Put a thermometer under the heat plate. Raise or lower the heat plate until you hit 90*. Turn the heat down or raise the plate as they get older. They will tell you if it's too hot or too cold.
You don't need a 4 sided shed for a coop especially in the south. You want as much air flow as possible. A 3 sided loafing shed works great as a coop. My guineas are in a wire covered free swing set "coop" in Colorado. They've done just fine this winter. The lumber was less than $100. It...
Crumbles are just pellets that have been run through a roller. Exact same feed. Will your chickens not eat pellets? I find they don't waste as much eating pellets compared to crumbles.
Easier to just we it down with some hot water before you feed than trying to mash them.
Leaves are free and make good litter. I picked up 80 bags in 2 mornings to bed my coops and runs for the winter.
If you live close to town with subdivisions, they are a gold mine on trash day. If you are close enough offer to be a drop off spot Sunday afternoon a few days in the fall. If...
I have a few from April/May 2024 left. They are even laying in this stupid weather. SLW, Welsummer, Sicilian Buttercup, Dominique and some July EE. Just picked up EE and Dominique chicks today.
Question for those in the front range.
Anyone's trees way behind in leafing out this year? Mine seem painfully behind and have me concerned. All trees I have planted in the past 1-4 years. Stone fruit trees seem to be the worst but also maple catalpa, nut and a few ash that came with the...
Shipping pol pullets is frightfully expensive. Buy them locally. Where are you? Many people who had to buy winter shipping minimums have 3-4 month olds for sale.
Guineas won't help with mosquitoes but can help with ticks and grasshoppers.
I would recommend housing them separately. They are bullies and love to terrorize chickens.
We all know about the 50% off lumber at HD and Lowes but I just found out about the 90% off "cull" lumber at Lowes this week. I'm just building a cover for my pullet pen and 2 more raised beds so a little wonky is fine. This is what $60 worth of lumber looks like. It's stacked and bundled...
You probably can't get the temp of the brooder up to 95 without a heat lamp to start. Put a thermometer under the brooder plate and see how hot it gets. I use both to start. You need to warm them up as fast as possible when they arrive. I have found that they are drawn to the heat lamp...