The Dirty Dozen Velociraptors...

[sjpi1954]

Zen and the Art of Raising Chickens for a 1st time Chicken Farmer...

Watch your flock...their behavior speaks volumes about their health. Listen to your flock...their chit chat speaks volumes about their behavior. IF they are 'Free Ranging' the back yard (Contained and Fenced) and 'cooing' everywhere they are happy. IF they seek shelter under trees and bushes they are resting and enjoying a safer, cooler, and no sunshine environment.

My Leghorns have always hated direct sunlight and they are just now starting to accept a little more of it during early morning and late afternoon indirect lighting foraging missions.

Some of the BEST entertainment comes when one of the girls finds a worm and the other velociraptors want an piece of that meat action. OMG... Y'all know exactly what I am talking about. Game On!

Most important lesson learned here in June in NW Florida happened a few days ago. For the first time since birth the girls were NOT happy to see me at sunrise. Very lethargic and not excited to see breakfast. Went over to the 2 gallon watering can and it was DRY. As soon as I cleaned it and replenished it the girls immediately flocked around it to drink and drink and drink...

So, from now on I give them 2 gallons 2x per day and they are happy...

Y'all have a blessed day and thank you for the tips and advice...

JP

 

[PouleChick]

Zen and the Art of Raising Chickens for a 1st time Chicken Farmer...

Lovely post and welcome to BYC - I'm so thrilled that my girls are in the shade much of the day, the heat has just hit and it feels sooooo much cooler where they are than the rest of the garden! Very good reminder about the water too - I find the waterers so easily get on an angle and emtpy themselves so I have 3 around the run in the heat to try to make sure they always have one working.

 

[sjpi1954]

Exactly! I did the same thing you did on that morning...Took 2 of my baby chick watering containers and placed them in the shade on level ground for 'alternate watering stations'. Perfect...Leghorns Rock! Bon Jour

 

[Ashria]

My 4 girls free range and I keep a small 32 oz. in the coop area, a 3 gal. near the flowerbed they like to hangout on and another 32 oz. on the patio where they like to roost on my patio chairs! Love the pic you shared!