Hi, I have had chickens before, but I was younger then. My question is what snacks do chickens like to eat, and also, I have to prepare the old pen out here where I've recently moved. It has windows but the glass is missing, and the door is one solid door without a lock. Should I cut a hole in the door or is it fine to prop like that, and the window thing, should I just stick some chicken wire up, or put glass in them? They will be above boxes (I also have to make those). Also, dimensions of boxes, roosts, and how do I put a gate up(the fence is up but needs some minor repairs). WEEEE! Anyways, I know that's alot, sorry, but I'm excited and haven't much more time. I appreciate the help. I'm expecting 25 chicks plus the free one from MurrayMcmurray, bantys and fulls, every conceivable rare breed thanks to my children LOL. Anyways, thanks again for your help : )
New to site and receiving first chickens in June. Help!
Yes put a door and put poulty wire up on the windows.Two hens per box and the roosters make a box for each one...
Snack frozen corn.. Make a fence out of poultry wire it will save money..
Tracey
Welcome to chickenhood! I just got here Monday. :) I stormed in with 55 babies from Meyer Hatchery. We are trying to get together a post with lots of info for new people and there are several links here: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/717073/
When I bought my house, a chicken coup was here but in really bad shape. They used a piece of plexiglass with 2x2 fame that tilts out to open it. The hole actually has chicken wire in it. The door is a four panel and they put plexiglass in the two top panels too.
Sorry I'm not too much help as I just got started.
Good luck and congrats!
Welcome, Patchouli78! The folks here on DG are so kind and helpful! Keep us posted on your progress and post some pictures of your new brood when they get here. You're going to have a lot of fun with them! :)
~~ Glenda
Here's some good information about how to take care of day old chicks. As far as snacks, I always give mine the good baby chick starter feed from Southern States (or your local feed store) and they thrive on it.
It's really important that your chicken house be secure from any kind of predator, including small ones like snakes and rats. I'm assuming you know about the need for warmth and other basics. There are plenty of details on all that on the links below.
http://www.webelfin.com/chickens/
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKRaisingChicks.html
http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/lib2/chickens.htm
There is a lot of info out there, and here! Browse around and see what we've been talking about. There are a lot of chicken books, too. Your feed store should carry them this time of year, or you can order them at the book store. Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens is an old classic. THere is also a lot of info on the web.
Welcome!
I'm sorry where are my maners... Welcome to the forums Patchouli78...
Hi everyone... Does any one know of treats to give to chickens,chicks??? The chicks have runny phoo..
And silkie femal broke an egg inside her...
Tracey
Hi Patchouli78, and welcome! We are a group of "Good Eggs"! We love to share our Poultry and Livestock experiences with every one! We need to ask questions too sometimes! The idea is that when we need help we ask and if we have tried something that works we share and if we have a good laugh that needs to be shared we all enjoy!!!!
This group has helped me to grow in animal husbandry and In Spirit! We are happy to have new people and are more than willing to answer anything we can! So Welcome Hon, just start reading and learning and laughing!!! Oh yes we just Love pictures!!!
Eufaula
Hi to all and Patchouli78,
I have raised chickens for years, sorry to say I have none now. I have hundreds of the kind that sit very nicely on the self and do not eat.
For starters as for snacks I really never found anything they would not eat and fight over if need be.
I fed mine Chicken scratch and the babies I gave mesh too. I had yard chickens and they keep the yard well cleaned of bugs and crawly things. Makes the eggs better too. I pick greens for them, I shared a lot with them, like takeing a spoon of peanut butter, dog food,etc out just to let them have a bit. One thing they love worms and I dug many for them, most people dig them to go fishing well when they saw me comming with a shovel or turn over a rock or anything there the gang came. They are easy to train, and good watch dogs.
They are more fun and if you are despressed just go sit down and enjoy. Mine was spoiled and I had over 200 and now that was a gang.
I have a million laughs to could give but know I had not take up to much room.
Far as the house all you need is a roost, nest yes one you can lock up to keep out possums,and racoons etc. As far as snakes no need to bother only watch the babies, and I made mine all go in at night and locked the doors. In the winter I keep them in if it snowed they love snow. One thing I had to watch was styarfoam (misspelled). they go nuts over it.
They eat meat and if one get hurts and they see blood they will kill it. They eat mice I know for sure I had a dirt floor and of course keep the feed inside the house mostly and I would run a hose in one hole and naturally the mice ran out well need to say most were dinner.
I had a chicken house and they get a spot on the roost well that is theres and low and behold who tries to get it did not try again.
As far as lice I learned a long time ago and from my folks when I was young, I grew up on a farm, the chicken do forms a gas and it keeps the lice off so we did not have to do much cleaning there.
I sprayed mine with Avon skin so soft a lot just to make them smell good and they hated it. The dogs would run from me as well as they did when they guessed what I was going to do.
I probably did not help you much but I sure miss mine. They will eat there eggs if one gets cracked, and far as snakes in the nest they do it to keep warm and grandma use to say just sorta check gently under the chicken before you gather them.
Have fun and enjoy and you will just automatic learn on you own by watching them, I also had turkeys and talk of fun they are.
frrsttldy
frrsttldy - sounds like you enjoyed your chicks - why do you not have any now?
And welcome Patchouli78 - this forum has some of the finest DG'rs you will ever meet. I am new myself and generally just lurk, got chicks 3 weeks ago so my lurking days are numbered......
This message was edited May 1, 2007 2:01 PM
that's right, we will convert you ALL
Vive la revolution en poule!
MUHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
LOL BYH I have been assimilated.
Keeping my fingers crossed that they are all hens. Getting too attached to have a rooster in the group, and there is no way I can keep a roo.
Thanks girls I appreciate it. If I have any more questions I'll just ask for help here ; )