New chicks

[Omegaman]

One of the big poultry suppliers had a great deal on mixed breed brown egg layers. Free shipping on over 15 hens so I ordered 20 plus two roosters. They are all doing great in our brooder so I have 3-4 weeks to build a new coop so we don't use the goat barn. We will keep 10 for eggs and breeding stock and the rest will be meat birds. I will post pictures once building is under way.

[myakka]

Awesome! I used to raise chickens as a kid on the farm, but haven't had anything to do with them in a LONG time. It is part of the plan though if I can get moved off of my work's property before the world goes sideways.
So I would like to hear anything you want to share about it. Thanks!

[Bue]

I'd be most interested to see how they progress. This is in the plan as soon as we get someone full time at our farm. I'm envious!!!! Do keep us in the loop

[RICHFL]

What type of threats are in your local area? The meat birds could be just released if the threat is low.

[Chefsimms]

Hell I thought the thread said nude chick’s not new chicks …LOL
You could just imagine how disappointed I was…

[Omegaman]

Threats are foxes, fisher cats, minks, raccoons, coyotes, owls, hawks, black bear and well heck just about any thing likes to eat chickens. My coop will be built with a clear field of fire from our front door with a motion sensing light system. Today is day 3 with the chicks and we have had no deaths but I did have 3 with pasty butt. Right now I am using goggle sketch to draw 3D plans for the new coop but I am torn if I should do 10X10 or 8X8 for the new coops foot print. They will have at least an 8X12 foot inclosed run hooked to the coop and we hope to free range while I work in the field or yard.

[snake35]

Fresh eggs are the best! I tried free-ranging our birds, but they kept scratching in the flower beds and gardens. Good luck with your chickens.

[Mortblanc]

Mine are comming along nicely. Got them mid April.



I lost one to racoons and have been fighting the "Great 'Coon War of 2012" ever since. The screenplay will resemble "Enemy At the Gates" with chicken wire and masked bandits and include the extenseve use of single shot .22 sniper rifles.

[Omegaman]

I would pay to see that

[myakka]

I can't wait to see the trailer!!!

[Chefsimms]

Can your chicken do this ...LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=aOdG6Bq8x0A&feature=em-share_video_user

[Omegaman]

So our chicks are now 3 weeks old and we have only lost two, one I culled and the other got crushed by other chicks sleeping on him. I built a chicken tractor to move them around the yard while they are small. Since they are now three weeks old I take them out of the brooder for 3-4 hours each day. I used chicken wire, pvc pipe and PT 2X4X8 to make a 6X8 frame. With the wheels mounted, I can by hand move the tractor anyplace in the yard. The tractor now has hanging waterer and feeder and a tarp to block the sun.

[bambam55]

all you that live in small towns and cities check local ordinances some places will let you have a few chickens for eggs . As for all of you that have problems with wild animals,Do what my friend does he has a couple solar panels hooked up (not sure how)to an electric motor when the sun's out or it's light out the motor opens the door to the chicken house at night after the chicks come home to roost and the sun goes down the door closes so nothing can get them

[Omegaman]

I will be putting an automatic door on our coop. I just filed my coop plans with the town because it is big enough that I need a building permit. In my part of town we are restricked to no more then 300 chickens. I will show pictures of our coop as I build it and I will show .my DIY auto door system also. I shot a coyote the other day as he was sneaking through our field

[HorseFeathers]

WE just bought 5 new England red's & 4 Wyandot's yesterday & I built a 4'x4' temporary pen until they're big enough to move outside, which gives me time to build a coop & about a 10'x20' fenced run & plan to fence the top of the run too, to protect them from hawks, vultures, etc. Between the fence, my lab/shepherd mix & peace maker, them predators will have a tough time lol