Originally posted by SunburntWondering if you and your family have candidated any chick names.
There was already a hole in it. I thought originally I might use it for their exit but it just didn't turn out to make sense. Instead, I will fashion the front door (one side) for their exit. I need to patch the bottom too, where that hole is.
Chickens don't give a **** where they live. Simple creatures. Some folks around here have very fancy coops and ...[text shortened]... to keep costs down.
My dog is far from the coop. She would kill a chicken in short order.
Originally posted by SunburntI've been trying to find my free the chickens threaad from a few years ago. I'm determined to locate it.
I've been thinking of owning a few chickens for years. I have read about 6 books, spent hours online and gawked at chicks with my kids at the feed stores around here for 4 years straight. I have no idea why I am so partial to chickens. I love the idea of having a chicken coop, chickens to name, and fresh eggs. I love building things, too.
Is that weird? Who owns chickens? 😠 CONFESS!!!!
We raised chickens. Aside from eatting them and their eggs, my mother (cold packed-canned) them for later. We raised "white rocks" which grow to 5 - 6 pounds cleaned and that is a big chicken. We let them feed running loose at their leisure plus we feed them laying mash (food) and a shell like substance to make the egg shell stronger. After raising your own generic chickens and processing them tourself, you never again want to touch store sold chicken. There is a lot of difference in taste and hygenically safe chickens. One of the big factors is in letting them feed at what they find ranging for themselves. A safe and clean natural diet. Good luck and you are sure to enjoy the results of your effort.
Originally posted by Evil Pawn 666Did you know you can freeze eggs?!
We raised chickens. Aside from eatting them and their eggs, my mother (cold packed-canned) them for later. We raised "white rocks" which grow to 5 - 6 pounds cleaned and that is a big chicken. We let them feed running loose at their leisure plus we feed them laying mash (food) and a shell like substance to make the egg shell stronger. After raising yo ...[text shortened]... A safe and clean natural diet. Good luck and you are sure to enjoy the results of your effort.
Originally posted by SunburntHow many chickens do you plan to put into your new chicken house? It seems a little crowded to me. I like the paint though and if they can climb up that steep ramp, I am sure they will love it. 🙂
I haven't finished the coop yet, haven't had time since doing yard work. I hope to finish next week and look for chicks. I can't just get chicks and not have time for them.
We have chicks! I have not named them yet, but the kids have given them several names. I can't keep up with them. Once I see more personality, I will assign names.
The people we bought them from were a very nice young couple in the city. They had over 20 chickens, 10 ducks, baby ducklings, 4 rabbits and 20 quail. I was surprised at how much they had! And a garden! And building a home there! If this works out, I may get quail later on, and get a bigger coop. Their quail were very pretty and had the most interesting cheep sound. They love raising chickens. They said they started with a few and then got addicted. Now they balance selling chicks and eggs to offset the cost. They were very reassuring that raising chickens is relatively fun and easy. I've been learning about chickens for years, I think I am prepared.
When we put them in their new home they jumped into their water dish. The kids loved it. The peeping sound they make is really charming. I've notced already that they are much like little children...curious and sometimes need to be distracted from pecking the wrong things or eachother. When picked up they cheep cheep cheep cheep loudly and panicked. It's so cute.
They are supposed to be all female but if one turns out to be male, he will end up on our table or somebody else's. I hope not. They couple I bought them from said I should call with problems, concerns or if I need advice - or if I need to give them back for any reason. Nice folks.
This is our Barred Rock, she's lovely, she's my favorite.
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x202/Sunburnt13/Chicken%20coop/BarredRock.jpg
She stands out already. When we took out the other two and left her alone she tilted her head up high and chirped loudly. She pecks more and doesn't sleep as much as the other two. The other two fall asleep as soon as you pick them up. She is a very loud cheeper.
Chickens do have a "pecking order" and so one of these future hens will be the boss.
We have two RHODE ISLAND REDS! Check out these exceptional birds...originating in Rhode Island 😛, so guaranteed to be "special."
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x202/Sunburnt13/Chicken%20coop/RIR.jpg
They will all stay inside for the next 4 weeks, while we watch them grow and slowly introduce them to their coop and the outside world.
Our very cool eggs of all shapes, sizes and colors given to us by the chick couple:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x202/Sunburnt13/Chicken%20coop/Eggs.jpg
Chick home:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x202/Sunburnt13/Chicken%20coop/Chickhome.jpg
Anyone on Facebook with me can watch a video too. 😀 I know this is all so fascinating 😛.
Originally posted by SunburntAwww....I want chickens!
We have chicks! I have not named them yet, but the kids have given them several names. I can't keep up with them. Once I see more personality, I will assign names.
The people we bought them from were a very nice young couple in the city. They had over 20 chickens, 10 ducks, baby ducklings, 4 rabbits and 20 quail. I was surprised at how much they had! ...[text shortened]... on Facebook with me can watch a video too. 😀 I know this is all so fascinating 😛.
I particularly like the picture of the chicks next to the eggs. 😀
Originally posted by SunburntWow, they are cute! Congratulations Sunburnt!
We have chicks! I have not named them yet, but the kids have given them several names. I can't keep up with them. Once I see more personality, I will assign names.
The people we bought them from were a very nice young couple in the city. They had over 20 chickens, 10 ducks, baby ducklings, 4 rabbits and 20 quail. I was surprised at how much they had! ...[text shortened]... on Facebook with me can watch a video too. 😀 I know this is all so fascinating 😛.
Do you have to keep them warm with a heater?
Originally posted by mlpriorJust the brooder lamp. It's a 250 watt red bulb attached to the tub they're in. They fall asleep standing up and slowly, like drunks, their heads lower and they fall over head first. 🙂
Wow, they are cute! Congratulations Sunburnt!
Do you have to keep them warm with a heater?