Recent content by CovertChickOps

Hi Everybody, You can get the plans at the following Google Docs link: https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B6GLk2sdmwM4Rks5My1mWG1OMHM/edit You can find the fittings by searching under "PVC furniture fittings". An outfit called Formufit seems to have the best deals, but you can find them on ebay...

2014 Update: We have had record low temps here this year. The 50 watt heater works to about 15 F, but below that and the nipple tends to freeze up. This has happened twice, both times overnight. Once I thaw out the nipple with my fingers, it keeps working as long as the chickens are up and...

We have had some cold nights down to 10 F here this year (2014). I have had the nipple freeze up twice when the temps had dipped below 15 F, even though the water above the nipple and the rest of the waterer have not frozen up. Once I warm up the nipple with my fingers, it stays operational -...

Ok folks, this waterer is certified ice free down to 10 degrees F using a 50 watt heater. If it gets any colder than that this year I will let you know. I intend to switch to a 100 watt heater at some point just to take all guess work out of it because I did have one nipple freeze up that has...

Anybody can get a copy of the plans at the following link: https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B6GLk2sdmwM4Rks5My1mWG1OMHM/edit PM me if you have any questions and good (c)luck!

Ok, my australorp is definitely broody again - so I can now give a full summary: BREED/HATCHED WKS 2 1st EGG #EGGS 1st 52WKS AVG WT (OZ.) BROODY(#&DAYS) % PROD REMARKS Red Sex Link 6/24/12 21 332 2.61 - Jumbo 0/0...

Here's the full year stats on my second Red Sex Link: 351 eggs in 365 days for 96% + productivity. No broody periods, no softies, no weird eggs whatsoever; just nice brown eggs averaging extra large, but with quite a few jumbos and a few super jumbos in there. My last hen is the Australorpe...

Yeah, I'm certainly not expecting that, but really I do not know what to expect since I can't seem to find any data beyond 80-100 weeks. That's why I am keeping records and posting it here. I hope others do the same. Again, I am most interested in the data I get after my hens do their first...

Since we got our chicks towards the end of June, they started laying late November, early December last year - so I did use lights. I am letting them molt this year - so no lights, but they haven't started yet. My second (prize) Red Sex Link has three days to go and so far has layed 350 eggs...

We got them at mypetchicken.com. They seem to be very healthy so far, although we did get one RIR that was mis-sexed, which we gave away. Our last hen, an Australorp, is at 70%, mostly due to two long broody periods.

I have only 4 hens, so I can tell each by the egg size and color, but mostly by the shape. I know the egg laying will start to taper off, but that is what I am most interested in documenting. I will keep records of size and productivity between each hen's molting periods. By the way, my other...

Hi everybody, I don't know if there is another thread like this out there all ready, but if there is, I apologize as I could not find it. I am keeping meticulous records on the eggs my girls are laying (how often and how big) and I am going to post them here as there seems to be a lack of...

A loop design is actually a great idea - it would allow use of an aquarium type pump and heater to keep things ice free. I hope I won't have to go that far where I live.