Hey!
How is everyone's flock doing? This winter weather has certainly been a doosey for us. The large fowl chickens have been staying toasty in the coop and hay shed, and the bantams have stayed even warmer in the feed room at night. One night the temps dropped down to 5 here! That is crazy for central Arkansas! Today we had quite a bit of freezing rain and a little bit of snow, but nothing too bad.
I do start another semester tomorrow, and I most certainly am not excited. I am pretty sure the chickens aren't either. Class means less treats for them! XD
Hopefully I will be able to take just as many pictures and blog just as much though. Is anyone else starting school tomorrow?
During the very cold spell we had, our power went out during the night. It was terribly cold in the house, which wouldn't have been too bad, except for the fact that the eggs in the incubator didn't have power or heat for a good while. I rushed them to my fiance's house and finally got the incubator warmed back up, but I'm still unsure of how many damage was done. Hopefully it is minimal. Today is day 15. I candled yesterday and it seemed like they were still developing. Only 3 more days until lockdown and I am on edge. The air here has been so dry I am a bit unsure of how I am going to keep the humidity as high as it needs to be for hatch. Fingers crossed I can handle it. I'm going to use sponges and maybe some damp paper towels. I may look into adding a humidifier to the room, but I am unsure about that so far. Hopefully it all works out okay. Is anyone else getting ready for a hatch? This will be my first, and I am incredibly nervous.
I hope everyone's flock stays warm, healthy, and happy :)
-Poultry Princess
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Chicken Feeds and Feeding
How is everyone's 2015 going? I hope that the first 4 days of the year have treated everyone well :)
I know our first 4 days have been a huge, rainy, swampy mess, but everyone is healthy and happy! And we even invited 2 more to the flock. They are a pair of Old English Game Bantams. We still have to think of names, but I am very happy to have them. If anyone has any name suggestions feel free to comment them below!
I wanted to talk about feeds and feeding today. Something very basic to caring for chickens, but a very important topic. I feel like there are many different ways to feed a flock, and I am by no means a professional or a vet. I can't even consider myself an expert. I am only someone who cares deeply for my chickens and tries very hard to keep them as healthy as possible. I know we all feed our flocks differently, but I just wanted to give everyone a look into how I feed my own flock. If anyone has any suggestions, or ideas, or even any new info to share with me, always feel free to give a comment.
When I first got chickens, I only had chicks and feeding was pretty easy then. Chick starter and chick grit for whenever I let out on grass or gave them anything other than starter. Chicks need constant access to chick starter/grower for the first 16-18 weeks. However, when my flock began to grow I went back and started to do more research. I started to buy 3 different feeds every trip to the co-op: chick starter, layer feed, and scratch. I personally choose Purina Start & Grow, Layena, and Scratch Grains because there is no rendered animal fat in the ingredients. While I do understand chickens are not vegetarians, I also do not want rendered animal fats in my flock's feed so I choose feeds without it and the chickens get their animal proteins from their free ranging.
However, after going back and doing more research on the long term effects of roosters consuming excess calcium, I changed up my flock's feed once again. My chicks, pullets, and cockerels still get non-medicated start & grow and the whole flock still receives scratch grains here and there, but now the hens and roosters receive Purina's flock raiser with 20% protein. Even though they free range, I do like the higher percent protein the flock raiser has as well as the lower calcium levels for my roos.
Hens, on the other hand, do need the added calcium for egg production. I don't really worry about this too much since the hens do free range, but I still offer crushed, dried egg shells to them. They can pick at these as much as they need. I have yet to have a hen have a soft or misshapen egg.
The only time I offer the flock grit is to chicks that have been fed anything other than chick starter. Sometimes I will offer them yogurt or apple sauce or some sprouts/veggie scraps and I always mix a little grit in their chick feed when I do this. The rest of the flock free ranges at least 10 hours a day and pick up what grit they need during their free ranging.
I also often give the flock veggie scraps, fresh veggies that I buy just for them, yogurt, oatmeal, and other treats here and there. Often when looking for food, buying food, or throwing food out(that isn't moldy or gross) I think to myself, "can the chickens eat this?" The answer is usually yes and they always have a nice pig out session.
Backyardchickens.com has a great treat chart that helps when asking if food is safe for the chickens or not. I often refer back to it if I have any concerns.
My chickens have yet to go through a molt yet. I think my flock is too young, but I'll jump that hurdle when we come to it. So far they have all remained active with nice shiny feathers and dark combs and wattles. My hens haven't had any troubles with egg production or soft/misshapen shells, and my roos stay bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
I always keep fresh water for them, and often add poly-vi-sol(baby vitamins found at walmart) to my chick's water for added vitamins. Here lately I have done a lot of research into apple cider vinegar and I believe I may start adding that to the flock's water.
I hope this helps give everyone a look into what I feed my flock. Again, if you have any suggestions/questions/comments always feel free to comment below or comment/DM me on instagram @thepoopcoop
And again, HAPPY 2015!
I know our first 4 days have been a huge, rainy, swampy mess, but everyone is healthy and happy! And we even invited 2 more to the flock. They are a pair of Old English Game Bantams. We still have to think of names, but I am very happy to have them. If anyone has any name suggestions feel free to comment them below!
I wanted to talk about feeds and feeding today. Something very basic to caring for chickens, but a very important topic. I feel like there are many different ways to feed a flock, and I am by no means a professional or a vet. I can't even consider myself an expert. I am only someone who cares deeply for my chickens and tries very hard to keep them as healthy as possible. I know we all feed our flocks differently, but I just wanted to give everyone a look into how I feed my own flock. If anyone has any suggestions, or ideas, or even any new info to share with me, always feel free to give a comment.
When I first got chickens, I only had chicks and feeding was pretty easy then. Chick starter and chick grit for whenever I let out on grass or gave them anything other than starter. Chicks need constant access to chick starter/grower for the first 16-18 weeks. However, when my flock began to grow I went back and started to do more research. I started to buy 3 different feeds every trip to the co-op: chick starter, layer feed, and scratch. I personally choose Purina Start & Grow, Layena, and Scratch Grains because there is no rendered animal fat in the ingredients. While I do understand chickens are not vegetarians, I also do not want rendered animal fats in my flock's feed so I choose feeds without it and the chickens get their animal proteins from their free ranging.
However, after going back and doing more research on the long term effects of roosters consuming excess calcium, I changed up my flock's feed once again. My chicks, pullets, and cockerels still get non-medicated start & grow and the whole flock still receives scratch grains here and there, but now the hens and roosters receive Purina's flock raiser with 20% protein. Even though they free range, I do like the higher percent protein the flock raiser has as well as the lower calcium levels for my roos.
Hens, on the other hand, do need the added calcium for egg production. I don't really worry about this too much since the hens do free range, but I still offer crushed, dried egg shells to them. They can pick at these as much as they need. I have yet to have a hen have a soft or misshapen egg.
The only time I offer the flock grit is to chicks that have been fed anything other than chick starter. Sometimes I will offer them yogurt or apple sauce or some sprouts/veggie scraps and I always mix a little grit in their chick feed when I do this. The rest of the flock free ranges at least 10 hours a day and pick up what grit they need during their free ranging.
I also often give the flock veggie scraps, fresh veggies that I buy just for them, yogurt, oatmeal, and other treats here and there. Often when looking for food, buying food, or throwing food out(that isn't moldy or gross) I think to myself, "can the chickens eat this?" The answer is usually yes and they always have a nice pig out session.
Backyardchickens.com has a great treat chart that helps when asking if food is safe for the chickens or not. I often refer back to it if I have any concerns.
My chickens have yet to go through a molt yet. I think my flock is too young, but I'll jump that hurdle when we come to it. So far they have all remained active with nice shiny feathers and dark combs and wattles. My hens haven't had any troubles with egg production or soft/misshapen shells, and my roos stay bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
I always keep fresh water for them, and often add poly-vi-sol(baby vitamins found at walmart) to my chick's water for added vitamins. Here lately I have done a lot of research into apple cider vinegar and I believe I may start adding that to the flock's water.
I hope this helps give everyone a look into what I feed my flock. Again, if you have any suggestions/questions/comments always feel free to comment below or comment/DM me on instagram @thepoopcoop
And again, HAPPY 2015!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
My First Incubation
Hello!
How was everyone's Christmas? Hopefully you spent it with family and enjoy lots of great food! I received an incubator for Christmas from my grandpa. Since having chickens I have raised chicks, but I haven't incubated any or had a hen go broody.
I allowed the bator to regulate the temps to 99.5 F, and the humidity. I am trying the dry hatch method so I'm keeping the humidity low-ish(right now I'm at day 5 and its sitting at 31%, adding a bit of water tomorrow). It is a circulated air incubator, just an inexpensive styrofoam one from Atwoods. It has an automatic egg turner so thats a plus. I have placed 12 serama eggs in it along with 3 silkie eggs, 3 cochin eggs, and a couple from Zelda(one of my bantam hens). Today is day 5 and so far so good. I'll be candling them in a couple of days and I hope to end up having a good fertile rate and eventually a good hatch rate.
I have been extremely excited about the setting! Haha I often run into the "incubation room" just to make sure the temp and humidity is right. Since I still live with my grandparents, I was very happy to hear my grandma tell me I could finally bring the brooder inside of the house for these babies(it has been in the feed room).
How many of y'all have used an incubator? How was your hatch? How many hatches have you had? I'm very interested in what methods others have used!
I forgot to mention in my first few posts, you can find me on instagram: @thepoopcoop and on backyardchickens.com: @collegegardener
Hope everyone has a Happy New Year full of happy cluckers!
How was everyone's Christmas? Hopefully you spent it with family and enjoy lots of great food! I received an incubator for Christmas from my grandpa. Since having chickens I have raised chicks, but I haven't incubated any or had a hen go broody.
I allowed the bator to regulate the temps to 99.5 F, and the humidity. I am trying the dry hatch method so I'm keeping the humidity low-ish(right now I'm at day 5 and its sitting at 31%, adding a bit of water tomorrow). It is a circulated air incubator, just an inexpensive styrofoam one from Atwoods. It has an automatic egg turner so thats a plus. I have placed 12 serama eggs in it along with 3 silkie eggs, 3 cochin eggs, and a couple from Zelda(one of my bantam hens). Today is day 5 and so far so good. I'll be candling them in a couple of days and I hope to end up having a good fertile rate and eventually a good hatch rate.
I have been extremely excited about the setting! Haha I often run into the "incubation room" just to make sure the temp and humidity is right. Since I still live with my grandparents, I was very happy to hear my grandma tell me I could finally bring the brooder inside of the house for these babies(it has been in the feed room).
How many of y'all have used an incubator? How was your hatch? How many hatches have you had? I'm very interested in what methods others have used!
I forgot to mention in my first few posts, you can find me on instagram: @thepoopcoop and on backyardchickens.com: @collegegardener
Hope everyone has a Happy New Year full of happy cluckers!
Sunday, December 28, 2014
The Bantam Coop
In my last post I introduced everyone to the large fowl part of The Poop Coop, but I have yet to introduce everyone to the bantam coop!
The bantam coop is actually the original poop coop, however, none of its inhabitants were actually 'bantam' until later on. I can't actually remember which bantam came first, but here are the ones in there now :)
Here is Chewie...he's the leader of the flock.
This is Marilyn, she is a frizzled cochin pullet.
This little diva is Francis, she is a blue frizzled cochin pullet.
Zelda is the bravest warrior in the flock and the best forager. She often ventures out on her own to dig for goodies. She's very spunky and she loves loves treats.
The little buff in the center is Buttercup. I am not really sure what she is, but I'm thinking she could be an EE..she seems to be getting a beard.
These 3 little ones are unnamed so far. The little mottled cochin pullet on the far right is for sure going to stay with us, but I am unsure on the silkies. They are just too cute.
I also have 5 chicks in the brooder right now to add to the large fowl coop later on. Three of them are barred rock/leghorn mix and the other two are EE and an Ameracuana. I know for sure that one chick is a rooster and I will be finding him a new home soon.
With the help of my fiance, I will be building a new bantam coop next spring that is larger and has easier access for me, but for now, the coop provides a cozy bed for the bantams at night.
That's all for the introductions. I dont think I left anyone out :P
I am currently incubating my first eggs so there will be lots of news on that soon!
Thanks for reading :)
The bantam coop is actually the original poop coop, however, none of its inhabitants were actually 'bantam' until later on. I can't actually remember which bantam came first, but here are the ones in there now :)
I also have 5 chicks in the brooder right now to add to the large fowl coop later on. Three of them are barred rock/leghorn mix and the other two are EE and an Ameracuana. I know for sure that one chick is a rooster and I will be finding him a new home soon.
With the help of my fiance, I will be building a new bantam coop next spring that is larger and has easier access for me, but for now, the coop provides a cozy bed for the bantams at night.
That's all for the introductions. I dont think I left anyone out :P
I am currently incubating my first eggs so there will be lots of news on that soon!
Thanks for reading :)
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Welcome to The Poop Coop!
Welcome to the Poop Coop!
My name is Beth, and I keep backyard chickens in Arkansas. In May 2014, I received a small coop/run from a family member and bought my first chicks. They were about 3 weeks old. A Rhode Island Red, an Australorp, and one Easter Egger. My hopes were that I could raise them and have 1 rooster and 2 hens. However, I ended up with 3 hens! I named the RIR, Barbara, the Australorp, Nancy, and the EE, Laura.
Here is Barbara.
Laura... :)
Manny...
Gracie(actually a male :P)
Georgia knows how to strut herself
Eventually the 3 little ones grew and I ended up buying a couple more chickens, Bella and Manny. Bella was a Blue Andalusian hen. Unfortunately, she is no longer with us due to a dog attack. Manny is a black cochin rooster and he is still the almighty protector of the large fowl flock.
Eventually came the guineas...
I started with 2 keets. Both pearl, and then I bought two more, one buff and one pearl. During a coop change every keet ended up getting loose and running straight into the woods beside the house. Out of the 4, 2 survived(1 buff/1 pearl) and are now known as Gracie(pearl...ended up being male), and Georgia(buff..female).
They are now full grown and many more chickens have been added to the flock as well as several coop changes. Once the large fowls grew larger they were moved into a new coop/run(our great dane's old pen). We changed his 'house', which is built into our hay shed, into a chicken coop and we're still working on adding a cover over the run. Since taking care of our dog problem the chickens(and guineas) now free range most of the day.
Here's the rest of the flock!
The large fowl coop consists of Barbara, Laura, Manny, Gracie, Georgia, Hilda, Winston, Franklin, Righty, and Lefty. As well as Ethel(long story).
This was the sweet Nancy(pictured with her best friend, Barbara) even though she is no longer with us..
Hilda and Winston...they are actually both hens, but somehow one got a male name XD
Here is Righty and Lefty...they have a very interesting story. They are barred rock sisters and the man I bought them from had kept them in close confinement causing them to peck at each other and eventually pecking one of each other's eyes out. Right is missing her right eye and Lefty is missing her left. The man was about to butcher them due to their eye loss so I bought them and they have been quite happy since! They still function well, however, I shiver at the thought of one ever being without the other! They have a very close relationship and are usually found foraging close to the woods or in the horse pasture with Barbara.
Annnd last but not least...Ethel!
Ethel is a leghorn pullet and a complete pain in the butt. She has been at the Poop Coop for about 3 weeks now and she has spent about 3 nights inside of the coop. I have spent many hours trying to find her at night to get her put up, but she absolutely refuses to roost in the coop with the rest of the flock. I worry about predators at night, but I've tried just about everything to get her to roost with the others. I guess she likes to live life on the edge.
(Franklin isn't pictured because I just realized I dont have any good pictures of him. He unfortunately won't be with us much longer though(being sold, not killed/eaten!). His mate has recently passed and I would like to send him to a place with more ladies for him.)
You probably think thats all of the chickens, right? WRONG! We can't forget about the bantam coop! Keep an eye out for an introduction of the Cuddly Bunch coming soon :)
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