Your Backyard Flock - Past, Present, and Future

[Blackberry18]

Hey everyone! I'm starting this new thread that can be a general flock discussion board, where you post about your flock, breed preferences, past birds, and breeds/varieties that you want/plan to get. Pictures are great, too!

I've been raising chickens for six years, showing for four years.

My Flock: Five Barred Plymouth Rocks hens (3 years of age), six Single-Comb White Leghorns hens (1 year), a Black Sex-Link hen (5 years), and a Red Sex-Link hen (5 years).

Other Breeds I've Had: 6 Cornish Cross (3 cocks, 3 hens)

Breeds I Want/Plan To Get: I'm getting four Cornish Cross (2 cockerels, 2 pullets) in May to show in my fair, then selling them in auction. Breeds I would like would be Buff Brahmas, any variety of Cochins, Ameraucanas, and more Leghorns varieties (my friends insist I'm obsessed with Leghorns).

Recent Flock Picture:



Can't wait to hear all about your flocks!

 

[countrydreamer8]

Good Morning,
I'm new to raising chickens, just bought my first 6 Buff Orpingtons and they are 4 weeks old today. I noticed in your picture that you have the 'roost' in front of the nesting boxes and I do like that idea. However, with all the reading I've been doing I thought the roost was or should be at least 4' from the floor?

Also I have a feeling that my 6 'pullets' is really only 5 'pullets' and 1 Roo. The 1 chick that I think is a Roo has a much darker pink comb & true distinct 'comb' features, whereas the other 5 chickens have flesh colored beaks that are pretty smooth. Do you think I'm correct? He's also more aggressive than the other 5 & doesn't really want to come to me like the others do.

Since I live in the NE Rochester, NY we are getting up & down temps so at night I've been keeping the heat lamp on and my little heater set at 65 degrees. They all seem very comfortable. My question is what does the temps have to be outside before I can let them out in a little pen area? They do look like they have most all their feathers [I'm too new to know what they should look like with all their feathers]

sorry to 'pick' your brain I just love talking to someone who has experience

Countrydreamer8

 

[Blackberry18]

Good Morning,
I'm new to raising chickens, just bought my first 6 Buff Orpingtons and they are 4 weeks old today. I noticed in your picture that you have the 'roost' in front of the nesting boxes and I do like that idea. However, with all the reading I've been doing I thought the roost was or should be at least 4' from the floor?

Also I have a feeling that my 6 'pullets' is really only 5 'pullets' and 1 Roo. The 1 chick that I think is a Roo has a much darker pink comb & true distinct 'comb' features, whereas the other 5 chickens have flesh colored beaks that are pretty smooth. Do you think I'm correct? He's also more aggressive than the other 5 & doesn't really want to come to me like the others do.

Since I live in the NE Rochester, NY we are getting up & down temps so at night I've been keeping the heat lamp on and my little heater set at 65 degrees. They all seem very comfortable. My question is what does the temps have to be outside before I can let them out in a little pen area? They do look like they have most all their feathers [I'm too new to know what they should look like with all their feathers]

sorry to 'pick' your brain I just love talking to someone who has experience

Countrydreamer8

Glad you joined! Always happy to meet new chicken owners! Buff Orpingtons are great. The roosts should be, but don't have to be, 4' high. I have two at different heights, so they can get to the nest boxes easier. The top is where they sleep, and that it more the 4' high.

The chick you described sounds like it could be a cockerel. Post a picture. If it is, you'll have the perfect ratio of hens to cocks. No dominance or mating issues.

The brooding period is when they need heat, which ends at 6 weeks of age. From one day old, the temp should be 95 degrees, then lowered 5 degrees per week until 70 degrees. By then, they no longer require heat. So, when it's warm and sunny out, let them be outside in a small pen.