- Nov 21, 2011
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I know that this question has been asked a million and one times. But, I am getting a little worried.
I am a new back yard chicken owner. I live in a very warm Houston, Texas (a little north outside of the the city limits).
I bought five chickens on April 17, 2011. I got them a country feed store. We got 2 Ameraucanas, 2 Australorps, and a Barred Rock. All were very small and fluffy. We kept them all inside with a heating lamp. I built a chicken coop with run. The coop is 6'x8' with a perch, 4 nesting boxes, water and feed. The run is 16'x8'.
We fed them medicated starter food for 4 months. We've been feeding them layer feed now for over two months. We also give them yogurt, scratch, bird seed, plus other snacks. I also throw out a cup of oyster shell every week or two.
We had one Ameraucana get sick and die when it was 3 months old. The other 4 birds have shown no signs of illness. They are active. They eat well. They are friendly (especially the Ameraucana, she loves to perch on our arm when we enter the coop or run). They appear like very healthy birds.
Our summer was very hot. I kept them well watered and the coop/run is very shaded.
So, we've had the birds for 31 weeks. My most conservative guess is that the birds would be 32 weeks old. None of the birds have laid and egg.
Should I do something else?
Am I missing something?
Should I be worried?
Am I just being a worry-wart?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
I am a new back yard chicken owner. I live in a very warm Houston, Texas (a little north outside of the the city limits).
I bought five chickens on April 17, 2011. I got them a country feed store. We got 2 Ameraucanas, 2 Australorps, and a Barred Rock. All were very small and fluffy. We kept them all inside with a heating lamp. I built a chicken coop with run. The coop is 6'x8' with a perch, 4 nesting boxes, water and feed. The run is 16'x8'.
We fed them medicated starter food for 4 months. We've been feeding them layer feed now for over two months. We also give them yogurt, scratch, bird seed, plus other snacks. I also throw out a cup of oyster shell every week or two.
We had one Ameraucana get sick and die when it was 3 months old. The other 4 birds have shown no signs of illness. They are active. They eat well. They are friendly (especially the Ameraucana, she loves to perch on our arm when we enter the coop or run). They appear like very healthy birds.
Our summer was very hot. I kept them well watered and the coop/run is very shaded.
So, we've had the birds for 31 weeks. My most conservative guess is that the birds would be 32 weeks old. None of the birds have laid and egg.
Should I do something else?
Am I missing something?
Should I be worried?
Am I just being a worry-wart?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
