Found a hen in the street "Backyard Chicken" [Archive] - Colorado AR-15 Shooters Club Discussion Forums

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Irving

11-22-2015, 16:45

The kids started yelling that there was a hen in the middle of the street. We went outside with a towel and cornered it. I guess I was being too timid because I couldn't get a hold of it and my wife just reached down and grabbed it. Here it is. I'm going to get a post up on Nextdoor and see who it belongs to.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EWhJzTC4q0ByniMBkHYobPO1xfeckfYaJ9Qc2LCIXK4N1areJY 94DivywRMeZjC4eSaITyoGWhqyig3V9B6-QtJlgS2gZzpoARQKHvR3EM1UYg6EzP9OFm5M-q5GLCWWikN11jHcaih97rTB8lZSQMU_TmYuOMiE2Ua2C03VLWC gikWApAIU9Cb6673QsLuBwyhhnt-tY-R6Zy8QmmrVhQDH80M38TDKH4qAGFTloss3771HCQO8xPDj647H 4KIZitZQfgoqwHR5g7GUESDdXJUETuifBei9cJJgY3NftjN8wk i5NU2EzBe1lwhHOY6fpzWbxTC9KtWu2cQJ3GWk0Z-kB73dxfWxJ20VqoKE85TLNZ6SYFCvN_YDw1QVfD2pCvBnKIQM7 8Q14QujHVOrvWx2eZc3m_wJal802a9kl6s3ZFVZe4Goa3Lod39 A9nBnQlE7y_tzD47A3FcInSFV2sb72HOs68b-_Dsdez6de2FDZejG6ZeGQQujIykcwVm19PGvw32dXPV3hvFRIL 6bE6Mj-vLLhwvfv7muUjDnR9ns=w1698-h955-no

Dave

11-22-2015, 16:46

Now we'll never know why it wanted to cross that road.

cstone

11-22-2015, 16:49

It flew the coup.

Great-Kazoo

11-22-2015, 16:55

Someone's feathers got rustled

fitz19d

11-22-2015, 17:12

Good looking hen. Might look for CL missing posts and the like. If you can't find correct owner. I might take it both to piss off wife and relive my previous chicken owning days.

Goodburbon

11-22-2015, 17:13

Barred rock

Zundfolge

11-22-2015, 17:26

Did you take the opportunity to ask her why she was crossing the road?

Irving

11-22-2015, 17:29

Did you take the opportunity to ask her why she was crossing the road?

She would have said, "Because you were chasing me while manically laughing.

Irving

11-22-2015, 17:33

Problem:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LIr1EebGTU7SEyrZEFEkpHZcCDJF6XTmDG3DS5QZ0SPceZvxkA fkkEt7Y4G3wyvWZ8XNc7KxpezWFnm7HrVa5NC0zHalBK8ZTtbV _7RA9CdKkm7NAlbPPh_1Xvhgs3FUS59iH9l7O-ZX9L5jcng4ibLC3CoXbQd-fK6A8zopRcEjPsv5feFSE0CzN_Mj3lqU3QYXKByGmJZmkEEwSe JdWJb-bbNdvGfhEZfHvFdXSsB1YgLl6j01v4pba7mM1_M1sgzUzx4icJ CDlygQAH8KQq5Q9ywN7UOvuku-z-hMprG5u936Huw4POv6Y2I_u7c0loZ1Np2YXM-KcocKjq2e7Da59l74nvbDlp7mHVyygAC3ZFemjaIAY5q7TOMLB rK2aTK16JXz_q_ivMPQ56ODKPyax6rQ1-vT-g57wFB6dTAX_6gDHqo52rsRFLwG0LoF7zqOoR6VmcVxek0oG2O J6eceo6f-VlKf8qne3XLKilQclH_Aw3UN2GTtUtGkCFisu3lugqO2NhcJNA GqCX1YueXnD59Kj0QM7AaJl7t5HdFq=w1698-h955-no

Solution:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IVf2e0ndmPlNvrkVZ4bHXecFflP1jYRWMW4uk0ir8R6jIDW4yn igJvn7p2R6ctKEoIyMltHMtHmzS3VeMl4BRrXcZ7md1QmSWf2D kowYTfPQ9o9QmhCXkWGmTMfoibhAR0HQy123EAbZRtyxZxhXWg 6gcbMew-T2pw9FINiPw_fVtLmZdS9ygVQYHDyOg9loLOr_sDNHMnoP3e7w 3msf6B4Vw9tIZhNx7_q3MSDEWjEwj3wZZ2k7-BOrjeGMjq_tg7gjaYTuBap-mqjPHXTS7rgZeFZafZLHpb-867gZAGsAG6gQ0GFmYkE3WkZOicXsVCq1nppMmFIy3uz1TNN2r TWpZOttHvNdwOV-3cwuVd2xdcr5qL2UNk1yKyo798qF-mYFOhoLo1hmUEce8EuFalNrJADr2vVW84qB4_mEYjKpeuljMgz xbSAuyZPFY3TXylQteCFyWVIBvOQFkVxNJl_2dQjyLMZNFaZ6l hfSSrPCfJIC-kWyWT9G-L2qqOuChEMjTbc0cmxbcApd6eXspPZyAOyamUus1NWq_-QBOli9=w1698-h955-no

HoneyBadger

11-22-2015, 17:38

I love that your reloading stuff has googly eyes on it. Also, I can't find that Dillon product on their website. It may be a counterfeit.

Great-Kazoo

11-22-2015, 17:41

buffalobo

11-22-2015, 17:46

Better eat it before it shits all over everything.

BPTactical

11-22-2015, 17:47

sroz

11-22-2015, 18:03

Better solution:62268

For the win!

beast556

11-22-2015, 18:19

For the win!

Its your lucky day Irving, you just got a free chiken dinner.

SideShow Bob

11-22-2015, 18:31

Its your lucky day Irving, you just got a free chiken dinner.

Grab it by the head twirl it around a few times, then snap as you would a towel...............

sniper7

11-22-2015, 18:35

Think......KFC

Irving

11-22-2015, 18:57

Right now it is roosting on the highest shelf it could reach and it ate some corn. I went in the garage and after being in there for about a minute I thought, "Wait a minute, didn't we have a chicken in here?" It took us a few minutes to spot her up on the high shelf.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XaPGATnyXarKIeVdx1sp6LkztZlVnR6kb3Tlh98s_dnu7tddKe vV4XvsfpMqkgezIb1FD1okWhzh3rDmEdo420PygKwCF-pXV-qyvEzFR3rLz1pqyMjJS6_s6o20kblj1ECYlScuKPgNarE9Gh1e-JSVLv1wfo2kroeEWH3QrmnrgqnD4zngz9m1mmdOs9N9MUqqrTM 50VJtoAcn4wREV-KStvWmTCCotOo1opqzEBrZCVSqFn3AKAEG95Y5kxVlaJ--uc-LkHhGaTTL1Q5-QRLa2k934NWUGOKxly6SPlFMbJzIvI8CNp9RC3nq-rrsT19RL5uXu_5jWzeLeqbnKWnmvPkxSahYbDwXYM7IkOAWYO8 N8c0Mgx69CyKNj5CqzGqpta93juFhd7lKNSd4sRZTGo-G895rYF93RCWHfawH2yxsilT3uOhJtEAqeTbADVUW4HNh1ybJZ UCL89tYL-iqU0mIoUQfdgxXfPIBu1kHEk6vABHGlkMLFJUZMNtjCVyermWD 3ZR8SQi4d6rDytIWce1i6R05PyIMle_nyaPJ=w538-h955-no

Irving

11-22-2015, 18:59

Barred rock

Thank you.

TheGrey

11-22-2015, 19:02

Poor girl! She probably misses her sisters.

Give her some cooked oatmeal in the morning- she'll love you for it. Or if you have leftover greens (no spices, though!)

I can't imagine she's gone very far from her home. I love our Nextdoor site- I bet her owners are searching for her.

BPTactical

11-22-2015, 19:09

What's a Grey henway?

fitz19d

11-22-2015, 19:09

Forgot if i said local FB groups and craigs. They may not know it's gone though if its one among a dozen.

Given how well it seems to fly to get into that tiny shelf nook, imagine some possibility was an indoor or full enclosure bird.

O2HeN2

11-22-2015, 19:15

Problem:

Solution:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IVf2e0ndmPlNvrkVZ4bHXecFflP1jYRWMW4uk0ir8R6jIDW4yn igJvn7p2R6ctKEoIyMltHMtHmzS3VeMl4BRrXcZ7md1QmSWf2D kowYTfPQ9o9QmhCXkWGmTMfoibhAR0HQy123EAbZRtyxZxhXWg 6gcbMew-T2pw9FINiPw_fVtLmZdS9ygVQYHDyOg9loLOr_sDNHMnoP3e7w 3msf6B4Vw9tIZhNx7_q3MSDEWjEwj3wZZ2k7-BOrjeGMjq_tg7gjaYTuBap-mqjPHXTS7rgZeFZafZLHpb-867gZAGsAG6gQ0GFmYkE3WkZOicXsVCq1nppMmFIy3uz1TNN2r TWpZOttHvNdwOV-3cwuVd2xdcr5qL2UNk1yKyo798qF-mYFOhoLo1hmUEce8EuFalNrJADr2vVW84qB4_mEYjKpeuljMgz xbSAuyZPFY3TXylQteCFyWVIBvOQFkVxNJl_2dQjyLMZNFaZ6l hfSSrPCfJIC-kWyWT9G-L2qqOuChEMjTbc0cmxbcApd6eXspPZyAOyamUus1NWq_-QBOli9=w1698-h955-no

Looks like you're making it awfully easy for it to score "A" hits.

(if that cardboard is what I think it is).

O2

Great-Kazoo

11-22-2015, 19:40

Still have this bird? Figure by now it would have been linked to the, What's in the smoker thread.

argonstrom

11-22-2015, 19:49

'Bout time you found your pecker...

Sorry, dude - had to.

Ah Pook

11-22-2015, 19:59

Winner Winner...

[Dinner]

BPTactical

11-22-2015, 20:31

'Bout time you found your pecker...

Sorry, dude - had to.

LOL

brutal

11-22-2015, 20:49

Winner Winner...

[Dinner]

Chicken dinner!

sampson

11-22-2015, 21:24

Im checkin my backyard now. Looks like one of mine. You'll probably have an egg to go with your roast chicken.

sniper7

11-22-2015, 21:47

What is that slogan the chik-fil-a cows say? Eat more ________

HoneyBadger

11-22-2015, 22:40

She's not the only one to notice there's No Dillon products on the bench.

.
The powder dispenser over on the right side of the bench is pretty clearly labeled "Dillon"

pickenup

11-22-2015, 23:50

She looks thirsty.

Irving

11-22-2015, 23:58

She finished all her food and drank some water as well.

brutal

11-23-2015, 00:06

She looks thirsty tasty.

FIFY

brutal

11-23-2015, 00:07

The powder dispenser over on the right side of the bench is pretty clearly labeled "Dillon"

It too, has googly eyes.

HoneyBadger

11-23-2015, 10:02

It too, has googly eyes.
I know!!

Now I want to put googly eyes on my own tumbler.

JohnnyEgo

11-23-2015, 12:11

Googly eyes make everything better.

http://www.johnnyego.com/dump/eyes02.JPG
http://www.johnnyego.com/dump/eyes03.JPG
http://www.johnnyego.com/dump/cake/eyes07.JPG
http://www.johnnyego.com/firearms/friends/events/rangeday10/1911RangeDay23.JPG

The Rat

11-23-2015, 12:26

I like where this thread is going.

Great-Kazoo

11-23-2015, 13:00

I like where this thread is going.

4 calling birds, 3 french HENS, 2 turtle doves and googly eyes on EVERYTHING...................

Jamnanc

11-23-2015, 13:09

Whatever you gotta do to get chicks.

Dave

11-23-2015, 13:28

I'm liking the suppressed pistols next to the homemade candies.

Irving

11-23-2015, 13:31

I've got googly eyes on an ammo can, and used to have them on a work glove as well (in case I need someone to talk to), but they don't stay on the gloves for very long.

Chicken update: Shitting all over the garage, as expected. Not a huge fan of the dog, or the cats. Cats aren't huge fans of the chicken. Dog loves the chicken.

Ah Pook

11-23-2015, 22:08

http://www.everestuncensored.org/Hiking/02252007/24.jpg

mtnrider

11-23-2015, 22:43

Better to find a Hen in the street then a cock in the ....

GilpinGuy

11-23-2015, 22:46

No eggs?

Irving

11-23-2015, 22:49

Great-Kazoo

11-23-2015, 23:04

Brought the dog house into the garage to start converting it to a coup. Chicken already likes it in there since I added a roost. I've got the dog kennel pushed up against dog house so she has limited space to roam and crap in the garage until I can get set up outside.

Oh yeah, I drove around the neighborhood a bit today asking people if they knew where she came from. Everyone says no chickens on their street, including the mailman that knows everyone.

Edit: No eggs, Gilpin. She doesn't really have a place to lay one quite yet.

Stick her in a roasting pan for a few. It's either Drop or Pot.

Have your daughter stand in the yard holding a large pot. Climb the roof, tie rope around cluckers neck, throw off roof. Tell your daughter, she alone holds the birds fate in her hands. Besides, Santa Clause is watching.

TheGrey

11-23-2015, 23:24

Brought the dog house into the garage to start converting it to a coup. Chicken already likes it in there since I added a roost. I've got the dog kennel pushed up against dog house so she has limited space to roam and crap in the garage until I can get set up outside.

Oh yeah, I drove around the neighborhood a bit today asking people if they knew where she came from. Everyone says no chickens on their street, including the mailman that knows everyone.

Edit: No eggs, Gilpin. She doesn't really have a place to lay one quite yet.

Chickens will lay eggs in spaces meant for eggs, and in spaces NOT meant for eggs. She's likely a little upset/nervous that she's not with her flock.
They're pretty social little critters; are you going to get a couple of others to keep her company?

Irving

11-23-2015, 23:31

Yeah, that would be the plan if I can't find who she belongs to. I noticed that if she gets upset about something (like me letting the dog in the garage), even when whatever upset her leaves, she still squaks and carries on until I go and stand next to her and talk to her. Then she shuts up.

GilpinGuy

11-23-2015, 23:35

http://wardelfeed.com
If you need supplies try Wardel Feed off of Wads and 42nd. Good folks in there.

Irving

11-23-2015, 23:50

Oh that's way close, thanks. I was thinking I'd have to drive all the way up to Fort Collins. I just read your whole quail thread again to pick up some tips and see if you were using a poop hammock. I need to browse around on backyardchickens some more.

brutal

11-23-2015, 23:55

Better to find a Hen in the street then a cock in the ....

back alley?

HoneyBadger

11-24-2015, 00:06

back alley?
[facepalm]

Irving

11-24-2015, 00:31

back alley?
I was going to say gutter.

Great-Kazoo

11-24-2015, 00:43

I was going to say gutter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDss8V2OME4

brutal

11-24-2015, 00:59

I was going to say gutter.

Get out of my mind!

Ah Pook

11-24-2015, 01:44

Chickens will lay eggs in spaces meant for eggs, and in spaces NOT meant for eggs. She's likely a little upset/nervous that she's not with her flock.
Hopefully, she hasn't read this thread or she may never lay again.

DocMedic

11-24-2015, 10:38

If you want a chicken coop I have a small one back of the house. You can just have it.

Irving

11-24-2015, 10:43

Thanks Doc, think I'll just build one out of this dog house to give me the experience. I would like to see pictures though.

fitz19d

11-24-2015, 11:57

Chicken Diaper and keep it indoors.

brutal

11-24-2015, 12:03

Chicken Diaper and keep it indoors.

You spelled Hickenlooper wrong.

Spdu4ia

11-24-2015, 12:16

I see what you did there ...

DocMedic

11-24-2015, 12:30

Sure I'll take some pics of it when I get off of work

Lex_Luthor

11-24-2015, 17:15

Pre-turducken, missing the turkey & duck?

Holger Danske

11-24-2015, 17:31

Go my first chicken the same way. Came home from church and it was in the yard. Walked the neighborhood several times and didnt find the owner. That chicken laid two eggs a day.

sampson

11-25-2015, 14:17

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/25/8fd9f85f74f64887ab0d0801678b1de2.jpg

Monky

11-25-2015, 15:49

Maybe it's not laying eggs because it used to be a rooster?

The Rat

11-25-2015, 16:57

It's probably not laying eggs due to the lack of natural daylight out right now. Chickens need a certain amount of daylight (or artificial substitute lamps) in order to keep laying regularly. My flock of 19 is not laying at all right now on account of that. We don't have artificial light since we'd rather give them a break during the winter.

Great-Kazoo

11-25-2015, 17:23

Maybe it's not laying eggs because it used to be a rooster?

A former Cluckdashian ?

brutal

11-25-2015, 18:09

Maybe it's not laying eggs because it used to be a rooster?

Winner!

GilpinGuy

11-25-2015, 21:49

The cluck got a tuck?

TheGrey

11-25-2015, 23:32

Maybe it's not laying eggs because it used to be a rooster?

Nah, it's a hen.

Gman

11-26-2015, 08:27

Nah, it's a hen.
How do you know it's not transgendered? Maybe it's a rooster trapped in a hens body.

fitz19d

11-26-2015, 08:44

Might be too old to lay?

ray1970

11-26-2015, 09:03

It's probably not laying eggs just to spite you.

I'd kick it around a bit and see if it looses the attitude.

The Rat

11-26-2015, 09:18

How do you know it's not transgendered? Maybe it's a rooster trapped in a hens body.

You joke, but this does happen. Not sure if it's a hormonal imbalance or what, but yeah. http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v495/rupert42/chickens/PilotCrows_zps7ad0da7c.mp4

BigBear

11-26-2015, 10:48

Fried chicken.... ?

Irving

11-26-2015, 11:14

Pretty much everyone is excited that there is a chicken around.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/u8ZLo7P41ksRr5RhN35AJJHMO5PGxT41AePq_CqFiRAwb4SsiA DuOE97h42WvLCa82c3uR26DErHGck5IkORz3kH_8RSS6cZNFDl NOlPmtGELHNC8KhMJekmWBvOKXJFgNdgmJyF1Jy3xMsSztlGs4 Z62JwY0qlb90t_cEK86nM7gfMGV7E_Wb7CgZ4ZRwlI2sioSmXM jG5bKjBITa37oZxBQAw0Du0areH9kXBpr4foKE-GBHe8S0vASUuNdT7mLC47_-6XcsTuN9sV8hQP22vhCYi6XTmDxMZTkdtC4tFRnDgjbfXcc3d_ bCh31Mk2pecj8kXaFVlVQSY6O9nASoNS66SDrwLVzmUf-_ECREq-g0T-A_NOdyGo7-4Pu_PNiUeg2DKQ-BFoAxVmBnIVA6vbG2Z6hM0Hatj57B-t4BACoKC_KOK6HBduKKXolpIaGX8C0Oz2uBiHfOhIxqAuL2FbU S49GVw_NFy-F9aPs4ZkWM6TX5xitOq7PEueCeyUzNGl36DPvzY6B78jzArViB qmfx-XL9fY7FqTbrHFYZlz=w1698-h955-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/byoa0adVzu7rkYEshnYMcVZOJgepY-Vj3veNAf2RStDtSx0AhLt7dN7OcTgI9EN0kLWm8KBmrNxDO1p1 W_sAi2RAKXkmBaIVvKJg5Pcb1_6DvCtL8TgzNSajgIIGkus_qz 4edJm-sZRA0cgGLc0ShJEhqxYJJAyKR6oAwyxxRXsYauCz3MWJeIoFti _gHHklZB0pr6wHbDDLypAmcXAQvXjgb4Yb9mwFK6_hjxVueTOW 2tl6p8WPveVD8PAOXBaEOzQxjqkLywywoSlDigHW5L-m-ExWiCnZH9naYzOseHtCOqhZRzqirJ13btjxzo_HS8k5XXD5f7S RVr46a-06sfFKDlu6gCgb7CjN36k9kDOU930FrnSGtM4Me5FdueMxlius GX3cIPeLnkHUekAxxHYOZORkoFOaYlM6aSY7Lb6EIYc-y5l1gURdpcYn-xlgrIp0ZfKAHDS8PO5Jsdk5bOlax6oU7cZnjQ5KOsceZG7VFnD TCH0LdpoOEoLrhZzBFVJeqaIyaf2fh6t5AJXKgZTuwDja5ytL9 7Ixd_zvvZzo=w538-h956-no

When I came home on Tuesday, I noticed a bunch of feathers in the street, and after I parked, feathers continued to fall onto my car. I got out and looked up and a hawk was up in my tree just shredding some bird. I don't even think it was the same hawk as pictured above. The guy in this picture looks about twice as large as what I saw the other day.

brutal

11-26-2015, 12:05

newracer

11-27-2015, 12:59

Googly eyes make everything better.

http://i.imgur.com/sH2tqKT.jpg

palepainter

11-27-2015, 16:43

Great-Kazoo

11-27-2015, 16:48

Lots of reasons for no eggs this time of year. First, it is stressed, secondly as mentioned, not enough daylight. Thirdly, the change in it's diet will delay the laying as well. The dogs staring it down probably isn't easing it into laying mode. :) They Barred Rock is a decent producer of eggs.

Irving standing there with some ky doesn't help. NO REALLY it makes the eggs come out easier, range AND Cruelty free.. Totally organic.

HoneyBadger

11-27-2015, 18:25

{Gross googly eye picture}
You're a jerk. You just ruined googly eyes for ever.

Jamnanc

11-27-2015, 18:28

I agree with the comments about stress. Chickens lay when they are comfortable. When we first got ours, we let them run the back yard. When we moved to a coop and a small run, they stopped paying and started fighting.

SideShow Bob

11-27-2015, 18:31

Well that chicken better start popping out eggs pretty quick, or Irving is going to give it a sauna in the oven......

Irving

11-27-2015, 19:15

Maybe it's not laying eggs because it used to be a rooster?

We were watching "The Private Life of Chickens" yesterday, and this is a real thing. Hens with damaged ovaries grow a waddle and feathers on their legs, and even start crowing. No shit.

Also, there are a bunch of "The Private Life of _________" documentaries on Netflix/Youtube. Cow/deer/plants/chickens/etc.

brutal

11-27-2015, 19:17

We were watching "The Private Life of Chickens" yesterday, and this is a real thing. Hens with damaged ovaries grow a waddle and feathers on their legs, and even start crowing. No shit.

Also, there are a bunch of "The Private Life of _________" documentaries on Netflix/Youtube. Cow/deer/plants/chickens/etc.

Baby Donkeys?

Irving

11-27-2015, 19:17

Week that chicken better start popping out eggs pretty quick, or Irving is going to give it a sauna in the oven......

Funny you mention that. I was working outside again all day today and had the barrel stove running. I hear my wife come outside and yell, "IS THE BARREL STOVE ON?!?!?!" I was like, yeah, duh, why?
I look over and the chicken is just perched on top of it. My wife grabbed her off it and her feathers were all singed and I think one of her feet was bleeding, but the chicken didn't really understand why she got grabbed so hard.

brutal

11-27-2015, 19:19

Chicken life must be hard at Irving's, damn thing is trying to commit suicide.

Irving

11-27-2015, 20:12

Yep.

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Lex_Luthor

11-27-2015, 20:30

Lol that poor chicken! Irv's house is a death tap disguised as a nice place for that chicken

Irving

11-27-2015, 20:38

I think when it comes time to cull hens for eating, I can practice taking them with a bow and arrow right in the yard.

HoneyBadger

11-27-2015, 20:53

I think when it comes time to cull hens for eating, I can practice taking them with a bow and arrow right in the yard.
If she doesn't kill herself first...

TheGrey

11-27-2015, 22:28

I think when it comes time to cull hens for eating, I can practice taking them with a bow and arrow right in the yard.

Does your wife know about your plans of culling this chicken? Has she given it a name yet?

Irving

11-27-2015, 22:54

TheGrey

11-27-2015, 23:00

I had my wife feel the chicken's wing to identify the part that we usually eat with buffalo sauce and she started crying. My wife had a pet turkey, named Sylvia, when she was a little girl and they had to kill her and eat her for food. She says she doesn't want to eat any pets.

Sounds like your wife has a new pet! Get some friends for the chicken, prep the coop to keep it warm, and count on having lots of eggs and no pesky bugs or mice in your garden next year. It's a win/win!

...besides, it's kind of cold-hearted to 'practice' killing your chickens with a bow and arrow. Seriously.

Great-Kazoo

11-28-2015, 01:18

Sounds like your wife has a new pet! Get some friends for the chicken, prep the coop to keep it warm, and count on having lots of eggs and no pesky bugs or mice in your garden next year. It's a win/win!

...besides, it's kind of cold-hearted to 'practice' killing your chickens with a bow and arrow. Seriously.

He should do it by hand. Kind of like choking the chicken, in a literal sense .

IMO the owner realized it was on the way out and let it loose. Not even worth turning the oven on for.

Irving

11-28-2015, 03:59

Chicken update. Went to Wardles Feed Supply today and picked up a hanging feeder, two bags of feed (1 corn, 1 "feed"), and a bale of straw. Total was under $27. They have pullets there, so I'll probably pick up a couple tomorrow. Didn't get a water set-up because I know I can get it cheaper. In fact, I have an aquarium heater that I can use to keep water from freezing for the time being. Anyway, onto the pictures. Should be relatively self-explanatory. Just need a door on the front big enough to cover the current hole, and I'll make a chicken sized door in the bigger door to keep it warmer inside, maybe. Also need to make an external access for the nesting boxes. I'm also concerned that someone will lay eggs on the far side of the nesting boxes where I can't see. Might install an angled piece of wood discourage that.

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buffalobo

11-28-2015, 09:02

As long as you have nesting spots for all, should be rare that they lay out side of them. We also raised nests up from floor level. It give birds a place to roost and makes cleaning easier.

We used wood planer shavings instead of straw. They often have pleasant pine smell to help combat chicken shit smell and compost well.

Will need some heat as well.

Raising chickens can be a very satisfying endeavor.

You have to work out the pet v livestock on your own. Much to my wife's chagrin, I do not allow livestock to be made pets.

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ray1970

11-28-2015, 09:11

You have to work out the pet v livestock on your own. Much to my wife's chagrin, I do not allow livestock to be made pets.

Along those lines, I wonder what the city or county has to say about keeping chickens?

I have a coworker who lives in Bennett who was fighting with the city about having chickens. And that seems like a small country town compared to where Irving lives.

Growing marijuana in the back yard is fine and dandy. But, God forbid, don't have a few chickens to provide some eggs.

The Rat

11-28-2015, 09:13

sampson

11-28-2015, 09:19

The city is OK for us (denver)... it's the dam hoa that is more of an issue.

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sampson

11-28-2015, 09:22

Yeessssssss, join us. You have caught morhens disease. Soon enough you'll be picking up desperate chicks on craigslist to give them a good home. Just gotta watch out for that, since sometimes you get a cock or two. It is craigslist, after all.

(I'm not being totally facetious here, I have three roosters because of that.)
Ya we wound up with some roosters as well that we had to switch out.

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buffalobo

11-28-2015, 10:16

Roosters make good gifts for friends and family.[emoji33]

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buffalobo

11-28-2015, 10:20

Along those lines, I wonder what the city or county has to say about keeping chickens?

I have a coworker who lives in Bennett who was fighting with the city about having chickens. And that seems like a small country town compared to where Irving lives.

Growing marijuana in the back yard is fine and dandy. But, God forbid, don't have a few chickens to provide some eggs.
Folks will have to research local ordinances and HOA rules to avoid such hassles. We moved out of the city many years ago, primary reason was to avoid such BS.

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Irving

11-28-2015, 10:53

No heat will be provided. I read that nesting boxes should be lower than roosting spots. I also read over and over that people initially build nesting boxes to fit one hen, only to realize that the hens like to cuddle, even when laying and larger boxes work better. Each of the boxes is about 13" x 10", so hopefully enough to fit two. After adding the straw I saw that some elevation would have been helpful. While I like the idea of extra light during winter, I don't want to run power to the coop. I have solar planned, but that is going to have to wait. Coop should be outside by today hopefully.

I've looked up the code in Thornton and I'm going to have to rework the slats on the front of the fence so you can't see through from the street.

buffalobo

11-28-2015, 11:29

We had 4 nests down each side with a roost bar about 4" out from nests that kept birds from pooping in nest while roosting. A flip down door gave access from outside the nests.

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ray1970

11-28-2015, 12:10

Irving

11-28-2015, 12:23

Fence run in the front is a total of like 12 feet. Just a matter of adding a picket on each side. Wife changed her mind though, so I'll just get rid of it.

ray1970

11-28-2015, 12:43

Glad to see she wears the pants in the relationship. Lol.

fitz19d

11-28-2015, 13:25

I'd love to have chicken again but wide is dumb

Great-Kazoo

11-28-2015, 13:37

Yeessssssss, join us. You have caught morhens disease. Soon enough you'll be picking up desperate chicks on craigslist to give them a good home. Just gotta watch out for that, since sometimes you get a cock or two. It is craigslist, after all.

(I'm not being totally facetious here, I have three roosters because of that.)

You should put me on your mailing list for a spring get together. we'll probably get some cluckers then. Or grab some from the daughter, if the coyotes don't get em.

Irving

11-28-2015, 13:56

Can we move this thread to the DIY section and put the phrase "Backyard Chickens" in the title so it can be searched please?

brutal

11-28-2015, 14:35

Certainly I can't be the only one who finds Irving's chicken adventure amusing.

Seems like a lot of trouble to me. Building habitat, taking care of the bird, possibly redoing the fence pickets at your house so you can keep it, etc.

Of course, keep in mind I'm not an animal person so I don't fully understand any love for anything outside my species.

And it hasn't laid a single egg... [ROFL1]

Irving

11-28-2015, 14:53

To be fair, I haven't really concentrated on an egg laying, more just getting it a house out of my garage. It's basically just been in a barren cage for days now. Since I'm not going to run lights outside, it probably won't lay eggs for a while anyway.

sampson

11-28-2015, 16:51

The Rat

11-28-2015, 17:59

It is amusing.[emoji1] Not much trouble really once you get em set up. Feed and water em and give em your kitchen scraps. Unlike some pets, they give something back. My girls put out.[emoji6]

Same here. Dog keeps the raccoons and foxes away, and then all the chickens need is to be let out in the morning, have some feed thrown to them, and shut in at night. Easy and super low maintenance.

Irving

11-28-2015, 18:25

Got it set out in the garden. It has doors on it, but they are terrible and need to be re-done. I suppose a big thing to take from this thread is to actually plan things out and do them well; that really goes for everything in life though. Since we just found this chicken in the street, and I'm on an extremely low spending binge, I just had to throw everything together with junk that was already taking up space at my place. So the trophy wife wants the chickens in a run so they aren't crapping all over the place. We agreed to do a run, but I can wait till spring to build it. With that said, I realized my raised bed gardens that I also am nearly finished building would work perfectly for something like this. Also, with the raised beds, I don't have to worry about burying chicken cloth and the fence serves as one side already. I think some pvc pipe bent into a hoop (from 4x4 corner posts to fence) will make for a fast and easy run.

http://reclaimgrowsustain.com/sites/default/files/double%20run%20chicken%20coop_0.jpg#overlay-context=content/save-time-and-energy-fenced-chicken-coopgarden

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The Rat

11-28-2015, 18:47

If you're on a budget, check craigslist for scrap wood and other materials. I was fortunate enough that there was enough scrap left over from decades of my family's home improvement projects to throw a coop together for cheap. Doesn't have to be pretty, just has to keep the elements off of them!

Also I highly recommend the books 'Raising Chickens for Dummies,' 'Chicken Coops for Dummies' and 'Chicken Health for Dummies.' They all break it down pretty well and are a great resource for someone starting out.

The only other item I'd add is that if your coop will be on ground level, to dig a trench and bury chicken wire to keep raccoons from digging in under. But it looks like yours is raised, so you won't have that problem.

Irving

11-28-2015, 19:47

Thanks for all the tips so far evereyone. I have an attic full of used wood from years of the previous owner's projects that I used. The dog house was free. I got to thinking and if I had to do this again for very few chickens, I'd just run to Habitat or that place at I-70 and Colorado and pick up a cheap sink base or bathroom vanity. Board up the back, place a board over the top with hinges, and you're pretty much done since it already comes with cupboard doors and possibly even a shelf. Attach a small run off the back and you've got yourself a perfect coop and run for an urban set-up if you have a tiny yard like mine.

For those of you with experience, I've been reading about introducing new chickens to a flock, and it seems like you're supposed to keep them separated for up to a month. Since I only have one chick, but want to add two-three more, I feel like I'm basically adding my one chicken to a pre-existing flock, which is supposed to be a no-no. Could I get pullets from different coops so there isn't an already established pecking order and just put them together at night? What do you recommend?

The Rat

11-28-2015, 19:53

A month? Ha! I would keep them separated but able to see each other via some kind of separate cage for about a week, and then integrate them. Depends on the individual birds' temperaments though. I've always been pretty cavalier about introducing new birds immediately and they've always done fine. However there's also enough land here that they can give each other space until they get comfy with each other.

I've found that a lot of the common wisdom about keeping chickens is overblown like that, especially when it comes to roosters. It's not like Highlander where they fight it out to the death. Mine have all grown up together and done fine, but even when a new one has been introduced, they just fight a little to establish dominance and the status quo and it's settled from there.

Irving

11-28-2015, 19:55

That's kind of what I assume reading all this stuff. Right now, there is no run and they'll have the whole yard to run around and explore. I'm planning on picking up a few more tomorrow morning and they can hang out all day to figure stuff out.

sampson

11-28-2015, 19:59

The chickens your getting already grown a bit or they going into brooder?

Irving

11-28-2015, 20:02

Grown pullets from Wardle Feed over in Wheat Ridge. They don't do chicks between October and February, which is fine since I'm not ready to dedicate any time to chicks.

TheGrey

11-28-2015, 22:59

FYI: Any HOA restrictions as far as poultry is concerned, you can usually get around by giving them names and calling them 'pets.'

Ah Pook

11-28-2015, 23:32

FYI: Any HOA restrictions as far as poultry is concerned, you can usually get around by giving them names and calling them 'pets.'
This is Fried. This is Baked. This is Fricasseed... [LOL]

Irving

11-28-2015, 23:55

This is Fried. This is Baked. This is Fricasseed... [LOL]

Wait til you meet Spaschcock!

brutal

11-29-2015, 00:59

This is Fried. This is Baked. This is Fricasseed... [LOL]

Friend used to name his steers. Chuck, Sir Loin, Stu, T-Bone, Chili, etc. Comical.

The Rat

11-29-2015, 07:51

Some of mine were named after chicken-type MREs. So we had Dumpling, Tetrazzini, Noodles and Fajita.

Irving

11-29-2015, 12:11

If anyone is interested, this FAQ page has been pretty helpful, even though I found it after I read a bunch of other stuff and had pretty much finished up the coop.

http://hencam.com/faq/

sampson

11-29-2015, 14:31

Thanks. Had chickens for about 4 years. Culled one flock. Used youtube for information as well. My family insists on naming them.... currently after harry potter characters

Irving

11-29-2015, 14:35

Ohh, do you have a Pansy Parkinson or a Padma Patill?

sampson

11-29-2015, 15:10

No .. but we have a hippogriff. Dunno what breed chicken pretty cool funny lookin. Brown with feathers on the feet and long ones about the head.

Irving

11-29-2015, 18:30

Is it a Polish?

http://p-fst2.pixstatic.com/51b729a774c5b65554000754._w.540_s.fit_.jpg

ray1970

11-29-2015, 18:43

So, how many chickens are you going to have?

Irving

11-29-2015, 18:49

Thinking four. Would have picked them up today but the place is closed Sunday. My chicken is pretty bored and I need to get her some companions asap.

ray1970

11-29-2015, 18:52

Are you working on a coop big enough for four of them?

Irving

11-29-2015, 18:59

They'll all fit in that dog house just fine.

We just decided the names should be Blanch, Rose, Dorothy, and Truffle Butter.

ray1970

11-29-2015, 19:28

I get the first three. What's with Truffle Butter?

sampson

11-29-2015, 19:40

Everything tastes better with butter

Irving

11-29-2015, 20:25

I get the first three. What's with Truffle Butter?

I can't explain it without being inappropriate. It's a term created by some rapper and the joke was the juxtaposition with the wholesome Golden Girls' names.

Irving

11-30-2015, 19:12

Well, my wife called me bawling today on my way home because the neighbor's dog got under the fence and killed the chicken in front of everyone. Wife was supposed to bring more chickens home today, but it didn't work out.
I spent 3 of the last four days working outside all day in sub-zero temps to get everything suitable. Guess I didn't plug up the fence good enough. I've already spoken with the neighbor. Backyard chicken experiment is temporarily on hold.

Lex_Luthor

11-30-2015, 19:38

Ah bummer dude! Sad day for the girls

Jamnanc

11-30-2015, 19:42

That's why we don't have chickens anymore. I had to come home from work to finish off what the other chickens had started.

Tough luck man.

Irving

11-30-2015, 19:55

Well, it was a dual purpose bird for eggs and meat. I told my daughter, if we're going to have dead chickens, I want it to be because I killed them.

KS63

11-30-2015, 20:44

Sorry to hear that man. Looks like you put a lot of effort into the hen.

Irving

11-30-2015, 21:07

Yeah I did. That's okay because I've got my feet wet, and now I can go back and do some stuff better with less pressure. I'll bump the thread again when things start moving again.

sampson

11-30-2015, 21:09

Sorry to hear about that. There is always a possibility something will try to harm them. Our dogs and cat watch over the hens, but not 24/7.

TheGrey

11-30-2015, 21:18

I'm so sorry. That totally sucks.

fitz19d

11-30-2015, 21:20

Do you already hunt? Just asking as far as the plan of trying to do meat/eggs. If you havn't butchered before, might find yourself surprised and unable to do it. Mine was only an egg operation, so I don't know. But I would also figure if you are trying to do any kind of meaningful meat "income" that would mean quite a few birds to get any kind of cycle of new layers and old barren bbq chickens.

Irving

11-30-2015, 21:51

I've only butchered a few things. The chickens will only be for meat on a secondary basis. To be completely honest with myself, I imagine this will most likely develop into pets that lay eggs, and birds that die will do so from predators, disease, or old age. So mostly inedible. You never know though, so I like to go into this with the thought that the chickens will be dual purpose in case it comes to that.

buffalobo

11-30-2015, 23:05

We used to raise a bunch of fryers each spring for meat birds. Around 30 or so. Usually butcher 10 per week starting at 6 weeks with last 10 at 8 weeks.

We ran 8-12 hens most of the time. Ran as many as 20 for a couple years. Over 15 birds and the eggs started to pay for the operation.

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The Rat

11-30-2015, 23:40

Aw man, sorry to hear that man, that's sad. I've lost more birds from old age and natural causes in the last year, since having a guard dog has kept the foxes and raccoons away. But that always sucks to lose one that way.

Irving

12-01-2015, 00:21

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the sentiment, as does my wife who has taken it the hardest.

Since Wardle Feed sells pullets, I'll go pick up some more in a week or so. I'll be able to modify the coup and look into better winter water solutions.

HoneyBadger

12-01-2015, 09:31

Bummer, Irving. I was rooting for you.

th3w01f

12-01-2015, 09:50

sampson

12-01-2015, 11:54

That really does suck.

One thing to consider; I've read that most hens will lay eggs for 5 years or so (2 - 7 is typically mentioned). We're working on a plan to cull the birds that stop laying since we don't want to feed them for several years when they're not producing. We're going to get started in spring.
They start slowing down after 2 years... we didnt plan it so well and we culled birds but went for a while without eggs. Still learning.

th3w01f

12-01-2015, 14:19

They start slowing down after 2 years... we didnt plan it so well and we culled birds but went for a while without eggs. Still learning.

Good to know, we're going to stagger it a bit, maybe 4 next year, maybe 2 - 3 more each additional year. Not quite sure yet but we want to keep about 10 total.

Irving

12-01-2015, 16:01

Stock show is in Denver from Jan 5th-19th! Last time I was there I saw more chickens than ever before.
Should I plan on picking some up from there, or will they just be over priced?

buffalobo

12-01-2015, 16:40

Stock show is in Denver from Jan 5th-19th! Last time I was there I saw more chickens than ever before.
Should I plan on picking some up from there, or will they just be over priced?
If you want some of the less common breeds you may find them at Stock show, otherwise I would stick to your current plan.

Stock show is good place to do research but I would not buy at the show until very end.

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Irving

12-01-2015, 16:54

Kind of what I was thinking. Seemed more for going to see the more exotic stuff, which is not really what I'm in the market for.

HoneyBadger

12-03-2015, 20:13

In case you needed some inspiration:
http://www.goodshomedesign.com/backyard-chickens-how-to-design-your-chicken-run/

TheGrey

12-03-2015, 21:35

Have you settled on which breed you're going with? If you're not going to be heating your coop, you'll need cold-hearty breeds.

Irving

12-03-2015, 23:22

Have you settled on which breed you're going with? If you're not going to be heating your coop, you'll need cold-hearty breeds.

The Barred Rock we had was a cold breed, as is the Buff Orpington. Those are my main two choices. I doubt the local places are going to be dealing with more exotic stuff and I'm not interested in paying the prices for more exotic birds either.

TheGrey

12-04-2015, 00:14

The Barred Rock we had was a cold breed, as is the Buff Orpington. Those are my main two choices. I doubt the local places are going to be dealing with more exotic stuff and I'm not interested in paying the prices for more exotic birds either.

I've heard the Buff Orpingtons have a wonderful temperment!

GilpinGuy

12-04-2015, 04:03

You may want to seriously consider ducks instead of chickens, believe it or not. I went throught the process of thinking about chickens, then heard ducks were easier to maintain, more cold hardy and some breeds lay WAY more eggs than chickens, then eventually decided on quail as a starter to see if I'll dig raising birds. I am so far. I'll probably get a few ducks in the spring.

Golden 300 Layer Hybrid ducks lay about 300 eggs a year!

buffalobo

12-04-2015, 05:09

We had very good results with Buff Orpingtons for meat and egg production.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Jamnanc

12-04-2015, 07:57

Ducks are loud.

Irving

12-04-2015, 08:03

I think a lot of chickens bred to be egg layers produce around that 300 egg/year mark.

sampson

12-04-2015, 08:58

Wish i could have ducks. No room and yes they are loud and not allowed.

brutal

12-04-2015, 12:10

Wish i could have ducks. No room and yes they are loud and not allowed.

Move to Port Protection. They love Ducks.

fitz19d

12-04-2015, 12:16

Ducks are loud.

Loud and especially with a water area, I'd consider dirtier.

William

12-05-2015, 15:08

Would like to have chickens, but live in the foothills with black bears. Will chickens attract the bears?

GilpinGuy

12-05-2015, 15:37

Ducks are louder and can be messy. Yeah, you city guys are more limited for sure. I think the Muskovys are pretty quiet and are good if you have neighbors. And you really don't need as much water around for ducks as some peope think, especially if you only have a few of them. They do need some though and it gets mucked up quickly and needs to be chaned often.

If you live in the foothills you will need to take precautions against all sorts of predators: hawks, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, owls, bears, dogs, etc. Good fencing is necessary, and a few strands of electrified wire would help a lot.

Having a dog or two around would be good too. Just keep them away from the birds.

HoneyBadger

12-05-2015, 15:37

Would like to have chickens, but live in the foothills with black bears. Will chickens attract the bears?
From what I understand, bears generally leave chickens alone, but chickens are basically cougar/coyote/wolf/fox/eagle/hawk/falcon/owl snacks.

ETA:I'm dead. GilpinGuy was faster on the draw.

Irving

12-05-2015, 15:54

Gilpin Guy had a bear scare with his Quail earlier this year.

Alpha2

12-05-2015, 16:28

Would like to have chickens, but live in the foothills with black bears. Will chickens attract the bears?

Hah! Totally misread that...thought you were worried about the chickens attacking the bears.

brutal

12-05-2015, 16:48

Hah! Totally misread that...thought you were worried about the chickens attacking the bears.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll248/Mr_Bucket_Hat/Celtic_Chicken.jpg

Dave

12-05-2015, 18:02

Hah! Totally misread that...thought you were worried about the chickens attacking the bears.

Good way to do it I suppose, lure them in and then..... COCK SLAP!

GilpinGuy

12-11-2015, 02:20

Gilpin Guy had a bear scare with his Quail earlier this year.

I did. I put these at the door and windows of the bird house. I don't think the bears will be a problem for the birds anymore.
62674

Before anyone cries brutality or anything, these "unwelcome mats" are recommended by the DOW, bear management folks, etc. - as long as they are built correctly. 1/2" - 3/4" of the screw showing above the plywood on a 2" grid.

brutal

12-11-2015, 15:23

I did. I put these at the door and windows of the bird house. I don't think the bears will be a problem for the birds anymore.
62674

Before anyone cries brutality or anything, these "unwelcome mats" are recommended by the DOW, bear management folks, etc. - as long as they are built correctly. 1/2" - 3/4" of the screw showing above the plywood on a 2" grid.

Saw them put all the screws outward on outbuilding's door hinges, etc. on one of the Alaska reality shows.

Irving

12-11-2015, 15:32

I have some of those in front of my gas meter.

DOC

12-11-2015, 18:24

Teach it to count and give it a job in government.

Irving

02-13-2016, 21:16

Slapped together this ladder for the chickens to access the coop. I've also gutted the coop for the egg box I built and installed a small cabinet (what usually goes above a fridge) to the side for laying boxes. Frees up area in the coop and gives easier access to the eggs. Pictures of that will come when I'm finished building. It sure is nice having the time to get everything ready on the cheap this time.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EhKiWIiFWnJT91Qlv3WgPI2HjqkNyxqy7HVi13yDGbX6YR1RwD YXcld3MKXrgoyOcswPV83wLS0DwSIsV3SeKZOqzwa6VsW1-DY1bfyuktBR3bciKi07yrjwIHdh16GFPHqWYvMVXMZOxfgsyGe BmqSh2PRYh9EoUlnRGWFWCOuyko8Zq_bCP8fiEOaySGhTrOOOB ns-jqfFKtWxS0wEszsaWk2SGf-H4T91K6PVIyNYsgAkMqtkPVcizTcdVmUZEMk2YpKXTAsnzJLAH yGkcYickT57VUlHb9SZHTrWNVUS-us172CCIGCc0B25kR9hqHNfEkR9rNzWq_-5HYYfNg9-ZAkZGIVfZkE4zTgWN2wfqxu4IvXfCOtoBV4sX6syJ_aHykz7oo y6L3ndojl3rythtiSARrhVnr32IYwZRj68ePXsYjK0tz2YQB84 j5Fgre46nSnfdD0mAv6Iy-7IpQP_c7-lNAaxZFxttH7tgwx5WfbpGDFmbpma-ysUbmHuDIbm1cHwdvENY0qAP_Vg_IpgkrM3dKbiAzFWsC_WQFW 8zUiHjeGmFeOZwb_t15Cmp1X2eg=w538-h955-no

fitz19d

02-13-2016, 21:45

Kill the neighbor dog yet?

Irving

02-13-2016, 21:53

She is effectively blocked out of the yard, and has been since the day the chicken died. Now that the dogs can't see each other, they don't even try to play through the fence anymore like they used to.
My daughter says bad things about the neighbor dog, but I think she secretly still likes the neighbor dog. I don't think I ever posted a picture of the chicken killer, so here she is in all her glory.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KANqXjkwRjReRIiRuRp9tKYIDoGMDovY40dndqNKs-eME1v5Wlu3dxTjwBLMjffFeqzLlCfwWJbqYQkMH9lA04ahYpZm WL7SXUlk3CEJRS5rEcX4VAFMjF2T3pnHnAjOqq1B_jB0rgAnS-GK3QFWGyJ0csRLlU8-WJ0zMGDfXr_piXp2GJw2XOYvbDyfLtpkrx5yVORL9Jis9LvfxB QkbfYmnLQOpRlkMNjGR-cViNW9Dt1cSFymcEDzj09aBpKZyidGuUDvlWIRdptx3Ufxvp2f 8Y_FB3RQ4DyFxz2pltK8PTALBcJ42VN6J9UD3q8CWLAxZYKRZJ s8xKvl0apQBh2zeh56PrVdOPMcM0cCzM6brNsh_AzaBZ_fCTiq 607bF9f_460ncXWaRI05RFiIhKfSMuTsBmXTnBkNsGONO11j3s vRPOo8g4cFHF9n_jf0Cu7DNvGu17h3RpDTLgq8JZqfs6B9e49g JFPQOmsu7lqfqE8wsI7pYh7LiCM4eHBnC954ZrhFT_qd_ZBSRp JB9QTB_M6kSXSHWrSQilNHBm2YmKJyMO058T3i1ljZw8bcwgDd mA=w1698-h955-no

Here she is trying to get my cat. She actually tore a hole through the screen on the door that I had just replaced maybe the month before.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rtTccf5E4bxn6cd3IiAD3BWAncPqzivE4zYLE_GKV_RtvTPGWG yLYjeOQaGQXP4lVuIcDyU7jwrwpo9Kak_8U0h4C99UD1tCz3nB UncM5vyhxqxq0zqiCYMvK832ljMacAVZu_Wind6xkXBEDe2ax2 QbAidVpfQqUXnvixI7k21uHxUueG9TYSVUY9a0FhOz6ki4maB0 cwsE4S5ZJcKTsTqUbvlrqK7dzwemtVLtsgTwEmxZ9t4ohFNV1E LLpjEOopkUrC6MRj7X8VLnQ9NBaWF1Qd3AOa8e5Oba0PhUB_Ml tQ-h5iqnPTaLSSlZ_WzlTVE4lD2-3LjAFvuKsTFpndyiqvXjbxiG-QtO5IITYHCqEUlKxPB_OMUNLcHPfTXZp5uZnn2FHhJ_JKOVQ5Q wVd-M8v2E6y3aB8dFmTGnfNXuo_HEx1fafAXYEo0mmSYQLQNHlP79l Gx6nWoNJ-m9V1g14RZWBx8vtFhyAnWYshO4I9N_xq2fw5CuV2zO8xOpUdoM zDf_2xBgAAC2TcR3JaAE4G7QBcfEbxEcosn0umyn968kG6K7-RBYBOsb539D-Z14Wg=w538-h955-no

I even petted that murderer.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BCZRUdOuqvoVOxf_dLwpSWIMViyeuOdmq3QYxaDYo7RZjHcetm JEFHntHktduvVz821t1mohNwtekixU9JGscBeO0rPQ3kZ2IGzq lff4slwdDfoBI0hpO3ys9X4T3yUQCQQR6Of0klVPcZYnc8Q23-VEEF9eU_Lu0SaxevtFONmnk4hI_QHLftUHFguN-XlTGCG4AjlzwfGo-45J18glCslDx3AkKIpCwdT_30ptdOHWYqJNMlMarxNwktWWq2t 3pNExARpeIpAw71nG4UWi0dJnf1LN0sp7kWCnTfOryc_CcD1C0 jUhV_QFPRxv-L5rwFrC90zdU4n4LGJe6LDirejNhmhQZgSwt0zT3ofB_FIScCP RFrIso0qnicMPEAvZejOYWa5tL2uXadOo01mzmRHT2ErkkSoBr XptR3VVWev-4iIfPe5MuXiYXoZ5Up0OJx5MnrTKsSO5g-g5LGjAO5SxljT5MJpJTs0bc_OYkTttqwHssvX0rPHulnJPKCsc 1ZeWDcq0xlI3TI3hDRnE4o8TOiyyD6doitgPf5T0RzmBG05vKL hmEJjMC15uiGfUg9KX8w=w1698-h955-no

Calculated

02-23-2016, 19:09

Maybe they're on the other side, but I'm not seeing any googly eyes on the chicken ladder.

That dog looks like it wants to bite the shit out of you.

Irving

02-23-2016, 19:14

She looks all dramatic with that emo eye liner.

I'll have to snap a picture of a house in the neighborhood that has a pair of dinner plate sized googly eyes on a tree in their front yard.

Calculated

02-23-2016, 19:18

The eyeliner and the leather collar, she must be big into the Cure.

I bought a book for my son with googly eyes inspired by your pic and it's now his favorite book.

Neighbors have googly eyes too? Must be something in the water, I'll have to start drinking more from the tap

Irving

02-23-2016, 19:52

I think shaken baby syndrome would never have been a thing if it weren't for googley eyes on dolls.

And all the crying.

Irving

05-11-2018, 20:17

Okay, so a few years later and now I've jumped in with both feet. We have five chickens and two ducks. One of the chickens is a rooster that I don't plan on keeping, but I do want to see him full grown.
Of course I was super excited to build my own coop. I created a general idea, but didn't go off of any plans. Because of all the challenges that created, we can skip any DIY build photos. Here is the pretty much finished coop. All it really needs now is some automation of the door, and a pond heater to keep the water from freezing in the winter. I've got a ton of pictures, but I'm not going to photo dump them all unless someone has a specific question about something.

Here are my original plans.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/snWUjR_1ACsxGlhsfctb12taFJY3-PMYyZx5SU2rEW1KGIHZGGAZMbnDUnjMy_DE2MJ0H-rHgm7BMJ27baLTIeAxXjeD2_RHUkixMQQjtprsS4KPZTIJG6AQ Rn6LPtA7GI1YCycv7mtbbkMQ7tD0udtkeeOVhPrzCsuJdPE4Kt TW3E_joh-u7MI3-uRKCQmBwq3tEM0q-bMo5f2EVtY9Ew-MS2Yt-4XN16Q9eRai5FxAcPBwiP1U_7XYJZR1fjo5lQrs8ZI5PVHhhv0 k0VdJnRyDz7JNOL-RGB0FlwVAnvk5O7Tt8dEh2Ck4Fwn9TjoMSEjdMkIpbt2jmETyM 8a9Yk_jBcWkc9z3rB4JCkiXFsUF2EHHHmbbKw-_rGVfejZ8lIT5PBGIsqJp_sJaRVJDrt9xbafevv3_ZTQKUinKk BmiZzYG1LTOOk-vBf0z5qeUGcbRc_rN7g8Pq-4A6mSfXmW6Y7YMrqIpzPzQjfwkcg6c9mFop7eV_qngz4zsuP7C VI847tM_WLEM0YERhryIqsrrJ2zHcaW2i2n1mLAPvTsIgElN15 64gj-ZdZPRuie2iTMaSdM9XJ39VN5w8nG1M8ghqt4WtOZ--ep5ZWDSokqgaP055hdaBBKy7FI3GjjT6hvzquWkqOZIJXutQ1k KgOrMO2y20HUlZw=w1632-h918-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zPxkh9IA9iXPy4d7TEQXW5FNQrIS_7eXQMksHw4Et8BO_V27oc SpA37Yc31xvd9QfhP2MSdrXzlRUtPKfnAD3d8PgC9TCATs0IiK CcnU3x1TZQjwsE_Yn06xmxccw8PEffGsZiWjMbxD4rSmpX61Xt sxLJzMWi9TtJeLAMyRyg_AOGbRdE0ePbycXo6THfKOKJvzqDf1 dkegN5FoBlTXGeYQux3bfHrjPX9AFsACu6qu7nbdqjuWy3cLXq 2CcQiCYlOCft5iYMjMJFScddXml5p1Hn5SwZTZlaKmMEkjYGad FDcj8CCsOxVi4bD5t-PKSrdIB-I8KOjbY_cxHsAj1C8VXr9kTg0_0O6jRsuIMQ-80AxYuhioMn5tDGR2zoVhhXl7X-Ay2MEg8Xmh4cME9q9KIgjhBB4M45OBT0uFZd-orRWn7yCLlA6m0PArD3spU7D7-ArmeRe5Cz6u3M7rjo7fT4H9_tWB60JJdyWNKfOHLsfZcxN9xx6 NqAY5Z0ZAkMEAtVNlTte9Aeplvb86lhN0cTZUYp-XgmCykf-011MUJ1qVdkCe1KZEvVetlx-zxmCjWHqb0Kwh8jmv41k2gRMTZfqlzJ6VRF4xCnlR29w1fR9oY HBEl_NnSzK9IrzaR6_gARr6t_iYEZTQ8ZdeIkOhyNpY3d1jGg= w1632-h918-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/y3C607ycEG97RubhOriYa877xCQ_02lq7AXO6O0JCYF3LN0i0J G1JyMjH-4J1IblrmUM6hOYjySS6DRyoU9NdpSbDO14dPbsKRia449XO58f ZiB-WEXCZ81KaxFqfuR4r9A9zblulHD0O3sgEJnjOZuoytKFuVkr65 v5UVcjlTnCSgPSxWZYSJT21vf205WxFzUFnfAa_z_P3j4XgvR8 lNMNyO2vVsYR9akJWndxrhdROYTLy_hfAo_lvyp2eEsLg3l86b-Awfifc0qwCBhi47Xr2kdVghelDLbTihKIOo8RQzT8vwUM4lbnF EJPFkM6_pArqKtahhlgWKtO3dQbJewns7HbHrIOTE7zwgOBOsV Kp2Q3yzVZ8FpIN_f8CXAVzWoIKdwPV7P38ektK1PacAOLkQnqr 9YUWo7Yp5i567kBuBsRnr5TLQ_qfAVxz26SymK3aEq28hjJXCx DAZN8Cgf5SVZg4_xG8Oa0GPMZbQgok8vbxLau4e7nb82Zlag0K A7YEHmon6zXiwzsQ2kNOmQrma3Wme3hL4ZwvuVfJAgvnx7Z7oH tk5l0J4OfWh6fieB2RFKq0faONzphpAzWo19vMmj4MF7Ey6WaL lAF6YfDk2k5kfxkQ54hRktwfgK21L-Xd2B1F-aoI-nNrNZXGwYl678VdEwvBw=w1632-h918-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VAejk8UxdaDF_cU97j9WLROWMDOkzImgN3ZqRpdW6dVzTYzSpW laVBvIY9k6aR3ohu8LGF3cWsoiQIfupbyqfl5sCTSCmM149twJ r4KdZYwVrgRtabLZD-TcDZnFsRfCm5JMJhqcPznaLAeGDf2q9OjTer40b_1UOoFuc0PX SDv0qwRyo0C9YJeVcanYzI6-WymDOiC9dYQlSkRqAKxGQUNb1L13_ethQ3EEPyRVAhmgnIWj-1eIiZSXjKWUDHj6i7uHYdT3HdqWq5HQW0shIlil3zsQEns4YvA e0yzDh1fdhciQtDjsc8mxyX5zksFQtVo8IysGmol21hAwshZ86 C9vq5gbpknTlClMqxU1xyP0ih-xth8BvA9vb-8GAkXCRM5TpFVEFom0FL7MedpJQ4LAXReKjyMA_BBTI9Twa4UK kZUhLweGcRx7u_8nToBS-UhbjW4miXbt26GtotzYv4IkQJe7GjBqJUbpnjZvvSk8GqSl-spMMk5fSoXyhaWtBsMJDM50XsfIWegW5TA5CJr84YfvjtaK-2Oe7ARXdi2ydcb5QazSROy_kSHLD_qnGafFibOrCSvmFoSQ54t pgXIu5TLznB6gDED6cSSR4551sqDua3KyJD5TA8cuGnBFfs6My wNEllOBEmbgPJEO-2LBscLbGAYFAg=w1632-h918-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bp6HHl9k8hiyFFxPt5pWTq83Qv3l8IQ_9WGmYrhpl3c2iOvfS9 _Cn2ycUW18DoKVux9SrTSV7D0quJMJP-_Hy8gZOeShTjuTtV0J_92gCBOqsZcRIeW14j_3ZgsKND8oizPu hEkTGpYxqDTvyabzI_Oa7KLiYcwtDK_ldg7MMqUt9T6to7qCp9 rwtZzt1jqlFHJAbzX0yD_9oz8ppiiUmFyrgbvcy5tVrwZ8xJxB W_QA_s8GbeNokkQ0yxb12e6fdNsB5bDb4dLuJPQWK8oZmne8kv Spen_kN0RuBFaA81KzdvNaGFtwxtIUWgtPU3rMwjmZZmoLbrdf ZyQmXTNlxhGiLa1pD3Nn-j6lCO9B_57V_fJGadjywLGtt-nmpJQctxV_2b6IENmtI1pOSOO-t1AVZEk0YmXHHhGidrEYHXtkuUcbV3qLY-nmJVeuZD5jPVZFIR3q9S0XyNGkcKnQAreVyCy1XbvH5SVQ1wPP cVpOBXjv0gfh-SjucD-SrFDeC0EEwebXFsF33P09qmVloI-amfh2eOTtDI8LlJ3nOAtQkfXzS8VwgkExHBzhRpTZFT4qY6Uqm ahmxsjzFHUvj0pg6ely0wk1i8MfeGc7eVkL_ZEwvtXAOC1PUZ_ OaUUfhvNQFRWWBphxrgmwxw5F3gH_BT8zQlRwuw=w1044-h587-no

For ventilation, the entire top breathes. I lined it all with screen to keep wasps out.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6-21T0LEtgZrRmHDQ1kUJUF_8RpTLFpHqdkoanLhoN1ZPeUAkPDp i-RqKsR0L-8_CsbstzZPj2F-anRD_QMwrKpmAXpNsUyuODgnm1isq30P4dFhV6fnbnNFW34F8K ugtfdP-ZYFRuJlHFP9u8-aWzJbMZCCOk8RTa02NdSYPcILRd8vQ0H2uukP9pDradtZiSpE0 krki9OCb5p_Uvr2D-QdIkYcg9wfFDKrqaD0IkFWOZ-YsRCz6UsoRywaIs1n2yrLfVW9KuhJ8o_hWkFyVn0Pl8FWkK9tz Gya1jas2dYZg-viM714HGgPAOLKXw3xE4pMC_A4qR--yG446gZVOMiAwXzGQ9tHWWXdqOXLy9lvCWtr-Ifzhi5t3zSa49xyhSVaK5OLYltwGCmt7iJqsWLkrDU9xYv7rfP PXDqpLJb9HynHE5x-WwIOCHLsU0kvNLOAny4mmeSEEUOlM7Csh4r290jND8i8VCNujN Wx4Ro9VIVsKuIWzWMMBV2SLdziqrOqkd6IoEgcLM3nIzX1sVQr ube1SLDjrVESx-m6WvF1RUiwdQQunecFJzSHaByGypz9bBDn1T_L1_E6AbemGU91 yjd_Po6nXjEiZvzQOTm_wFOfCLNUD1yaX4XzWrjKpEITMHteMj GrwXpWduB7EQociIi27-T41w=w1044-h587-no

The sides have screen (replacing with metal hardware cloth) and can be left open probably 9 months out of the year.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AZJr5UEUD1XXXBVd0vXnu4oFq8d0r1Asm7tzzd37qjRFj_Qzou kpg242e60itpDCZKsAkxqi61GSEGL3TXnpA2SKtluVBqavBUH0 NCPkZIBIthNcCdNOA-ddgws_VhjY3SIcjdL_slacaCBztoRvZQKgRNMVY9xIPiyid7py 2A2T0dqRK7-ILqijftjytWsPY-mJ6XmhWYCWKRz_krOz2bObUyTqoGLDbb3Xrc2J-Ec0t1ltCzM7KHdeS_vC2y6e1TP1S3CJs8hK7yK4or2zGGgYH6M 2-0DeYts8WHE5IXx1hItYB_hUQRD_NU8iWWdl8XAuKdoV_rxodqD msTo8G-K_f5WjtEnQ-ML3A2E7EyD5uRe4iwIJtvwapxelHMyZwk9r3cXhiDzhIB_l2rz vCIR6pEfAARq2Ezb0YHp52L9zt7IcFtHoo9An9aDKI3rihai7J GNeP7DiWFCEq09g9eskq9nB2mHl1ni_YCbyLKTQhIc498OjuTw vpNkIfyEP5VSFaYiOyYPfTjI7uBgP4lUXDoRQvNBI6YxcUjS8K 3pSC6PQA47rcHHZQLirl-TNX9Z2KssceUe71PFcH_71bsCDyGR73BECj5V00_xOayfPMj6Y 76vMM8koP7bpYL8G3GiAR53W_mxP3le1QAKt-FQf-7rvePzPoA=w1044-h587-no

The wall panels are held out from the frame of the structure so even when they are on, they still breath on both sides.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jyxx7NC_O56eQslZ9dpQRofAQzHJcqakezhXMBsMBT_5TBGw_o _i4t9QXL9gq5ZV9pUUMCV5OZ3esOGuBqeZYoxutXZQNl_wlPIs P5hcKGxEHIl5KdDficdYf_AhMS1OMpxdjZBh2I4rgGRFLASW1G-bAWP_YOk9QGtpYxsNzgixYn5TDzTohpEvrbgbIB8cNQdtHbh52 O7pVFehiIUjus9BhdRq3APszKLYMOmcwE4CHLQNpzwv7DjwmgB uPDh_U7TATRvRj5auDaXlYyEq8RCt0bl0pXQAPOr-T-DURcs0N4eUTyRW__oFkfHe7weW3K8dmVSO8NzZzafZVaOUCbLs XdxtqNbspgxTeahzPdW_cBbV_JT01Mz1GpHR9dqQlFAiqzBx7M PhQsp_lNooJcS0l0apfYPvHQRc-WZzphsJNAQ3U-HZs50kUJ2bgnKAY73jwKXp3HqrQbcjmoIzMXjyipIDt670ZusM 5ZwRhdZWWUD-a9Fv1zczLur1E89H6oNuJikp5qeD4g-F4U0wQy2tHofTuQnKKUzRusyoLrgwU-SHGrwJwxy7fRURCDJzmes_h-OTqfm9ZsT-o96mc_gX-TnxLYwgX1w-kPZA-ujWuImHOt0U5o65Q-N1LiTCZDQnxzUJVg5OKcbSh3gDOvNN8hkIvCGJJg=w1632-h918-no

Irving

05-11-2018, 20:19

I need to add windows to the front doors. Perhaps a curtain for the nesting boxes. I'd like as many solar panels on the roof as possible so this can double as a solar generator as well. The storage compartment above the coop can hold all the electronics and batteries, but since batteries are heavy, I'll probably put them on the bottom, raised up a bit in case of standing water.

Eventually I'll build a fence around the concrete just to keep the birds (mostly the ducks) from crapping all over the patio.

CS1983

05-11-2018, 20:27

Well ain'tchu fancy.

Is the color something you just liked/had around or does it have a calming effect on chickens or something?

Irving

05-11-2018, 20:44

The blue and white is just what I picked out in the spray paint aisle of Home Depot. The yellow on the inside is the brightest color I could find at Habitat for Humanity where all gallons of paint are only $10.

CS1983

05-12-2018, 18:15

Do your chickens hunt mice?

74735

Irving

05-12-2018, 18:58

Chickens in general will eat mice. I'm learning that mine are still pretty young and haven't turned into full blown killers yet. For example, I can toss a worm/beetle/spider/earwig/etc to them, and they might peck it around a little bit, but don't gobble it down. Whereas the ducks will be all over anything that moves. They are getting more bold and curious about stuff lately and I've seen them catch bugs that happen to be around. So yes, I think they will, but not yet.

I just found out that two of them aren't even what I was told they were, well all of them actually depending on how specific you get about breeds. Makes sense though since there are so many different variations of chickens.

CS1983

05-12-2018, 20:50

That'll be nice for bug and pest control.

Once we move, chickens will be the first "we're in the country now!" thing we do.

Irving

05-12-2018, 21:04

You've got an HOA now right?

Do research before you dive in. I saw a store bought coop the other day where the coop and the run combined were about the size of my coop alone. I went to snap a picture of it and there were 9 or 10 birds in there! I suspect that person is going to have a lot of fighting issues and dead grass in a hurry.

CS1983

05-12-2018, 21:16

Yes, currently HOA. Will definitely do research before diving in.

Irving

05-12-2018, 21:23

I didn't expand much since I'm on my phone but where I was going with that story is that store bought coops say how many the coop is built for, and they use figures that are from chicken farms that raise birds in cages. So if a coup says it's for 4-6 birds, you can bet that even 2-3 will be tight. I read some long article about how they arrive at those numbers, but basically a factory bird lives in a cage that is like .75 SQ/ft, and a "free range" bird isn't in a cage, but only has something like 1.5 SQ/ft of space per bird in the building and may never actually ever go outside. So treat the numbers on store bought coops like buying a tent.

meatman

05-14-2018, 08:36

That's pretty nice. How do you refill the PVC food and water dispensers? Do you just take the caps off, and reach in to refill?

Irving

05-14-2018, 08:40

For now that's what I do. The idea is to put another reducer on the top with a 45 that will take it through the wall to the outside. Then I can just pop the cap and fill water with the hose and dump in the food.
The food doesn't pour down into the horizontal part as well as I'd like. I have to shake it to get it out. Not a huge deal, but didn't work as well as I expected.

Irving

05-15-2018, 02:01

My neighbor called me over to his front yard today saying, "I think this is yours..."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LEJ8K7N0xhDfxb509H8GiMOEY40eBDTcJ1oyVx8AR_MfCGpA8e Ymdo-InaZo3Jv4tyELBUdhrDQSPM_V0_ADt5OCHDE6Wz5Tr6QR_CWKE Ifx8oj_o6VWCjnxzeV6PR3IIC9kMFoCWxKo_1Y5CVEuHO5F9Nt etNBFoqs4xr5Lg77j_7P4znH0R2cYSUAFNfmnRA_bTVlQTyh2T c_yLLWriJGPjFIJjTA9TMJwvQhlyz6IY6O8RMEPEl8dqTkGq-b-x-pyUik1t5OmDgmUfw-6cTGeP_ERQtQExzpQbg-8MRO--nQqT3OnNTGOqegwPO02oj9GiXNMBfuUyrOilHEPdoowtgTWzc4 z7HtdMWYEwcXLlFodWOW-FFr6ruOf8pua6R2ZNE9YEPVELUPYdnFbLN_k4HNs2oBXhSbc6f OvVpZlEIHWJ9xz-r79OFlVTT0SMghZzJ86OX1WzltGadQEUBGqu1DfDdnUvAuiqfZ fC5lQ6Ts86je9ya5rNVf6EpcID9iNFeXlsDCdcyXMDEPdauzKF 5tzKnblMJ8JtQQa6y5rKeGIyl1yRtsqdBhS0e9NEFwd9OBq5r9 h0yUtaio_NHGHD0rx6t49Q3HjoshcErC3Uz1JEmZbEC2_jJRrf OCPXB8g2tOJQaF61x_iS_T_wJXD1YTEZkMmGQ=w1632-h918-no

Turns out it wasn't one of mine. It's the same breed as most of mine, but I can tell by the color that it is a few weeks younger. A hawk had gotten it and tore it's head off. I tossed the body in the trash (of course it had to happen 6 days from the next trash day) and that hawk came back looking for his meal.

William

05-15-2018, 08:56

Irving

05-15-2018, 10:12

That's a good idea. Also a great way for me to forget and have some random dead chicken in my freezer for the next six months.

Grant H.

05-15-2018, 10:18

That's a good idea. Also a great way for me to forget and have some random dead chicken in my freezer for the next six months.

This would be my problem...

I know the hawk makes sense, but be on the watch for skunks. They are famous for killing for sport (beheading or gutting are common), and leaving the carcass for other critters. I got the go-ahead to hunt skunks for my parents (when I was in high school) after 2 of them killed 47 chickens in 2 days.

Word of advice. Shooting a skunk in the ass with a 12ga stinks.

For weeks.

And then months when it rains...

Irving

05-15-2018, 10:38

I'm very concerned about skunks for two reasons.
1) My dog has been skunked THREE times now. Last year we had a family living in the neighbor's backyard and we killed one at the most, maybe none.
2) I didn't realize a skunk was a chicken predator so even though now I'm well aware, I feel like I had my guard down and I don't like that.

I've decided to let them free range and not to build an enclosed run. I've been leaving the dog out with them most of the time, and it's been awhile since anything has been in the yard during daylight hours. Just two weeks ago I saw a huge raccoon crossing the street in front of my house at around 7pm. I was standing there looking at him when I remembered all the bird were outside. Luckily he didn't pass through my yard that day.

TheGrey

05-15-2018, 11:52

Skunks and raccoons are downright evil.

CS1983

05-15-2018, 12:39

Sounds like you need a Gamo suppressed .22 air rifle and a 24oz Monster

Irving

05-15-2018, 16:58

My neighbor has one, and my 26" barrel bolt gun with CCI quiets is even more quiet.

brutal

05-15-2018, 17:20

My neighbor has one, and my 26" barrel bolt gun with CCI quiets is even more quiet.

No doubt. Put a can on that and it will be "click."

Irving

07-05-2018, 00:40

So, as some of you know already know from other threads, I had one rooster that I knew about, but a second one popped up as well. The first one was a dick and was pretty human aggressive. He started crowing and did it often. The second rooster was quiet and well behaved, which is normal because once an "alpha" is already established, all the other roosters act more calm so they don't get their ass kicked all the time. I ended up culling both roosters last weekend.

Here they are with the dog.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LHi-VPw_-6YKXoBoAreG80EE4c_UJdwg7mmR_5w4oweOstxWvcv8NqJs8AQ iDvhGxgenZ3hcEAlCMYeqEVWbvgi6r62IqAEdulF2XVMBkrC6E ZHUMVWxUNPiVSUbV2piU1C7EGENVE6UIqZK_2Ehzkym7A9E-cFCT1XrEfqTY96HmUU2cHvZ-kBjPeKnFASIZi6ti6u2xBvj8f3SIfioeZrchgq9nMXoCiaG7nM K8GHfhUDfnOCAprjAl9IexmgoKP7akbpJyJV-ifXPVS4RlZH9m-1VIOOKJb0xakdeIlvP_uaj1jvMJ6FN56LNRrx2hMt6L5xBCtju kM65xi9c-d3iaxuimGLttYRJppbJx1-XVcayi5yrs7Y6kHAaH020o_Qrv6xElSfBAtj2tqOxbg2R4hkN6 y3t4TovKGl-P0h2l2LUO7ojOsmMTK_Ap515tgHONDWsWsdIMSNqJ9JPKh3_3h RltMNRepxoMzxHCMCs7ZU2pFQkwLgHyVRlRu5OLIshczWJTXkV IJNFVfR0Chwq9RoCR0pAF7oQ15UpulRv7D33jRKTlrGmMiarfU RqksR8l9GuGx0zB28i6CJoSrivDL0UQfcqTEHu9r0ZLuK7r31t 8BEpzD1EUaKuE7Z1rPEkX79ix8lv_AoewawvfP5vko4BEbwQIg =w1628-h917-no

The "nice" rooster often hung out with the ducks when he wasn't running with the jerk rooster. In fact, these three in the picture stood there and watched me kill the first rooster.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yTdTCj6dfz1V3aTAkN8Q8K89e4ogt8yc9PNrmhM2fKDK804Odw ZjNsjLKjMd9X-YJaDrambGmVuQMZp6lxFWdJJlwZdoZcrdKQFJz2jGHUD5Nr5ft LcqRNCpPh27Syo1FseKvS_bXMXJRPIABwvIw30GG7SX4Ej0KJp FuqBT5slmrPpNeVK_dir0oXEb8H8svLJpTswFlbUrbuMsO4VzB vcYRXKgjXSyMtR_L-SYsbOYLYqRiwwP1QLX37j4NKgabbza1XM_biN2RVOQ5OLepcCn 5PVdakniPqZI26htvcL3U6iUgLe5inSIOhY7B1NjaDyXRdQbGY ipcGB9Joz5R9XiDs0SB6Z-A3w6oBrbBVgB4ifig-3Nvk6DgICWhYx49S_6MDNTyKuNXm_VmqkRHxJOlJFCw5lXCo5v z4dDm6UB5GtsVnJWSDqn_TaNSTrPlITgwNRPwDnQ6liYG7j_O5 XKBL1uqpVr1zum6Lh4a3qZOdvjWrauiUBAVnPe4QZM_iqOH-BtOjrr-vkAeWSl9g4X8L2RZKkasZIKS3hVFdzaU5Z3ymTaa-Mn_nf553TBk1cw1lTlZ5fOlFh-tlKJatPGJcfB3RM98MOMN84KlufJ9hUoRRUBnuZrsjyff5Yksg 4h9sY57aDIAM6TSrXSnwwuQwUL5jlxyA=w1628-h917-no

I could always tell which one was the jerk rooster because he always had a half-moon shaped bruise on his comb which was just a bruise from one of the ducks biting him in the head. That duck HATED that rooster and actually chased him all over the yard the day I was trying to catch him to cull him.

Here is the entire flock from a few weeks ago.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qrxqPQv9QLy3GcEVEUiPkS7Rt5VrzueSSyETc9upXBIn71PMO_ ZQyH05GKrVsHAySUXJG6KVERbCi_dS81tRMjCMuG0badlkRDbD uIUvu6j2p4W_ZtwJPhLQKVWMyDKPrLp5v5Vmuj4WCstHSP1iLv WeOBfQNyEFikyLpoiLRsYmLOSLWS1uaVxTC8aXR0mZyLCc_-6aEBJ8vOuoO2HxL8kM0twHQ_2-3hUhPsVRqVuTu2wfFpBWRGVRl50LHdv1Wo2WQhWbY1ICwdsXMU lrQO2zgA9K0Y0c57BeXi8Ngoi1i3zTRzzesycMZEdm7iRczU5I A4YtTdeTTTi3fQmSP2U6GDXh1Eh03wPFbr2J4e8KsThtBvkDt2 tJ1CJ7hhUO21cDTX8y1aaTPARoXI_BePDTDjRccQnIr8v8Iqyi A8c5jyP-tIyHayzMhkf5j08iSbPj3MbwK9TONT63v0RpsmhhSxnN9YqetG heE28TBNzI4pZWGRZVTgm0T8tAvyJcNJHlOS91Jakqs3h-kCLABRudiUcY4ww45pYKUN3TVQfApVmcsre2NqE9oH8yIHw2fs Lpn4Qksae0yPZ9eH3kRbKKQePYz9q-hvu2apL7Dkg5mI3Abzzr6_d89RUXomI3RVHel4gu5LqVXnCZ7_ nWDmnxObkcP_Lpmg=w1628-h917-no

Today I went and picked up three more pullets to replace the roosters. These two are a Barred Rock and a Silver Laced Wyandotte. I think they are only 6-8 weeks old, so about half the age of my other birds. As a result, it'll be a bit more challenging to integrate with my flock since animals tend to pick on smaller things. It was pretty easy to integrate them with the dog.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1smzwiFTLTKAmDXOaoDR_7DhohEJUynfdhiSL4PhDKwdTlIHiI ySc5ixLkHUkEvgsi9DEYt3X39AfnHyYPYig9jGsmEoH5BSu0Il rdsHGo9voZ8cCzOrzLPJumDy7h2hsSzB9DX0WN1RoqRhAfSvpe Behwk5SKO0ragSrSD0Fi2dqY9Ul4DU2pYlihovVYWgDGMnYp0F aZ5g-1jPc5mwPm-T0b9JMONzx_Y28gM0i5Yu0ny9DK6ByUrOoXF3Nw42GofY89ozS 26fxxFb91WqcX30Oq0aMEiYEbc1SmP_k-ssAInv67kP8DA2toeBjO_0ERBDOd6S0CawuLUjEnMEwVwc_fMv 2vI7CAJNYHa3XfbOYuqu7R0PbwDOunDfu9DIiABX_LYLefvucV c7XVZzFRwb2A_Kvy7wNxq6FV06WLQbxnvZQaSIJFo7t7C4eWm4 9gv1nFvvuQ4lK1c4Hgmch-5uhZLc4EOysbyMythqxJBhodJSiyb8aE61JfmVjnS87hGDuYhp sXV_29fxZQlpty69BuBOl3ce1WrqvdoT0vEUBojvXKS4SXxMMn 3wrf-6_cxYb_CM2f2Q9Nl2avqaFjtQ7EeasKu-th9c2jKAPwpFA8xIV9S1adgtP72dc191wrJVrYOtBMvEYPBetT 3CzNux60EFbrav_g=w1220-h915-no

Fun fact: A barred rock was the hen we found in the street three years ago and actually started this whole chicken journey for me.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/c5OS1f-EtxoWcxuKr2x9Eb01Nb2IKEc_4tYIjsKb_jhlZTWc0zKwHy4Ij bI8z4Gpfy0Kae5Qj03Qlj8uPmXsdfYFICfY9rvEAAXnieOsrAf-5LjMGa_hj5z9vafVZ5S2zPZlQTzJzaJj0s3uQtKB2KDoa68LSD W9puviSN-5HWcnVqvgw7mhg4At3gLsNK3NCJoWmdbkxKMiAJVQvG7uSVK6A 2BJ71vg12HFIfJH9xwE3PW45mNNjlSCmfchaiHQ1NBb-kQ0Y5oewKY43reVOqO3X7Oc52KRYw0vVI_LlTIT6pxu0G9GRPi eipaZizkJq6RQbXZcjGzLgQ5gPhewH2nVlEe-GuhlcPcRpzDjdzaLJEjGGAd4SO5CpEnjpRx0LBfiYW-CCDwyf0vCSCHvC91_EMNeez6OSUIlAh3tZ9ozpQIT8RHgOFRsK EBfeSGHKFsqHh6SlEOPpNUT5-7tmZyty33-DRXoY4CL4YB6_2V8tX-y4F6wr8YWefJvUm6P4-7fix8fkseKD-BaputZ-yHMfvQmrKYBn5qm3AFg8bdJUzs9S5xJDehKLGPUyzODZiBbv1V-HU-oiP9DUl2qtcxvJ0vcskFCjx7471cgH_wv93dY20C8wlT9DFwXg h69IQclBpdNNv8tGya39PCl82eSdv_q7SIbmw=w1220-h915-no

The other pullet (Colombian Rock) is about a week older than my oldest bird, and so far has been having a much easier time integrating into the flock. Basically that means that my nicest chicken (Easter Egger) started a fight with her, and the EE backed down after a minute and doesn't bother the new bird anymore. The EE chases the little birds though.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LscGUN5We1PlkgsM7I-xaKV9rthnRhMWH7nswr1qjWFry6GausmJH3UfhY6HIvdi7rq-YQgHIt6f-MHQJRdM3rYaPsTULfwg9lTqedaBdSQI5VZZgAhlKsH5FrGJbvq 0hQ9H3VRg2Gbn6JJyFr6IhPWyAHFxr-RYlvQRNUHELZpMbbJGJpDmW3QKPsmXKAa0G-I4VftJv43W3hUqyjMztUWR81PANcfQVYg-hiKs_CFH1qdro1foB45zq8Y0_u9Yc9AlsNzvEnh8LEeDmaoy4Q ATSJSDB8CxbBqy9198BDy6VBxZIhymYOjIa7kD8xK2kSJQN47d OVuD1CwaNQT34t8QnxZ1GL5uv1kImhpICQRFWUL31nz2jBzbAw o-B_KNVKntSaWNNa5-NNhbkEjndpxHBPqL670dv_5FlD4iDsohxZF6MIVu37OnvU6KEl ISqc5ccJtAI9JvRQGqPOyW-rTFtFPlD0lZhZcXJGvShSH4p2CML_k7Nr5C2aAUCqTZbeMFjs5 GiYJsDrHBRYL63PYPyO5ED8ubTkw1y0Zg9_GwaQDNbiw2ir1sS 1MXdbPmtLxmw4ka57MyoZNkyatpV-nSPmzZIaGHGxrY92aL1iRlyJCLT5I8i4vtJiAD5HRQmOPHSMBw gudllOBMSHzEIDNTP3cSqdaKtQ=w1628-h917-no

So far she hangs out by herself, or with the little chickens. Here she is going to roost in a tree because she doesn't know any better. I pulled her out of the tree and put her up on the main roost in the coop. Every one was a little uneasy at first, but it was dark enough that everyone just stayed where they were.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7cCHB6wjKuG7E6BqYR23-iJDAoAMVhubQI25QU7AUIZ1fRUVV3N9xSI9_B_IdZDhgT0pSBn BH1tEngQfjMbPxLLUEqRQ-mPxQ_wGuXZrmJDdDgfI-GAEulcXyGWOvdNC--vXvbgjKyvvWgbxdhDE-zibxI8gzQxEsOzpkKE-Q_jS67TXoASCIRju2n_sVrc-1iSQYVwXbZq7nBFIREkEnSRIGG-DjsRTw3sR2qvGqNKLUPxZhEB_opuzLj0BtzrMiLDYb_U0TVMrL wsj7sBR5rb8JkHfSC9AZQfVsiNcC7bZ4i8nigUJM53Oba4Eds7 b6rV0jH1BbA-NNqM-MzEJJGkUhQkruIXTu1h1pd7QxQQ5Bml2J3NtjKhxgsyadRXFWg TQI8HImSKPgJ1K95e45comNd4gJW9Uh0nzdV4ZBKIwWmXOWuwv p1fX5CnHsyrSPKNAlWMEqN09WyPcZFDayHiV5R7NEhLKx0yhdf 1A2GqiJWSMDpr6bR_k7AxuNhYF7cvjkkLLnZUmYGQKYwiRZsJ9 gEUIf9ecMZsNQtSRZGpEs2DEdjAIOe2_19MwML7B28xJhBP0wB 50lmAaQrs6m6IoufgyKkj4cq-dnuJRnXO49MTdJK_7hMSKqSKEBOjSoWnVZ2majqs89lqKwvTzA vIuav-nQAkd8A=w1628-h917-no

I can go into more details about stuff if people are interested, but am trying to keep it pretty shallow since this isn't a chicken board. Here are some other random animal related pictures for less interested viewers.

Beer can rooster.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pXs0viYe6Zusa6ZG_VgJ4xQZNij1sxgtEnBn52KsvsKm-7g-wpY6_0xrz3HDvEfVfxUFG-FVtD2CzZWM-lyZkx-YBHYfUnJYIlr8XocPEMrbnNT2Z406fkn6mKZSrXGfIGE5m_fki oiHWx0hAkwshp5AWAo-T5WHmWRN7OuVxvdA2eqeWCfv1-i4qcJOjeFPbGbk_8F7RThBur-W3yzGobl05XFonRKfyQDHpVubRCuYn4gSTY9AIHqEx3RySwUHq yqRlaIbtDhfy1LSFLbS6xQ8aOqVErt2249DO5Dv6RofqeJrqmR _Jf4ctQmHK4t5Q_fbVFoX1jGUC8zhtkQJtl6lni_mYHuR-F6eTLcUBrBkQpH9zQcXB66I1hNGsM5X_6f_nXV8DIdEGN0z0Jn zMqFRhHbVCPol2gyihfE4eSgopTzDhQEA8HBhNicz-3o1df4ZgUqVR8kZf0wXqzdwAC-0wMExBKQeOdWDhPNzliywBejY5v9snJJTCD6eZ-4kSD5dC0Rzrp2bqNBdld3u-CbAmutrhng0v1Ln8uoGLIcAJsuN-k14UNdrYd221GvxPje8FpCx4F42LjnZddNlP0jUW9GWc394bAm Wg4YFFsZX9zJkH5fXF_VidavFbMSS-vVy9bmbGzRGGjx-xf45ELw0sFJ7Gwgf5w=w1628-h917-no

A duck biting my toe.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/A9Ux1AgwQxp7B7GpKn80OE7AD1Ro_7CCrQ7q6ojLwXxchqDtUF Kj-8GXnG4CNM1Wq0I4Q5Bzxp5JvgwovItRojDKlsvAvSqqsPS7bXm hQWNrhmmBF0uCpbdVvNYVWuBi0ZkJcogQCQTEtwQ7T3GTfd23d M2hbqNJMZxS6ex6YLSAX7KH4exfS_Et9n2xCxaRXPvE2uqK8HO QlZrjRbfryAdCYveJ5il5XvVs-HsQ_iOiLp47_6zQZg41MjKa3sjKPwDrm-dgFgCiO24vCqmN975ZtFN0bbSzhtoBfpVoOepsEA0V61h87Xva OjXEAIMml8bG6lduMVtkR9qCOSPAe3FjORrzz2CHIBQTyR6rMK j9oFcFdwRcSTAVNBH9fIhZzLRoPBKT4-as24x-BBNI4kKDlbfgL3VB2uGzOQb3PqrbYlXsuuRloQTKEZjxmJ8eTD L8iNI1nalJdqCtaDNw8Mnm_TsiEM_lpezP82xx4yJzuz42A46g MW-qraII-eyxn3uFvsIjUBidfosEJ5e6dfNz2j2YK_c6HGPdRIeP8LIF9UY QF7m_crwoM81uXl6X63EVCD4jnJv3x4kPL96r-inQgumM5fWx60_y-JWIkBkCfWJmLX8E_-MvqxeUmpQimeSeoQsbq_6xFpYzdIgPAJpHHNO6F4jwIQ=w1628-h915-no

A new puppy in the family that will spend most of it's time over at my house for the rest of the summer.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a0hNtkUSgDnLCyp8vPCJ8MrWpA0EHLS_ZqcNLBl-iMbRFkEgRH4Dm-tWP9N5S9D--0Z9hAWshJEpBsq1qsFnILOCqjuaGzlBsV10lgWCpMWGZtVaFFy mmhfbQVCE9Lv5HMKZL8uLOjB9odQk4OfruIs9iM1E2WkgcSd_C wclAXtlfiyubXKn7SxvjGy4444dmvG86QQXYDq44c-zinccpvMAtUmGnfgSzdnEeQZh0QKnjnGBpU-qdhuRerAeH4xTD6hnPbphmQ2c9EEzC8Y-dApxas2C8G-oV5ZdwOjpnRt3F6onKjxskmahYvE6ZXuXxvGU5fri--Hsvl_58LOAq0iVM-scEN-O3EPIOORpNU42ri9_VO9CmPg189DIi3XqKbCjqR3eB77ryl7-NviqfBhpRzet0hBtkSw3IB_jZWJg4Yx32tVxO3mLGmqBIpx4uP p9jE6_W0huODdJnU2cQHv6sA2f2pUGZW3hb4T9_mf12xg0fRQn LXFh0I9O0P_nav5rKjbIGKt_7e7WIHMm3P9ZA0DD09mXRGXHG7 JfLaCER0WsWaAejqz620wtJDU8yJe5vqohFu9az-LxmzRyXykCl5KdDLMsE503piVC-ALMh4rSqy7HSDdw_T-Cc5WAggML2zvWVSjAzi7iKYjdzkd4Svo-KCY2Ew=w1628-h915-no

Some birds, I want to say finches, but they seem even smaller, built this nest inside this cage.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FJV2t5vKvpKF42SyL_riJ0TWCfldCY4MzaPeI3_g1gF1HADKy1 6IZic9qAke7clh_C8-QNHEZPQvYP19uVwA7JoMZXUKUSaYTIdV__2gstTQ2bUbXuv_Wr JKnRz2n6vv8do3nDU2s3aQ87IRxZCY30u-EV2dKhjpdEmYsW5jZ4QBVaEiKQ0_ZPIRYQquYYTlfjd9qFzzou UMeVtm0u7o5eO3Aq439YbxphWmCAKxDBrTAO6jXqQAQECgMOnD GpbfqPW8mCPntr7GbJ-qQciLELDL8ZJLnPKtNMz-9hXTmAnY0klR-nrumDNZY_i8LeQoSp3u7Ewqg3Qs4z1MgPfu1EtW4r1C_HuSeA4 WoxaKAIDin3DJSpndePKPodK1sx_apWudBBxwGKwPzvAEngBMr 8xlQ9_LuxDGqy5VL7NeIAlxsBNWYzfsavr07hz9QIF8ZSpj6VV b4jbQUFWL5dF31tJouZPrKJMFd6KMRuL12Ryng63MdwKpWh7GK PTYnU51UAE_0h2KKrkViv1GBa0G8vCZ-TFQ77Q9hEh1Lbk8Xp47h7w1zMWXCz58-2A0FytXkeL4wAhEZTqXdwyguiMUlEXYp3Y6DaAIzxHSFwIreG_ jGgjFM_3ujS_dDrh6vlE5l5GxrUFZvF3kIKUJU_DoYiyhrfcke W6egA=w1628-h917-no

They ended up laying five eggs. They actually all hatched today. We're waiting to see how many make it. Since the nest is right by the front door, the bird flies off every time we go out the door.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qbxNlXNYQA_lViSm10ZmEh1yreAISffkRYi1QmIpkh-IaQrzO0HGWRKXFGD7XY3Cxzj5FdLiYgWhPQQVNOwZ3PSUH2533 xTA4Erl08B_FUMKbEsKwMvljCPy0c7f076exZoDp0f0NchQWkE yW4yb_j76KsP4P2n9SNNIfOcr5rG_2X8_EMe4FH-jQQK7bl5O69nIB_xOsPL4SKk_EB1SxEAmBObpl8NcmoDzKKxmi wrcihRSEGp_cSL0UHWUBVjh1Yge7gc99y2GODaB3Adp-vY9W_OapCZHWe1lt588YVmVC6gMvvQ5LrpAxHwbSt9b6l96JTs x4GPInSW32De1BjdLQaJG1Ybp1xnedvKlFR3UYNA8ikIE_5isW r7pmFumdR0w6b5zh_5rkUGSivXInAqZbPoEKdjldsC6YPd-NM9SqyzI2diJRaXelHJzknOfWDLac122edvl5AUVYpshwKB6gi tIJqm8Y8AcJS3BIG8m51BPwQskyhx5HBnCRdK3yeOHuQmaJMzM ag8SDead6TVZ1P6qlOkoEaMTDDyUmy3QezgdZmyhK-UO7car6QYDKDdeosCAp4iDEIqqTXYEsw23sOo12luWItYdMKlk D5Zn0wNXEdcKqgVsf-0h1BqIIdvFE4W9J9tfNx0UE8-_f48Wuemey660zA=w1628-h917-no

Irving

07-05-2018, 00:50

Here is my wife "bonding" with the jerk rooster. She was attached to them and took the culling pretty hard. My daughter didn't like it much either, but is already over it.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/D6_yCqU9_Ajnp0k6ni4DK0YcmfnpazprrvubACiJHj1csnRaXg q5tBQ8m6d4kW4F4nypowt2Orz3bjzuZEHK4Lsi-Ftuv-PYpBKHBXTHAy1vpKcvdEKaFLW27TmAN3DMnQ4zWc6hOfeSKvwA HoJvJNNBIPZrcxepugI4_oOeyMKkDEH2lLJpVEax0VQWIOMi-Pab9auhSU--ASmU0EqsJ1ZNDdvfaT69H6_YptOngxTXucAdM2RPaQ3SP4Ut2Q rCg0QGEA0RViSjFXDY2qjXUe5EDips6i-iLqtFumeJ6hHQI809V8u7fATk6DbCWe93sYfw8Fr1NJBxloMGN o-LiDYPh_TeVaHcF-jh-CtyCI8GI0GNFjWCauAZYoE_Ng642n1QKELAMxpfOoQpa2zS9-jeHJHRsft4aEgMAqxMfZkVb0hbSmHoLmZjeloKGrb8-H7e-HBd9h_ixbpUdam4fw10yJaw9xqEs8PuKw6B-cfLJF5NyfPOw014-0uc12SMqvr4xK3u4S8lMpRuPJNhXik-3Nwb_SlPgH_NR9vOhOLuNnyMmt0S8CucdzAgurHHjJkiL6a3VE pLvdjSCWnBNVosvy1XbyZhEXV66LIryLJAXo3qGlwdkwQ-uFcEQwJQ_8ihUKyVKedktoQwEunsFt77F2h4biSyPA=w1220-h915-no

Great-Kazoo

07-05-2018, 06:20

I can go into more details about stuff if people are interested, but am trying to keep it pretty shallow since this isn't a chicken board.

The more you write, the more we learn.

fitz19d

07-05-2018, 07:15

Murderer!

Erni

07-05-2018, 08:34

Murderer!
Tasty, tasty, murder.

CS1983

07-05-2018, 08:45

Keep it up. I really enjoy the lessons learned style posts on this stuff. Much better than a canned "how to" article that leaves out all these little observations.

Great-Kazoo

07-05-2018, 09:15

Keep it up. I really enjoy the lessons learned style posts on this stuff. Much better than a canned "how to" article that leaves out all these little observations.

A youtube vid of the culling of the herd would have been very instructional.

Irving

07-05-2018, 09:23

Pullet = hen under a year.
Cockerel = rooster under a year.

sampson

07-05-2018, 14:53

I'm hungry

BladesNBarrels

07-05-2018, 17:09

I enjoy reading about your experiences
And think how happy I am that they are your experiences
Please, keep posting!

Irving

07-30-2018, 22:13

Looks like one of my pullets turned out to be a brain surgeon in disguise. The others were crowding around to tell her how smart they think she is.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HmtnJaJqStPWrFdQlFUSIb3IPeiPb44F6osGlwT8eIq7KWhjeB t-DyKWEsGNye7-TaIe9SFodzJTXja2kNgJupQ-jmYBjUPNr4kSgf1_58riqCovEqUUPDs137pja7qMZLarf5_Mog JouSIjGV9VnB0uuUwTRW_VifsC-HQV8G2m8BDkB1qBXdIgRGP6_9EY1UO1eInHZ7t0EP60oF21Mv_ WXpYA-qn3QCnXJpapSyttc5E2V1IhOhrRj0d3_94or7ACgIHVTQ-nOkJpsgoV9CuTsgZobUT68L-DnsxkkEvckqG6zOMcNZKZvMHGVjpjEJQKOXEDzgUk8W5aP8O34 hq6YEWCKgkFqnOMbzcrgGG8Yg_U47fldPZdQWw-m8ocgo9dRcKQfGTcQeYBdxHYP5U6JmkTog3-SY6n8VXGA4FYBXNKYCklPZbXhb_-jU6AAAgJ1X-1DlGHSY_iVbGYn1lU25zXJyuSgkbn_EA55PEWRpqZCIGcKTUuG 1vvbtRc1cMDWPDBAsVsPofFm3bwGozcgHVWmuu-YX3dPEler9SYfsG_O9tSN3q6lrb0VErzBUp9djwH7Ww4YBO-yci1cvXfbkbdh3fLA7zx3kWtVHDsbLExSnxpqDRYpz2rbIhUbw Jdm9yG718Y65N8_TkqPBpwijfDTlnv1Q=w1628-h917-no

ETA: Concerning introducing new chickens to an existing flock, the common advice is to introduce the new birds by placing them in some enclosure (their own pen, or a crate or something) where all the chickens can see each other, but not kill each other. I'm already too well established on the chicken website to use this picture as the perfect troll post. Something along the lines of "How many days should I separate my new hen before I let her mingle with the flock?!?"

Irving

07-30-2018, 23:18

The red chicken at the top of the above photo is about to lay her first egg any day now. When she does, I'll probably make an informative post about it. I even heard her sing the egg song two days ago, but haven't heard it again. The egg song is what they do when they're laying the eggs. Here is an example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPNa5mkjR7A

I played this video for the chickens the other day and the Easter Egger (Chipmunk), just below the red one in the picture above started doing it, but she's not close to laying.

Irving

07-31-2018, 14:01

Marking the date. Found the first egg this afternoon when I got home. First eggs are usually small. I hear that often first eggs are misshapen or have no shell, or a soft shell, or some other abnormality. This one looks pretty good, just about half the size of store bought eggs. I fully expect all my hens to lay eggs at least the size of store bought eggs, but time will tell. Chicken is 19 weeks old. I think that is about a month before I expected. Per the numbers alone I could have all four of my older girls laying by the end of next month, but two of them don't really seem like they're getting close yet. The other two are about 6 weeks to two months younger.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/E0gmDXHxZZ7dupxnXc65qJ2u19C_j-cpfZWs5D8ygHc-ZD9jn8s59jVqt-vcEHP0T5e2Ycpll_fexL26trFQ5lDYGb7qmCEsJ2lLI4MA8u5P x9tT2Ku2oF6CB2bPgmyMgRayR4BgBRQfd53uSV_JYCUdpYR6di qtrzkr5GToSQGecEnX6wDXfE4klKvruMClTQt9BzxB1vJeQiup yiZ8CrPzi41rSvChFPVnQO-27fmue8Xhgv-HYwvqKc4Q9nJgVK_ajvaf3zqLqQMLiK4oNIdl9yoZbky1cwTIc 84ZPLbwhYmKOR9kzSHya39JIVmZ9OsD2B49cnZyzR3OXqBjsl9 yXN6MYSG-UptelZe8IueCSjFhbVbGiQiPtOsHgC6S75Xkc2RRNynr9Z6NZo OCGXOwCap-7rGU7qKUm9AwBrKt-1nTzwODQNkFhhg1pcRFqXMbcBuZ-IO3T5-BUBCRdWOuNNFlyrGV5D8rs4eUSXGVq-dKgkMqbomIMRxX6WeQ5LfVTFqCmqBRVQBu_tUnfEpcKDGxKo3x 0Kx-m564aO9_cRIcJfOB46FCYOuhM-LIWdheXwS7KA9oWFuEYDd40jvsZXKg02bT_i6urFcBvqzVj3OT 84ZVKiTZarLPOQAOWQBuKajc6Nmx0a8eGwiLSgKKZn7OPBZOrQ =w1628-h917-no

Store bought egg on the right.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hTJQGu5lFYu25QnNcQ7X32rziHfWkIPzSuwjjiuyTS7AA5FmFY JjT7y_3srwEGTfE6RLSFaUZxl1Zl0pgiTnVLCvJCip1DV5mEB-4YtGdxWxeIEbtquUP5JUqobFcXq6TpcdHRpUsyzHobkew1suM2 RgBnYbfbv5dBDvOUtkO49eApBd_t2UWooSCjaUV5xa8d9VKl49 qF_I3Amt7AShLlUvC4zKFXDzuBY9Kt8XmDa2tnkcMUkNPKA7vb PLlnOcNcS3oGW_LbOWYG_U12NCF6at0Feln84kCkUv0WpMXhXe _b41kdpCSObsKxdvT1eTdrlg9FSP39svIWERyAd8OvD3CAxLba 3VI5czx2L2cDdVsi_vgEieqQqw5KAJ6OCQaeTlFLP1Xx8QVsxR VG2gEktMfxCToHhHPkAd8ZP6rsE2DSbc509hCfA5DiazUEQJHv LSrACk3yJw5n6cVKBHuUghCoYafgLWOd2L-v2frJk4QZR0EDWH3JNVVDyo8iRWq-PIcc19IibBtA3MGJHWM4_En3ZmoS4vIbGCg5Wz9DRfwciaN5hp 9Lp1YQMy2OQem8boEblQFx3IbjwoMzeTz9-35C0LERHATdeDy58tGljNp7Ktl-Eff9ZiMPdF793FbFl0wS2w98tK5JK_77xtBHrIBtC-jVgy8g=w1628-h917-no

BladesNBarrels

07-31-2018, 15:59

Store bought egg - what size was it?

75525

Irving

07-31-2018, 17:50

That's a great question to which I do not know the answer. My best guess is extra large on the store bought egg. Here is a picture with a Jumbo Pekin duck egg on the left, two store bought eggs in the middle, and the new chicken egg on the right. Pekin egg is about 2 3/4" tall, store bought 2 1/2" tall, and new chicken 1 7/8" tall.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZRzT1HITqIaBGm2d_7niQ_k2x0cvSBoBYshVLXaLvDD0hYxfKo 66HMP9A11Lvqh-N5eJPv-L42n1TJCKgRiXewd_Xp9CKsxHJQFffnFG3xfvIBnO0ayYxjDmv wkssrKGp_wUria0oi9C0PBalDXzg1AcM8xaAoVyEKfhNWu9tRo NkJ6uo-hFVMi-E7SjmbTMmc6gQ-M5z1xxyMNDZD5z3G-DnF5icAzfQVuYh_qPlkYYdWnNLX_85N38n2tm4ojVk13JTbt-FbywXw3JKfuDx5Ntwx_PB78rTk4og6s4xQcvExButkX0TUz3-PZl2sCa42khy4gGBwyGNAE-ipSobi5C3kUcSpVDT8BgeA6aZ-RtHUKN7i-fO9QV7Od6SGoyXEfSGMwJW0MC5u8Obvk8-zacCvV7h9aGrXsTj50BhY0PIvVBXxpCqoU3mNhJNamxKwXhNBn pRhvu5_kJHKzCHNBRyBOo4jXEx4zu--Ei-mHLjoc8vV3M7jCFvkhZnOz02XNe7m3wASpFL4HKBCbAF5ZzWWe XMBcF9pyh1XsnSoYLkHIu8sPH0vd-bCKWtBxwRzHmStXrpk-VX-7PqbW2vyVdyqAi4d0amQDB1GWZeoXe2yJOVwWH656FKZz5pPpP ZBaZ8u2RIAlqoS3kglb5dIds39xaadGKrQ=w1628-h917-no

TheGrey

07-31-2018, 19:09

This is really cool!

Irving

07-31-2018, 19:20

I'm really failing at getting the scale of the photos. The second photo makes the store bought egg look enormous but it is probably what is in most people's fridge right now. The last picture with the duck egg they all look small but that duck egg looks enormous in person.

BladesNBarrels

08-01-2018, 09:31

Well, size is relative:

75548

Irving

08-01-2018, 14:55

She laid another egg today, slightly larger.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GXfDHEqvqxW5lMyvVedcaDDUYwoXXq9ueE2wsaxVrEXJUQK0SI NtD7AmLC9UxNodU4ecE54b0aIogQVUE8Sh56uDRYQ6KD3XSH_N qsaV9DSLg0HfVfVUxgljxHHfrIf_I4WV2Eapb8T0L-nRHqhuBo9whPi1k5a8lQC3oyuMgu-H5I7Gnhkr2vK4khyqP2M_L7GA4-ebpLqFyuYinY0LoX98PR4oo26rmr3tGP7wTuMDmhaieXNIeF0g m8BRF0414DZgHebQCINtTsrsU7om2ci2_R3C8DKL7ejswHd_PE mphIASoo9ilzD-EtubOmt18uqCe6-sz6k0EzafiKT9vhDBG0cVdSV8fELX3slWRh8Kud95neX42ykVr Oh39OVEKkLrPFCgPDChFPSLpRPYvyQ6ixY7n-R1kUwCm5lMlJJjFHoFklGTkaIQgOmmn_gv5-n_XnIzT8iUJBN8f5a8xzVixlcZalZR1ZJZRDnYjA_chkx_6YTi WfoYOs6Nl0bOqirgRnGuUJyhAYr2e8TB2ROusPQnntusJ4r4vI-UMTpJRzoSh7HK6F7XAFWvvt-0trkyBIARG2BH8IWxCKTYtGpSLcjDkpMfxDV7IQCRiPFd5k1H9 KXqmKGiyVKA8XPYGrBrV0WGlhj5-DfSfMhukEkLI2BQ31iGRQ=w1628-h917-no

Irving

08-05-2018, 18:17

I heard a bunch of screaming in the backyard. When I came to investigate, my wife and daughter informed me that one of the chickens just caught and killed a young finch. I've heard that chickens are murderous killers and I've been excited to see them in action, but I was more thinking worms, slugs, and mice. I can't even get them to eat a worm or slug so far. The ducks would eat anything that moved, or didn't move. Oh well.

BladesNBarrels

08-06-2018, 09:50

Oh, that just generates too many mental images!
75597
75598
75599

Irving

08-06-2018, 11:10

I like that last one.

Irving

08-10-2018, 00:19

White are store bought, brown are my hen's eggs. The eggs are getting bigger. The one she laid today was nearly the same size as the while eggs. Still only one laying so far.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lIY09Kgv5E-_OfLYOfoST7a_xZCyp3TmO302aJ1oJQ1xza7ioCv6LBuAzZUzZ qMGn6h_ROhxrSUK3bRrCq5yHLOF_jf-TCHgcohKSqiew0ZK_SQLCVgHlG4pdt8c1ijGZPiQdOJy1fQWUu G7sRtKjRNJQcyDZZknI3knksWF5Ardg-4eG_7GvLsR2Ra7VmIeXAAh1bx7bSNfqpdJWap_rzNr6fQrOEqH ONfSVDsQ0d7wdY9soxzqziGJRPL_7uL6AiU6qOfSWKeGz_ZOI7 xuBZLkzSmJ5fDxERm663vQSc5s_wUUmTiOzHTn3MLoDutxh9Za xYjiolLmR4I2dVeEmOb2HSYur-d-_wMzX0lTcx1XuxJb18PLEjdgnB41hJ6f1x-4gi1kuGUh9ovpkYOUr8ml7a00lJmaMTssEXHiAafImDFl3AjJl zKpSoePAqJ8-QeMHkeQanbiJAYxZBJd2fj3ueTG-vY5ZXRIQSafEdym5nMFe7ab81XSA5VyCFJfDINoSyPZJN_5Q66 6r-t2WiEuOqPxSG-To_VgjmhXTfqmJeDW2eToi5Jk6FNFnITwxML0dW_uU4WSIL1XR brEXVLnjPNEDEhHRibfxA7d70YKcNMWPOhbYGHaCfWlYOnQIKJ 2EIz5WET22bQMCrHx11ixWi8aFIp6mw=w1619-h910-no

Look how dark and healthy and nutritious those yolks look!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/41gSslmznYmH-DLJqgdoIXkYYtR2p8Jq04lUcoWQGvaaaoI7dFT1fWL7LwQHlzU xnJPOLaruy6Wd_ZEeYD9xidMoQb06RJn9_NMueljSTjyc33TTi-05AfJD6IHmMs6u8UX52jjrxqDobA9JgFJt3s4R_3ib_k0jvkR7 X4bB4sD7aD2Jkk0RHxvjiKZ8nYUar8dE6dbuSPmbqz9l4txpXl Ui_hXxkmg_v2WDBaZciHcdLN4v3jv2URbpnFXMIcf8O1MsiPJA wck0jAM1awguAX5v_U1TGFBM0x6jo0R8arLtLG4kmTutdu1_d8 KV7YLa8Jd1zYobIxVFVwBefMSQ33kCq-_NgxcDNCuvaWwg1zEoEQ6xzmojleEJNbS0MWYGbY2j4egEJ6Bv BY4POfmzxW5DDACJ11jfOk11TM8dhoeBSixJqq7KaYaD7Su6_c urmrBSGJ24oxrvzcSPhfwZr4vBKFU0qVq8DBw1dQ0fAu3u_Zrx gyZx1k5ROGjE9bRET-E19r-JxYbVDTplYhA6McS3suR4nLgDtPLSgQMkq45ke548i_0PKWqCo _lWf7RTxaLfzypH75ZRnfKhaH6rHtQW5q3_q6CutYDcpwwb2Vg J7YK0FQXHUTAf3b7qyStyXlluXjY58vlsMUIc_X44cYL7T9iTT wFjGA=w1619-h910-no

Irving

08-10-2018, 00:28

I never made a post, but I had to get rid of the ducks because they both turned out to be male. As much as I liked the ducks, I'm not going to have males around. Ducks are very rapey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1AjDjgE2Ws

See how he stands on her back and pins her head down? Male ducks will do that to all the ducks, whether they want it or not. They'll do the same thing to chickens. They can break their backs and injure them. In addition, apparently roosters don't have much of an "outie" penis, whereas ducks have a monster spiral penis, apparently. Hens aren't really equipped to take that monster duck penis, but the ducks don't care. So I really couldn't have two males fighting over who gets to rape the chickens all the time. Like most group animals, if you have a male and too few females, they'll get pretty beat up. So I had to get rid of them.

We were worried this cat would try to hunt the chickens, but they are too big now and she just likes hanging out. They don't seem to mind at all.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JK2tIqjimiKCvzAvQOpJK53r3tvdaTQg_9bMwuycmeFtPDjqC1 3cRQoIMYjEhxf15swSZhlFAfqEzNNPgWg_zqxe4GtaS7gkqoCU 052v7yJu6aenbdp-uhNLkgnnlW5wFp1MwruqN0l6tCiZ34oL7QtcPclVosHb7YBSgz rO6znDk_uYvmr4TKkRK-b4roRiS76vxTRqc4-hj6qEOaRpCzwcD3YAiO3A_QfyCw5zoZnFVgsKkBiBmpSY5X9Vp 8B4cdYrFjWEN_fIFQDQboMDaLrIeKiV46AVvW1oX_3TaEiLKTo oM073qJKcMa4AQOed0kei4rLdPScdMRjJg_ReEtEURL2H9qKx4 iwPhr2wizSofrYikx-tvPxk5iiSdGkQaWkzQ3wWKMoRjbsl0mxAyOgOdDduqpphsErFG 4kBvv0M8rNjL2tmLqkgX_jhR64C-balXMsmLzQY4ZkyDjFAhfDJ4B2UEVwNSctR0hcRMhbjN6rPllb gFoVE3OCFTwHotsb39-S-6Th_i6aHX4parRDX05wsxi9XMiEpwYBX5q43LIKY-G5qB6jdmCqDgLfAe6q-S3a8_vjbGllTpIMLgeBIORZzVOoiTRQgHa4nT97kBy5X_zj0Rt 2N6Q0zvbYwmQm1Vy0SZBowuF8Vy49wKe0wGNYzu6pFZw=w1619-h910-no

Irving

08-10-2018, 11:51

Eggs are getting bigger. Store bought, chicken, store bought. Pretty quick growth, it's only been a week and two days since she's been laying.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HBXIw1cpzsE5AzXIOKb9-19eNIV9GEPIFLoM5B0b-YGPBtnkJoHNaTIYeqGnJcJ_BO3JeUO_zUTIqUPLchv8hBQXBOg MKszgGxbH7XL7vBEYEYn1tSty3KjQ-rLR6svV_IlJKiSxzDENKR1ISwvvt6AtXDjFie8uRNiAI6iRvwA ij7daSFsiyPt5CIa08_0Q3hesPbvfMAP038pCWs3b2x9GNfjug ssetISVuQom08A6I6YetLhJ9NoCFb5MYaqppxkqnrYlfkR-Xc9aDQNcr9Q3Dv70r1Pcv1amqeZVslHtQ0gHNxYRBEoXkabTf9 p8urMiwZjI7X7nIZ1t67GoHsmrB0_aYaJU_-TJRtIvVw8hgDQfRFFGYbW825gx10-Cdt-DxrVVvKSzaf3z8Re-hTH9EewlLKM1nYqnlCW1J9S3nMnXcABXzgMVYoi19-UQlxJpofqjcq2la7ucAPjOVn2jFwh6NqdOnE4BwmeGVTbu3QiI xkJjQjmsPKwqE0LSoAF8GpCzgta5Q0ctgZW6QqPKnTYQYeIfeg OfkJfDn7AQGYZub9A_lyfZ5CbDWMfAmHS0lEG3ALCklc8te-eQX6jc-5F1phqI_MW9rADyCl8uqHSifu_ddQ7N-tPtpLrKVzdEwVyl2Nn9YZLZOCeIvTDa72FSC_Nvfw=w1619-h910-no

sniper7

08-10-2018, 16:35

Ill have to get on and update my chicken story as well. Need to figure out how to post images quicker from my phone or iPad though. Clicking the picture tag on this quick reply takes forever.

I’m still learning a lot, but have 14 chickens now. 5 silkies, 1 Americana, 7 Rhode Island reds and a black sex link.
Having 2 boys, they named several of them after transformers. Optimus prime and bumblebee are my two survivors from the first couple trials....we had 10 chicks killed at a couple days old thanks to the kids leaving the cover off and our small dog got to them. Then my bird dog got 3/5 of the older group I had that were about 8 weeks old.
Then we ordered more and picked up a couple spares at bomgaars.my wife wanted the silkies and they are special order only. One died in shipping, but the other 5 made it and are now pretty cool looking.

I built my own coop and run, will get pics up when I can. But yeah this chicken thing is pretty fun!

Irving, where do you get your pullets?

Irving

08-10-2018, 16:48

I got my original straight run batch of Rhode Island Reds and Jumbo Pekins from an outfit in Brighton called Camp Awesome.
I got my Easter Egger and Golden Laced Wyandotte from Big R (they told me they were a Barred Rock and a Speckled Sussex). Don't ever assume you're getting what is advertised from a tractor store like that.
I got my Colombian Rock, Barred Rock, and Silver Laced Wyandotte from a lady in Boulder that I found in the Colorado thread on Backyardchickens.com.

Have you trained your dogs to leave them alone? With respect to your hunting dog, are you concerned that it would interfere with his hunting training?

That Red Healer puppy can't resist chasing them around the yard 10 times a day. She'd not biting them though, so I try not to flip out over it too much.

That egg that I posted today was a double yolk by the way, but I didn't get a picture of it.

Fun fact, the world record for most yolks in a chicken egg is NINE.
The world record for most eggs layed by a hen in a year period is something like 371 eggs. The record for most eggs laid in one day is 7.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/there-is-more-to-an-egg-than-meets-the-eye-interesting-egg-facts.64568/

sniper7

08-10-2018, 16:58

Ok I’ll check them out if I’m in need of some more. Pullets would be nice just to shave some time off but the chicks are pretty easy.

My hunting dog is 9, I don’t think he will change and I don’t want to untrained him to go for birds. He knows they are part of the family now and stays away from the coop and isn’t scratching the wire and the door any more, but if he were out when they freerange on my property...it would get ugly. And since he is a bird dog I don’t think that instinct will go away, so they will just have to share time outside!

I’ve started getting eggs from the older two and they are each about 1 a day which is pretty cool. First egg was small but tasty, second egg was nice and big double yolk! We celebrated as a family and each had a little taste. Now we are already accumulating eggs. Once the younger ones start to lay it’s going to get crazy

Irving

08-10-2018, 17:22

Do silkies lay much? I haven't really looked into them. 10-14 eggs a day and you'll be giving them away to the neighbors, if not selling them. I've had friends offer to buy eggs from me before any of them were even laying.

sniper7

08-10-2018, 20:24

They are about half what the Rhode Island lay and they are a bit smaller eggs though. Yeah I have family already asking and all the neighbors have offered as well. I’ll just trade them out for feed and bedding! That will be good enough!

Irving

08-10-2018, 20:33

Interested in your coop/run set-up. Davsel on here has chickens I think, but he's yet to chime in.

sniper7

08-10-2018, 20:50

Every time I try to upload it says upload failed. I used to use photo bucket but now they want money and I maxed out the free stuff and they sent me about 12,000 emails saying my account and pictures would be deleted. Not even sure that account is still around I haven’t check in a while.
Side subject but who had the best free hosting where I can upload pics from my phone and post them on here easy

Irving

08-10-2018, 20:52

I just use Google photos. They auto upload from my phone whenever I'm on Wifi. Not sure if that's an option for you on Apple stuff though. I can't figure out how to do it from my phone though.

Irving

08-13-2018, 12:31

I'm going to have to start predator shaming my cat if she can't keep up with this chicken. That's a mouse.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kdCLUOFVS7opBZqTuNO3W_nCZsYWiBt05VZRYtNr1Ix6jPxrOO 3A0He-Ne-N20Akmcrk4rZgT8XcJKAi58WIwD3AZ1LKuZaPSH6aRvmU9fTSu Md2HOOEqKWm9CQ7eLu8GA6iVhHcqvu4YlmLSBIQASOnLN1MySK 1RI8W6yUHInf2QlkGvKulUnwyBi-mR_sGkslzZrdelCVenu1XXxbSNdlTrmPV_CQkWktOPNVHQvW-mH2ObgCCArRmXzmgb2nIcExHgy4CAACAPafUC0X84FLRbx0sMr JXWgHDor0iU42I-hNN6Y_SJRxSuWHMRj15NGP7XxQYNdF5L9BzDdNci1VEXWTHl4z M8gDKH-IonGajH3vC1vVOdthRJsrgsJEQTWcs0h2sfVawvxR8dVWG4r9J aj_N-McOgjSsbsQMggucRpCMEhm5e4J5otYn6rUKyF9IzqrFRGGdCWQ Q2bTQ1NvoXF4WeuR2dwgPmEh6D8mhDz4VbNhKz1gmV1aE1fbFo 6bL6PSVkcyGZOu3PP8LIPFShN7PSbR-YnQT5n-56K2dcWRpR7E2f7xCwWLT2BWmvJYZCX0gc3o4kSwR9Orjv7rEY xCHFGV7ymDOy8Dc7OFHjAJEpC5buMZbjvVWAigJqezPuqODZJV nu-DB1DMEQBVAsyctZY53yw=w1619-h910-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a2ZCO1WtyWXg28EVxSCA3LtX9IcwDyMNh1cIe-qTs_3ITz-iYMY-K5azZhwEcx-vS6PP7-xQYlt6gkwteUyZ7wDREwGpwMJDpNZPmvgBjoVDOZxbWfTVr9ZM 41c1ehSc3XvQ9-jkvcuurQxO-1vB0vHsdpzSJbkoen9UOEeqJTebSIl5ycwI54VoSXG11xfupqT 8JulUDL6zvegw6sDfRoce1SbhRmFGfcDCOKuPUteUyK2btZbz1 gfPMnLT95LxNaQdCo3WGfMGCp2mDHxvRW34fplRMmydkwndhfn 9KN6jglU_f0h0NuvH9-y-1xwcoTnD96lbF4rrKDn86dfz_AMIil3XVcqhXs65RfarK_jX7-TCLRFNE2DvjHJIu3HvA_bunAWwaQ7wktE4hQe2kNyb7jc1sp7r WzavFlsqwmclE6VKEHOgL-ANx2sAtg8AdcWW9bE1qdrv1FEBW0t8gzMZtsY_2VEZADhX0uMd ezIMGiFC-4vGAXWqCxPBLYawozRp6ha16lCSbXf74Hyyk88n7Ue--YMxRBAyJyx3n6qaI8mD7XqnZhdz7IYQGuEFJFrIgRylhqmIrdz 6ddETPizhepeElfnoAEjS5oDoyEKFLZtQms1dFNUslH8oXPpuw va_CFrFOCRuhXwMuKdOXBK3VcUXi7zdUw=w1035-h582-no

sniper7

08-14-2018, 23:39

Wicked hail storm today, chickens were out free ranging when the weather rolled in fast, I looked outside and didn’t see them anywhere, assumed they went in the coop, although the wind ripped the wire I use to latch the door open completely off and the door was closed. Once the hail stopped I went to inspect and didn’t find a single chicken in the coop.....
Looked frantically on the north side of the house where they like to eat weeds from the neighboring property along the fence line and nothing....
Went down to the outbuilding expecting them on the east or south side of that or maybe under one of my trailers and nada.

Considering I had hay bales blow over 50 yard I half expected them to be blown away

Then I went to the south side of the property and we have a new privacy fence and they were all there standing as close as possible to the fence, all were okay and I was extremely relieved, thought I lost them all. Got them shuffled back into the coop and they went straight to roost to dry off.

I’m sick of this damn hail!!!!

Irving

08-15-2018, 00:19

Crazy. Zero hail, but lots of rain at our place. I want the when it happened, but when I checked them later, they were wet in their coop. Dumb chickens. They don't really hang out in the coop during the day. I doubt they realize it is safe from weather. They prefer to hang out under the tree.

Irving

08-21-2018, 13:40

I walked out the back door a few minutes ago, and the chickens were making a big rukus under the bush. The puppy wasn't outside to chase them, and they sometimes chase each other, but this seemed more aggressive than usual. Then, one of the chickens flew out of the yard and turned out to be a hawk.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kmIB3AL4wYOKJzwG1KBVhsEA--pt5gak9ebSSiB4f-37wjJlwc9RV6e_3-S65r-dqOyZKuCGsCBYPgktIVErzxtkOu3PODyzNi-BaWER37nGhUIfxX2valAw9DhAVUbQFdiX5BiTi1nOQXvuWyRdT RGW1a_ovdl15S9ExzOQh3duPMGn-7g2O-yQpKLa0DXmuZbsAToNQI6Z-gU4zFgKrPklYqJAdv2x05nmoJg1-a2J5B4rImdxcormoA0YZnQ4kbhrrcdlfpK0ctZnWMkJVyeUTQd dnhIivHCqzQ8EcdfBkDHHalhpTg4O1Swk9m5FXkW7yj4IlFBys 6MLRTYIpLl4xTFfsSiVD-KXUtXWi9sRMEBolO3nUkON8UrIZGtn6eRtdk-voEZpfGAuRyO1oAW74obePay8ZYNhTmbTCx_xv-XfIA3iGhsAMjtP4PnnCdaiS2f6-51b_ELEvHXASYXjILH4vexvjbkJsJmzUz5lFSGfEgbXljYD7ds 1H-qCYcCgUpGhtmfqKsFgO9GXsU5ZF36s7OAFzxGl2HfsAXouiyEa nSUNS9OTvhyRrU-7UaK6TdkWc-O_OEwb6WGhBtv8LjloKzBEGuR7Gdv_UvLuAM4SwgTLkBqLWFaw 9pqKFhW9VCOese-Kv2xP8uwLD-kT_xO7ekkTlw=w1619-h910-no

That hawk is about half the size of my big chickens, and slightly smaller than the younger chickens it was probably targeting. I could only locate five of my six birds, then spied what looked like a big clump of feathers tucked under the fence. My heart dropped a bit as I assumed my barred rock got ripped in half. Turns out she just tucked herself between two fence sections and was unharmed.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BsDBR5-bYxi3NiXt9O-ggBedXiZGeyK-UOTID6FeWZVPWsI6tpk8mF3Mx7Eobg5g07pdxYT907y6SFvxa8 6ZwDvrJ6E5vdVd-zBbIMhN_IzEisyRp4itqhWRpTxtiXWbs2rw7Duf-Qzx1Fk59CXRTJBVtG1JwlCVMpDkjVFPmXiqkQVZ49ButV08WR3 OkXtKP4-QQAlZYGyb_k100YBEfdFHC9SFpAQM3V4jhb-rLdmxozGEUYwVelybgJKYjf3uTkLlnLL8fq5-m08AWB4JQvnHSlmCUYrZN9s7w2TyUd_vSfnFHCvuZJtYY8myiB KXh_vy8liJqJ0jRWFSt_bl3h31NRWcmBvULV0ckOTHnJVoFnQx d8mo8O63kCYamv88_rjQm1SEyN9QAzUbXXEn27hXXOnQUdIYLy KErxwP_kW5cbQKBSYANywmz5n0AXojtgbxa7cHK3kbv53o9wL_ Uz9ga-mSz5hrJIcnCY6-Sv-2U_OAI761tDYlPBPDbf8klNybyJmWocgP32sL5wZ2F1QQjUaWW d5mGlwstAOpxtSi9KwFF_FGj2buqpVrRPEPrd7j5Q1EfNz58ez ukv1Vo3PeQObU2HkEqo0McC9vYPvfZuKlDlJo0VdGicuTt_MrJ CV7AeBJngTVI_pEg56RfpjUYKILtaTEEQ=w1035-h582-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pYfGFUGBO204DO1MBoohDqVkiBz18Ye2LZGQQZcvxPgeux-XsqA0YnnTPytRkSC0_9JtSbMMG-H0uiW97gVYN9J_4sRtHAO6QfdDFTP0SKoBxl1vepmk2BdviIS8 8VBXqUJVnWEFTYqfQ5OZJlnSaVUKg7Uy_s6p4kEQR_LPMVZSBe TTtkQSki7zktOyUoJ8XTtinHdGVbb8N5axIZQmJH1qxtgC85Rt dGwBEE5Hl4qcvrE6FbsFPrAaO3c5kcRn8gf7WYgU-YfVnonZPykrbmRHbb6AWubjVt5EL2DJ-jbQlXE1t_KyoaI0ZyD0pjDNHUTdyIAJMF_jIDGWMppR-qrCtMhvQz6rQYIUmyxqPca7Yn_Ej9F9EJlx8Bmei1Pf2bT_GGR Q2Wd2B8pYV6av1_ys0CqypOKNhu_cKeVvLytYuCw9MApJ9v8ys YKbJM2AVv6GNK8wav_ICwt2EpvgJtZ28MyRxAK93mV7Lmrgy8I G-3XkLeUXSnklhnxMlcHUlJM8Jpgo2wksgUXvaTKb7ZAshAdRjCc eGfdf3BTXyIr2hN1BEyHl61Pz8qZakCpVBa-LtQBXR38v5SuR15dj4L4BCY5vLZeyFP40XlSSw1lTRjoFgPSL-dsMx3bxAvqK0fEJZyJoLvGzJAceNUXS87UhBd31DU4MQ=w1619-h910-no

Everything worked out this time. They have decent cover in the yard to hide from hawks. While I don't have a ton of hawk experience, I'm under the impression that if a hawk has to hit the ground before interacting with prey, there is a much smaller chance that it will pursue on foot. I'm sure that's not 100% fool proof, but so far that is how it has worked out. This is the second time I've had a hawk land in the yard and not carry off a chicken.

ChickNorris

08-21-2018, 19:22

I bet you could keep that hawk out if you string a couple of thin lines high up & across the flight path it takes when diving for your flock. Works great keeping unwanted birds out at ponds, pools & barn entrances.

Irving

08-21-2018, 20:48

I had a similar idea, but I free range them in the yard so I'd have to cover the entire yard. If I do that, I might as well just build them enclosed run. That was my initial plan, but the area I'd enclose them in includes a tree. Ultimately I just decided to make sure I have places for them to hide and take the risk.