Our Chickens
 

I saw Lt. Dans' Thread and noticed Many are getting chickens....

We Bought eggs and Hatched them in a incubator

I wanted to show the ones we have so far

Tomorrow I will take a few of the Hen house

We have 5 of these
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h5...pitzchicks.jpg Appenzeller spitzhaubens......lol

and 7 of these
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h5...warechicks.jpg
Delaware

We have a couple Dozen more eggs in the incubator Due to hatch in about a week

Jersey Giants and Guinea hens too


We ordered some Buff orpinton pullets and a cock from the feed store should be here in a week also
I'll show those when we get em :D


Meanwhile show me yours if you want too

Re: Our Chickens
 

I feed my chickens just about any damn thing...I also let em free range.....Mine love dry dog food.

If you are interested in trying to get the most eggs from your chickens, you may want to put a light inside their hen house . They will often lay 2 eggs per day that way because they are very much light sensitive when it comes to egg laying.

Re: Our Chickens
 

Chickens and chicken tractor with attending dog. :bull-buddy-icon:

Re: Our Chickens
 

Nice pictures! We are risking the chance of GIM going to the birds here. :D

I have a small coop made that is the start of a chicken tractor for 12-15 birds for summer use and I've bought an 8x10 storage shed I plan to convert for a main winter coop. Right now I have 24 st run chicks in the smaller coop. The new chicks will go in it once the others are moved into the larger coop. I plan to make a run for the larger coop and possibly free range after the garden is done this fall up until real cold weather. Predators are an issue, with hawks probably being the worst daytime threat. At night I can protect them by closing the door.

About the st runs, I think I have a large proportion of roosters. My son and his wife, who live next door, asked me what we will do if most of them turn out to be roosters. I said, "Eat chicken!"

Between chickens and rabbits, I think chickens are the better choice for a small type of livestock to have around if you've only a small area and there are no ordinances preventing you from keeping animals other than pets. I have a buddy that does have a couple chickens in town he lets range in his fenced yard. No one has said anything to him as I think they classify as his pets. :wink:

Re: Our Chickens
 

My chicken tractor has been temporarily retired since the chickens now have free run of their own fenced yard about the size of a standard back yard. Now they are free as birds and can get into all kinds of trouble. One of the hens just got her head caught in some netting and if I wasn't right there would likely have hung herself.

I'm expecting the first egg any day now from one of my ten hens.

The one rooster is so cocky it's funny. He goes around banging the hens and crowing all day long. Not too shabby a life for him.

I think he thinks I'm a rooster too. Last week he attacked my hand and I had to smack him a couple times before he strutted off grumbling.

Re: Our Chickens
 

you guys dont run into any danger from letting them free range. I mean as far as wild animals or strays attacking?

Re: Our Chickens
 

I'm thinking about getting into chickens too but have never had them before so it should be interesting. I've got a couple of questions. First off, I'm concerned about my yellow lab. Will he ever learn not to go after the chickens? I don't want to confuse him too much for pheasant hunting, but it would be nice if he could learn to mostly leave the chickens alone... is that even possible? (I keep him in a kennel most of the time so he's usually only out under my supervision)
Second, I'm thinking about putting a coop kind of in the woods and letting them free range out there. (eat those damn woodticks!) Is it possible to let them run free during the day and then round them up in the evening for their own protection? I really don't know anything about chicken behavior. Do they gravitate back towards the chicken coop at night? Could they be lured in with some food..?

Re: Our Chickens
 

still getting 2 to 3 eggs a day but i think my chickens are also laying in the
neighbors property that is one problem with free range:confused_m:

i have only lost 1 chicken to predation in more than a year i think that was a
coyote.but mostly my old mongrel dog keeps any predation problems under
controll i do not lock my chickens in at night and they nest about 30 yards from house. so they have some security.

many more young chickens getting ready to lay at moment.

old female dogs seem to be better with chickens but you can train them
early on by introducing young chickens to dogs.

but even if the dogs behave when you are home dont trust them to behave
when you are not.

Re: Our Chickens
 

The dog would be my big concern as well. I have a dachshund and frankly, they just dont like most small game type animals. It is their breeding. They meant for hunting and I cant expect anything else out of him.

Hes gone after ducks, unsucessfuly as he is a smart dog, just not the most logical(if that makes sense). So I have a feeling chickens wouldnt be too far out of the question for his "play time". Granted they are breed to hunt for burrowing animals likes rabbit(badger originaly) and the like, im sure a non flying bird would quick find its way to my porch in his jaws with his tail wagging proudly "look what i brought you!":banghead:

Re: Our Chickens
 

[QUOTE=Lt Dan;1058338]
Between chickens and rabbits, I think chickens are the better choice for a small type of livestock to have around if you've only a small area and there are no ordinances preventing you from keeping animals other than pets.QUOTE]



Let me try and " nicely"change your mind about that :}


Rabbit advantages : compared to chickens :


they take up less space, their droppings dont smell as bad, their droppings are one of the best fertilizers availiable { better then chickens} , they are quiet, they can be weaned off of commercial rabbit food and be primarily feed for free with fresh grass, leftover vegtables/ fruits, etc......They breed quickly , many times a year, and produce a large litter, the litter grows up quickly and can be eaten around 4lb weight ,

and they are a bit more " huggable" then your average chicken.


those are just a few advantages...

did I change your mind ? :s9::s9:

Re: Our Chickens
 

Yes they are more huggable....lol

But they don't lay eggs

So you have to kill them,
How can you kill and eat somthing that you just got done hugging?


My Grandpa keep his Family Fed and housed and clothed By Raising Rabbits Durring the Great Depresion.

So I Have thought about Rabbits, I guess I could sell them for food....Jusat not sure I could eat em myself. I guess if I was hungy I could, But I'll be eating Eggs...I like eggs..

Re: Our Chickens
 

OH!! They are so cute!!!!

Re: Our Chickens
 

i love having our chickens. we have a coop in the back yard that is a fenced area and in the daytime we let them out to run the yard. they are great in keeping grasshoppers down. we had 6, but one died as a chick and 2 got taken by coyotes last year. we've like barred rocks, they are pretty good layers.

we have a female lab and were at first worried she'd try to kill them as chicks but she treated them like her own. if was funny as heck when theyd start running all over the place and she'd frantically try to round them up to keep them in one place. when they started laying eggs in the bushes, shed find the eggs and bring them to me and very gingerly put them at my feet with a quizzical look on her face as in 'what the heck is this?'

i swear ill always have chickens--they are a piece of cake to do and you cant beat those fresh eggs!

Re: Our Chickens
 

Chickens rule!

I have 18 or 20. They eat anything .Nothing is as good as home grown scrambled eggs.Last year I was getting doz eggs a day :confused_ma: ,we started giving them away to friends and poor people. I've got two older birds that hang out on the back porch at night but free range during the day (they are great bug control ) the rest we keep in two differant coops.

Re: Our Chickens
 

Far too huggable


http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a90...ant-rabbit.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a90...uge_rabbit.jpg

Re: Our Chickens
 

So do they just come back in at night or do you have to round them up or what?

Re: Our Chickens
 

Is that a photoshop or what?? Holy shit.

Re: Our Chickens
 

Not yet! Rabbits are OK, most growers here sell off young for 4-H projects earning their keeps plus the meat they supply to the owner. A friend has rabbits but can't stand it to butcher the young, so what they can't sell they turn loose for the coyotes to eat. Another friend has a couple pet chickens that follow him around the yard and look for hand outs. Upside to that is they supply him with eggs for the kitchen and don't have to give up their life to do it.

I'll just say, to each his own. I can see advantages to having both if you're limited in the amount of space you have and limited amount of money for start up costs. I just know chickens better than I do rabbits so I lean toward being a bird brain instead of a bunny hugger.:D Actually for meat aside from chicken, I'd prefer pork and/or goats.

Re: Our Chickens
 

That big one is a German grey giant, one of the largest species of rabbit in the world, the guy in the picture sent them to feed North Korea but Kim Jong Il ate them all


Kim Jong Il ate my rabbits!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle1615350.ece

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a90...uge_rabbit.jpg

Re: Our Chickens
 

We just got into chickens recently. Have four Rhode Island Reds who are now 5 weeks old and are spending all day outside and I think tonight I will leave them outside overnight for the first time. I think I may have to make a chicken pot pie though as one of these pullets appears to be looking more and more like a rooster. :( I live in the suburbs and can't have a roo crowing or my neighbors will be up in arms. I think I'll give it a little longer and hope and pray I'm wrong.

Re: Our Chickens
 

So do they just come back in at night or do you have to round them up or what?

at dusk they wander on back to their coop all by themselves and i lock up the pen before it gets dark (coyotes got in the ONE night i forgot to lock them in!).

Re: Our Chickens
 

just thought id mention this--------my sister has been wanting chickens and a month ago put in an order for 6 barred rocks and 6 austrolopes and they were supposed to be in today. she called to pick them up and was told it will be after may 19 til her chicks come in. she asked the owner why and was told the breeders cant keep up, there is record demand for chicks and they cant keep up with the orders. and that the breeders are stunned as this has never happened before.

for years i remember you could just go to about any feed place and pick some up without ordering--you just called to see who had chicks and went and got them. weve done it many times. my sister is calling around to try to find chicks she can get now as she is concerned that her order may be delayed again. oh she was told only the barred rocks will be available as the others are just gone!

seems like maybe some folks are waking up and getting chicks---might want to get yours as soon as possible. takes 7-8 months til the eggs come in

Re: Our Chickens
 

We got our chicks this time last year. Lost one to a racoon, three to a hawk, and gave away a rooster, so have 15 left. They free range from dawn till dusk and come home to roost. I go out and close the coop at night and open it up every morning. During the winter I also had to take buckets of hot water out there every morning so they had water to drink because theirs would freeze. Now they just drink out of puddles rather than the clean water I keep out there. They also eat ALL of the leftovers. Better than a garbage disposal, I tell ya. When I come home, they come running from all parts of the yard. They think I am the King Chicken, I guess.

Anybody notice the price of chicken feed keeps going up? A 50 lb bag of cracked corn was $8.50 last year, now over $10. No wonder eggs are going up.

Re: Our Chickens
 

How long would you expect a 50lb bag of cracked corn to last for those 15? I'm assuming that you feed it to them sort of as a supplement to their foraging and leftovers,etc, is that right?

Re: Our Chickens
 

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...o/100_0398.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...o/100_1594.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ickenmungs.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...o/poorblue.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...portrait-1.jpg

Re: Our Chickens
 

I have a silly question. Why are the eggs different colors?

Re: Our Chickens
 

Im all for rabbits too,though we only have a pet ones at this time...Personally I prefer rabbit meat to chicken but that brings up another thought.NO WAY can you compare homegrown chicken to storebought.Homegrown is a gourmet treat,Im not kidding.Its excellent meat!

Anybody with chickens will attest to that.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...100_0396-1.jpg

Re: Our Chickens
 

The orange ones,the Buff Orpingtons,lay brown and sometimes a pink tinged egg,The Orange and blacks are Easter Eggers and lay blue and green eggs,The Black and whites are Silver laced Wyandottes and lay brown eggs.

Re: Our Chickens
 

hmmm, i never knew that.....what kind of chicken does the white ones and why are they the ones that seem to be most exclusivley sold for consumption?

Re: Our Chickens
 

Im on year 3 and get 2 eggs/day from 4 layers.The SLW on my lap eating Mung Beans is 'Gimpy',she doesnt lay,she has a few physical problems,like a twisted wing and foot.But is she ever sweet! Loves to be held and carried around,she is my favorite for sure.If we had a Rooster she would raise all the babies Im sure,she loves to nest and sit on the eggs the other girls lay.

Something about chickens...If you only have a handful and can tell them apart they will all have distinct personalities.They are enjoyable and funny as all get out.Great animals.

Re: Our Chickens
 

Im not sure but its because they are prolific layers.The first year is best production so they get slaughtered after one season.

When you raise your own and use good feed and let em free range outdoors a bit they will eat bugs and grasses.The egg shells are much harder,the yolks are orange and firm.They dont break in the pan,and the whites dont run.

Much better quality,once you eat homegrown eggs you cant go back,huge difference.

Color has no bearing on egg taste,they all come out the same when cracked open.

Re: Our Chickens
 

You can say that again! Having recently eaten a fresh egg for the first time as an adult, I was blown away by how good tasting they are. It's one of the reasons why I'm convinced that I need to get me some chickens.

Re: Our Chickens
 

Just got our hens in from Murray Mcmurray hatchery. All in good shape! Better than our local store-had several failures to make it home in the past. These gals are peppy.
Our first generation got taken by dogs/yotes....the ones that made it far enough to range. Got into a new early warning system. We'll see if she proves up.
The eggs were like scrambled beautiful butter. Best of luck to all who did or will get birds.

Re: Our Chickens
 

Well, during the winter they they were eating a bag a week because the ground was under a foot a snow. It all melted a couple weeks ago and now a bag will last 2-3 weeks prolly. Maybe longer when the grass and bugs really start coming in. They would rather forage in the grass even when the feeder is full.

During the winter I would get a dozen eggs a day from the coop easy. Now they go all over, so I find a pile of eggs hidden here and there, even in the trees. I still get more than enough.

IMO, fresh eggs have an antidepressant quality to them. One fresh egg a day is better than prozac.

Re: Our Chickens
 

I figured as much, about the color that is. I was just wondering why the white was so prevelant. I've had fresh eggs, they are VERY hard to beat and as a baker/pastry chef, they are the best to use for products.

I may or may not be in a position in the future to have some chickens of my onw, so I am trying to learn about them from first hand experience of others. At the same time though, I would be raising some to eat so I am not sure about the whole pet/personality connection as I wouldnt want to get too close to my future meal :(

As far as that goes, are there better types to eat and better types for "pets". I mean, are there some chickens that just dont do well as pets and so the stove is much more suited for them:tongue_ma:

Re: Our Chickens
 

Hehe...little bragging here, but...got 20-30 Barred Rock chickens, good egg and meat birds, and unlike most, they've laid through the winter without the aid of a light. With the eight grown hens, we get from 6 to 9 eggs per day when we collect 'em. Three dozen quail, just laying this year, six red golden pheasants, 32 ringnecks, maybe 20 or 25 pigeons, 29 Rouen mallards, 3 geese, and about a dozen rabbits at present.

The wife is an absolute fool for animals, she'd tame and raise a cobra if I let her, but we don't hesitate to restock the freezer when needed.

The quail and pheasants are my kid's home business, raising and selling live or dressed birds.

Complained to the wife the other day that we've got nearly as many sq ft in pens as we do in our house!

Somebody upstream in this thread mentioned McMurray hatchery and I'll say we've always been pleased with them. Also used Stromberg's with good service.

Re: Our Chickens
 

LOL,brag away,its your right as a chicken owner.

Where I live its very tight on the houses. And I have chickens. Technically I cant,property too small,but no one has complained and a few free eggs makes em real popular with the next door neighbors.BUT,a rooster.....no way,they would complain big time.

So dont rule having a suburban backyard crew,it can be done in some places where you might think you 'cant'.

Anyhow,get em when you can,only wish I had started many many years ago.They are simple and require very little care.

Until you see a flock of chickens racing down a hill,wings flapping wildly to see you,you havent lived.Its fun being Head Chicken,LOL.

Re: Our Chickens
 

Generally the store meat chickens are Cornish Crosses.IE,CornishX.

They are freak birds built for meat production only.All they do is eat and poop,most people describe them as 'disgusting' or something equal.

They reach full maturity in about 8 weeks and are butchered.Soon thereafter they start having heart attacks and die! And have bad legs,and its just a terrible thing all the way around for the chicken.Real 'freaks'

Now you can raise these if you like,they will quickly fill your freezer.Plenty folks do just that.

A lot of folks raise different breeds that are just Big Birds for meat,and there are many breeds that are dual purpose that make nice homestead birds.

Re: Our Chickens
 

Of our Orps,we have big buff and little buff, little buff is a butterball and would make fine eating.

Supposedly feeding all corn will fatten em up,but this is only my 3rd year with them,I really dont know that much about birds,Im still a novice,1 step beyond newbie.

But you do learn real fast.

Re: Our Chickens
 

[quote=mightyspuds;1061494]Where I live its very tight on the houses. /quote]

Thankfully I don't have that problem here. Plenty of acres between me and my closest neighbor.

I complain about all the animals, but I do like having them. And combined with the garden, hunting and fishing, they fill a freezer nicely.

Re: Our Chickens
 

My GL Wyandotte chick came in the mail this morning. delivered right to my door this time instead of letting Tractor Supply have them. Tried to attach a picture hope I did it right.

Re: Our Chickens
 

I'm just a beginner with the chickens. They really are fun though.

They can turn a property into a homestead put a smile on your face for sure.

Re: Our Chickens
 

Out of ten pullets in the race for first egg, the winner is Fluzzy, one of the buff Orpington-ish birds. The egg is small, but perfectly shaped.

The racket she made was hysterical, yacking and clucking the whole time. Apparently she had to give a blow by blow description of her experience to the flock as she laid that little egg. Kind of like me right now, posting. :D

The clucking was so intense, I thought a snake was in the coop!

Gooze the rooster strutted around echoeing her concerns the whole time.

These birds are funny as all get out.

Now only nine pullets to go and we're going to be collecting 20 to 30 eggs a day.

That'll be enough high quality protein for half the neighborhood. :bull-buddy-icon:

Here's a quick picture.

Re: Our Chickens
 

Hey Real Jack, are you sure you ain't Tim the Tool Man Taylors neighbor "Wilson"? Spitting image I think!

Re: Our Chickens
 

:beer::D There could certainly be worse comparisons. :clap2:

Re: Our Chickens
 

we've had chickens for about a year now. Have had Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, Red Stars, Turkens, Dominques, Black Star, and a couple i didn't recognize.

We've losst some due to predators and ate some.

I reccommend Rhode Island Reds, and Buff Orpingtons for Egg production and friendliness. Just ordered more of each. Allso ordered some Americaunas sp?, and silver laced wyandott. We'lll see how those go.

FYI anyone in NE TN, There's a lady selling RIR's just hatched for $1 ea. Might go get more just cause there so cheep. Her number is 423-323-5809.

We free range and love having chickens, there EASY to maintain, and hilarious to watch. Wife and kids love them too.

SJ

Re: Our Chickens
 

We are going to build a chicken coop this summer. All these chicken pics help motivate me.

In the meantime here are my pics of my pet rescue birds.

We had a rescue Emu and now we have two New Guinea hens. They are really fun to have around. They love looking in the mirror.

http://goldismoney.info/forums/attac...1&d=1208784970

Re: Our Chickens
 

One of my neighbors has had chickens in his back yard for some time, and is on his 2nd order of chicks (gave some away, some died) and I am about to take the plunge and piggy back on his order for about 5 or 7. One more baby step to self-sufficiency. Got a garden started and just had a bunch of hardwood trees dumped in my back yard for next winter. Mylar bags and O2 absorbers on order. Already have the buckets with gamma lids. This will be my first effort at LT food storage too. Great learning experience. Too bad we have to learn all this stuff because our nation is imploding. The Boy Scouts got it right: BE PREPARED.

Re: Our Chickens
 

The lovely sound of my Guinea Hens guarding the house :D


View My Video

Re: Our Chickens
 

That was a hoot. BTW, what were they alarming on?

I need help on figuring out how to imbed vids and even just attach pics.

Re: Our Chickens
 

They were alarmed over the video camera.. LOL
They let you know when anything is coming up the driveway.. They are really funny. I call them the Guinea Sisters. They remind me of two busy body old maids.

Re: Our Chickens
 

:clap2::clap2:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Re: Our Chickens
 

you can put pics in your attachment folder right here on GIM... go to advanced on reply and scroll down to where it says manage attachments.. You download off your own computer and paste the URL in where you add attachments on the panel right above the reply box..

I had to put the video on an external link because it was too big and just paste the URL.. you can also do pics there.

Re: Our Chickens
 

whoops , here is the link for a place to easily add pics and videos

http://tinypic.com/

Re: Our Chickens
 

There's one thing I noticed about chicken. Tastes like chicken :bear_w00t:

Re: Our Chickens
 

Thanks anyway. can't get any pics to upload here or there.
:banghead:

Re: Our Chickens
 

Anyone care to discuss the benefits beyond eating for rabbits and chickens? I know if you're willing to take the time, the rabbit pelts can pay dividends, but are the chicken feathers any use for clothing, pillows or quilts, or are they too stiff? bug reduction was mentioned as was rabbit fertilizer. What else do you get on the side?

Re: Our Chickens
 

Wow,those 2 birds really do make a racket! Nice pics of rescue birds too.
--------------------------------------------------------

Side benefits? As stated they will make your house a homestead and they are good for your mental health. They do eat bugs,and the fertilizer is great for your mulch pile. :clap2:

Re: Our Chickens
 

I found Two Eggs in the Hen house today!!!!!

My wife found one a couple days ago.

They are small eggs. But my wife said thats how they start out.

Our most of our chickens are about 6 months old now. We have 28 hens
So we should soon be finding lots of eggs I hope!

Gonna go fry these up right now!!


:applause_:applause_:bear_tongue:

Re: Our Chickens
 

Congrats on your eggs. We found our first egg about two weeks ago. Perfectly formed but quite small. That hen has layed an egg each day without fail and the eggs are getting progressively bigger. All four of our chickens are the same age so it'll be interesting to see how long til another hen starts laying.

My 5 year old niece was visiting and she was stuck to those chickens like glue followed them everywhere. She came running into the house with an egg looking all surprised, "Aunt Ant, the chicken just stood up and an egg fell out of her." I guess I'll let my brother tackle that one.:D

Re: Our Chickens
 

Out of the mouth's of babes.. cute....
:D

Re: Our Chickens
 

I've got a couple dozen Hamburgs just about there. After I bought them i got an incubator and hatched 6 mutts from a previous group of Wyandotte hens and a cool, GIANT old man.
The eggs are trickling in now only from the 'dottes.
Making plans to freeze many eggs....also Kgarten starts in a couple weeks. While I could use the education, it'll be my daughter going. We'll have to start having breakfast at home. Good timing for the eggs; good thing the kid loves them.

Re: Our Chickens
 

Out of the 40 chicks i had to start, 22 seem to be hens. I've 3 roosters left and probably will not keep them, as the eat a lot, maybe just one. We butchered 11 roosters last month and I was surprised how big they were compared to what we get at the store.

Still waiting for the first eggs, but any day now as the hens are investigating the nest boxes and the roosters are getting in practice... ;>)

Re: Our Chickens
 

:s9: Just went out to see the hens after lunch today and found 2 eggs. :applause_:applause_ They weren't there this morning early. I'll be checking every hour now for while.

Traderken, my wife commented on the small size too, but I told her they'll get bigger.

Got a couple dozen store eggs in the frig to use up, now what to do with those?

Re: Our Chickens
 

Someone here talking about Rabbits vs Chickens. They said that Rabbits don't lay eggs. What about all the eggs at Easter?

Re: Our Chickens
 

Has a neighbor upset you recently? Any child oriented holidays upcoming?

Re: Our Chickens
 

How long until the USDA requires RFIDs and tons of paperwork just to own chickens? I think it's coming.