As in October, the air vent temperatures are following the general trend of the outdoor air, but with a welcome improvement. It is encouraging to find that the biomeiler continues to raise the temperature of the incoming air by approximately 50 F degrees even as the outdoor air temperatures continue to fall. The coop temperature […]
November Experimental Results Read More »
Today, while completing the chores, I noticed that the chicks are now all fully-feathered. There were a few who still had downy feathers on their heads even a few days ago, but, thankfully, they have ceased procrastinating. As the chicks have grown in size and their feather cover has improved, I have been reducing the
Chicks Fully Feathered Read More »
In early October, the outdoor air temperatures were low enough that it seemed prudent to reconfigure the ventilation system for the chicken coop. During the summer, the air was drawn from beneath the coop in order to cool the air as much as possible for the benefit of the birds. The ground beneath the
October Experimental Results Read More »
Ordinarily, we are disinclined to have young birds in the fall, but, this year, circumstances forced us to reconsider the matter. Our coop is divided into an 11’x11’ side and an 11’x4’ side. The larger side is where the hens and our single rooster live, cage-free. The external door opens to the smaller side of
The Cornish Cross broilers recently underwent a noticeable change in their feather cover. They are still bald under their wings and on their bellies, but their backs and wings better resemble normal chickens. Their appetites are immense. These birds are the embodiment of hunger and fall upon the feeders with manic enthusiasm. After gorging themselves,
42-Day Broiler Update Read More »
Moving the hens to their outdoor quarters is one of the spring tasks that always seems to be delayed. This spring, the coop temperatures have been kept reasonably cool by the biomeiler and the outdoor temperatures have been kept unseasonably cool by fate. So, the hens have stayed indoors too long, as usual, and the
Chickens Relocated Read More »
The chicks are growing rapidly. They are in that remarkable stage of growth in which it is possible to see daily changes. It is our great fortune to have had only one chick fatality, to date. In the past, we have had very few fatalities after the chicks have reached this point. So, we are
Chick 12-Day Update Read More »
This year we are raising the Cornish Cross breed as our meat birds. We had planned to raise Big Red broilers, again, but, when attempting to order them, we discovered there were none available. So, despite a strong disinclination for this breed, we placed an order and will hope for good results. On Tuesday afternoon,
Chicks Have Arrived Read More »
Our order of meat bird chicks will arrive shortly. Proper preparation is vital to the success of raising chicks so I spent some time getting the brooder table and equipment in good working order. I washed the waterer and prepared the special welcoming beverage we give to the chicks when they arrive. It consists mostly
Chick Preparations Read More »
The Big Red Broiler cockerels have been growing steadily and I was getting curious as to their actual weight. I caught one and weighed it. It was surprisingly easy. These birds are far more docile than the hens and pullets. The bird I selected weighed in at 5.3 pounds. If he were dressed, he would
The Broilers Are Growing Read More »