Howdy, @CollieCountess Welcome to the Texas thread!
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There is nothing like jumping into something head first. Sit back and enjoy learning.Thank you for the welcome!
I guess, a bit about me and my flock!
We are first time chicken owners.
We started out, buying 10 chicks, we were told to expect to lose some in the first weeks, so we were banking on 6-8 hens. Of course, they're all alive and well (YAY!).
Then my neighbor was checking his cattle fence, and his fence runs by where we are building the coop so he noticed it. He called this morning, and is gifting us 5 adult hens (4 laying, one elderly who is more of a pet), another coop, and all their stuff, because they're getting out of chickens. They're getting dropped off tomorrow.
And then somehow I managed to land myself picking up a silkie roo tomorrow as well.
I think I chicken mathed, HARD.
I have researched integration.There is nothing like jumping into something head first. Sit back and enjoy learning.
Have you researched integration of old birds with younger ones? You should keep the chicks separated from the adults for 3-6 weeks. The see-no-touch method is best and I use a chicken tractor for the chicks. The older girls will be aggressive and you want the chicks to be able to stay away from them since they don't have a momma to step in.
So instead of one chicken yard, you'll need two for 6 weeks.
Silkies, while very striking, are blind if they can't see and tend to be predator magnets since they can't see, run slow and are smaller birds. Your rooster may need to be watched. YMMV and I wish you the best of luck.
Keep the food picked up. I had rats, mice, squirrels and possums visiting for a bit. Especially if you are next to a pasture because nature loves chickens and chicken feed.
I keep my chicken, quail and dog feed in metal trashcans in convenient locations. Plastic gets chewed through. Metal gets pooped on. Thankfully, I haven't had any issues since I went with the steel.While it would be easier to store it out by the chickens, I don't think the rodent and subsequent snake risk, is worth it.
We had some storms and what sounded like large hail. I haven't been out to check for damage this morning.The weather got really bad yesterday evening! Our town and the little town just south of us got hammered, carports thrown into folks yards, trees down everywhere, power lines down, a couple fires from lightning Power is estimated to be back on around 4pm. I am done with this nutty ass weather!
Oh hell, I hope your truck is ok! I just came in from checking on the chooks, besides a few small branches, all our trees are upright and intact. The neighbors across the street have an oak tree down and most of their privacy fence is on the ground. The hubs just went to get more gas for the generator (I'm so glad we purchased that thing after the tundra). I hope everyone is safe! Keep your guard up, round 2 is starting this afternoonWe had some storms and what sounded like large hail. I haven't been out to check for damage this morning.
I may have left the truck out..I can't remember putting it in the garage.
I hope y'all have power soon, and that cleanup isn't too bad.
Thanks, Jessi. Luckily my husband put the truck under the carport. No real damage here. Just more water, mud, and a few small limbs. This rain is ridiculous.Oh hell, I hope your truck is ok! I just came in from checking on the chooks, besides a few small branches, all our trees are upright and intact. The neighbors across the street have an oak tree down and most of their privacy fence is on the ground. The hubs just went to get more gas for the generator (I'm so glad we purchased that thing after the tundra). I hope everyone is safe! Keep your guard up, round 2 is starting this afternoon