Recent content by GrandmaKatnip

I am very interested in getting as much information as I can on this topic. We have 22 layers, (2 years old). Our friend wants to give us his 11 (one year olds). I surely am not sure how to do this safely. We free-range on our 3 acre site. Our coop has 10 nesting boxes and plenty of room for...

Thank you for your input. I will look into the cam...I have not thought of doing that.

Thank you for your response. We have lost 2 hens this year. One when we were on vacation and our dog was not in the yard to scare away predators. All we found were feathers. The second girl unfortunately 'lost her head' to something. The predator left her body untouched. We really don't...

I have a new problem with my chickens not going outside and I am wondering if anyone can help me. They have been roaming our farm as freely as they wanted to. (even in the winter months) This week they stopped coming out, except for a short time in the morning. There are two factors that I am...

I have a new problem with my chickens not going outside and I am wondering if anyone can help me. They used to roam our farm as freely as they wanted to. This week they stopped coming out, except for a short time in the morning. There are two factors that I am wondering could have caused this...

I need better storage for feed bags and other misc items in the coop. Some of my hens like to roost on bags and things that I would prefer to keep them away from. Has anyone constructed a box that works for this? I visualize a 3' box with a slanted lid so they won't roost on it. Does anyone...

Has anyone experienced a flock that seems to be afraid to go outside? I moved their feed outside (in fenced in yard) yesterday and worry that they won't get enough to eat. They just hang out inside of the coop. They seem to be a very skiddish group. (31 eight week old chicks)

So my girls have had access to outside (fenced in) for two weeks. They seem to prefer to stay indoors, though, and I have to 'shoo' them outside to get some sunshine. Yesterday I put the feed outside, and also an extra waterer. They are still hanging out indoors and I am worried that they...

Thanks. I wouldn't want the job of sexing baby chicks, but is it pretty common for them to get it 'wrong'? I ordered all hens, and wonder how many roosters I will end up with. Last time, I ended up with 5 roosters and that is 5 too many for my yard.

Thanks for checking it out. I was supposed to get all hens, but I know that sometimes a male gets in the mix. Last time I ended up with 5 roosters out of 27 in the flock.

I will try that, thank you!

I purchased chicks from Welp in Iowa. They had a new offering of a 'Colorful Mix'. When I asked them the actual breeds, I was told that they are whatever hatched that day. Now they are 7 weeks old and are indeed a beautiful mix of colors, but I don't have any idea what breeds they are. They...

I have 31 chickens who are 7 weeks old. They have just been exposed to the fenced in yard for about 2 weeks. The door to the yard is open every day, but they are very reluctant to go outside of the coop. What should/could I do to help them enjoy the outdoors, or is it too soon? Should I put...

My chicks are 4 weeks old, and last week I pulled some dandilions for them. They had a blast pecking and running around with them. I peeled some carrots this morning and wondered if I can offer the peelings to the chicks. They are good eaters, love their grit, and I hope I am not spoiling them!