[Food] Production - Poultry (was Backyard Chickens)

LittleBoPeak · Tar Sands Joined: Apr 18, 2008 Posts: 24

My chickens are laying fine in the South Carolina heat and humidity. I collected 11 from my 15 hens yesterday. They consistently lay 8 - 12 a day.

burtonridr · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 03, 2007 Posts: 761

I finally got my chicken pen finished

On Sunday I made a door frame out of the spare 2x6’s left over from building the garden beds. On Sunday we also put a bird net over the entire area along the side of the house and blocked off some holes and things so the chickens cannot get out. On monday I made a door from our old screen door frame. I covered the screen door frame with chicken wire and put it on hinges. Then used a gate latch to hold it closed.

I also built 4 nests out of 5 gallon buckets and screwed them to a frame. The frame is propped up between two wooden pallets. Then I covered the area between the pallets with a piece of plastic roofing.

We have a lot of chickens that run loose in our neighborhood. Some of our neighbors raise chickens and let them run around, there are probably about 40 chickens running free, and always coming in and out of my yard. So we caught some and now we have 7 chickens(3 roosters and 4 hens). We have (1) 6 month old rooster and hen, (1)3 month old rooster and hen, (2) 1-1/2 month old hens and (1) 1-1/2month old rooster.

I caught the three 1-1/2 month old chickens on Friday and put them into a cage for a few days. Then on Monday after the netting and door was up I was coaxing our 6 month old hen, that we raised, to go into the new pen. While I was chasing the hen around the yard the two 3 month old chickens went in the pen(not knowing that I had put the net over the top.. hehe), then I finally got the hen inside the pen and closed the door. Well the 6 month old rooster didn’t like being separated from the hen so after a few hours he came right on over and we let him in. So now we have 7 chickens! Very Happy

The hen we raised from a few days old should be starting to lay pretty soon, right? She is about 6 months old.

Fun eventful weekend huh!
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CarlinsDarlin · Moderator Joined: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 1394

burton,
sounds like a fun weekend! You're off to a good start with the chickens - unless of course you captured someone's pet Smile

and they come looking for it! Smile

Yes, about six months old is when hens start laying. Could be a month either way, though, so don't be disappointed if it takes a couple more weeks. And also, because the days are getting shorter, don't expect her to be in full production mode until spring. They usually slack off some during the fall and winter.

Good luck!
Kathy

burtonridr · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 03, 2007 Posts: 761

careinke

If you keep the light on all night, it will probably increase your egg yield. Hours of light is a big factor in egg production.

Cliff (Start a rEVOLution, grow a garden)

CarlinsDarlin · Moderator Joined: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 1394

burton,
What I do for my rabbits in the winter is to take out their water bottles and replace them with bowls of water. They still freeze, but not as fast, and are easier to switch out everyday. The heat lamp will help, I'm sure. And the rabbits will love you for it. Just be careful you don't burn the place down with chickens being able to get in there. They love to roost on stretched out power cords and such.

I have my lights for the henhouse on a timer. Generally, I wait till a bit later in the fall before the lights start coming on. I have them timed to come on about 7:00 pm for a couple hours, and again at about 5:00 am for a couple hours. That effectively stretches the day out to help keep production up. And yes, keeping the lights on all night will help keep them laying, but it will also run up your power bill and increase your food bill. If they're up, they're eating. A timer does the work for you without running up either bill.
Kathy

wisconsin_cur · Moderator Joined: May 10, 2007 Posts: 2918

Shannymara · Master Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 5389 Location: Oklahoma

We use one of those oil filled heaters instead of a heat lamp when we are worried about the cold. They are much less prone to causing fires. Also, we have one of those metal heaters for the water that sits under the metal waterer. However, I have seen chickens withstand temps well below freezing with no ill effects other than some frostbitten combs and legs. They are amazingly hardy.

Using a deep litter system in the coop can provide some extra heat as the stuff composts.
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"Every junkie's like a setting sun..." - Neil Young

wisconsin_cur · Moderator Joined: May 10, 2007 Posts: 2918

Shannymara · Master Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 5389 Location: Oklahoma

It blows me away how cold hardy they are, with their little legs and being from the jungle originally (if I understand correctly). -30F is colder than I've had to contend with since I started raising chickens in TX and OK!

Egg laying will decline in such conditions, of course. Also, they eat a LOT more when it is very cold, burning more calories to stay warm.
_________________
"Every junkie's like a setting sun..." - Neil Young

SpringCreekFarm · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 03, 2006 Posts: 882

I was a little worried about the cold here in Ontario but it seems like my chickens will likely be ok. If the temps are -30F for Wisconsin_cur then I know for sure we'll be ok. I don't remember my dad doing anything different for the chickens in the wintertime, but it made me wonder. This is my first year at raising chickens on my own. I'll probably seal up some of the cracks a little better now that the new lumber has shrunk and settled a little and I may add a few more bags of shavings.

Winter's a coming!

burtonridr · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 03, 2007 Posts: 761

burtonridr · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 03, 2007 Posts: 761

So what if I were to build a cage around the heat lamp and carefully staple the cord to the ceiling or something? Should be ok then right?
_________________
Tired of high gas prices? BangHead

Then stop driving to work, duh..... Learn to Work from home

Peak Oil Blog = http://getroasted.wordpress.com

wisconsin_cur · Moderator Joined: May 10, 2007 Posts: 2918

burtonridr · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 03, 2007 Posts: 761