Wakey, Wakey Eggs and Bakey!!

[csling]

We are very lucky that the University of Arkansas has a very active Poultry Sciences department and the Director is a big 4H supporter. He has his own Project Birds which are all Heritage breeds. He lets folks come get eggs any time he has some available and/or he brings them to you if he is headed your way on business. I got our favs from him. Ours are 2 now and just the sweetest.

Thats awesome! I wondering if our local university does something like that, I'll have to check in on that lol. Mine are just turning 5 days old today, but I was set on getting a few when I read up on how wonderful they are! any breed of chicken that is super calm and quite is perfect for my homestead! I have 2 kids of my own but an auntie to many little ones so I was sold on them! I also recently found out that the rooster doesnt crow! My husband will love that feature!

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Thats awesome! I wondering if our local university does something like that, I'll have to check in on that lol. Mine are just turning 5 days old today, but I was set on getting a few when I read up on how wonderful they are! any breed of chicken that is super calm and quite is perfect for my homestead! I have 2 kids of my own but an auntie to many little ones so I was sold on them! I also recently found out that the rooster doesnt crow! My husband will love that feature!

I don't know who told you that about Fav Roos, but that is not true. They certainly do crow, but they generally are not aggressive to people.

 

[csling]

I don't know who told you that about Fav Roos, but that is not true. They certainly do crow, but they generally are not aggressive to people.

huh, it was my friend who said that, maybe its just hers lol. I dont mind the crowing actually. An where I live they can crow their hearts out! Can't be any louder than all the cows mooing ! I was more sold on the fact they are a very gentle breed.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

huh, it was my friend who said that, maybe its just hers lol. I dont mind the crowing actually. An where I live they can crow their hearts out! Can't be any louder than all the cows mooing ! I was more sold on the fact they are a very gentle breed.

That they are. One thing to note is that they are very passive and if you have an aggressive top hen, she might easily bully them. Just make sure they aren't getting run off from the feed. Other people with mixed flocks have had that problem. I watched mine very carefully when we integrated them to be sure they weren't banished. Now they do fine. They are certainly on the bottom of the totem pole, but they get their fair share of everything.

 

[csling]

Quote:
Thanks! Thats good to know. I dont think I'll have a problem with the Ameraucanas since they are sharing a brooder with the favs, and hopefully my rocks will be pretty mellow too because all of them are super close in age. The ones who will be an issue will def be the reds! they are 3 yrs old (mom gave them to me to ensure I was still getting eggs till these chicks are old enough to lay). they are bossy already, so if i have to much issues with them they will be slowly weaned out from my flock, gonna be doing it anyways lol.

 

[csling]

Good Morning Y'all!

Coffee is brewing, fire is stoaked back up warming the house. Baby chicks are waking up, with a little help from my daughter

Each night since the day I brought them home I cover the brooder with a blanket to help hold in warmth and to ensure they have a dark enviornment to get a good night sleep in. I dont use brooder lights because luckly my kitchen actually is where the wood stove is located. I keep the stove up to a certain temp and it keeps the brooders comfortably warm for the chicks..the blanket just helps keep the warmth at night when the wood stove sometimes drops in temp a bit but they dont seem to mind.

My chick brooders are in my kitchen by the wood stove, where do you all set up your brooders

 

[Beeps and Peeps]

Morning! Starbucks Cafe Verona, here...boil water in a kettle and pour over a little funnel filter that sits on to of my mug that has a picture of my Whippet dog on it. I love to take my coffee out on the back deck to watch the day break and listen to the birds greet it.

Homesteading is a dream, ever since I found an off-grid living guide from the 70's called Back to Basics at a used book store years ago. Finally made it out of South Florida and am in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns. I've only got half an acre and am easing into self-sufficiency slowly; just put in a 12x4 kitchen garden and started my little flock with three Barred Rocks and two RIRs.

 

[Beeps and Peeps]

Oh! And, my "brooder" has become my entire master bathroom...large spa-type tub was easy to disinfect initially and to clean after occupancy and the separate shower stall makes a great storage closet for all things chick related like feed, Apple Cider Vinigar, paper towels, pine shaving bale, etc,
When my chicks got old enough to get out of the tub, I didn't bother putting a screen over it because the linoleum floors are easy to clean and I rather like coming in to find an adolescent chicken or two roosting on the side of the tub or the edge of the vanity

 

[csling]

Oh! And, my "brooder" has become my entire master bathroom...large spa-type tub was easy to disinfect initially and to clean after occupancy and the separate shower stall makes a great storage closet for all things chick related like feed, Apple Cider Vinigar, paper towels, pine shaving bale, etc,
When my chicks got old enough to get out of the tub, I didn't bother putting a screen over it because the linoleum floors are easy to clean and I rather like coming in to find an adolescent chicken or two roosting on the side of the tub or the edge of the vanity

Welcome! That's a great plan, living off grid! One day I hope to really be able to also but everything in baby steps lol. A brooder in the bath tub is just awesome. Like an indoor chicken coop I have roosting bars in my brooders but can't let them just run around lol. My dalmatian would just have a field day!

 

[csling]

Good Morning!

Woke up this morning feeling extremely accomplished. We finished building the new Hen House, moved in the first 6 ladies (of the many to come) lastnight and they took to their new surroundings like it was always their home! I went and checked to make sure they went into the house last night before bed and they did. I shined a light inside and talked sweet to them, pet each one (which is a huge deal because they never let anyone touch them, ever, at their old home) then they discovered the beautiful nest boxes we made. they all hopped up inside them, 2 to a box, and suggled right in. I figured if they slept there for a night or two it would be fine... maybe it will encourage them to continue laying for me and not go through a trasition problem like I worried about. only time will tell....

I do have a question though, how many days would you suggest I leave them in the run before letting them out everyday to free range?

The run and hen house are only for evening time, from the time I go do chorse till dusk they will be allowed to free range as much as they want. I just want to make sure they know that this is there new home.