Recent content by MerleMice

I switched to fermented feed about a month ago. My birds were laying 3 eggs a day, now they are laying 6-11. Which considering there are 18 hens (dual purpose) isn't great, but it's soooo much better. XD Though with spring here, who can say what did what. What I can tell you is for sure true...

Regardless how tough a bird is, chickens can't see worth beans in the dark. They either sit there or flap to the ground where they then sit, but not much else. Until your pen is predator proofed, the results will be the same, regardless of how big brahmas get.

I think you'll find no one has given advice how to choose the sex because there isn't a reliable one at this age (minus vent sexing). For some reason, in the back of my head there was something about down patterns, but a quick Google brought up nothing. Just pick out a variety of things. Brahmas...

Here is what I like about the brahmas: They are very docile, good winter layers, they look attractive, and there is a good chance they will go broody for you. And the chicks are very cute! The feathered legs are dominant, so any mixes are easily identifiable and interesting to look at. The...

EEs are always so attractive, their fluffy faces make them some of the cutest chicks, imo. I also have a hatch in progress, usually I have to plan activities to keep me preoccupied. Today it will include helping patch the shingles (terrible winds last week, and rain in Fridays forecast).

It's not silly, I still get excited! Any breed in particular that you're hatching?

Oh, I don't mean that they are, what I mean is that (if I recall) with gap worms you have to do measured doses so that the parasites don't all die at once and choke your bird. And I'm sure you thought of it, but major sure you're cleaning your scrapeing device/hands between birds! Not knowing...

Okay, that is pretty gross. D: Do you have access to a vet where you live? Mine will charge more for visits, but can run fecal and skin scrapings if I bring them in for a smaller fee. My gut reaction would be to treat like gap worm, but hopefully you get answers so that you know how it's being...

^What they said. In my area, I live in the outskirts of town, zoned rural residential. Per every acre, they have a number of "animal units" you are allowed, based on the weight of the animal (40 chickens per acre, for example). They also have requirements where you need to own X acres to do...

Gotcha! If your CG were created via the breeds suggested in this thread (all brown layers) then the offspring are likely to continue to lay brown eggs, regardless of how many FX you have. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/288517/what-breeds-are-used-to-creat-a-golden-comet What hatchery did...

Right, they will most likely lay brown eggs, the body color doesn't impact egg color.

Assuming that you didn't change the temperature that they were incubated at, it is fine. Newly hatched chicks just tend the flail! How is it doing now?

I've introduced a fair amount of juvenile birds to my adult flocks, and this is what has worked for me. I put the bird in its own cage inside the coop for a few days up to a week. Then I set the bird on the perch overnight. And that is that. :)

Nothing. :) Just let it continue doing its thing.

I'm going to guess male, I've gotten some from hatcheries before, the females develop like the australorps in terms of comb.