chicken coupe ideas? (sorry don't know where to post this)

[whitebb2727]

I'm in ohio. Not providing any extra light. The church next door keeps the parking lot lit but the closest light is probably 75 ft from the coop. I usually leave for work before the sun comes up and the hens haven't layed yet so by the time i get home they will be cold. Today was the first day od really cold weather. I too am surprised they are still laying.

Some breeds will take to cooler weather and lay. What are you feeding them? Some mixes will make them lay.

 

[NaturalFarmer]

I'm fairly sure they just started laying this fall? and probably don't realize they need to conserve energy yet. This cold snap will change their thinking..extra calcium will help if you want eggs as well but the light is the ticket.

 

[Jimmyjonestoo]

I kinda worded their age a bit wrong. I got chicks last winter and raised them inside while i built the coop and they went out in the spring when it warmed up. They've been laying for a while now, probably since early summer but yes they are still pretty young.

 

[Jimmyjonestoo]

Some breeds will take to cooler weather and lay. What are you feeding them? Some mixes will make them lay.

I feed em layer crumbles. Right now the fact that they are still laying isn't a concern just a surprise. My worry is if bringing in cold eggs and leaving them on the counter as we usually do would cause a problem as far as edibility? Common sense tells me if you take a cold egg and leave it on the counter it goes bad, but I'm newish to fresh eggs and i know they are obviously way different than store bought. Guess i just need to find a way to get to em before they get too cold.

 

[whitebb2727]

I feed em layer crumbles. Right now the fact that they are still laying isn't a concern just a surprise. My worry is if bringing in cold eggs and leaving them on the counter as we usually do would cause a problem as far as edibility? Common sense tells me if you take a cold egg and leave it on the counter it goes bad, but I'm newish to fresh eggs and i know they are obviously way different than store bought. Guess i just need to find a way to get to em before they get too cold.

They will be fine. Never made me sick. If in doubt see if it floats. I have had eggs sit for quit a while and still be good.

 

[farmerfischer]

I feed em layer crumbles. Right now the fact that they are still laying isn't a concern just a surprise. My worry is if bringing in cold eggs and leaving them on the counter as we usually do would cause a problem as far as edibility? Common sense tells me if you take a cold egg and leave it on the counter it goes bad, but I'm newish to fresh eggs and i know they are obviously way different than store bought. Guess i just need to find a way to get to em before they get too cold.

I have three hens left and two of the three are still laying a dozen every three to four days. ( the bantam stopped laying two or so weeks ago. My two layers are one astrolorp and one Isa Brown..the astro is a short comb and the isa a medium comb.. My question is this normal. I'm a tard to back yard farming. Lol

 

[farmerfischer]

DON'T BUY HOMDOX INCUBATORS.
4 out of 7 eggs got cooked, temp read 37.9° c. The whole time except during replenishment of water and to turn the eggs and rotate.. So I'm using a homemade one ..

 

[NaturalFarmer]

Yeah if you can, try to get a good broody hen to sit. Maybe get a cat carrier/cage to avoid any new eggs. They will go into a trance like state for weeks if they are good ones dedicated to one thing only.

 

[farmerfischer]

Yeah if you can, try to get a good broody hen to sit. Maybe get a cat carrier/cage to avoid any new eggs. They will go into a trance like state for weeks if they are good ones dedicated to one thing only.

What am I looking for. Breed? Or look for the bird that's has the sitting instinct. Or both? Any recommendations on breed or is broody a breed?

 

[NaturalFarmer]

Buff Orphington are a good choice. Broody just means that they sit on the eggs with the intention of making them hatch. I have a Partiridge rock and a Easter Egger that will raise young..The mother will keep them safe and warm and it is the way to go. I don't even use lights for my young anymore either.

 

[Jaybodankly]

One thing I have learned from being around farm animals is Pavlovian Response. The feed bucket has a scoop tied to it. Before feeding bang the bucket a few times. They will come running in the future when the bucket is banged. Really useful for gathering them up in hurry. You can push guide animals with a long stick. I had a fuckin rooster would cause havoc in the garden. Cant catch him and didn't want to feed him. I used a 10' bamboo stake and swept him out of the garden. They dont associate you with the stick.

 

[farmerfischer]

I think I figured out what my bantam is.. Old English game..??
She likes chilling on the cat tree when she's indoors.

 

[Rottedroots]

Chickens... it's more fun watching them than TV. I HAD a dozen red rocks and RI reds but they are not the smartest bird out there. SOMETHING killed all of them in a single 24 hour period by pulling their heads through the fencing. You might think that after they saw a few of their sisters having their heads removed that they might move AWAY from the fence. Nope.
I'll be getting another batch in the spring but I'm going with varieties that don't produce a lot of eggs. I'm also going to put together a "chicken tractor". It's a mobile insect eliminator that fertilizes as it moves through the garden. Unless your looking for production you can pretty much feed them ANYTHING but I pity the weak member of the flock. They will kill the weak sister toot sweet.

 

[farmerfischer]

Chickens... it's more fun watching them than TV. I HAD a dozen red rocks and RI reds but they are not the smartest bird out there. SOMETHING killed all of them in a single 24 hour period by pulling their heads through the fencing. You might think that after they saw a few of their sisters having their heads removed that they might move AWAY from the fence. Nope.
I'll be getting another batch in the spring but I'm going with varieties that don't produce a lot of eggs. I'm also going to put together a "chicken tractor". It's a mobile insect eliminator that fertilizes as it moves through the garden. Unless your looking for production you can pretty much feed them ANYTHING but I pity the weak member of the flock. They will kill the weak sister toot sweet.

Lol I seen that chicken tractor on fb.

 

[HighLowGrow]

My girls are 16 and 18. They don't need that expensive ass play structure any more. Reved up my tractor and took the top off. I added some old 2x4s and all is good.

 

[farmerfischer]

Bought 12 more chickens (chicks)the other day. 6 bantam (mixed) 2 sexlink . 2 road island red. 2 orphenton . sorry if spelled everything wrong.lol..
I think I have one bantam rooster. Other then him they're all hens.
My women went out and bought a small pre fab. Chicken house that only took 2 hours to build.. Its perfect for the bannies.. Maybe some day I can post pics.lol

 

[HighLowGrow]

Seems like it's been 3-4 weeks with the pic problems.

I added three ducks to the mix and getting three eggs a day. I'm in CA. They are bigger than the chicken eggs and taste pretty damn close. I feed them laying pellets like I do the chickens. Of course the occasional strawberry tops or cut up veggies always make them happy.

 

[A.K.A. Overgrowem]

What am I looking for. Breed? Or look for the bird that's has the sitting instinct. Or both? Any recommendations on breed or is broody a breed?

Watch some Becky's homestead episodes on YouTube. I believe I saw a vid. on how to get a hen to brood. Diff. breeds have diff. personalities, Some bullies, some avoid peeps, some are like curious puppies. I like the friendly ones.

 

[farmerfischer]

Watch some Becky's homestead episodes on YouTube. I believe I saw a vid. on how to get a hen to brood. Diff. breeds have diff. personalities, Some bullies, some avoid peeps, some are like curious puppies. I like the friendly ones.

Thanks a lot, I'll check it out..

 

[farmerfischer]

Here's a couple pics of my chicks.
This first one was sold to me as an orpington . she has feathered feet and every orpington I look at doesn't. Any ideas what she may be.