- Thread starter
- #141
AL
Almost Self-Reliant
No I really have no idea. I think her BF is taking care of knives, so I picture some sort of hunting knife lol.
AL - Recording baby steps: Newest Addition
- Thread starter AL
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #142
AL
Almost Self-Reliant
So now that the sun is more towards the west, I went out to open the tarp on the west side of the meatie shelter so they could have some sunshine. 2 of the little cusses were out of the pool screaming their fool heads off!
Now I have to figure out a new pen to keep them in their shelter until they feather out.
Now I have to figure out a new pen to keep them in their shelter until they feather out.
TanksHill
Super Self-Sufficient
How long does it take them to feather out? How did they get our of the pool?
g
g
Farmfresh
City Biddy
I had mine outside by 3 weeks. 
lorihadams
Always doing laundry
yep, bout 3 weeks.
- Thread starter
- #146
AL
Almost Self-Reliant
I wasn't sure yesterday HOW they got out. I have hardware cloth over the pool, and on one half of it I had a piece of tin. Turns out the tin had squashed the side of the pool so they could get out. Once one discovered it they all had to try it 
I actually already have them outside... kind of. I have the pool under a tin roof shelter with privacy fence on one wall, a wall of my chicken house for another, then tarps for the other 2. I put an extension cord out for a light, and now that it is cooler I put one of those "multi-plugs" in so I could have 2 lights. The pool has deep litter, 3 (1)quart waterers, 2 trays of feed (when they haven't eaten every crumb).
My project this week is going to be to make half-walls out of tin so I can remove the pool and just put the deep litter on the ground, but they'll still be blocked in under the shelter.
In other news, my squash are going gang-busters! I have straw to the side for frost emergencies but I don't see any in the forecast so far.
I think Friday, when I am off work, I am going to till the other half of the garden and try planting cabbage.
House insurance is coming up due, so I am scrimping and saving so I don't have to use emergency $ or credit cards to pay it. Once that is taken care of and Christmas is done, I think I am going to look for a trainer for Buddy.
Printed off some homemade bread recipes, also going to work on pumpkins. Thursday I will go and buy some fresh milk and make butter. YAY!
I actually already have them outside... kind of. I have the pool under a tin roof shelter with privacy fence on one wall, a wall of my chicken house for another, then tarps for the other 2. I put an extension cord out for a light, and now that it is cooler I put one of those "multi-plugs" in so I could have 2 lights. The pool has deep litter, 3 (1)quart waterers, 2 trays of feed (when they haven't eaten every crumb).
My project this week is going to be to make half-walls out of tin so I can remove the pool and just put the deep litter on the ground, but they'll still be blocked in under the shelter.
In other news, my squash are going gang-busters! I have straw to the side for frost emergencies but I don't see any in the forecast so far.
I think Friday, when I am off work, I am going to till the other half of the garden and try planting cabbage.
House insurance is coming up due, so I am scrimping and saving so I don't have to use emergency $ or credit cards to pay it. Once that is taken care of and Christmas is done, I think I am going to look for a trainer for Buddy.
Printed off some homemade bread recipes, also going to work on pumpkins. Thursday I will go and buy some fresh milk and make butter. YAY!
- Thread starter
- #147
AL
Almost Self-Reliant
My meaties are going into eating machine overdrive! Wow! I give them 3 scoops (with one of those red plastic "picnic" cups) and then they just do without until I go back before work this afternoon. I do give them some pinched up oat grass, and today they got a little shredded cabbage. They empty 3 (1)quart waterers in no time, so I am constantly running out there to check it.
They will be 2wks old on Wednesday:
It is supposed to rain the next 2-3 days, and then cool off for 2 days in the 30s... then back into the 50s for lows. I HAVE to finish winterizing for both groups of chickens. Seriously. At this point I am going to have to ask my dad for help...
They will be 2wks old on Wednesday:
It is supposed to rain the next 2-3 days, and then cool off for 2 days in the 30s... then back into the 50s for lows. I HAVE to finish winterizing for both groups of chickens. Seriously. At this point I am going to have to ask my dad for help...
Farmfresh
City Biddy
Growing like the weeds they are! 
Just wait until they clean out a 25 pound feeder in a few HOURS time!
Just wait until they clean out a 25 pound feeder in a few HOURS time!
TanksHill
Super Self-Sufficient
How encouraged I am!! Those little birds look great. Thanks for answering my feather question. So I have another. The light? Is it a special bulb? Or will a standard flood light bulb work?
g
g
Farmfresh
City Biddy
Please allow me to answer that. I use lots of different bulbs.
If it is really cold out I will use a flood light bulb or a red heat lamp bulb. Usually I just use a regular incandescent light bulb about 100 watts. If it is HOT out (remember I often get my peeps in August and evening temps can be in the upper 80's) I may switch to a compact florescent which puts out almost no heat but gives them light to eat by!
The main rules are:
1. Get the temperature correct at bird level - a thermometer there is a help
2. Heat one end of the brooder only - that way they can get away if they get too hot
3. Keep the bulb high enough and protected so they can't peck at it - I HAVE had chickens break their heat lamp. DANGEROUS
4. Keep the bulb away from combustibles - including the side of a plastic brooder
5. Always use a real heat lamp socket made from ceramic - a plastic bulb socket where the bulb screws in will get too hot and melt!!!
If it is really cold out I will use a flood light bulb or a red heat lamp bulb. Usually I just use a regular incandescent light bulb about 100 watts. If it is HOT out (remember I often get my peeps in August and evening temps can be in the upper 80's) I may switch to a compact florescent which puts out almost no heat but gives them light to eat by!
The main rules are:
1. Get the temperature correct at bird level - a thermometer there is a help
2. Heat one end of the brooder only - that way they can get away if they get too hot
3. Keep the bulb high enough and protected so they can't peck at it - I HAVE had chickens break their heat lamp. DANGEROUS
4. Keep the bulb away from combustibles - including the side of a plastic brooder
5. Always use a real heat lamp socket made from ceramic - a plastic bulb socket where the bulb screws in will get too hot and melt!!!
