Recent content by Carlyle

I did not mean to belittle the disease thing. It is just in my particular circumstance, knowledge of the source of the new chickens, etc., that is not a big worry for me right now. My grand plan was to have 4-6 chickens - then introduce a new one or two every year and "trim the herd" as...

Thanks for replies so far - even if not encouraging. My issue is "pecking to death" more than "disease". If the new ones are pretty big - say, 6-12 mo old - would that make much difference?

I have 4 3-year olds in a 4'x8' chicken tractor with an upstairs loft. I got them all at once as started pullets and they get along fine. They are Red Star. I would like to add two more. Yes, I have read the threads and know the "right way" to do it. But I don't have the wherewithal to do...

I know how to get to Hesperia. And it makes a nice "getaway" day trip for those of us on the other side. That would be fun. Sign me up.

Quote: Wow, quite the Chicken Ranch you're undertaking!

READ AND LEARN: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3742501#p3742501

OK - I have NEWS - - - First, a disclaimer - I'm a scientist and will readily admit this is not a scientifically valid study or conclusion - but it SURE is interesting anecdotal data. I used just several drops of grocery store red or blue food coloring per gallon of water. My 4 chickens who...

I have a couple of these 1 gal containers. I am very happy with them except they are not 'transparent', but 'translucent white'. http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/556440-plastic_waterer_poultry_fountain_complete.html The water level is hard to see with clear water. A few drops of food...

I put a few drops of red food coloring (human food grade, purchased at supermarket) in my Chickens' water dispensers so I can see the water level easier. For the 4 chickens, the egg production has gone down from 3-4 per day to 1-2 per day. Is this a coincidence or could the food coloring be...

Basically 'sunburn' to skin and eyes. Black lights are similar to the lights in tanning beds. Normal BLs emit UV radiation but in small amounts. Children playing with them for halloween, museum exhibits, disco, etc. are limited and fleeting exposure. But just shining on somebody for extended...

I am a scientist, not a chicken. But I am very concerned about your use of a "black light". It might be harmful for them. In any case, I'm sure it doesn't do them any good. You should only use regular incadescent lights or carefully monitored "heat lamps".

Do chickens like corn cobs?

Wow - thanks for the extensive reply. One conception (misconception?) I had is that rather than, say, every 25 hours, that they lay an egg every 14 hours of sunlight. Hence my extreme surprise that I'm getting an egg per day in winter. I had calculated (ha!, yes, I'm an engineer) that I would...

Now, everybody, don't ridicule me - remember these are my first chickens - so I am learning as I go. You may recall that I have been marvelling at these 4 maniac egg layers I got in Vista. They have been consistently laying 3 eggs each and every day. From my reading and discussions with other...

What do YOUR chickens like to eat? I read a lot about "kitchen scraps" that chickens go GaGa over. Mine, not so much. Mine eat Purina Layeena Crumbles and like that a lot. But they go totally nuts over Scratch. The feel 'entitled' to that and stomp around and bawk until they get some. I...