Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
ALMOST BEEKEEPING - RELATED TOPICS => FARMING & COUNTRY LIFE => Topic started by: JP on November 05, 2009, 06:18:24 am
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I believe I am ready to acquire a few layers. Been looking on craigslist and local classifieds for chickens but need some direction from you chicken pros.
Here are a few questions: what type? What not to get? Age? Fair pricing? Tips?
Only looking for two. Any words of advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
...JP
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Hey JP (my initials too) :-D
I am assuming you want a couple of hens for eggs. I have Buff Orpingtons, but I wouldn't recommend them for a small flock, as they are part Cochin, and can become quite broody (a desire to sit on eggs hoping to hatch them). I am thinking of going to Barred Rocks next. For me they are winter hardy, which surely isn't a concern for you ;), they don't get broody, and lay a good number of brown eggs, even in the winter. I can't tell you how many eggs have been wasted by hens that sit on them for 20 of the 21 days needed to hatch.
I think $3 to $5 per hen, if they are at least 6 months old. They start molting at 1.5 years and don't lay when molting. Their egg production is best from 6 months to the first molt. I am a softy and some of my hens are 5 years old. Right now I am only getting an egg a day from 12 hens, many of which are molting. At some point they need to become stew hens. But......
Most of the time, the chickens are penned up, but in the spring and fall I let them range through the gardens to eat cutworms and other bugs.
HTH,
Jay
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Hey JP,
I have about 40 Rhode Island Reds right now and am very happy with this breed. In the past I have had Buckeye's, Red Sex-link's, Delaware's, and Black Sex-links. The Rhode Island Reds (RIRs) are very good foragers, aren't broody, and are great egg layers.
Sometimes you can get good deals on hens that are 1.5 years old and are molting. Generally, a lot of growers only keep hens for one season, replacing their flock each year. Expect to pay about $5-$8 each for these type of hens. I would not buy a hen that has already layed for 2 seasons as her production will have dropped off a lot; however like skflyfish, I might keep them longer than 2 years if I am attached to them.
My recommendation would be to get birds that are around 6 months old, but expect to pay about $12-$15 for them. Why so much? At 25 weeks, they will have eaten about 25lbs of food. So if chicks cost maybe $2 each, plus $5 food, plus cost of brooding, shelter, etc., someone might want $15 each to cover their cost and make a dollar of profit :).
Finally, consider getting more than 2. 6 chickens are really no more work than 2 and you will find that having farm fresh eggs can't be beat.
...Tim
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I'm more of a guinea hen person, but have been happy with the barred rocks I have. Nice brown eggs, winter hardy, and they get along with others (guineas, dogs, cats). Some have gotten to be quite personable and follow you around all day.
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Thanks for the feedback. Had this idea in my head that hens layed more years than what I'm hearing. So I guess I'll need to find a good supplier to replenish my stock after two-three years.
Just really looking for a few though right now as I'm keeping them in the city. Guess I need to be prepared for that same code guy that gave me a hassle about bees to be snooping around on the chickens. We will see. Killer chickens?
...JP
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We have barred rocks and Rhode Island Reds, and prefer the reds, hands down. They seem to be calmer, not as broody, and great layers of nice, tasty brown eggs. Ya, you need to get more than two. Six is a good number. Don't forget to get a rooster, too. They're great for annoying pesky neighbors.... :-D
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Thanks for the feedback. Had this idea in my head that hens layed more years than what I'm hearing. So I guess I'll need to find a good supplier to replenish my stock after two-three years.
Just really looking for a few though right now as I'm keeping them in the city. Guess I need to be prepared for that same code guy that gave me a hassle about bees to be snooping around on the chickens. We will see. Killer chickens?
...JP
If you live within a city limits, I doubt very much if you will be allowed to have a chicken. Noisey biteing child killing dog, pesky cat, but no chicken. I was born in a free country, but I do not live in one now, our liberal society of today mainly supports only immoral, and criminal behavior in their quest for more freedom.
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Ok, I see y'all are recommending more than two. Please say why. On a side note, there is a large park approx 500 yards from my home that is over run with ducks, geese, egrets, Heron, rabbits, nutria, squirrel, and quite a few varieties of chickens, all different sized too. Some fancy in the mix also from what I have observed. Lots of people and children visit this park on a daily basis and feed the animals as well.
...JP
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JP
Wait to hear from Cindi also. She is one great chicken expert and I am sure she will want to give you some input.
Wow, sounds exciting.
Annette
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JP,
My reason for having a few more chickens (6 vs. 2) is that they will take almost exactly the same amount of work. Plus, on your very best weeks (in the months of March, April, and May usually), you might get one dozen eggs with 2 chickens. This time of year you are more likely to get 1/2 that or less. I don't know how many eggs you (and your family) eat, but a max of one dozen a week doesn't seem like a lot.
...Tim
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not a pro here. have had various breeds. leghorns, rhodes, barred, mutts, bantams and watered down versions of jungle fowl. Liked the rhode island red very much for eggs. Had to experiment a little with egg booster mesh. In doing so, was able to get an average of 2 eggs per day from three hens in the city. Kept as many as 5 in a 4ft wide 6ft high by 8ft pen, 3 seemed better to me mess wise. they're pretty quiet.
Eventfully they would become egg bound, then landed on the stove and were replaced. haven't done that in long time though.
With One inch and half chicken wire every wild bird in the neighborhood that fits through will eat what they can.
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Thanks for the feedback everyone. BTW, Tim, a dozen eggs a week is fine by me.
...JP
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JP, oh no!!! First swarm catching, now chicken catching, smiling. Annette, you make me blush, I am by far not near to being as great a chicken keeper as I am a garden digger, smiling.
Anyways, JP, this needs lots of thought on your part. What you want to do, how many you want to keep, how will you get rid of excess eggs, how much work do you want to do, how much fun do you want to have. (I can't find Whoppo, so I can't send you down a nasty Muscovy drake, smiling that big smile).
I have been collecting breeds all summer, incubating eggs, getting day old chicks, raising them up and I now have a great clan here. I have eight breeds of birds. They are all heritage breeds, some on the endangered list, some on the recovering list, but these are all beautiful purebreeds.
My favourite of all the breeds I have would have to be.......nope, can't do it. I love each one so much, they each have such beautiful attributes, I cannot chose, that is why I have so many breeds now. I would imagine that you want chickens for egg laying purposes. There are many breeds that lay well.
Think of what colour of chicken you would like. Think of what type of comb you would like to see on a chicken (there is a single comb, pea comb, rose comb and a few others). Think of what colour of egg you would like, there are many different colours of eggs, including blue and shades of blue/green. Think if you want a big bird, or a smaller type bird, what size of egg.
JP, think of every thing that you would like to see in a chicken at your place and then you can make a good choice. I think you have seen quite a few pictures of some of my birds, maybe you haven't.
Natalie will also be a great guide for you, she is very involved in chickeney stuff, as is Brian Bray, you will have helpers here, just ask more questions.
BTW, this is what I have for my breeding stock (too far to send you any chicks). All my chickens are standard sized, I don't like the bantam (small) breeds. All my chickens lay brown eggs, varying shades, except the Easter Egger, which lays kind of bluey/green.
Light Brahma
Blue Cochin
Silver Laced Wyandotte
Gold Laced Wyandotte
Rhode Island Red
Barred Plymouth Rock
Buff Orpington
Easter Egger
I have 15 eggs in my table top incubator, due to hatch on Tuesday night
I also have a Blue Cochin sitting on 14 eggs.
Want me to send you a bunch of chicks through cyberspace? Not onto your dinner plate and ready to eat though, if you please. Smiling. Friend, have that wonderful day, love our life, with greatest of health. Cindi
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Cindi, just want a few layers for eggs. Doesn't matter what the chickens or their eggs look like. Thanks Rock Lady. :-*
...JP ;)
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Ah, JP, your teasing is still cute, still callin' me the Rock Lady eh? Smiling that big smile.
If all you want is just a few plain ol' chickens for layin' eggs, I would suggest then one of the regular brown egg layers, smiling, brown eggs are nice.
There are many easy to come by breeds of good laying styles. I am kind of hooked on purebred chickens, I would personally suggest one that is called the Rhode Island Red. They are a nice bird and lay well. But there are also hybrids that are massive egg laying machines, like the Hyline or Isa Browns. You need to find out what is available in your area, this where you have to do what is good for you, smiling. Friend, have that great and most awesome day, Cindi
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Guess it's time for the old homesteader to chime in with is thoughts. When it comes to chickens 20 is as easy to keep as 2 are, with maybe the exception of cleaning the chicken house more often. I use a 3 year rotation on my chickens. I band them with a different color for each year, this year is blue, last year was yellow, the year before and next year was/is orange, and a chicken banded with green means a natural hatch from a broody hen. I kill my 3rd year hens in the fall just before they moult. By the fall of the 3rd year they are still laying but the eggs have started to become more irregular and they will usually lay out during the 4th year though I've know some chickens to lay into year 5.
The 1st year a hen will lay 5 eggs a week, the 2nd year 2 eggs every 3 days, and the 3rd year 1 egg every 2-3 days, after that they will drop down to about 1 egg every week to 10 days if they are still laying. At 3 years of age the egg cost to feed cost is still a positive but at 4 years old they are no longer worth the cost of feeding them. In one of my other posts I mentioned butchering a batch of chickens, those were the 3 yr olds.
Look at it this way, if you and your wife each want 1 egg per day for breakfast, you need at least 4 hens. If you have more people in your family or you, her, or both want 2 eggs with breakfast you need 6-8 hens. That should give enough to bake a cake once a week besides. A rooster is nice to have as it keeps the hens calmer and the eggs fertile, which adds nutrients.
A March hatched chicken, heavy breed, will start laying around 5-6 months old, Mediterranean (Medium sized) will start laying as early as 4 months. So you don't start getting eggs until mid to late summer and with Jersey Giants, it takes up to 10 months before they start laying so with the advent of winter they may not actually start laying until a year old. Te breed I'd recommend for the small back yard flock are Wynidottes, with silver or gold laced. They are very calm chickens, very pleasing to the eye, and good layers of medium to large brown eggs. They also seem to lay less double yoke-rs than other heavy breeds.
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Ah, Brian, as is usual, some very great words of wisdom. I am in love with the looks and attitude of my Silver and Gold Laced Wyandottes, they are indeed a sight for the eyes, and lay a very nicely sized egg. I am patiently awaiting my incubator hatched GLW to begin to lay, they are 22 weeks now, and hopefully in the next few weeks. Got kick the butt of that cockeral of that breed though, man is he slow to mature, but when he does, watch out!!!
JP doesn't know what he is in for. He thinks he's addicted to beekeeping, well, he ain't seen nuthin' yet, that chicken world is even more interesting than the bee world, he's gonna get stuck there. Have a great, most wonderful day, with that health. Cindi
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Ah, Brian, as is usual, some very great words of wisdom. I am in love with the looks and attitude of my Silver and Gold Laced Wyandottes, they are indeed a sight for the eyes, and lay a very nicely sized egg. I am patiently awaiting my incubator hatched GLW to begin to lay, they are 22 weeks now, and hopefully in the next few weeks. Got kick the butt of that cockeral of that breed though, man is he slow to mature, but when he does, watch out!!!
JP doesn't know what he is in for. He thinks he's addicted to beekeeping, well, he ain't seen nuthin' yet, that chicken world is even more interesting than the bee world, he's gonna get stuck there. Have a great, most wonderful day, with that health. Cindi
I'm addicted to so many activity things I don't have time for TV or other city or sedentry addictions. The only things I watch on TV are: Heroes, Castle, and Jay Leno, everything else is pretty much a rehash of all the other programs. There are so many versions of CIS, Law & Order, Hospital this or that or the travesties they call Reality TV that it's just rediculous. My addictions include, but are not limited to: gardening, beekeeping, pigeon racing, raising chickens and turkeys, sheep, goats, orchard, along with the by products there of.
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Hm, Brian, think you sound like my twin too, I have a couple of them I am finding out. My only differences are I don't have as much livestock as you, smiling. And of course TV shows, the only thing I watch is House, 24, sometimes Discovery channel, that's about it, TV is boring, unless it is a good movie Ken and I watch together, and wintertime is the only time of year that we watch movies. Have that great day, to love and live, health wishes. Cindi
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JP, I haven't posted in forever, but here's what I think you should consider. If I remember right, you're in Louisiana.
Chickens and heat don't mix, so look for a breed that does well in the deep south. Storey Publishing has a great book on raising chickens. It has a breed selection chart. There are also some good web resources. http://www.amazon.com/Storeys-Guide-Raising-Chickens-Facilities/dp/158017325X (http://www.amazon.com/Storeys-Guide-Raising-Chickens-Facilities/dp/158017325X)
Up here in the frozen north, we found a heritage breed, the Chantecler, developed in Quebec, they lay through the winter with no extra light, are good for meat and eggs, and have short stocky bodies and virtually no comb, which means they won't get frostbite.
Also as with bees, be careful who you buy from, you don't want to start with diseased chickens.
kev
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Kev, excellent advice for JP, especially getting HEALTHY chickens. I love the Chantecler breed. I've seen them. Another breed that I would love to begin breeding and most likely will, is the White Wyandotte. The same thing, the short pea comb (does Chantecler have a pea comb or rose, I'm not sure of that one), we have issues with frostbite too, smiling. Have a great and most awesome day, health. Cindi
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JP-
You may want more than 2 hens. Check the Market Bulletin at http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/News/MarketBulletins/mb2009-10-22.pdft. (http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/News/MarketBulletins/mb2009-10-22.pdft.)
You'll need a place to secure them at night - so the creatures-of-the-night don't kill them..and they will all lay in the same spot. I'd say just get hens because they don't crow and aggravate the neighbors. Dogs are a menace.
As far as breeds - depend what you want. I love my Araucana's - they are very sweet and lay green eggs. And the Black Austrolaups are gorgeous and lay rich, brown eggs. The brown leghorns are good layers and escape from dogs and such.
There was a short article in Nat'l Geographic how "urban hens' are the next thing - and save them your scaps; they eat/recycle anything, especially their own egg shells. They love cat food.
I keep mine for years and years - I don't keep track of their production. Check out Nasco Ranch supply - they have these cute/trendy houses for chickens....Gena pm if you need something specific. They sell chicks at the feed stores you know.
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Thanks for the info everyone, y'all have given me lots to think about. Will let y'all know what and when I get my hens, with pics.
...JP
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Spoke with a really nice man today who had an ad in craigslist, brought to my attention by a friend. He has 15 week old americauna. I hear they lay blue/green eggs. He has some buffs also. I've been under the weather lately fighting a cold but may try to get by his place on Saturday/Sunday.
Soon to be a chickenperson! :catchchick: :-D
...JP
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Awesome Jp! you will love having chickens.
I have Americaunas and they do lay the colored eggs, that breed is a purebreed so the should really only be laying blue eggs but if they were crossed with any other type of chicken they they are called
Easter Eggers and they can lay blue, green or pink eggs as well.
They are really just barnyard mutts but they are gorgeous, no two in a hatch look alike, so many variations and then you get all the different colored eggs too.
From my experience that breed tends to lay a little later than some others.
I would get that hen but don't let her be alone for too long, chickens are flock animals and really need the company, she will get stressed and depressed and she won't lay at all.
As for the amount, I would get a minimum of 6 but and you can always add more.
Once your friends and family find out that you have hens they will all want fresh eggs and you won't be able to keep up.
I started with 6 and quickly added alot more.
It really depends on what size coop you are going to have for them. They need at least 3 square feet per chicken.
If you start out with layers and not chicks it can be a little bit of a hassle to integrate them, but they sort it out and will get use to each other eventually.
They all have their own personalities and are alot of fun to interact with and just hang out and watch their antics.
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I can't wait for you to get chix too! I love my Easter Eggers. They are so varied in coloration & the tufts on the cheeks are cute! Mine are also very friendly & calm. One I named sneak tries to come in the house, sometimes she makes it! I have another I call eagle that follows me all over knowing she gets a special treat. You do need to get more than 1 though as they like being with other chix, maybe he will sell you a buff also! Next you will be getting muscovys!
Jody
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My goal has always been to get at least two, but as of late I've been thinking of getting more than two, darn chicken bug! :-D
Its beginning to feel like Christmas! Bring on the chickens!
Thanks for the encouragement everyone!
Almost forgot, what chickenforums do y'all suggest? I have visited two backyard chicken forums. They are: http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/index.php (http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/index.php)
and
http://www.backyardchickens.com/ (http://www.backyardchickens.com/)
...JP
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Check out the livestock forum here, including the poultry and bee sections.
http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/ (http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/)
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How about some pygmy goats next? They're like dogs, with horns.
Perhaps even a rabbit or two?
Hey, if your gonna have livestock, do it up right!
The more you have, the more enjoyment!
Good luck and have fun!
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Thanks for the link Iddee. Len, all this is practice for when we move to our country place. The goats, rabbits and even a cow or two will be in the plans, along with lots of chickens.
The guy I spoke with wife called, they wanted to know when I was coming by so they wouldn't miss me. Still under the weather, so the chickens will have to wait a few days or so. These nice people are holding them all for me to choose from, 17 in all, and are even removing the ad on craigslist, whoopee for me!
OK, so I'm definitely at 4 now in my mind, but who knows, I could come back with more? :shock:
Ooh the wife is gonna kill me. :-D She said, "Can we talk about this?"
Before I tell you what I told her, guys, hear me out now. Wives have good intentions and love to yap about things, anything, you know guys, they love to yap and yap and yap! We just wanna get 'er done, know whadda mean?????
Call me a male chauvinist, fine by me. I just wanna make a decision already. I have her and my best interest at heart. Really, I do.
So my answer was "My mind is made up and you'll just have to trust me, we're gonna be chicken people!"
...JP
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>>>>She said, "Can we talk about this?" <<<<
You should have said..... "Sure, do you want to get 6, or a few more. Are you going to build the chicken house and lot, or will I have to help. Are we going to eat all the eggs, or incubate some of them to increase the flock? What do you want to talk about first?"
You should always include her in the plans... :-D :evil:
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Now Iddee, my wife is always included in my plans! :evil:
...JP
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OH JP!!! Yeah you are trying to turn a New York women into a farm girl. I would have said the same thing to my husband (can we talk about this???)
Look if she can accept the lizards, well I am sure she can accept the chickens.
Feel better and good luck and have fun
Annette
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You have to understand, my wife is a darling woman but is a legal secretary and the daughter of a New York firefighter. I've been under the weather and just wanna get some chickens, without talking it out half to death! :lol: Besides, she absolutely loves the way we eat now and she and I have both lost weight. And may I remind you folks, who the cook is in my house, Moi!
...JP
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JP she will fall in love with them & be surprised at the different personalities they have. You guys will never have to throw anything edible in the disposal, garbage or compost pile! Chix will eat everything. Stale chips, cereal,bread? NP. Bits of meat & whatever shoved in the freezer. poof, made into eggs! Tupperware shoved in the back of the fridge you can't remember when, out it goes! Burnt toast, pancakes,gristle, they love to clean off steak bones. Lasagna cake or pie stuck to the pan? toss it out, they are better than dogs! Dog or cat hacked up something in the house? use a spatula & toss it out! Big hard things they will peck at & what they don't eat goes into compost pile. You guys will have a ball clearing out the fridge, freezer, pantry, drawers behind the sofa... :evil: I love my chix!
Jody
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JP, I am on the BYC forums as well. So is Ann (Reinbeau) in fact she is a moderator there.
Those links are for the same place, they have a ton of forums there.
Some of the people there though are not as.... hmmm, congenial as we are here.
Most are great but there are a few that can be over opinionated and they all talk about their chickens like they are their kids, I am so sick of hearing people say, my babies this or my babies that instead of chicks, or they call them teenagers instead of pullets, its weird to me.
Just letting you know so you don't get scared off because it is probably the best place you can go to for any kind of information about chickens that you will ever need.
I mostly hang out in the meatbird and turkey section as of late or I just scan the recent posts and jump in when I feel like it.
I am really happy to see you get hens.
If you think it through a little you can come up with a plan so that you can add more hens at certain intervals so that when the first group goes into a moult you have some new ones laying or you could end up with 20 hens that are all molting and not laying eggs for months.
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Jody, you have me cracking up over here! I know my wife will love the chickens. I think she just worries though whenever we add a new animal. Her main concern is where will they all fit when we have to evacuate come next hurricane. :-D Chickens can be replaced if they must. The dogs and the lizards and the frogs are coming with me!
On a sidenote I detest waxmoths but can't stop thinking about how much the chickens are gonna love 'em!
...JP
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Thanks Natalie. I have a lot to learn about chickens.
...JP
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Hee hee, JP I just got a Far Side picture in my mind of you guys lookin like the Beverly Hillbillies on your way inland. Lizards & chix clinging to the luggage rack of the car...feathers flying behind...you do look a bit like Jed.. :evil: :evil: :-* :-D
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Hee hee, JP I just got a Far Side picture in my mind of you guys lookin like the Beverly Hillbillies on your way inland. Lizards & chix clinging to the luggage rack of the car...feathers flying behind...you do look a bit like Jed.. :evil: :evil: :-* :-D
Now only if I could find that black gold! :-D
...JP
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well, we've also recently become chickenpeople. the egg guy at one of the farmers markets we do brought some 8 week old plymouth rock hens, and made us an offer we couldn't refuse.
deknow
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Hey congratulations Dean! Rocks are good birds for our area,winter hearty.
I have barred rocks, pretty much the same bird by mine are black and white striped instead of plain white.
You will have some nice eggs come spring or even sooner.
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JP I think you are looking at it all wrong. How far do you live from that park that you mentioned. Get a large bag of cracked, corn and make a trail from the park to your yard and pen them in. The price is good and your off to a good start raising chickens. If you attract to many just put some in the freezer. :evil:
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JP I think you are looking at it all wrong. How far do you live from that park that you mentioned. Get a large bag of cracked, corn and make a trail from the park to your yard and pen them in. The price is good and your off to a good start raising chickens. If you attract to many just put some in the freezer. :evil:
God forbid I remove any of the chickens parkgoers are feeding, but the thought did cross my mind.
;)
...JP
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Go ahead, give it a try. Worst case scenario, make yourself some honey BBQ chicken.... :-D
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JP, do you have those birds yet?
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JP, do you have those birds yet?
The coop is almost ready! I purchased 2 Buff Orpingtons and 4 Easter Eggers. Pics to come.
...JP
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JP I like this web page. You might also. http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/index.html (http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/index.html)
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No architect here, been busting my butt to get these chickens housed. Made a semi-finished coop, that I will finish in a few days. 2 Buff orpingtons and 4 Easter Eggers is what I wound up with.
Here's some pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/November252009?authkey=Gv1sRgCOGHnaGr0oe2Cw# (http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/November252009?authkey=Gv1sRgCOGHnaGr0oe2Cw#)
...JP
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Congratulations! Now you are a chicken farmer :-D
Ya gotta name those girls ya know, thats the fun part.
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My wife can name them if she wants to. I'm sure they'll be some that stand out more than the others in personality, perhaps these will get names. I don't quite know what to make of 'em myself yet, they're definitely strange creatures, don't seem like much is going on in those tiny little brains of theirs and that's fine by me as after they're finished laying they will become dinner. I will enjoy them for what they are but I don't foresee any emotional attachments happening. It is kinda cool to watch them go about their business, scratching and pecking and such.
...JP
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Good Job JP. I like the way you put the lay boxes so you can retrieve the eggs from outside. They look like they are content in your pictures.Even if they are not, they will still taste the same. HUH ? :)
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There's not much to eat on a dun-layin' hen. Just saying.....
A couple of those EEs look like mine. Those dogs look like they'd like to help those chickens out of that coop :evil:
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We used to make chicken and dumpling's or chicken and noodles out of our old layer's.
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Alright guys its official, I'm attached to a chicken! And on top of that my wife has named her after my sister n law!
Guilty as charged, the dang thing nestled in my neck and gave me love pecks, dang it!
Warning, me without a beard
Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/November2620009# (http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/November2620009#)
...JP
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Too cute! Next you'll be telling us you don't have the heart to eat their eggs. I woman who buys eggs from us has that problem with her daughter. The daughter won't eat them 'cause she says it seems like murder when you know where the eggs come from. :-D We get a good laugh out of that one.
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Alright guys its official, I'm attached to a chicken! And on top of that my wife has named her after my sister n law!
Guilty as charged, the dang thing nestled in my neck and gave me love pecks, dang it!
Warning, me without a beard
Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/November2620009# (http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/November2620009#)
...JP
Pam has named some of hers as well. There's Goldilocks, Lucy, Matilda, Prince Charming, Fat Albert, and the king of the roost is Fabio. Yes, they all have their own personalities and it can be enjoyable watching them. Good luck and enjoy them, and breakfast....
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Nope, not like that. Definitely will be eating the eggs! I watched chicken tv for several hours today with the wife, as Ann called it. Hee hee, chicken tv, I like that.
Dang is it true though, chickens never stop moving, always scratching and pecking. For a while it just looks monotonous but their intent is actually with purpose as I witnessed several times them coming up with a newly sprouted seed or bug. Their eye sight is absolutely amazing, far better than ours.
...JP
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JP, those Buff hens are the nicest birds - and the roos are equally nasty! Stumpy was a BO, a huge beast, and mean as all get out! We really shook up the pecking order out there when we ate him, Queenie, who was the top hen, was knocked right down to the bottom of the order! That's what I mean about the pecking order getting shoken up, I don't think you'll have that problem, as you don't have a roo. HennyPenny even beats up poor Queenie, and she used to be the lowest hen. Abby is the other BO hen, she's a sweetie, always running up to me looking for treats.
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I can't get it to load it go's straight to JP gallery
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JP,
I also like the outside entrance for the eggs. Having you coop elevated is another good idea. I don't know it that is standard practice in hurricane alley, but it sure keeps the mice from living underneath the coop. I had to elevate mine this year cause it was such a mouse magnet. You will be glad it is elevated. Trust me. ;-)
Jay
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JP,
I had to elevate mine this year cause it was such a mouse magnet. You will be glad it is elevated. Trust me. ;-)
Jay
I guess now you will have to put some bling looking shin guards around the legs to keep them critters from climbing up to get in the coup. :lol:
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I prettyed up the coop a bit today, couldn't stand the plywood look on the front and redid the framing on the front door, wasn't aligning up quite right. Also added some more rungs to the chicken gang plank as they would take a step then slide, take a step, slide, they like the set up much better today. What I didn't count on is how much they absolutely adore the simple perch I made out of 1 x 2's.
Named 4 of the six. Cindy, Bertha, Goldie and Ms. Purdy. Bertha is the boss hen and everyone knows it! Cindy is my little Buff who is in love with me, and not the other way around. (I promise!) :-D
Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/November272009?authkey=Gv1sRgCPWv75CCq_PorQE# (http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/November272009?authkey=Gv1sRgCPWv75CCq_PorQE#)
...JP
Irwin, let me know if these load for you, ok?
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You did a real nice job with that coop, JP.
Easter egg chooks are not too good for eating in my experience, and you should be keeping them for eggs anyhow. You'll find that the eggs are always in high demand. Orpingtons are better meat chooks.
There is one consideration, though, if you are going to butcher...you will find your numbers diminshing rapidly without a breeding program!
When we feel like it we pluck and freeze a few extra roosters. I found last year that I had so many though, 20 or 30. I didn't think of it at the time, but if the same thing happens next year, I'll see if the local crocodile farm wants them.
Lone
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I prettyed up the coop a bit today, couldn't stand the plywood look on the front and redid the framing on the front door, wasn't aligning up quite right. Also added some more rungs to the chicken gang plank as they would take a step then slide, take a step, slide, they like the set up much better today. What I didn't count on is how much they absolutely adore the simple perch I made out of 1 x 2's.
Named 4 of the six. Cindy, Bertha, Goldie and Ms. Purdy. Bertha is the boss hen and everyone knows it! Cindy is my little Buff who is in love with me, and not the other way around. (I promise!) :-D
Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/November272009?authkey=Gv1sRgCPWv75CCq_PorQE# (http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/November272009?authkey=Gv1sRgCPWv75CCq_PorQE#)This one worked fine you did a real nice job. But II want to see the one with you with out your beard and cindi aka chicken :-D :evil:
...JP
Irwin, let me know if these load for you, ok?
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I prettyed up the coop a bit today, couldn't stand the plywood look on the front and redid the framing on the front door, wasn't aligning up quite right. Also added some more rungs to the chicken gang plank as they would take a step then slide, take a step, slide, they like the set up much better today. What I didn't count on is how much they absolutely adore the simple perch I made out of 1 x 2's.
Named 4 of the six. Cindy, Bertha, Goldie and Ms. Purdy. Bertha is the boss hen and everyone knows it! Cindy is my little Buff who is in love with me, and not the other way around. (I promise!) :-D
Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/November272009?authkey=Gv1sRgCPWv75CCq_PorQE# (http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/November272009?authkey=Gv1sRgCPWv75CCq_PorQE#)
...JP
Irwin, let me know if these load for you, ok?
JP, about the roost - they love a nice roost, but make sure the 2" side is up for them. The heavy breeds actually prefer 2x4" perches with the wide side up.
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Ann, I have the wide side up. They use it fine now but do you think it needs to be wider for when they get bigger?
Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions everyone. (Sparky, Lone, Ann, skyflyfish, Irwin, Etc...)
Irwin, here's one of Cindy and I: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s8NuMtpnXOv30O4EAo48Cw?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3_7eCE98uNSw&feat=directlink (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s8NuMtpnXOv30O4EAo48Cw?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3_7eCE98uNSw&feat=directlink)
...JP
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Ann, I have the wide side up. They use it fine now but do you think it needs to be wider for when they get bigger?
Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions everyone. (Sparky, Lone, Ann, skyflyfish, Irwin, Etc...)
Irwin, here's one of Cindy and I: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s8NuMtpnXOv30O4EAo48Cw?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3_7eCE98uNSw&feat=directlink (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s8NuMtpnXOv30O4EAo48Cw?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3_7eCE98uNSw&feat=directlink)
...JP
Thank's JP you look a bit different with out your beard I keep mine because of my double chin :-D
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Ann, I have the wide side up. They use it fine now but do you think it needs to be wider for when they get bigger?
Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions everyone. (Sparky, Lone, Ann, skyflyfish, Irwin, Etc...)
Irwin, here's one of Cindy and I: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s8NuMtpnXOv30O4EAo48Cw?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3_7eCE98uNSw&feat=directlink (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s8NuMtpnXOv30O4EAo48Cw?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3_7eCE98uNSw&feat=directlink)
...JP
Thank's JP you look a bit different with out your beard I keep mine because of my double chin :-D
And I keep mine Irwin because I have no chin! :-D
...JP
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Aw, I see a chin there, JP! :) Greg's always had a full beard, I don't think I'll ever see his chin! :-D
And you named your favorite chicken Cindi? How sweet!
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I see your chin JP :-D
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Irwin you see my double chin, my other chin is almost non-existent according to my wife. :-D
Ann, my wife named the little Buff "Cindy" after her sister. I know better than to spell our Rock Lady's name with a "y" at the end, that's a mistake I only made once! :shock:
Our little Buff is the last one in the coop every evening btw. She needs her bedtime story and to be tucked in. She's the only one that needs that little something extra before she's done for the night.
...JP
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JP. I think she is in love. I gues she can feel that way untill you get the plans and build that wizbang chicken plucker.
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JP. I think she is in love. I gues she can feel that way untill you get the plans and build that wizbang chicken plucker.
:shock:
...JP ;)
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JP, well, well, well, you have officially joined the ranks of the chicken keepers, smiling. You maka me proud!!! You did a great job of making that darling little coop for your gals. I knew when I saw you spell Cindy with a "y" that you were referring to your Sister-in-Law, I recall her name was the same as me, but with that last letter changed. Yep, yep, I remember that day when you typed my name incorrectly, smiling, glad you didn't do it again, smiling again. Oh, yes, lots of smiling going on this morning. Been doing stuff, so haven't been hanging around much. Miss you all.
So, those are some pretty cute looking gals you got there, lovely. I knew that once you got into their lives, that you would be hooked, you have fallen in love, again, your Wife firstly, and now that second set of girls, smiling. You ain't seen nuthin' yet. You say that you have enough, sure, sure, wait until you begin to look at all the different styles of chickens, you will become a chicken hunter, or maybe your Wife will, one of you for surely will wanna have some more colours, more personalities, you are hooked, you are now held under their spell, as you are the honeybee, hee, hee.
Wait until you get the first egg, now that is gonna make your day. The sounds that will come from your chicken pen will sometimes make you really wonder what is going on. Chickens have a very extreme and different array of sounds that they make, all very interesting. Probably you will find yourself spending lots of time watching them, very therapeutic for relaxation, and never ever for a moment, a dull moment. Always up to something. Enjoy your birds JP, I know you will, and one day maybe I'll send Whoppo down, through cyberspace, from wherever he is, and he'll teach you how to look after ducks, smiling. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Beekeeper, Mr. Chickenkeeper, Mr. No Beard (ya, what happened to that anyways?), maybe good that you don't have it, the gals may be attracted to it (I mean the chickens, smiling). Now who's doing the name calling -- in that loving and sisterly way, which there was an icon for a big hug!!! You deserve one for sure....Have that beautiful, most awesome day, to love and live, with great health. Cindi
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All six have names now, how pathetic does that make us? :lol:
Cindi with an "i" aka Rock Lady, you bet I want more chickens! But, ho hum, six is probably the limit for my backyard. We are definitely practicing for when we make that glorious move one day to our place in the country.
Bare with me while I dream for a moment, we will have chickens and guineas and rabbits and goats, already have bees but even more bees and perhaps some turkeys and even a cow or two.
Oh, and the beard is probably coming back.
...JP
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When is the move going to take place?? Sounds like a few years aways?
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All six have names now, how pathetic does that make us? :lol:
Bare with me while I dream for a moment, we will have chickens and guineas and rabbits and goats, already have bees but even more bees and perhaps some turkeys and even a cow or two.
...JP
No, JP, not pathetic, beautiful that you have found names for these gals, lovely.
I will dream with you, and bare with you whilst you do. Dreaming is what makes our lives the places of joy that we live within, without dreams, we would have no love of life. You have a dream. That day, that dream will come forth -- that day when you and your Wife will make that move to your other country home. It will be a place of serenity, somewhere that you will be able to spend all your time, not just the get-aways that you and her do now, life will be very different. And just wait!!! :shock: :) :) :). You may be sittin' one day inside that barn, on an ol' barn stool, a chicken sitting on each shoulder, maybe a rabbit in your lap, milking a cow, listening to the most peaceful sound on earth -- nothing -- but perhaps there will be that sound of the cow, chawing on some nice food -- serenity, it will be yours to have and to hold, to share with your Wife, that day will come....you have beautiful aspirations -- in the meantime, have that most wonderful day, love our life, with great health. Cindi
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Well, I made the mistake of telling my wife about the Guinea hogs http://www.americanguineahogassociation.org/photos.htm (http://www.americanguineahogassociation.org/photos.htm) I saw at the feed store yesterday. Now she wants one. I told her if we get one, they'll definitely kick us out of the neighborhood, but Ann said "what about pygmy goats?" http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=pygmy+goats&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=NE0VS-KBC8eInQeJ8uXgBg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQsAQwAA (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=pygmy+goats&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=NE0VS-KBC8eInQeJ8uXgBg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQsAQwAA)
So, here we go again. :idunno:
...JP
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Pygmy goats are fun. Pam has two, named Jack and Jill. They've been here about 4 years now. We can give you all kinds of info on them if you wish. Think of them as dogs with horns... 8-) They are easy to care for, too!
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Pygmy goats are fun. Pam has two, named Jack and Jill. They've been here about 4 years now. We can give you all kinds of info on them if you wish. Think of them as dogs with horns... 8-) They are easy to care for, too!
Ok, here's a few questions.
How big do they get?
Do you need more than one?
Where can I get some?
What do you feed them?
Can you leave them unsupervised for a few days or so?
Do they stink?
Thanks,
...JP
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Dwarf Nigerian Milking Goats, JP, get goats with a purpose!
Our friends have them, they are absolutely adorable. They love pats, they love treats, they really are like dogs, in a way! They've got a nice 10x10' or so shed (split into two) with a corral around it, I don't know, it's about 30x50' or so. There's four goats that live in there. Your questions will have to be answered by a goat person, though, I have no idea what it takes to care for them. Perhaps some of these google links (http://www.google.com/search?q=dwarf+nigerian+goats&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a) will help!
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JP your girls are beautiful! You look younger sans the beard! I love my EE's. they are so pretty and have great character! The only goats that stink are the billy (un neutered male) Doe's don't smell, well they have a sweet goat smell, sort of like a horse but not as strong, maybe in between a cow and horse. I would go with the Nigerian dwarfs Ann was talking about. They really are adorable, smoother coated and the sounds they make are cuter. I personally don't like the sound of the pygmy's. They are lighter boned also I think. I always had toggenburg cause they look like little deer but they do get over 100lbs. It would be wonderful to look forward to moving to your country place, how big? BTW the chix can completely clean a turkey carcass in around 1/2 hr...heh heh heh and they have a ball doing it!
Jody
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Wasn't certain if you said pygmys or Dwarf Nigerian Milking Goats Ann. Thanks for clearing that up. These sound even better as I love goat's milk.
Jody, we have a little over twenty acres, mostly hard woods, white oaks and red oaks, some hickory mixed in, about 3% pine the rest huckleberry, dogwood, maple and some junk trees like gum. About 3 and 1/2 acres is open, which includes a pipeline and two powerlines.
My chickens seem a little "picky" they didn't touch the turkey carcass, even after two days. They love their scratch and mash, grass, earth worms, love grubs! They mostly ignore the pumpkin I gave them. The way they constantly peck and scratch you'd think these things would get 300 lbs or more!
...JP
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Pygmy goats are fun. Pam has two, named Jack and Jill. They've been here about 4 years now. We can give you all kinds of info on them if you wish. Think of them as dogs with horns... 8-) They are easy to care for, too!
Ok, here's a few questions.
How big do they get?
Do you need more than one?
Where can I get some?
What do you feed them?
Can you leave them unsupervised for a few days or so?
Do they stink?
Thanks,
...JP
They don't get too big. Pam's are maybe two feet at the shoulder.
Yes, you should have more than one as they are very social animals.
Craigslist is a good place to check. Pam actually got hers from a petting zoo a few miles down the road. (The owner also has an animal rescue.)
We feed a mixture of goat pellets, cracked corn, and rolled oats. We also keep a supply of hay onhand for them. These are spoiled rotten, so they won't touch the grass. We have to actually mow the paddock.
You could leave them unsupervised for a few days, as long as they have enough hay and clean water.
Males will definitely stink unless you neuter them at a young age.
I'll try to post some pictures of our simple set-up tomorrow.