Recent content by BakkDad

My easter egger started laying this past Dec. Her eggs look like the photo with this raised, rough textures randomly positioned on the outer shell. All other hens' egss are normal. All hens are the same age. Any ideas what this is? Cause?

I'm writing to solicit input from anyone re: specific and/or different diets for the hens during the winter months. My hens are 5 months old (not yet laying). We got light snow today and it's been colder over the past few weeks. I've heard a few different opinions about food for the...

Thanks Mary.. I suspected that would be the case but needed confirmation...

I notice the feed stores sell Flock Blocks which are on the pricey side. I'm wondering if the store bought suet cakes sold for birds would be suitable for chickens? Thank you

My hens are now 13 weeks old. I built an octagonal "dusting box" for them which includes a mixture of coarse sand and ashes from a fire pit with occasional DE mixed in. They use it occasionally, but when I let them out (free range) they love dusting in soil that's moist. There can be a large...

Thanks for the tip. I wasn't familiar with PDZ. I thought the coarse sand I use would work like kitty litter. I easily scoop up the poop every day in the run area. Pine shavings in the coop part. Oh, and I do sprinkle DE occasionally.

Done, thanks..

Yes, I was looking for "non-chemical" solutions..

Perhaps flies are a necessary evil with chicken flocks. I read a recommendation to spray solution of 1:1 (vinegar:water) all over ground, coop floor and perches. Been doing that for 2.5 months now. Doesn't seem to have much effect. Flies disappear for 5 min. then are back. I know focus...

Thanks...photography was my profession. Just checked the feet. They are white. Also there are a few white, wing tip feathers if that helps. Got them from a hatchery in Washington state.

Thanks...photography was my profession. Just checked the feet. They are white. Also there are a few white, wing tip feathers if that helps. Got them from a hatchery in Washington state.

What's the foot colors for the Australorp, Jersey Giant and Black Maran breeds?

Thanks....looks like I was misinformed at the hatchery.. Supposedly 99.9% female...jury still out on that issue :-)

Feet are mostly black

My chicks are 10 weeks old now. Up until a week ago I only fed them crumbles/starter with occasional treats. Last week I bought some scratch food and have that and the crumbles available to them. Since then they mostly eat the scratch food. Is it OK to leave them to it, or should I pull the...