TanksHill...Roll on!!

[glenolam]

I want me some meat birds!!

 

[TanksHill]

Have you ever done any before??? I have not.

Hello my name is Gina and I am a meat bird newbie.

After watching Al survive hers and with the encouragement around here I'm game.

It should be good timing as well.

I think I need some Cliff notes!!

Inside with light, How many weeks???

chick starter, water, light, check!!

Big brooder container, NO check! Hummm going to have to work on that.

 

[glenolam]

I've never done meat birds. My brother has, though, but he's all the way on the opposite side of the USA from me (CT - WA).

We once had the opportunity to trade meat birds for ducklings/fertile duck eggs. I asked DH what he thought, but he wasn't yet ready for that.

Sometimes I wonder what type of a 'farmer' he is when he rarely wants to cull his own animals.

 

[patandchickens]

Don't worry about it, they are EASY, same as any other chicks. They will graduate from needing brooder heat sooner than normal chicks -- potentially within a couple-few weeks depending on your outdoor temperatures -- but it's not a bad idea to give them a lamp at night for another few weeks beyond that in case they need it.

Let THEM tell YOU what to do, you can see how close they are hanging out to the lamp and adjust accordingly. As long as they have a too-warm and a too-cool part of the brooder, and the food and water are somewhere in between, they are self-adjusting <g>.

Have fun, you'll be fine with them

Pat

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

meat!
meat!
meat!

go Tanks!!!

 

[Farmfresh]

Thanks you guys. Yes FF in good time. I just see this as a postponement of my Farm Life. More time to save some money and develop my skills.

FF I have that small hut I built originally for the turkeys. It is on the ground and mostly wire. But secure and I could put a tarp over the top and down the sides. Do you think the turkey hen would be good in there? Or maybe just a dog crate in the big coop?

As of this morning she is still in the chicken nesting box. With her whole tail hanging out. It's a tight fit.

I'm gonna go figure out a nest box for her.

g

I would go with the hut. That way she can stay in it for a while when her chicks are all brand new till they get more speedy and strong.

I just got back from the doctor. No pneumonia yet, thank God, but I did get the BIG shot. Oh yeah my hiney burns.

 

[lorihadams]

Woo Hoo! We've converted another one OFG!!!

Congrats on the creepy meats! I start weaning them off the light as soon as they are mostly feathered out....once they get most of their feathers you start letting them have light only at night when the temps are low and then when the nighttime temps are warmer just cut it off completely. Don't worry, we'll answer all your questions on a need to know basis!

 

[FarmerJamie]

Woo Hoo! We've converted another one OFG!!!

Congrats on the creepy meats! I start weaning them off the light as soon as they are mostly feathered out....once they get most of their feathers you start letting them have light only at night when the temps are low and then when the nighttime temps are warmer just cut it off completely. Don't worry, we'll answer all your questions on a need to know basis!

Mine never completely feather out. Always seem to have a collection of half-naked birds running around. All they do is eat, poop, and eat more.

I'm getting mine later in the Spring and putting them in tractors after 2 weeks.

 

[Beekissed]

That all sounds mighty complicated! I just raised them like I raised my layers and it all came out just fine. I don't think I would have done it at all if I'd had to change my chicken style!

 

[TanksHill]

Lori, you say to wean them off the light when the night time temps are warmer. What would that be? I can't imagine at that time of the year it being under 60 in the house. Daytime highs might be some where in the high 60 to 70's. I am hoping this means they will be inside for less time??? Or is it more an age thing???

I was planning to keep them in my laundry room. But both the door to the outside and inside hallway are glass. Not sure if I want a light on at the end of the hall for two weeks.

I guess I will play it by ear.

Speaking of ear, Do they peep all night??

g

Farm Fresh, good to hear no pneum@# (I can't spell). But you took the big shot anyways?? Brave, you are brave!!! Ok so I have to admit. I moved my turkey earlier. She freaked out. Did not like being separated. Paced the fence of the shelter for over an hour. I felt so bad. I let her out. I moved the eggs back to the main house. If no one sits on them it will be a lesson learned.