We need an update on those chicks @MischasMomma. I bet they're growing fast.
Backyard Chickens?
- Thread starter Dragonborn
- Start date
I have to admit I had never heard of an egg cooker either.
I'll admit I've been around egg cookers my whole life...Mom made deviled eggs to take to "rummy night" parties all the time. But sadly their yield produces an egg with a texture I could never appreciate. Hard boiled and raw are egg dishes both I'm saving especially for the apocalypse!
Hey!
Welcome back?
I haven't seen you posting in quite some time.
Happy to see you return.
Oh gosh they are!! And you know, I was in to post an update a few days ago and my pics were too big but I had too much else going on at the moment to resize to post them then forgot to come back!
They aren't bothering much with their "roost" and all huddle together in a pile at night to sleep... Its adorable! I can't get a pic though because if it's not dark, they get up roam and the flash on my phone freaks them out. We plan to build the coop and move them outside this weekend, weather permitting! I think they are all feathered enough to be outside. Here's some pics from a few days ago! I can't believe how big they're getting and how fluffy the silkies are already! Mine are bigger and fluffier than my ex husbands, and he got his a week before me, so going off TSC, his are at least a week older than mine!
I haven't decided yet, the black one and the ISA brown are still pretty fluffy with down and not many real feathers yet... @GennyB should I keep them inside longer or should they be ok moving outside with everyone else? The reds (brown in the pictures) look almost fully feathered to me, and I know the silkies will stay fluffy forever lol
WiglWerm
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If it is still getting chilly at night I would put a light in the coop. Don't need a heat lamp, just a bulb will give off enough heat. I bought a metal clip lamp at home depot and clipped it to the roost and pointed it down...they can huddle under it if they need to or not. Good Luck, bet you can't wait to get those stinky buggers outside!! LOL
I would wait to put them outside. The weather has been been so unpredictable that I just wouldn't risk it. I would also keep them together. If you watch them, you will find they have established a pecking order. If you separate them you could have a problem when you reunite them. It may be like introducing a new bird to the flock and that can be tricky.
You will find the silkies are very calm and timid birds and don't like chaos. Keep harmony in your flock and you will have happy hens. Happy hens lay more eggs.
Speaking of eggs, with the longer days, my girls have become laying machines.
The neighbors are happy to see me comming.I had the girls out yesterday while I was cleaning out flower beds. They were so funny standing there waiting for me to uncover some "goodies" for them. They thought I was providing their own personal lunch buffet. If I stopped raking they would look up at me like what's the problem?
They are funny little creatures. I cleaned up their coup yesterday and sprinkled some diatomaceous earth all over the place. When it was time to put them up, I called them, they came running over with Lucy, the top of the pecking order first. She starts to go in the coup and stops dead in her tracks. She looks around like what is all this white stuff? They wouldn't go in till I got the rake and mixed in all the DE and it looked like home again. They notice every little change.
Oh my goodness!! They have grown so much!! So adorable! Looking like chickens! Hahaha!
I agree that you probably shouldn't put them out yet. I know nothing about chickens but the weather has been so unpredictable and PA has got to be a little colder than us so I'm just guessing that it might be too soon.
I suppose there are a lot of folks who own livestock that are 'blind' to these facts only because they are not out there to do anything other than feed, round up and 'keep' them. I interact with my horses every day. They are handled every day. I move them from place to place every day and ground manner training is the same as with my dogs...its every day. With everything we do. Working that close to an animal every day you get really get to see that personality come out.
Those little chickens will get dependent on you and see you as a Pack Leader! lol! I'll bet it will be a lot of fun! I know @GennyB chicken stories always make me smile!
I agree that you probably shouldn't put them out yet. I know nothing about chickens but the weather has been so unpredictable and PA has got to be a little colder than us so I'm just guessing that it might be too soon.
And this really makes sense.
Honestly, it's just like horses. And probably a lot of other "livestock." People who don't own these are surprised (and sometimes still don't believe me) when I tell them the horses each have a different personality and sometimes are like dogs! They are alert to their surroundings and changes, follow me around like a dog and react to things I do and say to them. I've talked to people who own cows and they will tell you the same thing!
I suppose there are a lot of folks who own livestock that are 'blind' to these facts only because they are not out there to do anything other than feed, round up and 'keep' them. I interact with my horses every day. They are handled every day. I move them from place to place every day and ground manner training is the same as with my dogs...its every day. With everything we do. Working that close to an animal every day you get really get to see that personality come out.
Those little chickens will get dependent on you and see you as a Pack Leader! lol! I'll bet it will be a lot of fun! I know @GennyB chicken stories always make me smile!
I know@GennyB chicken stories always make me smile!
I'll have to get some video, It will have you L 'inOL!
Oh, I'd love that!! And I have no doubt about lol! LOL!I'll have to get some video, It will have you L 'inOL!
I really thought they were older but I looked back at the text he sent giving me the ok and that was only 3 weeks ago! So they are about 3 1/2 to 4 weeks old. I could have sworn it was more like 4-5 weeks we've had them! Got the coop built today, so that is done and ready (pics tomorrow! Got it done just before dark fell) got their hanging waterer and built a pvc gravity feeder. The only thing left is adding a latch for the nest box door and eye hook to hang the waterer, and zip tie the feeder. Other than that it's all set and ready!
@GennyB What is the DE for? I've seen to use that on other sites as well and I actually have some, but not sure what it does or how exactly do I use it?
Here's a few new pics from last night. The ISA brown (tentatively named Martha Flocker) always jumps up here to greet me as soon as the door opens, then quickly falls asleep (or at least closes her eyes) after a quick scratch behind her head.
Chickens are prone to all kinds of parasites, both internal and external. I use food grade DE to control them.
I also use pine straw vs straw to help keep deter any problems. The smell is a deterrent to all the little buggers as well as a deodorizer. I also use cedar shavings for the same reasons.
I also put a big shallow bowl filled with DE and fine dirt for them to dust in. I used to put DE in a parmesan cheese bottle and shake it on them but found the dusting bowl much easier and more effective.
I now use the cheese shaker to sprinkle the DE on their food for internal parasites and worms.
The big key is to keep everything clean including the feeders and water bowls, which most people ignore, and you should be good to go.
Some more helpful tips.....
You may need more than one feeder. They all have different eating styles and may not like eating too close to the others. A more docile bird may not get enough to eat so it is a good idea to give another option so everybody gets enough. It all comes down to the pecking order. The ones at the bottom will get pushed out. Sometimes the one at the top thinks one feeder is not enough and will push her subordinates out to make sure she has enough to eat. It's always a good idea to keep the feeders full so nobody feels like they won't have enough to go around.
Also don't forget to scrub that coup out with bleach water. Use good disinfecting procedures and and you should have a healthy, happy flock.
Keep the hens entertained. Bored hens get in trouble. My hens have toys. Some are as simple as hanging a cd from the roof down to their level so they can peck on it and watch the reflection bounce around. They are curious little creatures and love to be stimulated. BYC is a good place for ideas for toys as well as other sites.
You are going to have fun with these guys. You may find that you look forward to just watching them, I know we do. We have a sitting area on the far side of our pond. In the warmer months it is not unusual for us to sit out there and watch their antics for hours.
I also use pine straw vs straw to help keep deter any problems. The smell is a deterrent to all the little buggers as well as a deodorizer. I also use cedar shavings for the same reasons.
I also put a big shallow bowl filled with DE and fine dirt for them to dust in. I used to put DE in a parmesan cheese bottle and shake it on them but found the dusting bowl much easier and more effective.
I now use the cheese shaker to sprinkle the DE on their food for internal parasites and worms.
The big key is to keep everything clean including the feeders and water bowls, which most people ignore, and you should be good to go.
Some more helpful tips.....
You may need more than one feeder. They all have different eating styles and may not like eating too close to the others. A more docile bird may not get enough to eat so it is a good idea to give another option so everybody gets enough. It all comes down to the pecking order. The ones at the bottom will get pushed out. Sometimes the one at the top thinks one feeder is not enough and will push her subordinates out to make sure she has enough to eat. It's always a good idea to keep the feeders full so nobody feels like they won't have enough to go around.
Also don't forget to scrub that coup out with bleach water. Use good disinfecting procedures and and you should have a healthy, happy flock.
Keep the hens entertained. Bored hens get in trouble. My hens have toys. Some are as simple as hanging a cd from the roof down to their level so they can peck on it and watch the reflection bounce around. They are curious little creatures and love to be stimulated. BYC is a good place for ideas for toys as well as other sites.
You are going to have fun with these guys. You may find that you look forward to just watching them, I know we do. We have a sitting area on the far side of our pond. In the warmer months it is not unusual for us to sit out there and watch their antics for hours.
Is that something like this? I don't remember where I found it but I saved this picture a long time ago. becaause I thought it was a great idea!
So interesting! You are a wealth of information on chickens, I'll tell ya! Cool idea on the CD. I guess these little guys are just like any animal with getting bored and getting into trouble! Sounds like some dogs I know!
Great! then you must have meant *agree * with my post looks like you tapped disagree by accident.
I was wondering!
Great! then you must have meant *agree * with my post looks like you tapped disagree by accident.
Yes... That was supposed to be agreed lol sorry!
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