box of chicken

[Junkman]

I know a lot about chicks, but I doubt that the moderators would allow it to stay posted for very long. I don't know how to build a henhouse or chick house, but I would think that it would be the same as any other type of house, except having more rooms! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jimg]

Right, I brood my chicks in the cellar mainly b/c 1) its too cold when I get them and 2) its closer than outside and somewhat warm (basically Im lazy). Im very careful to keep things clean so no bad smells. However, when they finally move out theres all sorts of 'fluff' in places youd never imagine it would/could be. Sort of like Boondox Dell experience. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The pond project sounds like great fun. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I suppose we'll be treated to a write up soon in the project forum??? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Sorry I shouldnt be sassy...Ive been there and done that. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Just remember you'll laugh about it in a few yrs. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

What breed are the chicks? Hey, they can be 'fun' and certainly have personality. I recall a free one I got w/ a past order. It was a Turken (a something or other naked neck). Oh man was that chick UGLY! My wife named it Fifi (which was appropriate) and it became the family 'pet'. Then there was the NH Red that made its business to crank me every time I put my hands in the coup. That darn bird would work its way carefully to the front but not enough to be apart from the flock. Then at the right time BANG and away it would scoot to the back out of reach. We finally came to an 'understanding' and it didnt happen after that. Oh, look at me. Im sure all this is terribly boring. Just be glad you didnt ask to see my chick pics. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Although if theres any interest I could post them. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif BTW I do have a life...and I like chicks. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Who knows this experience may change your whole outlook on chick farming. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Oh Bird, you're going to ruin them poor birds. Can you imagine their response to seeing a human acting like a fool in water? They'll be heading to the vet for species change on the double. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I like chickens. They are such characters. Everyone is different and each has a personality.

I used to have two roosters. A Dominicker that we named Elvis because he strutted. He was a coward, selfish, and mean spirited.

Chickens can be trained to love minature marshmellows real easy. You let them have one and they're trained.

I'd toss out some marshmellows and old Elvis would be in there knocking hens left and right to get more than his share. When he'd see me reach for a stone he'd be off like lighting.

Scrapper on the other hand was a Rhode Island Red. He'd come up to me and expect me to hand him a marshmellow.

I'd give him one. He'd turn his head and hold the marshmellow in his beak for a hen to grab. Then he'd turn back to me for another one. He'd swallow one of about six or so. The rest of them he'd give to the hens. He was a gentleman and a scholar. Elvis was poop with feathers.

One time I caught an adult mouse in their feed barrel. I hauled the barrel outside and called the chickens. When they were close I tipped over the barrel. The mouse ran away from me like he'd heard bad things about humans with beards. Chickens were on to him like he was a June bug in August.

He headed back towards me. I punted him back to the chickens. He demised. Their doing.

Yeah, I like chickens. They have a great sense of humor. Laugh, well it sounds like laughing, at my jokes. Can't ask more than that from a bird brain. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Ducks have to be the nastiest things on gawd's green earth. I like to say the hogs will leave the farm if a duck moves in next door. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Years ago I was living in a small apartment when My wife, Rose decided to bring home 4 small ducklings. I'm like, "What the devil is this **** honey they are too small to eat for dinner tonight?" You don't eat them stupid she tells me. They are domesticated ducks for the new lot that we just put the pond on. Don't worry I'll take care of them and teach them to swim, she tells me, while I'm staring at her all wide eyed and nodding my head in disbelief the whole time she is talking.

Well she taught them dang birds to swim in the bathtub of that tiny apartment. They really have no fear of the water once they are taught but I'm not taking any credit for being the motherly type myself. They actually take turns swimming under the surface of the water and they are quite good at it at a young age.

Their home was the garage and when the quacking got too loud they would keep me awake at nite, but what the heck she was enjoying herself. Rose would take them out in the back yard and when they needed a swim she would always fill the bath tub. I swear those birds got more time in my bathtub than I did. I finally went to WalMart and brought home a kiddie swimming pool for the ducks so they could get in whenever they felt the urge. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Ducks seem to grow up real quick (thank god) and when Rose thought the time was right she transferred them out to the pond on our then vacant lot. Unfortunately that winter we lost one to a wild animal. So Rose acting in her almighty mother duck wisdom, transferred the remaining now fully grown ducks to the state park where there were literally hundreds of them for company.

We have since built our dream home on that same lot and moved in about 4 years ago. And I now pray daily, "Please God, don't let Rose, bring another domestic duck home. I think the feathers will jam up the Jacuzzi in the bathroom." I just know I'm gonna pay Saint Peter dearly for that little prayer someday. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

PS We now get wild Mallards on our lot on a regular basis. And Rose just loves to feed them cracked corn. Seems like they come right up to the house and oblige her by eating. And they don't seem real timid about getting real close either. Maybe they got the word from the other ducks at the state park??? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[BillyP]

Israeli geneticist develops a cost-effective, featherless broiler

 

[Junkman]

It could almost pass for a pink flamingo in front of some lawns. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[CTyler]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( However, when they finally move out theres all sorts of 'fluff' in places youd never imagine it would/could be. )</font>

This may be obvious but you mean like feathers and stuff in your toolbox, heat pump etc..?

As far as the pond goes it would be at least a year before starting on it. To many other things to do right now like a retaining wall, deck, patio, landscaping, chicken house etc...
Might be able to fit in a puddle with a squirty thing in the middle /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I'd have to ask the wife what kind of chickens they are. Thier all a brown/redish color. Some have pinkish feet and others are more orange if that means anything.

It doesn't suprise me at all that chickens, ducks etc.. have personality. Heck the kissing groumies(sp?), fish, I have had for over 10 years have personality. That did suprise me.

We have two of them at 10" or so. The one would nip at the other and chase it around and it started getting out of hand. It was the worst at feeding time. My computer and desk were only 10' away so I could see them out of the corner of my eye. When the one fish would act up I'd open the lid and stick my hand in there and shew him away. This worked at first but then the second my hand ws out...boom...right back at it.

Phase two...Stick my hand in there and tap him on the side with my finger. This worked ok for a while until the bugger got wise. He would wait until I dried off my arm and then dare me to stick back in again. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Phase three... Get the fish net. Ha...you stupid fish...now I dont have to get my arm wet./forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Well fishy boy didn't like getting wrapped with the fish net. He's king of the tank and let me know it by splashing water every where when opening the lid. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

After a while ol fishy gave up and was a good boy....or so I thought. The sneaky SOB would WAIT until I wasn't looking or left and then go back to his tricks. I'd sit there at the puter and fishy would wait until I wasn't paying attention and go at it. Once he saw me turn around then he would back peddle.

It was almost comical with this fish. I'd sit at the puter and pretend like I'm doing something but really watching out of the corner of my eye. It finally got to the point where all I needed to do was point my finger at him, from outside the tank, and he would sceedattle.

Meanwhile the Big guy in the sky was probably laughing at me fighting with this not so stupid fish.

Everyones got a fish story and thats mine.

 

[Junkman]

That is the nature of "Kissing Gourami's"...... they are not actually kissing, but sparring with each other. For this reason, they are usually best when kept in multiple pair plus one. They can't spar with all, so they usually just do it occassionally.... Just keep them all about the same size or you will have some that are quite beat up. I never learned if it were a male on male, male on female, or female on female sparring. I don't think that they care who they do battle with.

 

[CTyler]

Yea, they do a lot of lip wrestling, can't thumb wrestle.

I asked the Wife what kind of chickens She bought. She doesn't know other than they were cute. The sign said mixed breed. Guess we'll have to wait till they get a little bigger. The ducks are getting feathers everywhere but thier wings. They look so funny when they stand up and flap thier fuzzy little buffalo wings....LOL.

As for a chicken house I've got a few questions. Its' obvious you want outside access to the roost box and egg box. Can you use treated plywood for the floor or water proof the standard stuff? Or will they pick at it and die? How much clearance do you need between the roost box and nest above it? How high off the floor can the nest be? And do you need a perch in front of the nest if you have a roost?

 

[jimg]

No, not feathers...like fluffy peach fuzz. Its just like the stuff attached to them now.