Raising Chickens

Lost one of our pullets yesterday to a hawk, sapphire olive egger. Wife is pretty upset. All the pullets are now locked in the bottom of the coop with food/water until they get a little bigger so they can't escape through the run fence.

Roof is on and nesting box is framed out. Still need to finish up some window framing and work on the eaves but it's getting closer. Will probably skin it next week with 1/2" plywood.

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skyhighZJ said:
Are you administering tetanus shots before letting them out?
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NOPE, didn't have a clue I needed to, thanks for bringing it up. The previous owner forgot to mention that one. I'll be going to TSC tomorrow to get shots. The sow has been vaccinated already, so I am going to call her good to go as I hope she is in the freezer in another 1-2 months.
 
If she is then yep. Good to go. Honestly it’s not a “necessity” but it’s just a really good measure to ensure you don’t go through the ball pain (see what I did there) of catching, holding, and cutting just to have them throw a tetanus based infection from the incision. Also LOADS of betadine solution in, around, and all over the incision area pre and post slice.
 
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Tacoma747 said:
First for me today. Castrated one of the male piglets. Let me tell you, not fun (probably much less fun for him). I ordered some #12 scalpels as I have read they might make it easier, cutting through was tough, pulling his nuts out was tough too.... He's doing fine since I he procedure, much better than I imagine I would be doing 😂.

I am going to castrate one more of them to keep, and hope to sell the other two males (who needs a KuneKune?)

We are training them to like belly rubs, this one was all into it today, he laid there and was plenty happy with back and belly scratches.

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I used to help Uncle Jerry do it. We used a utility knife 😅 and it took like 15 seconds per pig. Slap some disinfectant on it and turn em loose squealing 🤣



YJJPWrangler said:
Lost one of our pullets yesterday to a hawk, sapphire olive egger. Wife is pretty upset. All the pullets are now locked in the bottom of the coop with food/water until they get a little bigger so they can't escape through the run fence.
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You gonna lose some chickens, everything loves chicken 🐔
 
ponykilr said:
You gonna lose some chickens, everything loves chicken 🐔
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Without a doubt. This is our first hawk kill. We have had fox and raccoon kills before but the coons have been dealt with and the fox can't get to them now. I keep trying to tell her that chicken is just about what every predator around here eats....

added a kicker roof to the front per @getstucksome idea. Metal roofing doesn't go to waste(trim off the back edge), ties the front together, and provides a bit more protection against driven rain. Hopefully will get it skinned next week. Will probably do a faux board/batten for trim. I want to do a dark green with cedar highlights but the wife will have the final say.

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YJJPWrangler said:
Without a doubt. This is our first hawk kill. We have had fox and raccoon kills before but the coons have been dealt with and the fox can't get to them now. I keep trying to tell her that chicken is just about what every predator around here eats....

added a kicker roof to the front per @getstucksome idea. Metal roofing doesn't go to waste(trim off the back edge), ties the front together, and provides a bit more protection against driven rain. Hopefully will get it skinned next week. Will probably do a faux board/batten for trim. I want to do a dark green with cedar highlights but the wife will have the final say.

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We shoulda cut some of them oak logs from your backyard on my sawmill for this. Oh well.
 
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