[Food] Production - Poultry (was Backyard Chickens)

SpringCreekFarm · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 03, 2006 Posts: 888

Thanks for the comments guys. We're sort of like each other's cheering section. There is a thread called "Repurposing" which is where I first posted this coop but I felt this story belonged in the chicken thread.

The chickens looked good this morning and even though it was a little cooler outside, the inside of the coop was nice. I had set their water off the block last night because they weren't going to it while it was up on the block but this morning I noticed their was litter in it so at least they were near it. I cleaned the waterer out and set it back on the block again.

WisJim

You folks are reminding me that I have a dozen pullets coming in a week or so--a friend is raising them from day-old for us, as she bought a bunch of chicks, and we will get them on the 23rd, I think. I plan to put them in the orchard for the summer, and bought a roll of the light fencing with conductive strands and light posts that is easily moved, but need to get a new portable henhouse made that will be the summer resort for chickens at our place. Got to get the plans for it figured out and check over my materials pile. I plan to use a metal roof and rain gutter to collect rainwater for the chickens.

When I get it done I'll post pictures, if I don't forget.

Ludi

Looks great, SCF! They should be happy in there. Smile

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No original ideas are contained in this post.

Pops

Well, I've got 4 chicks tapping on their beer box coop next to my desk. I had 2 hens laying in the same nest box and they both wound up setting a huge pile of eggs.

Now that the eggs have started hatching, there isn't enough room for the 2 of them, the pile of eggs and the chicks that hatch in that little nest. I tried to help one hen and a couple of chicks into another nest just now, we'll see hoe that works.

At least it isn't cold, at least they sit, life is good.
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Make a plan and work it:

Ludi

For those who raise Bantams, what is your favorite Bantam breed?
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No original ideas are contained in this post.

DomusAlbion

Henrietta I is out in the chicken yard with her brood of chicks. She ended up with nine little fluffballs and is escorting them about in what I assume is a mother hen like fashion. She keeps her feathers fluffed up and holds out her wings to the side while giving little quiet encouraging clucks.

She only left 3 unhatched eggs behind. I checked them and they were all infertile.

Henrietta II is still sitting in the garage but I've heard a few peeps from that area and seen some broken eggshells, so I expect to see her out and about soon.
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"Modern Agriculture is the use of land to convert petroleum into food."
-- Albert Bartlett

"It will be a dark time. But for those who survive, I suspect it will be rather exciting."
-- James Lovelock

Shannymara · Master Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 5429 Location: Oklahoma

CarlinsDarlin · Moderator Joined: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 1395

I love my cochins. They're beautiful birds and so comical running around on their little short legs Smile

I've had both black cochins and white cochins (and have several cochin mixes running around now) but these days the only purebred cochins we have are black ones. Beautiful birds.

Speaking of babies.... I was out in the barn this morning taking care of the goats and heard a peep peep peep from a spot in one corner. It's a small (unused) entrance area, blocked off from the goats, and there's literally a lot of junk there - boxes, etc., that needed to be hauled off. Well, I guess today we haul stuff off and find out how many chicks are in there. Smile

One of the mama's found a good place to hide her eggs Smile

.
Kathy

DomusAlbion · Last edited by DomusAlbion on Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:20 am; edited 2 times in total

Henrietta II is now out with her chicks. She only hatched 5. The revised count for Henrietta I is 11 chicks. She's a real champ and is protecting her brood from other hens and cats.

We moved Henrietta II from the garage to the chicken yard. There was some fussing with H I and H I actually took H II's chicks for a time. All became sorted out and seemed to be running smoothly.
However, several hours later came H II with her chicks back to the garage through a gauntlet of curious dogs. There is little to eat in the garage. Why is she going back there? Stupid chicken.

One of our cats is exhibiting stalking behavior toward H I's chicks. I have the Ruger 10/22 at hand and may be forced to send kitty home to Jesus.
_________________
"Modern Agriculture is the use of land to convert petroleum into food."
-- Albert Bartlett

"It will be a dark time. But for those who survive, I suspect it will be rather exciting."
-- James Lovelock

mystiek

What type of chicken lays pale green eggs? I have seen brown and white, but today one of my patients brought me a dozen eggs-some white, some brown and some pale green. They also raise berkshire hogs and brought me some sausage. I was so excited to receive these wonderful gifts, but my husband being the ultimate city slicker is questioning the green eggs (I heard comments like "green eggs and ham"??). I reassured him that they were edible and they were from a chicken, I just don't know what breed of chicken. Perhaps once we buy our farm I'll raise that type of chicken to help desensitize my husband to eggs other than white ones!

CarlinsDarlin · Moderator Joined: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 1395

mystiek,
Americauna or Aracauna chickens (not sure I spelled that right) lay blue or green eggs. I have only one full-blooded Aracauna, but I have several half-Aracaunas, and that colored egg trait has been passed to them. Apparently it's a dominant gene Smile

I always love the reaction of my egg customers the first time they see a green egg. It's fun Smile

Just tell your husband to think of them as natural Easter eggs Smile

. In fact, that breed of chicken is often called the Easter Egger for that very reason.
Kathy

DomusAlbion

The Araucana chicken is a South American breed that goes back to the Incas. We have a golden/black variety but the bird can come in a variety of colors, including a beautiful clean white like a Wyandot.

Their behaviors are slightly different than N American breeds and they usually have this cute little tuft of feathers at either side of their heads that makes them look like they have puffy cheeks or mutton chop sideburns.

We had a rooster (for awhile) and his comb was much more complex than our Rhode Island Reds (it had several rows and was much more ruffled) and he seemed to mature a lot quicker. Alas he had a bout with a grain truck passing by the farm and the truck won.
_________________
"Modern Agriculture is the use of land to convert petroleum into food."
-- Albert Bartlett

"It will be a dark time. But for those who survive, I suspect it will be rather exciting."
-- James Lovelock

DomusAlbion

Update on the Henriettas.

Mothers and chicks are doing well and have settled into a routine. We have NOT lost one chick. The hens keep all comers at bay, including our killer cockapoo, Monk.

Final count for H I was 11 chicks. Surprised

For H II the stupid garage chicken it was only 5, however Laurelei our oldest dog and a German Shepard has adopted H II and her chicks and carefully monitors their comings and goings. I've added the old apple tree by the garage to my feeding rounds in the morning so that she and her chicks have enough to eat. This is a good place anyway because we have 5 bird feeders in this tree for the local wildlife and seeds are always getting spilled from the feeders.

The orange stalking cat mentioned earlier was dispatched by the middle son a few nights ago. It was a clean shot to the head so there was no suffering.
_________________
"Modern Agriculture is the use of land to convert petroleum into food."
-- Albert Bartlett

"It will be a dark time. But for those who survive, I suspect it will be rather exciting."
-- James Lovelock

Ludi

DomusAlbion