TAS Diary Archives
June 3, 2007
Accommodation crisis looming
I think I have an accommodation crisis looming. No, Dan hasn't given me my marching orders!
We have two poultry arks - a big one and a little one - and an extension run. The nine layers and Hobbes are in the big ark and the three big cheeps (now nearly six weeks old) live in the little ark with the extension run. This is all fine and dandy but the little cheeps, now almost two weeks old, are going outside, so the big cheeps only have the ark, while the little cheeps have the extension run and the cat carry case. The wee cheeps come in at night and stay in the puppy cage. Hope you're following all this - the wee cheeps don't know if they are chickens, cats or puppies!
Anyway, very soon, the little cheeps will be able to go outside day and night. Three groups of poultry - two arks. So, do I put the big cheeps in with the laying hens at say 8 weeks old OR do I put the wee cheeps in with the big cheeps at 4 and 8 weeks respectively? Answers on a postcard, please.
I should have thought this through but I was so carried away with the hatching mularkey that I didn't.
Comments
Hi Rosemary,
We have that dilemma looming too, when to put the chicks in with the big hens? As much as they are growing quickly they are still so tiny, 4 weeks old now. My uncle reckons we can put them in with the big hens at 6 weeks so we'll see. If your big cheeps are 8 weeks old now they should be fine with the hens? Let me know how you get on!
Lisa :o)
Joanna, thanks for this. I will try freecycle but I've bitten the bullet and bought a new coop. It's described as being "for the boys" as it has no nest box. It should be perfect for youngsters though.
I've been giving the hens their corn alongside the big cheeps' ark so they're well used to each other, but they still seem small, especially next to Hobbes.
When will I be able to tell if they are male or female? They all look the same - except one has no comb. It looks like a pigeon!
Posted by: Rosemary at June 6, 2007 10:13 PM
I think you should join a couple of your local freecycle groups, and see if you can get yourself some more housing, perhaps first intended for something a little more domestic, such as a rabbit or guinea pig! No money changes hands, you're saving stuff from landfill ... it's a very life-enhancing way of getting rid of your junk and acquiring things you never knew you needed! Only in this case, you do ... SO understandable to get carried away with the hatching thing!
http://www.freecycle.org/
Joanna
Posted by: Joanna at June 4, 2007 9:19 AMjoannasfood.blogspot.com