Meredith Cope's Page

Meredith Cope commented on Pete and Izzy's Mom's group 'Backyard Chickens'

"That's great Nancy! Hope today is another good egg day. :)"

Nov 16, 2011

Meredith Cope commented on Pete and Izzy's Mom's group 'Backyard Chickens'

"Nancy, I think it would help if you put a light in your hen house. Just turn it on between 6-7 am and turn it off around 9-10pm. We do this, and we've still been getting a good number of eggs. Also, how are you feeding…"

Nov 13, 2011

Meredith Cope commented on Pete and Izzy's Mom's group 'Backyard Chickens'

"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."

Sep 22, 2010

rachel whetzel replied to Meredith Cope's discussion 'Pullet or Cockerel?' in the group Backyard Chickens

"I don't really agree with that one... As a first time chicken owner, I overlooked a LOT of (now) obvious signs that I had a Barred Rock Roo. It wasn't until he crowed that I couldn't avoid the truth. lol A photo would really help. I…"

Aug 1, 2010

Meredith Cope replied to Meredith Cope's discussion 'Pullet or Cockerel?' in the group Backyard Chickens

"Seriously! My RI Reds were the sweetest when they were young, but now that they're about to lay, they're pretty mean. Fiona's tail feathers point up, so I think she's just a hen with pms. :) "

Aug 1, 2010

Angie replied to Meredith Cope's discussion 'Pullet or Cockerel?' in the group Backyard Chickens

"If Fiona was a rooster you would know it by now, she would be crowing. Are her tail feathers pointed up or down? If they are down, she is a rooster. RIR are in my opinion jerks, i HAD 2, they were very mean to my other chickens."

Aug 1, 2010

Meredith Cope replied to Meredith Cope's discussion 'Pullet or Cockerel?' in the group Backyard Chickens

"She seems to be a bit better now, of course maybe it's the fact that I've been carrying a shovel with me... not to whack her with, just to deter her from getting within biting distance. They are due to start laying in the next 4-6 weeks...…"

Jul 20, 2010

Emily replied to Meredith Cope's discussion 'Pullet or Cockerel?' in the group Backyard Chickens

"Is she larger? We got two straight runs with our 6 pullets this year and ended up with one cockerel (exactly as planned) They're 3 and a half months old and starting about a month ago we noticed that one was as big as our year olds--waaay out…"

Jul 20, 2010

rachel whetzel replied to Meredith Cope's discussion 'Pullet or Cockerel?' in the group Backyard Chickens

"Do you have a photo of her/him? I have read great suggestions that if you have an aggressive rooster, you can "re train" them by taking their place as the alpha roo. (behaving like YOU are the top roo will make the aggressive roo the lower…"

Jul 15, 2010

Meredith Cope added a discussion to the group Backyard Chickens

Pullet or Cockerel?

Back in April we bought 3 RI Red pullets, and now they are 15 weeks old. Up until the last week or so, they've been wonderful. Calm and sweet, easygoing, etc... However, my favorite of the three, Fiona, has been acting up lately. She has always been great. The first to come running when we came in to the yard, would hop on on your knee when you told her to, just a nice chicken. About a week or two ago, she started getting really aggressive. Now when I come in to feed them or whatever,…See More

Jul 12, 2010

6 Comments

Rachel Hoff replied to Meredith Cope's discussion 'Meat Chickens' in the group Backyard Chickens

"Sorry Lynn, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. I'm not as interested in how long it takes (yes I realize time = money) if it's detrimental to the bird. Taste is important and there are other birds - dual purpose birds - out…"

Jul 8, 2010

Meredith Cope replied to Meredith Cope's discussion 'Meat Chickens' in the group Backyard Chickens

"Lynn, thank you for this! This is exactly how I feel now that I've had my Cornish X chickens for a couple weeks. We also have them in a tractor, and it is the best. We have it in the field next to our chicken pen, but not in with our laying…"

Jul 8, 2010

Lynn S replied to Meredith Cope's discussion 'Meat Chickens' in the group Backyard Chickens

"We raise Cornish X and so many people have either plugged into the negative hype or they misunderstand the purpose and care required for this hybrid cross. This chicken is bred for fast growth, yes, but also for very flavorful and tender meat. Using…"

Jul 8, 2010

Torry replied to Meredith Cope's discussion 'Meat Chickens' in the group Backyard Chickens

"I'd say it would be good to raise egg chickens, eat eggs, and when you get a broody hen eat up the roosters before they get all cocky. Maybe can or freeze them too? Yeppers to the prev. suggestions to other breeds, all splendid advice. Let all…"

Jun 17, 2010

Meredith Cope replied to Cornelia's discussion 'Backyard Poultry / Pastured Eggs How-to' in the group Backyard Chickens

"This looks awesome! Wish I could have been there."

Jun 17, 2010

Meredith Cope replied to Meredith Cope's discussion 'Meat Chickens' in the group Backyard Chickens

"We do have 3 RI Reds, 4 Plymouth Barred Rocks, 1 Austrolorp, and 1 Gold Laced Wyandotte. The RI Reds and Barred Rocks are dual purpose, so we could raise them for layers and meat birds. However, in analyzing our average meat consumption, as a large…"

Jun 17, 2010