Ordered chicks today

[arnofarrell]

I just ordered a 55 chicks today from a place in Missouri. I also ordered 5 turkeys and 15 ducks. Last season was bad for me with my new dog killing chickens and ducks and then once he was "fixed" of that the predators moved in and finished off all my ducks, guineas and chickens. I still have 9 geese that nothing wants to mess with it seems like and I am glad.

The chickens I ordered are a few traditional ones like 15 Rhode Island reds and 15 New Hampshire reds but I also bought a variety of Cochins. I ordered Partridge, Buff Orphington, black, splash and goldens, 5 of each breed. Cochins are a very nice breed that doesn't mind being held and is very gentle, that is why I got them for my daughter and wife. My wife fell in love with a Cochin she named big mama that I bought on Craigslist and she was sad when she disappeared (probably eaten), so I had to get her some more.


I have ordered turkeys in the past but have never had good luck with them. This time I ordered Narragansett turkeys that are big birds and can take care of themselves and also reproduce on there own (unlike some other breeds that have been bred to be so heavy they can't breed naturally).

The ducks I ordered are some of my favorites (i just like ducks). I ordered some Cayugas, Rouens, and Welsh Harliquens (my fav), 5 of each.

What doe you guys like to raise?

 

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[Backbacon]

I do not currently raise any animals for harvesting. My good friend does raise chickens and the only thing that he swears by, is to bury the Chicken Wire at least 2 feet below ground level and anchor it appropriately. Best of luck.

 

[arnofarrell]

That is one of my plans this spring. I had been focusing on the height of the fence because my digs would jump it even when it was 5 feet. So this year I will focus on the fence below ground. I actually had an idea of welding some rerod to a "t" fence post so it looks like a comb. The rerod would be 18 inches long and every 2 inches and then pound it into the ground horizontally so the "comb" part will be in the ground 18 inches. Just an idea.

 

[Backbacon]

My buddy used hay wire to fasten old 2x4's to the bottom of his buried fence line in order for predators to dig under the fence instead of pulling it up from the ground.

 

[arnofarrell]

That is a good idea. At the moment my fences are weighed down by a fence post layed on the ground and zip tied to the fence. It doesnt protect from digging predators but it stopped my dogs.

 

[Backbacon]

Lay some human hair and some of your urine under that fence line before you lay it. Have any of your dogs urinate on the fence line for extra good measure, all should be well after that. Once a strong scent pattern is established on a perimeter the threat from predators should be negated substantially. I'm not BSing you in any way. Peace.

 

[arnofarrell]

The urinating thing is not a problem, I pee all over my farm. The dogs love to make the pen as well. I have heard about hair before for gardens to get rid of rabbits and deer. I will refresh my sent once the snow melts. Thanks man.

 

[Rebel - KGC]

Lay some human hair and some of your urine under that fence line before you lay it. Have any of your dogs urinate on the fence line for extra good measure, all should be well after that. Once a strong scent pattern is established on a perimeter the threat from predators should be negated substantially. I'm not BSing you in any way. Peace.

Buy cheap bottles of YELLOW Ammonia; pour it on "fence line"... worked for ME!

 

[fistfulladirt]

I've raised birds for 12 years now. I've basically built a fortress for the hens, the varmints are bad here, the most trouble are the wild mink. If there is a way to get in, mink will. No problems last five years with critters getting into the coop, but the free-ranging days are over, as last late winter a red fox hit the hens in the front yard in the middle of the day. Looked like a bomb went off in the yard, feathers scattered from one end to the other. I drove up coming back from town, wily ran to the corner of the house and sat down as I went in for the rifle. When I came out, he was gone. Now the hens have to be supervised when out.

 

[fistfulladirt]

Last year I put the month-old chicks in a rabit hutch that sits over 4-feet high, and has quarter-inch mesh screen for a bottom. Bad idea. Coons came in overnite, and chewed the toes off many of the chicks...they are all doing good now, there's Stubby, Two-toes, Limpy...I set out live traps and Connibears and caught coons and possums every morning for over a week, until I tired of it.
Two years ago, I raised Cornish-rock hybrids. These birds grow so heavy so fast, it's unbelievable. 12-pound birds in a matter of weeks! They are chest-heavy, and they will break legs and have heart issues at times. I lost only one bird to this. They are eating machines let me tell you. I had to butcher them myself, but my wife and kids think they are great on the dinner table!

 

[old digger]

I used to raise Lady Amherst, and Golden Pheasants, Peacocks, and Quail. I would like to get back into it again, now the I have more room.

All the wire mesh to my pens was buried a foot deep, and also a foot out away from the pen. So when any predator that dug down, they would be unable to dig under.

 

[digging440yrs]

DAMN ROOSTER

----This is our pet rooster kenny scareing the sh-- out of my wife. kenny is a free range, follows me and the kids around outside like a dog. Our kids thought his name was damn---wife was always saying damn rooster-lol---kenny dosnt play well with our bird dog in pic 2-- --

 

[fistfulladirt]

All the roosters we've ever owned have all been given three chances...we've gone thru a lot of roosters!

 

[kuger]

I raise Gamefowl.......

 

[arnofarrell]

Kuger- what kind of game fowl? I have been thinking of raising ringneck pheasants, melanistic pheasants and bobwhite quail to release on my property. I have heard most do not survive once released. Any ideas?

 

[arnofarrell]

I have always wanted to raise peafowl as well.

 

[silversnacher]

My family Owns peacocks but the problem with them is they would go to the neighbors house and scratch the car and such,our hens are free-range and don't do this though... As for the critters we have a barn which the chickens roost in the rafters we also have ducks and an emu...

 

[silversnacher]

Oh yeah and the peacocks attacked our ducklings when our ducks had them on their own... I think one died and we stopped them and kept the other in the house till it was larger... Peacock feathers are a plus though, and has anyone else had a problem with male ducks humping anything it can catch? Like peacocks(it's king of funny when it gets on the tail and the peacock runs around with it :P) and one time it almost humped an elderly rooster to death! The things crazy....

 

[silversnacher]

We only have one gay duck though:P

 

[Rebel - KGC]

Oh yeah and the peacocks attacked our ducklings when our ducks had them on their own... I think one died and we stopped them and kept the other in the house till it was larger... Peacock feathers are a plus though, and has anyone else had a problem with male ducks humping anything it can catch? Like peacocks(it's king of funny when it gets on the tail and the peacock runs around with it :P) and one time it almost humped an elderly rooster to death! The things crazy....

LOL! ROFL!