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Post by OJ (Original Junkie). on Mar 28, 2011 13:22:46 GMT -5
Thinking about going and picking up a few chicks today. Gonna give the boys something to do and take care of this year, plus I think it's kind of cool to have a few chickens walking around the yard. Anyone ever done it, seems easy enough, as long as they can keep away fro mthe hawks around here. Figure I'll go pick a few up and build a coop for them to use with some sore of shelter in it. Much to the dismay and disapproval of my wife, we are gonna try it. Ought to be interesting.
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Post by chezmoose on Mar 28, 2011 13:25:54 GMT -5
lol! We keep talking about it but haven't done it yet. Went and looked at all the peeps at Tractor Supply the other day though! Believe it or not, we have a deed restriction that says no chicken or livestock (even though we live in the middle of BFE) but as long as no one complains, it's not like anyone is going to enforce it.
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Post by OJ (Original Junkie). on Mar 28, 2011 13:43:35 GMT -5
lol! We keep talking about it but haven't done it yet. Went and looked at all the peeps at Tractor Supply the other day though! Believe it or not, we have a deed restriction that says no chicken or livestock (even though we live in the middle of BFE) but as long as no one complains, it's not like anyone is going to enforce it. I don't care about ordinances, I live by marshal law, which says I'm the boss. ;D I've been looking around online to see what type we want. I have a TS store here too, what kind do they sell, I don't want the ones that are just white. I'd like a little color i nthem. Seems like alot of work for the first few weeks, but after that they can roam freely, and not much work involved.
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andymaviglia
Fish whisperer, scholar, and gentleman
Posts: 909
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Post by andymaviglia on Mar 28, 2011 14:34:24 GMT -5
If Slash don't want it can I have dib's on your chicken poo? Best fertilizer in the world for garden's. We used to have Peking ducks when we were kids...that is until a fox took em down
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Post by chezmoose on Mar 28, 2011 14:43:48 GMT -5
They had all different kinds at TSC! Black ones, brown ones, yellow ones, bantys, ducklings...
We wouldn't be able to let ours run loose, I'm sure my dogs would torment (kill) them, plus too any predators. We have a big 10x10 dog kennel we're talking about using for chickens but would need to build a coop and cover it. I hope bears don't eat chickens!!
My husband raised chickens and ducks when he was a kid and said if you handle them often when they're little they will follow you around like a puppy.
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Post by OJ (Original Junkie). on Mar 28, 2011 14:59:22 GMT -5
Yeah I have 1 acre fenced in and the only predators I think I have to worry about is Hawks. Sorry Andy i too have a garden, and they will be free to roam through it eating all the insects. ;D Gonna take a drive over to the store when the boy gets off the bus in a few minutes. Only bad part will be keeping them in the house for a few weeks, my wife will be so pleased.
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Post by OJ (Original Junkie). on Mar 28, 2011 17:42:19 GMT -5
here they are, don't ask me wha tthey are, because I have no idea. 2 egg layers and two watch dog type I was told.
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Post by SPLASH on Mar 28, 2011 19:48:38 GMT -5
Nice. Just because they are these colors now, doesn't mean they will be when they reach maturity. No Rooster to wake you up?
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Post by Fobbitcrusher on Mar 28, 2011 20:51:45 GMT -5
I had ISA browns for awhile...They lay roughly one egg a day...I started them on commercial feed that had antibiotics in it....after that, they were free range, but i would also grind fish parts and feed them that...gives them plenty of calcium and protien to boost egg production....Fence off your garden....They will destroy it in about 2 hours.... They love the tender green plants!!
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Post by SPLASH on Mar 28, 2011 22:01:16 GMT -5
Yeah, JD is right. People on the garden forum I'm on that have chickens only let them in the garden once its established.
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Post by ihguy on Mar 28, 2011 22:02:42 GMT -5
Buff orphingtons are real winter hardey,quiet and great with kids. Good luck with the watch dog type they are real noisey and will lay eggs all over and real skiddish around kids
Wife has had chickens about 8 years with my help keeping them alive lol nothing beats farm fresh eggs
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Post by SPLASH on Mar 28, 2011 22:07:34 GMT -5
Uh oh, did OJ jump the gun?
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Post by SPLASH on Mar 28, 2011 22:18:45 GMT -5
My Dad's buddy orderd some pheasants and ducks from Murray and McMurray hatchery. Google it for the proper spelling of the site. He picked them up at Bishop (airport in Flint for those out of the area OJ and I live in). Check them out if you plan on getting anymore or need supplies. This was around 10 years ago, but he got a cupon for his next order.
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Post by OJ (Original Junkie). on Mar 29, 2011 6:50:13 GMT -5
Uh oh, did OJ jump the gun? Yeah probably, but thats how I roll. No, no roosters, Ispecifically demanded that. We'll see how it goes. If they get too out of hand, I'll drop them a tthe farm down the road, or they're chickens. I'll eat em.
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Post by OJ (Original Junkie). on Apr 6, 2011 17:16:16 GMT -5
They're getting bigger, man they grow fast. Starting to feather up. Wish it would warm up a bit, really want them out of the house. Thinking of moving them to the garage soon. Pretty cool thing so far though. Already thinking about ordering a couple Jersey Giants next spring.
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