Recent content by tmh1984

I have 6 chicks, 6 weeks old. I wouldn't normally have thought to mix them with older hens yet. BUT, yesterday I got 6 ready to lay pullets from the feedstore. These 6 new gals haven't formed their hierarchy yet, and are new to the farm. I'm wondering if this is an opportunity to do a mix since...

I have 6 chicks, 6 weeks old. I wouldn't normally have thought to mix them with older hens yet. BUT, yesterday I got 6 ready to lay pullets from the feedstore. These 6 new gals haven't formed their hierarchy yet, and are new to the farm. I'm wondering if this is an opportunity to do a mix since...

I see your in Maine, your probably getting the same weather we are (I'm in New Brunswick, and I'm only an hour from the Maine border). Its funny they dont look like they have a layer of fat and fluffy down! They seem like sleek bowling pins compared to my chickens, who seem way tougher in the...

We got a sudden cold snap today: -35 (which is crazy for December). This is my runner ducks first winter. Their coop in (mostly) insulated and I loaded it up with straw last night when I heard about the cold weather. I can't lock them in there though because they are not smart with their water...

I didn't even think of bald eagles... they are like squirrels here... EVERYWHERE. When the disappearance happened though I am quite sure they were in the dense woods behind the coop (the kind of woods you have to close your eyes to walk through so you don't get pine needles in your eyes). I...

This actually brings up a question we have been struggling with for winter: do you keep their water out of their house at all times? I guess your experience will depend on where you live. We have found that letting them have water in their house just results in soaked shavings, which would kill...

I didn't know about cold feet! Thanks! Good thing we just bought a big round bale of straw for the winter!

My duck out has insulated walls but not roof. I could probably insulate it fairly easily... but they may eat it! probably worth a shot. I called the only women within driving distance who breeds runners and she wont have any females for me until spring, she sold all her adults.

Hello! I have had 10 chickens and 3 ducks since this spring, and have gotten lots of info off of reading the forums! I finally joined after losing my first flock member (a female runner duck) this morning!

Yes I will. Thanks for the insight! We are going to keep them in the pen for a while.... I suspect a fox, as we have seen them around.I hate to lock them up all the time, they all crowd at the pen door waiting to get out, but I don't want to lose them all either! Another concern I have now is...

I have 10 chickens and 3 ducks, and they share a 1250 square foot run when I am not home. If I am home through the day I let them free range. I was out and checked on them this morning then came in for a shower. After my shower, maybe 25 minutes later, I went out and they all came out of the...