Recent content by SouthShore Phil

Been feeding Alfalfa for 6 mo and no issues. Hens love it and no crop issues. I use from TSC the "Atlantic Hay Alfalfa - chopped green to maximize leaf retention and quality - 20lb white bag". Nice, green, fresh and small particles. I tried the compacted big bale but it was too compacted, not...

Yes the article was great! Trouble is I can't split coop - so I'll have to make a temp go-to coop and can always use to isolate a sick bird.

OK my 6 chicks will arrive by June 1. Like the positive reviews on an earlier integration! So my plan will be to use an existing chicken tractor playpen 12' x 6' along side the existing run at about 6 weeks. Big concern: I guess I have to make some kind of temporary coop attached to the...

Well that makes us feel bit better. The articles I have read are 50/50 with many stating absolutely wait till all the same size.

We have 3 four yr. old hens still laying very well (lost 2 this winter). Would like to add 5 chicks to the flock. Understand that one needs to keep them in an adjacent separate pen for a time for familiarization . I have read various articles on what the age of transition to the main coop/run...

Yes - I asked if I could bring in a sample. Even my own vet for our cats office said we don't do chickens.

Just to give all an update. Much more active, walking around eating pellets and drinking lots of water. ( started nutri drench ). Still roosting on floor. Big improvement but still not right. Lots of wet water poop, though one was similar to the picture with several marble size pieces. Have to...

I am stopping the Corid and electrolytes. Now DRINKING TONS of water where she was not 48 hours ago and letting it out the other end. She is now eating 18% Feather Fixer pellets slightly moistened with a good appetite. We are a Boston suburb, no vets interested in poultry at all! Acting much...

Ok I will stop the Corid as I really didn't think there was a worm problem but at that time I did not expect her to last due to symptoms. By the hour is getting better. Now walking around from coop to run, eating pellets and some Boss scattered in pen. Close inspection of last nights poop is a...

Fyi, they are all starting to go into molt. This one is eating more now but drinking a very lot. Don't know if because of the electrolyte I added. Still seems weak but tail is up, feathers still puffed, crown up and brilliant red, walking fine but slow, unsure of herself, no apparent...

Crop seems empty and abdomen etc feel ok. Slept on coop floor last PM but up this morning, out of coop and just sitting in run. Very large watery poop from last night. Will continue Corrid and electrolytes, but she doesn't seem right.

Hen is 2 1/2 yrs. very aggressive and in charge hen in a flock of 5. Not free range but occasionally out in chicken tractor this week. Been laying consistently but sometimes will have a soft or wrinkled egg. 48 hours ago, just stayed on coop floor and did not go to the roost for the PM. Did...

First winter in New England with 5 hens. I feed pellets stored in a metal trash can in an unheated shed. Will the feed quality suffer from fluctuations in freezing temperatures? Should I bring it inside to a warm basement? The pellets seem fine and I have not noticed any moisture issues.

THANKS - BEST I'VE FELT ALL DAY!!!! AND I mean it!

No the eggs were a good hard shell. I've eaten about a dozen and was amazed at how tougher the shells were compared to store bought. Well I feel a tad better, just don't want to have egg eaters after all this effort. DEFINATELY LOOKING INTO THE SPICES NOW! Just retired and of all things I'm...