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Post by houseodessey on Jun 1, 2007 19:45:54 GMT -5
OK, My feedstore has pullets again-orpingtons and the rock something or others (the black ones with white speckles) and I'm bound and determined to get some laying hens. I'd like to keep them next to the garden so that the structure I build will be both a henhouse and storage for gardening tools and perhaps our lawn tractor unless that's a bad idea. Anyway, I'd like your advice on what is best for either or both of these breeds ie: how much roosting room/do I need a nest for each bird for laying/can these spaces be combined in anyway. Can birds really survive in a chicken tractor full time? We have hawks but no other predators that I know of. I'll probably start with 3 of each bird and hope I get a roo in the mix for breeding meat birds (my neighbor will kill them, yay). Pictures of your houses would be fantastic.
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Jun 1, 2007 20:57:19 GMT -5
I love BOTH orpingtons and rocks.
Don't have either breed at present cuz no Show stock of either in this area as it stands right now..
However Michelle, I will gladly vouch for both breeds as layers of large brown eggs. And they are both great foragers, should you want to use them as such...
Let me look for my pics of my Buff Orps from a few years back. And you've already seen what an attractive breed Barred Rocks can be from Flowerpowers pics of her hens...
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Post by downinmyback on Jun 1, 2007 22:07:21 GMT -5
I use two nest for six hens as they never lay at the same time anyway.The biggest problem will to be keeping them alive until they are grown up. Dogs and Cats will be a problem ,Coyotes can kill a flock in one nite. If you plan on free ranging donot keep food out and only frrd when you are locking them in the henhouse for the nite. As for breeds most people like a breed because of what they look like.You will probably need a heat lamp to keep the chicks warm for the first week or so. Good luck with your flock.
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Post by houseodessey on Jun 1, 2007 22:18:32 GMT -5
Thanks, Down. The nest sharing will save me some space, for sure. I can't wait to have a flock!!
Blue: I remembered that someone had posted barred rocks but couldn't remember the chix name or the poster's when I was typing.
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Jun 2, 2007 9:02:02 GMT -5
Buff Orpingtons and Light Brahmas(don't get these..heavy feathered and feather legged. Built for cold weather, not TX)  Buff Roo coming home from a Show  |
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Post by houseodessey on Jun 16, 2007 19:27:49 GMT -5
Went to the feed store today to get some nolo bait and there were no more pullets (until next Thursday) except a fairly mature barred rock roo. I was thinking that since he's a bit bigger (almost 7 " tall) than the pullets, I might should get him early to get the dogs used to chickens. He looked soooo lonely and I want a rooster and as far as I know, you can't tell which is which from the pullets. We spent a good 20 minutes looking at each other and cocking our heads this way and that. He seemed like a keeper to me. I don't have a coop yet but I could fence off the area I intend to use and give him shelter in a shed or the empty greenhouse at night. We plan to build our coop next weekend and get some girls after that. Is this a reasonable plan? The poor little guy looks lonely...
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Post by johno on Jun 17, 2007 13:00:49 GMT -5
No predators besides hawks will make it easier. Use bird netting or chicken wire over the chicken yard, if there is to be one.
I make my nest boxes about 1 foot square, with lumber. Make sure to give them something to roost on at night.
I'll take some pics when I have access to a camera again.
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Post by houseodessey on Jun 17, 2007 16:37:44 GMT -5
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Jun 17, 2007 20:38:01 GMT -5
Michelle, a Greenhouse or shed is fine, especially for just one little birdie.
There are easy options to wooden nest boxes.. Two gallon buckets nailed to a wall will work (nail/screw bottom of bucket to wall)
Roosts can be as easy as a large limb of a tree that you've pruned from something in your yard.
Now that's a Cocky little fella!!! Did ya give him a name yet??
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Jun 17, 2007 20:41:18 GMT -5
P.S. The feedstore said he was a Barred Rock?? Rocks have yellow legs. That baby has slate coloured legs and his plumage is too dark for a barred rock... Not sure what he is...but I'm off to find out,  Well, Feathersite.com has a pic of a Black Rock with slate legs?? Might be that... www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Rocks/BRKRocks.htmlMost black fowl youngsters have some yellow and/or white in their feathers until they moult them to grow their adult plumage. After that..white is a no-no for show... |
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Post by houseodessey on Jun 17, 2007 20:53:13 GMT -5
He is cocky but also co-dependant. He follows me everywhere and when I'm weeding, he jumps on my back and peeps loudly. He also likes to ride on my shoulder on the way to the garden. He's eaten half a dozen stink bugs today, too. I'm not sure that he's a rooster. That was just conjecture at the feed store. If it's not a barred rock or a even a rooster, that's okay but I'd like to know what it is. Thanks for your efforts, as always Wen.
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Jun 17, 2007 20:59:42 GMT -5
House, He's still a cutie, no matter what he is...I'll be looking forward to updates  |
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Post by houseodessey on Jun 17, 2007 21:22:55 GMT -5
I agree, he is a cutie. I'll try to get some better pics tomorrow. I'm going to get some girls to keep him company on Thursday when they get their chick delivery and we have a house/run built. I'm assuming I should keep them separated so he doesn't bully them while they're little?  I love my new chicken/rooster or whatever the hell he is!!! If he's a boy, I'm going to name him Mack, after my dad. |
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Post by downinmyback on Jun 18, 2007 11:14:47 GMT -5
My best guess would be a rooster and he look like a excellent one at that. It a good idea to get a rooster tame so he will not scare you by trying to attack when he is older. Good luck with your chickens.. P>S my wife used a plastic tray like the one you would use to keep paper on a desk with as our nest boxes. Just pick one that looks sturdy. Anything can be used so just let your mind soar.
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Post by houseodessey on Jun 29, 2007 22:33:01 GMT -5
Well, we named him Captain Mack Scuttlebutt and now he has two tiny chicks, an orpington named Roxanne and another Barred or black rock that we named Tenille (captain and tenille hehe). At any rate, he's very good with/to them and has been since day one (Tuesday). I'll get some pictures tomorrow. He's soo proud. They really are adorable together!!!
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