Recent content by bigmommy

Well, my little Silkie started laying her eggs finally. In the middle of winter. Wherever she happens to be. No matter how deep the snow is, or how cold. I can overlook the time I have spent in boots and mittens hunting eggs.....if she would stop laying them so late! Every day she lays an...

Ever since we decided to get chickens I have heard " if you sell just 1 egg you qualify as a farmer, and will receive a tax break" of course....no one knows how, why, or what exactly the break will be. Can someone please clarify this for me? I understand that all states have different laws, but...

Their indoor roost is only a few inches off the floor. It has never been used. Their outdoor roost is about a foot off the ground. They can jump up, or walk up their chicken ladder to use it. They will stand on it to crow, or jump off it on to the other chickens, but have NEVER roosted on it...

O.K. not that I have a lot of hens... out of 8 chicks I got 5 rooster, but the inside of their hen house ( or the man cave) is a little cramped. I have never seen them use their roost in doors, and the only time I see them use their outdoor roost is in the A.M for wake up calls! When they are...

I was not able to get sexed chicks thru Ideal Poultry. I did not order from another hatchery because I did not want 25 chicks. Ideal told me that they do not sex bantys because it is dangerous... has anyone else heard this?

Thanks...You rock! I am so glad to be getting accurate imformation on my little guys! Obviously, I have way to many roosters now, so what would you suggest? I really hate to get rid of any. BTW, does that mean that the little girls I thought I had because they are comb and wattle and crow less...

Well... I knew I had roosters when they grew combs, wattles, and started crowing! I'm really sad that I will have to re-home them:( Maybe I'll bring them in to be my house chickens! I bet the dogs and cats will keep them in line! So, I guess the biggest issue will be with the hens? Just not...

If so...would anybody like 5 or 6? I have extras!

Well...thanks for setting me straight! I must have missed their combs in all that fluffy feathering! Also, there was a statement in an article I read regarding combs on roosters in show birds being small or non existant. I will try to dig it up and forward it to you! SOOOO, is it correct to...

I am a new chicken Mom so I'm not an expert....BUT...I have 8 Silkies and I will tell you that every one of them that developed a comb and wattles started to crow last week! Now I know for sure that I have 5 roosters, and might have 1 more just not mature yet. Some developed their wattles and...

I have 8 Silkie chickens, and I am 100% positive that 5 of them are roosters. I also have 1 that MIGHT be a rooster. They are about 16 weeks old now, and for the most part they get along. They do pick at each other, but it just passes, and it's never for an extended period of time. I'm not...

I have 8 Silkie (6 are roosters, just in case anyone needs 1 or 2 or 6) and one of the reasons I choose them aside from their unbearable cuteness, is that they are supposed to be winter hardy. Now I'm starting to wonder if "winter hardy" means.... Alabama winter or Michigan winter where I live...

Thanks for taking the time to help... You're right.. I should just bring them all in with me!!! Husband and kids would probably move out and get me counseling, but I do love my chicken babies!!!! I completely agree that there was die off in the "olden days" and I absolutely do not want to eat my...

O.K. so chickens don't need heat unless there are extremely low temps. How low? I have done all the standards to my coop...insulated, plugged up holes,vcaulked gaps, etc. The interior of my hen house, at night, with all the doors, and windows sealed up tight, is only a few degrees warmer then...

What if their crops arent emptying out?