My Wyandottes layed well last winter but have pretty much stopped this winter. Just wondering how old your Wyandottes were when they stopped laying. Hoping it's just that this winter is quite a bit colder than last year. :)
Thank you for the suggestions! I'm going to try the plastic sheeting and leave the one side open. And I'll use some silicone to block up the random cracks and little holes that will let in drafts. Before a really terrible storm, I could roll up a towel in plastic sheeting and fit it into the...
My son and I recently converted our old swing set into a chicken coop and run. The fort became the coop and the swinging part was covered in hardwire fabric for the run.
In the coop, there are areas covered by hardware fabric above the pop door (2 1/2' by 2 1/2') and above the side panels (2'...
For now, I've put the feeder inside a frisbee and put the frisbee on top of a metal box, maybe 2 inches high. It seemed to work well yesterday - we'll see about today. You all are so creative! I'm so lucky to have your help!! :)
Thanks for the great ideas! I was looking for something to keep them busy and I've got a frisbee handy. I'll also elevate the water - so far they haven't kicked anything in the water which astounds me. They're so cute but it'll be fun when they go outside with the big girls. :) Thanks much!!!!
My baby chicks are just a few days old but much more active than the last batch. They are busy dawn til dusk scratching out all the powdery chick feed out of the (standard red plastic) feeder. They aren't really pooping in the pile of food but it's a big mess. Is it ok to leave it and let...
Thank you!! I will up the protein and keep up the oatmeal/yogurt. The hens have a bowl of calcium and grit, free choice. Do chickens sometimes act ill when they're molting? My other chicken just acts really nervous (she's in her second molt - this is Chirpy's first).
Chirpy is definitely...
Here are pics of Chirpy. She is acting much like her normal self today but still has that watery poo - almost completely watery. But eating well and also has the tiniest of pin feathers poking through the skin on her bum now. I'm so hoping it's just the molt but it's very different from how...
My year old hen Chirpie has been sick for several days. I thought maybe it was just her molt making her feel poorly - watery poo and pale comb and wattles. She is eating well and drinking but still has watery poo and isn't quite herself. She's lost all the feathers off her bum and lots of...
Is anyone still around on this thread? I have a related question. Maybe someone can help?
What color should the chicken's skin be when it's molting? Is it ok to be pink (not red)? Can molting cause problems with digestion (runny poo)?
I have a chicken in her first molt and she is acting...
BLOOIE - your chicken run is awesome! Half of my run is only 4 feet tall and I've been wondering how to raise the roof but I think I can use your idea of the hoops. You made my day!
Can you tell me what kind of plastic you use to cover the sides in winter? I used tarps last winter and the...
My girls get Ranch-Way Organic Easy Feed Layer Feed 20%. I used to give them a lesser protein percentages but my Wyandottes yellow legs were turning pale which apparently is a sign of low protein so I upped to 20% and they seem healthier.
And it looks like Gladys has no visible damage to...
The hens are getting 20% protein and I'm curtailing their veggies, other than letting them roam around the yard for a couple hours. Is it ok to leave the feathers in the run/coop?
Thank you so much! I'm crossing my fingers that no pin feathers broke. It's amazing how much layer feed she's eating now! And her pin feathers are blue - so pretty!
I'll check tomorrow - I only held her for a minute and there was no blood on my hands so hopefully she's ok. Thank you so much for letting me know. I'll sleep better. :)
If any are broken, do you just use Vetericyn or similar to guard against infection?
Thanks again!!!!
This thread is from two years ago, but maybe someone is still around?
I picked up my chicken tonight - she is molting and wanted to sleep on the roof of the chicken coop. She struggled and seemed very distressed and then I learned I could hurt her growing feathers by touching her pin...
My hen Gladys is molting and has many pin feathers. Tonight she and the other two hens decided to sleep on the roof of the chicken coop. I carefully scooped two of the hens into the coop and then tried to gently pick up Gladys. She is very nervous when she molts and struggled. After reading...