It's True: Kilts Are Chick Magnets!

**Arizona Scot** · 15th July 09, 12:30 AM

So Matt does this mean that there will be a batch of chicken sporrans available soon?

**Scotus** · 15th July 09, 03:24 AM

Actually, Matt, when I saw the title and author of this thread, I had no doubt that I'd see you in a kilt and baby chickens.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 15th July 09, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by Scotus

Actually, Matt, when I saw the title and author of this thread, I had no doubt that I'd see you in a kilt and baby chickens.

lol... glad I did not dissapoint you, Padre. How do you like your eggs?

**Scotus** · 15th July 09, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

lol... glad I did not dissapoint you, Padre. How do you like your eggs?

Scrambled and not rubber!

**Jerry** · 16th July 09, 04:49 AM

Matt, free range eggs are the best. You won't believe the difference in them and what you buy at the store. One word of warning though. From what I remember of Franklin from my visit several years ago, even the town is pretty rural, and you are likely to have raccoons around. Once they find your chickens, they'll take everyone they can catch. So, make sure they are all inside a secure chicken house of some type every night Even the best fence is no deterrent to a coon. It will also need a floor of some kind or a foundation which goes several inches into the ground. because the coons can dig. over the past 4 years, I've lost at least a dozen of mine to predators, mostly coons. A possum will take some also. Daytime losses will most likely be dogs. Good luck with your brood, and enjoy the great eggs you will be getting, although I wouldn't expect many before Spring.

**Rollo** · 16th July 09, 05:07 AM

Very great kilt pin, Matt !

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 16th July 09, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by Jerry

Matt, free range eggs are the best. You won't believe the difference in them and what you buy at the store. One word of warning though. From what I remember of Franklin from my visit several years ago, even the town is pretty rural, and you are likely to have raccoons around. Once they find your chickens, they'll take everyone they can catch. So, make sure they are all inside a secure chicken house of some type every night Even the best fence is no deterrent to a coon. It will also need a floor of some kind or a foundation which goes several inches into the ground. because the coons can dig. over the past 4 years, I've lost at least a dozen of mine to predators, mostly coons. A possum will take some also. Daytime losses will most likely be dogs. Good luck with your brood, and enjoy the great eggs you will be getting, although I wouldn't expect many before Spring.

Thanks for the warning, Jerry. We do have raccoons around here, though I haven't seen many possums. The only wildlife I have directly witnessed or seen evidence of in my yard (besides the birds, of course) are squirells, rabbits and groundhogs. But I know there are coons around because I've seen them run over along the roadside.

We are going to have to rethink our coop design anyway because we were originally planning for three or four hens total, but through various circumstances have found ourselves with ten. Right now our coop is adequate size for them, but in a matter of weeks as they grow I know we are going to need more housing!

**Arlen** · 16th July 09, 10:03 AM

Congratulations, Matt! We have six, ourselves. 3 grown layers and 3 who should start laying next month.
(2 Andalusians, 2 White Delaware/Rhode Island red cross, 1 Grey Dorking and 1 BardRock.)

You'll be just thrilled once you start eating all those delicious, fresh eggs!

**ccga3359** · 16th July 09, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

lol... glad I did not dissapoint you, Padre. How do you like your eggs?

Pretty soon they'll be listed with the Ferguson Britt sporrans.

**BoldHighlander** · 17th July 09, 02:18 AM

Ha!Ha! Great thread title Matt, you hooked me too!

I too have been looking into raising some egg layers (seems the thing to do around my neighborhood). I'm planning on converting part of our dog run (the dog never uses it). It's a nice long open grassy area.
Being the history nut that I am, I'm looking into rare (endangered) American heritage breeds, primarily from the 18th century, leaning towards Dominiques, but also considering Javas (or maybe both!).

Jerry's right about coon's. Most folks I talk to say that your fence "foundation" should be 12" deep to discourage digging predators (along with a sturdy coop).

Best of luck, can't wait for a progress report!