The weather and breed of your chickens will dictate the need for litter.
I have a raised coop in U.S.D.A. Zone 9 and do not have any problems with the weather. My coop is raised about 4' off of the ground and has 1/4 " hardware cloth as a floor, all I do is hose it out once per week and...
*Egg color stays the same throughout the hen's laying life. No kaleidoscope colored egg laying chickens (yet!)
*The intensity of the color will fade as the hen ages.
I have roosting bars in my brooder, 2-5" high, the girls start sleeping on them at 3-5 weeks old. Chickens do what they know, just give them time and they will go to them.
I hope you good luck with yours...
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Cornish+food+ heat=heart attack, sorry for your loss.
I have huge Buff Orps. that are thriving in 105+heat index temps. Every day they get fresh clean water and plenty of shade to rest in, they are 2 1/2 years old and no heat related deaths yet.
I would fix the fence better before anything else. If a "little yippie dog" can get into the chicken area then the yard is way under protected.
Talking to the new neighbor in a calm but firm tone will get better results than poisoning, screaming, shooting or shaving the dog. The O.P. stated...
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Chicken/egg prices are like real estate values- location, location, and location. are you located in an urban ( higher prices) or more of an rural area? I've just sold 5 EE 8 week old pullets @ $10.00 each due to my yuppie area the price was paid with no questions asked. Eggs go for...