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Post by dg on Jan 11, 2011 18:06:38 GMT -5
JIM:
Getting eggs now? If so, do they taste any different from store bought? (Hope you read my previous post link)
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Post by bankedout on Jan 12, 2011 9:21:56 GMT -5
I only got one egg since we started discussing the remedies. Luckily it wasn't eaten.
I overcooked my first egg but it seemed good. I'll let you know how my second egg tastes.
My nest boxes don't even have tops, so it is a perfect environment for egg pecking. I'll have to take the measurements and build a top for them that won't allow much movement while they are in there.
I'm not giving them artificial light right now. I read that pullets start laying early if they have the right conditions, and each hen only has a certain amount of eggs for her lifespan. I thought maybe wait until they are full grown (my cousins estimated february) before inducing more laying. I'll probably still get an egg here or there in the meantime.
My little ladies LOVE spare ribs!
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Post by dg on Feb 4, 2011 17:16:05 GMT -5
Hey, bankedout: How are those chickens doing? What have you learned about them since we last discussed them?
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Post by bankedout on Feb 4, 2011 19:40:06 GMT -5
The chickens are doing OK. I am impressed with how hardy they are. It has been at least -10 in the coop and they have survived. I didn't put the top on their nest boxes right after our discussion but have it on now. I know they go in them but they haven't laid an egg in the nest box with top yet. There are barely any eggs without artificial light. The last one I found cracked on the ground but not eaten.
The chickens get cooped up in Winter (our climates) and if I had to do it again, I wouldn't acquire them in Winter. I think they will be much more fun in the other seasons.
Also, you will want certain footwear to wear when you go in the coop. Because it is inevitable that you will step on fresh chicken poop at one point or another.
My cousin said she might give me a chicken that lays blue/green eggs for Easter.
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Post by dg on Feb 5, 2011 10:08:41 GMT -5
Since I get the same kind of weather you get basically, I plan on constructing a small (4 x 6) chicken house that I can move inside my garage for winter. My garage is unheated until it drops below 20 outside; then given help by an electric heater to protect exposed plumbing. I hope to use that, insulation in the coop walls plus heat and light from a couple of incandesant light bulbs to get reasonable egg production thru winter. Frankly, I'm surprised your chickens have survived -10 F conditions. I guess I won't have to worry about them at near 20 degrees during winter with their house in my garage. (and I won't have to go out in the cold to retrieve eggs or clean the coop).
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Post by bankedout on Feb 5, 2011 16:25:09 GMT -5
I don't know if all breeds are as hardy. If it gets to 30 degrees like today, I open up and let them out. They don't like walking on the snow but if they find a little grass or dirt they will hang out for a while. They like basking in the sun if possible.
The second egg I ate was very good. I look forward to doing more testing when Spring arrives.
They love to eat anything green like lettuce or parsley or the leaves from celery. They also LOVE meat. They will pick everything off the bones. So I give them quite a bit of stuff I used to throw away. I try to give them a hardier diet when it gets below 0 at night.
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Post by dg on Feb 6, 2011 13:45:23 GMT -5
Just a thought. If you have space for it, you could fill used plastic jugs with water (closed) and place them inside the building to add thermal mass. They would work best if next to the inside walls of your chicken building (which I assume to be a shed of some kind). Leave some space in them for expansion (15%) should they occasionally freeze solid.
Or if you have tons of snow on the ground like we do, you could mound it up against portions of the shed walls exterior to provide insulation (igloo style). You might want to staple plastic tarp to the sides first to prevent having wet wood problems. Just because it gets below zero outside doesn't mean the chickens have to experience it.
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Post by bankedout on Feb 7, 2011 15:10:16 GMT -5
I could mound snow, we have plenty right now. The sides of the shed are metal so no water worries.
My attempt at putting a top on the nest boxes to prevent egg eating has failed. It may be my design that is the problem. I would almost have to catch them in the act to understand how they are doing it.
I'm thinking I will move forward with some sort of roll away design. We are supposed to get a warm stretch next weekend so maybe I have time to work in the coop then.
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Post by dg on Feb 7, 2011 18:05:16 GMT -5
Hmmmm .... since I'm starting to plan my chicken house design, I guess I had better incorporate a nest rollaway concept too.
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Post by bankedout on Feb 7, 2011 20:21:49 GMT -5
I would suggest a nest box design that allows you to gather eggs from outside the coop. Even with designated 'coop shoes' it's not always fun to bring chicken poop in to the house. I take them off as soon as I get inside my house, but now I have a little chicken poop corner where the shoes stay.
An auto feeding system will also eliminate some trips in to the coop.
I use a heated dog dish for water in winter, but in summer I plan to go to an auto waterer.
I suppose in other seasons the coop will remain cleaner since the chickens will be outdoors during the day.
I also would recommend having the ability to open your little hen door from outside the coop. That would save 2 more trips in the coop per day.
Of course I didn't do any of these smart things and it is too cold to upgrade.
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Post by dg on Feb 8, 2011 0:05:12 GMT -5
What I find great is that you are discovering these things from the perspective of a novice before I have to do it. BTW, here is a website devoted to raising chickens which I am sure you will find interesting. backyardchickens.yuku.com/Another btw, have you considered sawdust or kitty litter for the floor of your chicken house? It might help with the poop on the shoes problem. One more thing ... remember that racoons, foxes and weasles actively persue and kill chickens. When outside, they need protection from the sides, from above and from below. Runs should be totally fenced in -- including floor and ceiling. Or you can spend your whole day sitting around with a loaded rifle, watching your flock ...
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Post by bankedout on Feb 8, 2011 18:16:15 GMT -5
I use wood shavings and shredded paper on the floor. Still, if there is a fresh one, your shoe will find it! Kitty litter contains things that chickens shouldn't eat, and they naturally try to eat little pebbles like that.
My chickens came from a farm where they just ran around the yard during the day. I'm going to try that. I'm in the middle of a village so I think daytime predators should be minimal. But maybe that will be another hard lesson to learn!
Thanks for the link.
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Post by bankedout on Feb 13, 2011 20:12:49 GMT -5
I don't know if you will be able to see my video at this link or not: www.facebook.com/v/1580517719205I modified my nest boxes so that the eggs will roll away in to a hidden area. Hopefully this will put an end to the egg eating.
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Post by dg on Feb 14, 2011 12:59:57 GMT -5
nope. it is apparently locked by a privacy setting.
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Post by bankedout on Feb 14, 2011 19:33:20 GMT -5
Sorry about that. I joined You Tube and uploaded the video there: www.youtube.com/watch?v=glQFIH8Y1acDay 1 and I already got an egg! This is a very simple idea and it is working.
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