About five days ago my hens started acting lethargic. This started after they were given lots of tomatoes (not the plants, the tomato scraps from a huge batch of sauce we were making) They also were getting huge armfuls of weeds from our property. The next day we noticed them all laying in...
I read on a thread a few days ago about all of the problems with sex-links and early death rates. I can not find it now. I am freaking out. I love my sex-links, they are sweet and lay large eggs daily. We plan on keeping them until they die naturally and were hoping that they would live for...
My girls are 16 weeks old. I have sex links and white leghorns. The first leghorn to grow a large comb became nasty and the boss for a while. She hasn't laid yet and has become a little nicer now. Second leghorn to grow a large comb became nasty too. Now she seems to be head hen. They run...
I want to grow a mandevilla vine on part of my run and have read conflicting reports. Is it toxic? Some say yes others no. So which is it. I don't want to harm my hens, but I want their run to look beautiful. Thanks
Went out to play with the chicks. I noticed a black ring around one of the Leghorns toes. At first I thought maybe something like one of my hairs was wrapped around it. I washed it off and got a better look. It doesn't go all the way around the toe just about three quarters. It is a little...
Just spent my morning browsing through BYC, my new addiction. I have come across about 20 different posts referring to Leghorns as "flighty & skittish" I have to disagree. I have four white leghorn chicks that are almost a month old and I love them. They are the sweetest girls. Love to be...
I ordered a couple of mini cup drinkers from Fleming Outdoors. I have seen them for sale multiple places but could not find any reviews or people who have used them. They attach to any container and are self filling. Has anyone tried these? If so, what do you like/dislike about them. They...
I love the tube cup waterer for sale on Beaktime. The self contained tube style one that is not automatic. It would require manual filling. Does anyone use these? Any problems with leaking. I would need two of them and hope for some reviews before I made a $70 purchase. I am already...
Looking for ideas on building our own feeders and waterers for the coop. I have seen a few clever PVC feeders I like, but not too many waterers. Interested in space savers that hold lots of food and water.
I have done a lot of research and everyone seems to have a different opinion. So I hope to get several responses and see how closely everyone follows the 4 square feet of coop 10 square feet of run rule of thumb. What size is your coop, your run, and how many chickens do you have? Does...
She is about 150 lbs. Has an angora or mohair type undercoat. Her coat grows about 4 inches long, curls, and becomes really thick in the winter. I had her sheared the first year we had her, but she malted last year on her own.
I ordered chicks from a local hatchery. Today is hatch day. I can pick them up this afternoon or anytime tomorrow. Do they have a better chance of survival if they stay at the hatchery the first night? I have had my brooder up and running for a two weeks already. What would you guys do? I...
I need two nest boxes that are easy to clean and can be mounted vertically. I like the plastic ones from Fleming outdoors. Does anyone use these? Are they durable and easy to clean? Any review would be great!!!
Getting my first order of day old chicks in a few weeks from Moyers Chicks in PA. I am getting 6 egg-layers. Have the brooder ready. We built a heated coop that is 4'x6' with an 8' ceiling. 2 nest boxes, 2 large perches. The outside run is 8'x10' and is also 8' high. The hatchery...
Hi everyone, I am getting day old chicks in February. I would like to keep the brooder in a barn that is heated. The temperature in the day is around 70 degrees, but can go down to 40 overnight. Will the chicks be all right in a brooder under these conditions? Also can i use puppy training...