chicken/hen house's

[Kenprep1979]

I just wish my hens would start laying again! I had to buy a dozen eggs the other day for the first time in ages. I guess my girls dont like the cold.

If you have your hens in a coop? enclose an area for the nesting boxes if not already done! throw a heat lamp or 2 in there and they will start laying again ! a buddy did this at winters start and laying has not slowed down at all!

 

[hlrive]

One lady came here today to buy eggs from me, She uses the light and everything and yet hardly no eggs at all from her 17 hens, so sometimes the light doesn't work, I know it doesn't with my older girls. I think it's the cold weather more then the light.

 

[Kenprep1979]

One lady came here today to buy eggs from me, She uses the light and everything and yet hardly no eggs at all from her 17 hens, so sometimes the light doesn't work, I know it doesn't with my older girls. I think it's the cold weather more then the light.

no im talking about heat lamps ! for heat not light

 

[hlrive]

no im talking about heat lamps ! for heat not light

Well that is new, they always tell us all to keep a light on just a regular light not a heat lamp I will have to try and use a heat lamp it may work. However where they are free ranging they will get cold outside during the day.

 

[Brent S]

no im talking about heat lamps ! for heat not light

I've even heard from some that a red 90 w flood lamp will help too. I guess it puts out some heat, but the color dosent confuse the hens sleep as well.
I have 4 days off, so I'll add to my list to refresh the hay and get the lamp in there. I'll let you know if it makes a difference. I have not gotten an egg for about 4 weeks now.

 

[NCHydrangea]

A friend of mine rigged up a way to enclose a light bulb in an old metal lunch box to put in his dog's house to keep him warm. He didn't want it to light the inside of the house, just keep it warm.

 

[hlrive]

I had to move my youngest game rooster the other day it was so cold he almost froze to death. His one hen in there with him is crippled so she doesn't get up on the roost with him, and he was almost freezing at night time by himself, so after 3 days in the house he went into the chick coop with her. Last night he was nestled right up close to her with his head on her back sleeping. So until spring gets here they will be in there or warmer weather which ever one comes first. I never thought about that would be an issue, but it was and a big one. I don't want to lose a $180 bird.

 

[Gazrok]

That's one expensive chicken!

 

[hlrive]

That's one expensive chicken!

Yeah he is but now I need some girls for him, a dozen fertile eggs go for $100 to$150. A grown rooster can run anyone from $100 for pet quality to $500 each around here. The local flea market folks are selling hens for $100 each. However I am buying me some chicks this spring for $6 each from cackle and will raise any roosters up to full grown then sell them at the flea market. I hope no one fights them, however I don't care what anyone does with them once I sell them. I know I will be having mine just for breeding, that's what counts.

 

[Gazrok]

I just buy the $3 ones from Tractor Supply to make eggs, lol.

 

[hlrive]

I just buy the $3 ones from Tractor Supply to make eggs, lol.

Well depends on if you are into breeding and having quality chickens. Our original ones came from TS then we got into certain breeds and genetics. I prefer games because they are compact and take up little space, they also bring in lots of cash for fertile eggs. However it will now be a couple of years before I get that far. Speed died night before last. I found him yesterday morning, so am not happy. That was a loss in my wallet as well as to a part of the family.

 

[Gazrok]

That sucks. Sorry for your loss. I feel the same way when an animal passes.

I never knew there was so much money in chickens though. I'm still pretty new at it. So far, it's just nice always having eggs in the house, and never having to buy them.

 

[hlrive]

Yeah there is a big difference if you ever get into certain breeds and want to work just with them. Games or what most folks call fighting roosters are really expensive. I have naked necks as well and for me to replace a hen we are talking between $50 and $200. They also can be rare in most states many folks have never even heard of them. I was lucky to have gotten my first one but then when I wanted more for breeding the prices were outrageous. I love Delawares and tried them but most folks don't want white chickens so it wasn't worth the money on them at all. So I just use them for my personal eating eggs. Those are my stalker girls lol

 

[hlrive]

That sucks. Sorry for your loss. I feel the same way when an animal passes.

I never knew there was so much money in chickens though. I'm still pretty new at it. So far, it's just nice always having eggs in the house, and never having to buy them.

I was thinking that you might enjoy something that I am doing this year. If you enjoy chickens they have a surprise box at cackle. This is what it is called: Hatchery Surprise (Hatchery Choice) $62.95 includes postage.

You get around 50 to 60 chicks, and they are different breeds. You also can get some turkeys, ducks, and geese in the box. If you ever wanted to enjoy chickens to their max, this is a great way to learn about different breeds. I am planning on getting the box because it has games and long tails, as well as some NN's. It's a great way to start getting into breeds and is pretty cheap compared to buying them a few to a time and then realizing you don't like the breed. When you find what you like for a breed then you can stick to it. Any extras that I get from the box can get sold on craigslist or become table meat.

Here is a link to some of their specials, and the surprise: http://www.cacklehatchery.com/page10.html#hatcherysurprise

 

[Gazrok]

Intriguing.
So far though, I really like this breed. Friendly, produce a lot of eggs (and pretty cheap to purchase).
They're even laying during this cold weather.

 

[Gazrok]

Well, mine were molting for about a month, so didn't lay much then, but at least now they are back up to full. Was able to give a couple of friends a dozen eggs each the other day, and we still have about 3 dozen in the fridge. (and we get about 7-9 a day, so we get plenty).

 

[Maverick]

Also recommend using 1"x1" wire vs. chicken wire. Chicken wire just doesn't stand up so well to harsh weather and is less safe vs. predators.

Agree with Gaz on the 1"

I use the 1" 20gauge poultry netting under, around and on top, since we have skunks, badgers and wolverings all three are notorious digger and will dig under the fence, standard hex netting chicken wire wont hold up to the badger or wolverine they will rip it apart!

 

[Gazrok]

We've actually had 3 cold days in a row here in FL, but my chickens are still laying. Of course, "cold" here means like 40 degrees. I still need to do that mini project (running a conduit pipe and electric outlet and light in the henhouse).

 

[Danil54grl]

You can start pickling on the extra eggs or dehydrating . . . a friend of ours has been selling his extra at $3 a dozen here. You may get more there though. Up north I have heard some going at $4 and $5.

 

[Gazrok]

I've also seen there's a prepper method of preserving them with mineral oil, etc., but really, as long as they are producing, I don't see the need for it.