Backyard Chickens

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Comment by Amika Cook Ortiz on November 30, 2010 at 4:11pm

Hi all - new here.

We have a large backyard flock - I say large because most others I know personally have smaller backyard flocks.

We have two roosters and 17 hens of various heritage and laying breeds... production red, buff orpington, barred rock, golden laced wyandotte, rhode island red, light brahmas, white rock, and partridge rock. With 15 chicks in the brooder that are delaware, golden laced wyandotte and welsummer.

My pet flock are my silkies; one partridge silkie rooster with two buff hens, one white hen, one grey hen and one black hen. We also have 5 silkie x cochins in that coop. We think two are cockerels and three are pullets at this time.

In addition we have ducks!! Love my ducks. And we keep them separate from the chickens. We have three cayuga, one buff and two blue swedish ducks.

In our other brooding pen in the barn we have 12 ducklings that were a hatchery special. Still trying to figure out what they are - certain we have one cayuga and five rouen but not sure about the rest.

Anyway just thought I would share... we have had them for over year and a half so if I can help with questions I will try.

Comment by Robbie Knight on November 3, 2010 at 5:30pm

And welcome to Ashley English! Woo-hooo! Love your books!

Comment by Robbie Knight on November 3, 2010 at 5:30pm

If you build it, they will flock! We finished the coop and run and a friend had to move, so we now have 3 "guest" hens. One, the golden-laced wyandot, instantly displayed aggression issues so we have to separate her; she's across a chain link divide from the other two and now they're all learning to eat and drink and scratch right next to each other. the aggressive hen has not charged anybody today. Saturday I'm getting 3 more hens from my teacher who is coming over with a selection to "play chicken", or just throw a few combinations of hens in the coop to see how they interact and set up a nice solid flock for me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this woman! If you live in Colorado and are thinking about a backyard flock, take Aimee's classes! She's at manifestedwings.com.

Comment by Lynda Reynolds on September 28, 2010 at 4:09pm

If you go on ebay they have solar lighting for sheds...

Comment by Sue Tirrell on September 28, 2010 at 3:54pm

Hi Everybody! I wanted to ask if anyone has used a solar powered light in their coop (or barn, shed, cabin, etc). When I google solar lights, I just seem to come up with the kind you stick in the garden. Several years ago we stayed in a mountain lodge in Banff, Alberta that used small solar powered lights in the bedrooms and outhouse--the solar panel was mounted outside a window and the light was inside. I think these type of lights would be good for my small chicken coop, enough light in a small space to keep the girls from getting SAD. . . . any insights and direction would be appreciated!

Comment by rachel whetzel on September 27, 2010 at 11:38am

Actually, some of the eggs labeled cage free, and free range in your regualr grocery store can be hatched! (and so are fertile) There's no difference in taste with fertile eggs. You just need to be sure to pull them daily, and keep them in a cool area (like the fridge) so they don't start to grow into chicks! Some hens actually lay more productively with a rooster, but as you know, a rooster isn't necessary to get eggs.

Comment by Tracy Johnson on September 27, 2010 at 6:52am

Thanks for the welcome & great feedback! My chickens now have laying feed and oyster shell, which they are gobbling up at a fast rate. I feel really bad that I wasn't aware that what I was feeding them wasn't good - but they're happy now & will hopefully start laying soon. Quick question - so what's the deal with having the rooster & the eggs being fertilized? Is it really gross? We just really wanted a rooster, but we're raising chickens for eggs - not meat.

Comment by Meredith Cope on September 22, 2010 at 2:17pm

Hi Tracy!
We got our hens as babies in April, so I guess that makes them 5 months old also. They are laying great, and have been for a couple of weeks, yours can't be far behind. It's so exciting to find those first little pullet eggs.

Comment by rachel whetzel on September 22, 2010 at 2:06pm

Tracy, welcome!! Laying feed is a good way to be sure your hens are getting a well rounded diet. They need protein especially. Be sure you also offer free choice oyster shell. Don't make the mistake I did, and buy the little bags either!! WAY cheaper to go to your feed store, and ask for the 50lb bag.

Mari, If your rooster is noticing your hens, they are coming of age. I had an adult rooster and pullets for a while, and he didn't pay them ANY attention until they started to get mature enough to lay. :) May take a week or two more, but I'd start being on the look out!

Comment by Mari Mann on September 22, 2010 at 9:56am

Hi Tracy and welcome to the group! I have 7 hens and 1 rooster and they are about 5 months too and haven't started to lay. I've been feeding them organic laying pellets for about the past month. My rooster just started trying to mount the ladies and he's crowing a little so maybe they're just starting to get old enough to lay. (I know you don't need a rooster to have eggs, I just thought if he was entering "puberty" maybe they were too :) I guess we're just anxious and have to be patient! Mari

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