Utah!

[bragabit]

Yup that is me!! I am glad I found this place, as we are very new to raising chickens. So do you hatch eggs, sell eggs?? We are hoping to sell a couple dozen eggs a month to offset our grain prices (won't cover the price but it helps) Do you like the RIR's? We were only able to get 1 from IFA. Washington must be nice right now. Its still getting really cold at nights up here, but the chickens don't seem to mind.

 

[LittlenRedHen782]

A question for thoses in Utah. My chicks are now 5 weeks old can I move them outside with thier lamp and be ok?

 

[PacsMan]

Quote:
With it being 68º today (yipee!) I'd say yes.

But wait, there's more....!

I would be pretty cautious about doing it. You need to make sure they are all feathered out. Their backs and necks are the last place that loose fluff and get feathers. And the lungs are just inside the back. They should have feathers there before thinking about letting them out. You don't want to risk pneumonia.

I was anxious to get mine out at 5 or 6 weeks (4 weeks ago) and waited an extra week. (even with a heat lamp)...

With the storms a brew'n in the next couple of days, I wouldn’t risk it. I'd wait at least another week and probably 2. And then watch the 10 day forecast really close. Run down to RC Willey and get another cardboard box to give ‘em more room inside. That’s what I did!

Good luck!

Marty
(In Sandy)

 

[Christian]

bragabit, glad you were able to find some chickens. We are fairly new as well (with some experienced advice from my dad). I personally really like the RIR's. They are very friendly and great layers. I'm trying to decide whether to keep the leghorns. While they are excellent layers (especially on the feed to egg ratio) they are too skitish for my liking. The Ameraucanas are not as friendly but are calm; their colored eggs are a fun novelty.

We do sell eggs and probably chicks at some point. Don't come close to making enough to cover feed, housing and time but the joy factor weighs in pretty heavy for us.


LittleRedHen782, I'd follow PacsMan's advice and wait. I like to wait at least to week six and only if the weather looks good - and that's living in the warmer temperatures of Washington (St. George).

 

[nakactress]

I love my leghorns. Both are very friendly to me and not skittish at all. I don't know if I did anything different but I even hold them and one let me catch an egg whole she was laying. My buff polish is skittish.

 

[bragabit]

Quote:
I know that any eggs I sell won't cover my costs. Like you, we really have enjoyed the chickens and they have been great fun for the whole family. Have you had much interest in your eggs? How did you advertise? I will only be selling to those here in my local town. Even then I am thinking only to friends and family.

I got 1 white leghorn chick. I wonder if she will get friendly??

 

[LittlenRedHen782]

Quote:
With it being 68º today (yipee!) I'd say yes.

But wait, there's more....!

I would be pretty cautious about doing it. You need to make sure they are all feathered out. Their backs and necks are the last place that loose fluff and get feathers. And the lungs are just inside the back. They should have feathers there before thinking about letting them out. You don't want to risk pneumonia.

I was anxious to get mine out at 5 or 6 weeks (4 weeks ago) and waited an extra week. (even with a heat lamp)...

With the storms a brew'n in the next couple of days, I wouldn’t risk it. I'd wait at least another week and probably 2. And then watch the 10 day forecast really close. Run down to RC Willey and get another cardboard box to give ‘em more room inside. That’s what I did!

Good luck!

Marty
(In Sandy)

They are feathered out for the most part one or tow of them still have a few tuffs of fuzz on the head. So I have moved them outside where they have a draft free place to roam, all I need to add is one more tarp to keep the rain out. They will have thier lamp and i may add a second one just to be on the safe side.

 

[PacsMan]

Quote:
Quote:
5 weeks is too early.

But, good luck and let us know how it goes.

Marty

 

[yfchoice]

Mine are 9 weeks old and still not all feathered out.....so at 5 weeks I'm pretty sure they're not. Good luck.

PacsMan, we worked some more on the coop yesterday. If the weekend holds up like they say it might, we just might finish this thing. Thank god my stepson is great at construction. Thank god my wife has been very understanding while all of this is going on. The other day, we sat outside with coffee and the chickens (Gertie, Lucy, Annie and Granny Smith) and our yorkie.......the sun was out, it was warm......summer's almost here.

 

[PacsMan]

Quote:
I can't wait!

Sunday I sat out in a chair, in 65º weather with Buddy our Brittany spaniel on a leash listening to the radio. I'm trying to make him understand that daddy doesn't want him eating the chickens.

I'll let you know how 'training' goes...

Marty