Backyard Chickens?

[Dobs4ever]

They are impossible - I paid good money for one of the metal 3 gallon waterers and after a year it makes me sick to look at it. I did not want to have to try to precision drill holes for the poultry nipples and set that up as it still needs a 5 gallon bucket and then I have to figure out where to mount it OUTside the coop. I am on my way out now to hang this and see how it works. Can't be any worse than what I have now.

 

[JanS]

Let us know how it goes!

 

[Gelcoater]

They are impossible - I paid good money for one of the metal 3 gallon waterers and after a year it makes me sick to look at it. I did not want to have to try to precision drill holes for the poultry nipples and set that up as it still needs a 5 gallon bucket and then I have to figure out where to mount it OUTside the coop. I am on my way out now to hang this and see how it works. Can't be any worse than what I have now.

Interesting for sure.
Still not pulled the trigger on chickens here yet,things have been busy.
But I am enjoying this thread,learning a lot.

 

[GennyB]

I paid good money for one of the metal 3 gallon waterers and after a year it makes me sick to look at it

It sounds like I have the same kind. I don't have any problems with it. Mine is hanging from the ceiling of the coup, probably too high for them to get any poop in it. I just go out in the morning, undo the clip, throw out any remaining water, wash it and fill it back up.
I did see a pretty cool feeder made out of 4 inch pvc pipe that I may try.

I may not make mine so tall, but more of them, like one for each hen. I have a couple that can get a little pissy if they have to share the same feeder.

 

[Dobs4ever]

I''m happy with my chicken feeder. It is one of the few things I bought that actually works!!! My waterer said don't hang it so I didn't. But so far so good on the new one. However, when I went out at noon to check my buff was dead. Probably cardio and I did not echo or holter. I am sad as she was my only buff.

 

[Gelcoater]

It sounds like I have the same kind. I don't have any problems with it. Mine is hanging from the ceiling of the coup, probably too high for them to get any poop in it. I just go out in the morning, undo the clip, throw out any remaining water, wash it and fill it back up.
I did see a pretty cool feeder made out of 4 inch pvc pipe that I may try.

I may not make mine so tall, but more of them, like one for each hen. I have a couple that can get a little pissy if they have to share the same feeder.

Wow!That is very creative!!

 

[GennyB]

Wow!That is very creative!!

I have one hen that is a total bi*** . Gigi and Greta don't seem to have any same sex aggression, who knew I would have to deal with in chickens. I hope if I make one of these for each hen and put one in each corner it will help.

 

[Gelcoater]

I have one hen that is a total bi*** . Gigi and Greta don't seem to have any same sex aggression, who knew I would have to deal with in chickens. I hope if I make one of these for each hen and put one in each corner it will help.

So all the rest get along and one is a queen B?
I know an easy solution to that one

 

[GennyB]

So all the rest get along and one is a queen B?
I know an easy solution to that one

I do too. But she is such a good layer, that earns her some slack. She's pretty good most of the time and she is my favorite. The only time she gets a little a little bitchy is when someone else tries to eat at the same time. Guess I should call it food aggression, not same sex.

 

[Dobs4ever]

Who knew Chickens and Doberman's carried some of the same genes!! ROFLOL

 

[MyBuddy]

However, when I went out at noon to check my buff was dead. Probably cardio and I did not echo or holter. I am sad as she was my only buff.

Aw, so sorry to hear that but, excuse my naivety on this....what is a buff?

And post some pics of your new waterer! I'm hoping one day that my daughter in law will convince my son to have chickens! lol! I don't want them myself, but if she does, Holy Eggs, Batman! I sent her the video you posted and told her to tuck it away for future!

 

[Dobs4ever]

It a buff orffington - now called a Golden Buff - this year I added 2 Barred Rocks and 2 Brown Leghorns -unfortunatley the idiot gave me 2 roosters when I only wanted hens. He said he could sex them. The Leghorns are very skittish and flighty (poor temperament for sure) All the rest of my chickens are pretty tame and docile. My Leghorns freak out every time I go into the coop.

 

[Dobs4ever]

Sorry I should have looked up the correct spelling - it is Buff Orpington - an English bred chicken that lays large brown eggs. They are broody so if you want to hatch some chicks this is a good hen to have. They are docile and affectionate as well as very cold hardy. They are a beautiful golden color

 

[GennyB]

what is a buff?

This is what they look like

Need to know what hens work for you? Which Chicken Breed Selector tool - My Pet Chicken

 

[Dobs4ever]

I buy my chickens for egg production first and then color and variety. I don't have to worry about health testing, the show ring or the gossip ring - LOVE my chickens mixed and matched.

 

[GennyB]

I have been pretty lucky in the egg production. I get 6-8 eggs a day out of 4 hens. The dreaded molt will start soon and I won't get that many, maybe 3-4 eggs a day. Last year I read up on the molt season and what to feed and it helped. Molting was over a lot faster. I think I am going to start the "molt diet" sooner this year and see what happens.

 

[JanS]

I get 6-8 eggs a day out of 4 hens.

Oh wow, I didn't know they laid more than 1 egg per day. Interesting!

I think the molt is hard on all birds so I'm glad it only happens a couple times per year with Howard.

 

[MyBuddy]

I get 6-8 eggs a day out of 4 hens.

Yea, that's a lot! I thought you had to have a lot more chickens than that.

 

[Dobs4ever]

With the cooler weather I am seeing more feathers laying around too. So I went ahead and started my molt diet. Next year I have to to find some Easter Eggers chickens - I used to have an Americana as they lay the blue green eggs. I had one several years ago til a skunk got in and got it.

 

[Gelcoater]

With the cooler weather I am seeing more feathers laying around too. So I went ahead and started my molt diet. Next year I have to to find some Easter Eggers chickens - I used to have an Americana as they lay the blue green eggs. I had one several years ago til a skunk got in and got it.

So the color of the egg is determined by the type of bird rather than its diet?
Once again,I had no idea.
And,I also had no idea a skunk would eat a chicken.
Keep this stuff coming people!!
This city boy is fascinated.