Help Identifying a Chicken (Photo)

[Rob Tucker]

You should consider making some simple roosting boxes for the chickens. Chickens may not be too smart but they can identify a nice nesting box and use it. Then you will find eggs.

[Andrew]

Hey Rob:

Would you suggest some basic dimensions for roosting boxes (Height, width, depth)? Should the back dimension be taller than the front with sloping sides or just box shaped? Also should I provide nesting materiel like straw or moss or do they provide that for themselves? Also what is the ideal height for the boxes from the ground?

TIA,
Andrew

[Wayman]

John, you certainly are correct about the Rhode Island reds, they have great personalities. I had one that was such a pet when I was in 3rd grade that he told on me. Baffled me how Mother always knew where I was, especially when I was where I shouldn't have been. Henry told on me by always being on that side of the fence of the chicken pen nearest where I was. She figured that out.

He was a beautiful thing, half my height, bright red. This rooster's black tail makes me wonder if he is a bit of a mix.

A nesting box need not be anything fancy, nor much bigger that the hen requires sitting. It affords her protection while she is vulnerable laying. She needs only her sharp bill to defend herself in a five sided box. And, yes, straw or other bedding material will encourage her to think of it as a good place to sit, especially if it gets her up off the ground a bit. A hen will gladly climb a small ladder to get several feet off the ground.

The eggs are definitely edible if you get them fresh before they sit out too long. Do be mindful of mongooses. They will quickly learn to visit the nest and eat eggs. A good pellet gun permanently discourages them. A Gamo> has the velocity of a 22 but will not carry as far, making it safer for the neighbors.

[Andrew]

Thanks for the tips. I'm on it. Pellet gun in tow. Just let one of those fur bearing varmints mess with my chooks.

Andrew

quote:

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Originally posted by Wayman

A nesting box need not be anything fancy, nor much bigger that the hen requires sitting. It affords her protection while she is vulnerable laying. She needs only her sharp bill to defend herself in a five sided box. And, yes, straw or other bedding material will encourage her to think of it as a good place to sit, especially if it gets her up off the ground a bit. A hen will gladly climb a small ladder to get several feet off the ground.

The eggs are definitely edible if you get them fresh before they sit out too long. Do be mindful of mongooses. They will quickly learn to visit the nest and eat eggs. A good pellet gun permanently discourages them. A Gamo> has the velocity of a 22 but will not carry as far, making it safer for the neighbors.

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[pslamont]

Andrew, Royal made our nesting boxes. Come see them any time....

I want to be the kind of woman that, when my feet
hit the floor each morning, the devil says

"Oh Crap, She's up!"

[Andrew]

Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 film "The Birds"?

Now I have 2 hens and 2 roosters. The place is going to the birds around here. Word must have leaked that some guy is giving away free food. Need a few hen boxes for a return on the outlay!

Andrew

[Andrew]

OK update!

I went to the farm supply in Hilo and bought a small book about caring for chickens and some feed for them. I've been bitten with the Chook bug!

Started work on a roosting system for them in a nice dry and sheltered corner of my carport. Nesting boxes to follow.

Andrew