Recent content by Birdinhand

They are large birds!

The amount of EMF coming from a fence charger has got to be minuscule. EMF radiation drops off a cliff as you go away from it, as in like half the dose for every inch of distance. Starting with low level, as would be the case, I can’t see how the emf emitted at the distance a chicken would...

I’ve found with Cornish cross and layers mixed, that a mother heating pad is adequate. I’ve even gone down below freezing. This is with 30-40 chicks. For a smaller batch it gets more critical to take additional heat conservation measures, giving them a sort of nest they can cuddle into, but...

I understand the fact that sometimes it comes down to poisening but I think adding a 4th step is a good idea, and that is trapping. I’d add that step between 2 and 3 above, only resorting to poisening when steps 1-3 fail to adequately keep populations in check. Step 3 for me, includes a...

To wash or not to wash, when there is a lot of potentially bacteria laden soil is a bit of a conundrum. Best practices says not to wash, but three weeks at high humidity and heat and a lot of excrement, hmm. Not 100% sure what I’d have done. But that’s past you now, what’s done is done. By...

I work in healthcare, treating people with chronic pain with various modalities of eastern medicine, most notably acupuncture and I can attest how stewarding the land and some animals makes for a therapeutic balance to counter all the pain and suffering I see. Welcome to BYC, you’ll fit in...

I’m always happy to hear when people prepare ahead before jumping in. Predator proofing is the cornerstone to a good experience long run… hardware cloth, wall to wall, ceiling and underground. If you keep the rats out, you keep everything out. Welcome to BYC, lots of amazing resources...

While there are no guarantees, and I have had hens brutally attack chicks, it does seem like you have indications that it will be ok. I’d be cautiously optimistic initially, pay attention to the dynamic during the initial transition and then I’d just let it happen and relax.

For reading the temp, if you have a lazer temp gun then take a variety of readings with that. Behavior is ultimately the key, if they are huddled together but happy, that’s usually good, if huddled together and chirping loud, then it’s typically too cold. If sprawled out, panting, it’s too...

I’ve had a hen that crowed, rooster feather and all, then layed an egg and stopped crowing and feathers grew out more hen like. Some birds have a confused gender, hormones are bonkers or something. Maybe give it some more time and see if it lays an egg, which might kick the proper hormones...

Welcome! Starting with “scratch” is a perfect way to begin feeding your interest in chickens!😜 This is a safe place to admit where your at and ask for perspective and tips!

I don’t make a cave, so yes, I drape a towel so it hangs off the edge on the side I have food and water, to allow them to go back and forth early in the morning before I put the towel up for the day. The other sides I use an extra towel to keep them from getting out, and to insulate. My MHP is...

I use the XL sunbeam ones for my meat birds, 2 set ups easily handles 50 chicks. I also commonly raise layers with the CX. The layers love the heat that their Bigger “brothers” give off. The heating pads I have have auto shut off but it’s able to be turned off so it stays on continuously…...

To put into perspective the potential for minute amounts of a given chemical to have profound effects, I can add one more thing. There are instances of where the parts per billion of human birth control chemicals, after having passed through the human and into the septic system have been enough...

Ha, right?! They go right into my pocket, or even sometimes under my shirt, for direct skin contact… probably horrifying to some people but to me their life is precious, even if short, even when I’m eating them at the end of the process… their life is valuable to me, emotionally as well as $$ wise.