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We all survive the great Chicken Moving Day
By Gina Spadafori
April 25, 2009
Today was Moving Day here on the Suburban Minifarm.
The Chicken Littles (two weeks old) moved out of the large dog crate into the large covered pen. The Chicken Mediums (seven weeks old) moved from the large covered pen and in with the Chicken Bigs, who while not exactly thrilled with the neighbors, seemed more or less content to share the scads of yummy corn I scattered in every corner of the Big Chicken yard to keep everyone occupied. I would have preferred to leave everyone in place for another couple of weeks, but the Chicken Littles are growing much more quickly than I expected. They needed more room, ASAP.
My chicken areas are all pretty much recycled from dog gear. Dog crates with chicken-wire covers and dog pens with cardboard for wainscoting to keep the smallest chicks from slipping out. Even the main chicken yard was a dog run when I bought the house, although of course for my dogs the concept of outdoor kenneling is unfathomable. The old dog run got an upgrade for the chickens last year, complete with a lovely roof to protect the chickens from the sun, rain and hawks, and a cheap (cheep?) garden shed serves as the coop. Small plastic carriers are the laying boxes, and Dogloos serve as additional shelters. (Thanks again to our sponsor Petmate for letting me try out these “alternate” uses of their products! Seriously, you need to tweak them a bit and sell to the backyard chicken crowd.)
The Chicken-Mediums haven’t any names yet, because I don’t yet know which ones are staying. Judy came over and took a few, but Pam hasn’t yet finished her pen and coop so I don’t know which she’ll be taking. By the end of the summer, I hope to have just a dozen friendly layers plus two or three cute banties for comic relief.
All of the Chicken-Mediums were chosen for their egg-laying potential, with the except of three banties: Two Mille Fleurs who are just two weeks old, and the one you see up top, a Polish. These hens will lay tiny eggs (assuming they really are hens, too early to tell), but honestly, they’re just pets, no benefits expected.
I think the funky chickens — the three banties — will be staying here, although I may give Judy one of the Mille Fleurs.
Images: Polish, top, no name yet. My favorite chicken, Agatha, above.
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We. Must. Get. Our. Coop. Built.
Comment by Susan Fox — April 25, 2009 @ 7:51 pm
Last year I messed around with a Rube Goldberg dog crate concoction for a brooder.
This year — grocery store potato and citrus bins.
SO MUCH BETTER. Cost = $0.
I’m now using three to house 118 mostly ten-day-old birds.
Photo here: http://picasaweb.google.com/HH.....2927488914
I just tacked down additional cardboard on the bottom (these do not have full bottoms; I’ve seen some that have removable full bottoms, but my friend the grocery manager didn’t have any of those for me) and then stapled up plastic in case of a big water spill. Threw in the litter, hung the heat lamps from the beams above.
The birds are staying put, the litter is staying put, the drafts are staying out, everyone is happy.
I would not try to brood ducks in one. But for the chooks, they are perfect. Note that they don’t have square corners — prevents pile-ups.
I am using dog x-pens for the ducklings’ day-pen. It’s relatively easy to move to a new patch of grass every day. I use two pens linked together for 16 ducklings.
Comment by H. Houlahan — April 25, 2009 @ 8:50 pm
The whelping box I borrowed I can keep for a song. I think I’ll be keeping it. Right after I moved it in to the bedroom before the puppies were born, I realized it would be an excellent brooding box for chicks.
Of course, it may just end up collecting dust in the garage forever. At this point, I’m of the opinion that if I ever raise any animals from birth again, I’m certifiably insane.
But that feeling may pass.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 26, 2009 @ 10:26 am
Gina, I like Agatha. Agatha has class and style. I wonder if she is the one that follows you around—I remember in other posting you told us about one that does display interest and affection toward you.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — April 26, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
Good memory! Agatha and Charlotte, the Barred Plymouth Rock, follow me everywhere.
I could say that they show me “affection,” but that would be just a tad poorly stated. In fact, they show body language that suggests they thing I’m a rooster. I guess that’s affection, in a way. ‘Nuff said.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 26, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
Ok, that chicken up top…MUST be named Einstein.
Comment by Original Lori — April 27, 2009 @ 6:42 am
and I don’t care that it’s a hen either. Still a must.
Comment by Original Lori — April 27, 2009 @ 6:43 am
You got it. Einstein she shall be.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 27, 2009 @ 7:00 am
Woo hoo!
Comment by Original Lori — April 27, 2009 @ 7:28 am
Brilliant observation, Original Lori.
I am so glad that Gina also noticed a resemblance to the great scientist, and went with the name Einstein!
Comment by Colorado Transplant — April 27, 2009 @ 9:12 am
CT— :O) and if the whole gender thing trips anyone up…she could always be Alberta Einstein.
Comment by Original Lori — April 27, 2009 @ 10:46 am
I just love the Polish chickens! My uncle had those years ago - I think he felt he had to get Polish chickens since he was Polish! lol They were cute little guys.
Comment by Therese — April 27, 2009 @ 10:57 am
Good thinking, Original Lori.
Maybe Gina could call her “Al” for a nickname and confuse everyone—ha,ha.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — April 27, 2009 @ 11:58 am
Oh, yes, ALBERTA Einstein. What a hoot! Er…a cluck.
Comment by Nadine L. — April 27, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
:O) http://allforthedog.wordpress......rong-here/
Comment by Original Lori — April 27, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
The beak … er, nose … really makes your case!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 27, 2009 @ 2:23 pm
Gina, Making sure you know about this.. http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmr.....04_09.html
Comment by Carol V — April 27, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
Carol, you would not BELIEVE how many people have e-mailed me that! (In addition to the FDA.)
Fortuantely, my girls eat organic feed produced by a regional mill.
After all, I eat their eggs. I want them to eat well. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 27, 2009 @ 2:33 pm
we love you…and your chicks!
Comment by Carol V — April 27, 2009 @ 2:38 pm