Recent content by allison_waring

Oh and I probably should have mentioned that this waddle, depressed activity, and the small poops have been going on for a couple of months now. It definitely hasn't been a sudden onset but more of a gradual progression over time.

Hi Everyone, I have an almost 2 year old golden comment hen that's been struggling with what I think is some type of reproductive disorder. She hasn't laid an egg in nearly a year. I was hopeful she would start laying again after her winter pause but she hasn't. She also has what I think is...

I wouldn't ever lock them out of their coop. I actually find it kind of cute and amusing that they enjoy spending so much time in there, but I don't want them to be afraid of their run or be bored. Perhaps I'll try a combo of more enrichment and work on switching out their wind block when I get...

Are they not afraid of the shade fabric? I'd be concerned it wouldn't provide enough wind block and wouldn't allow light through. I was considering upgrading to clear PVC panels this year but we already had the giant roll of plastic sheeting.

I don't think it's a predator issue. This is a daily occurrence and I haven't seen any tracks in the snow. They're pretty protected from aerial predators in their run and most hawks have also migrated out of our region by now. Perhaps it's just a boredom issue and we can find some more ways to...

I'm tempted to give them some straw. I've been hesitant in the past because I've heard straw can cause impacted crops. Is that not something I should really worry about?

Last year we had some frostbite issues on our rooster's comb so we went taller with the wind break this year. They are definitely spooked by it when I move the one side that can be rolled back but as long as it's not moving they seem fine about it. When it's in place it's pretty taught and...

Their nest boxes are in there but I've had them covered with a board for a couple of weeks since they're not currently laying and I had one hen who was trying to sleep in there. They have a treat toy (peanut butter jar with holes drilled in it) that they like pecking at. Once they're full though...

Asking more because I'm curious then concerned. We've had our 6 chickens (5 hens and 1 rooster) for almost 2 years now. This is their second winter (we live in Vermont and have pretty cold winters). Last winter they spent a considerable amount of time out in their run. This winter they are...

I'm hoping it's just grouchiness due to molting and they'll be back to their normal life soon. We don't have much extra room to add more roosts so they'll have to figure it out.

Curious to get your thoughts on my flocks sudden inability to roost peacefully at night. A week or two ago I noticed that our flock of 6 (5 hens and 1 rooster) were being aggressive towards each other each night as they began to roost. They've always generally been pretty peaceful about finding...

Frittata the rooster is doing well post frostbite. He did end up losing the tips of his comb but it healed over nicely. Here he is rocking his new comb.

Thanks so much for your reply. This gives me some hope that our little barred rock will grow back her feathers eventually. We'll be sure to up her protein to help her along the way.

@dreamofwinter Did your barred rock end up growing her feathers back? I have a barred rock that is looking almost identical to yours and is down to just one sad tail feather. We've tried many things including treating her with ivermectin for possible depluming mites. She's happy to wear her hen...

Thanks Razzlefrazzle. Hoping he heals sooner rather than later and we can prevent any further damage. One aspect of humidity that I've never understood is what you are aiming for especially when humidity is already high outside. Vermont is a humid place and we often have high humidities just...