a top at 3 feet?