Search results for query: *

Went out this morning and found the chickens out! I had shut the door last night but not bolted it - both pullets missing, 5 cockerels that I'm trying to get rid of safe and sound One pullet found 100 yds away hiding - other one just feathers both 20 weeks what a b****r!!! Foxy and me have...

OK we've had lost of posts and advice about roosters to hen ratios but, left to their own devices, how does a 'natural' flock organise itself assuming a 50/50 hatch? Do things get really bloody (survival of the fittest) or is there a group of lads hanging about .....? I can't believe they just...

Any tips for getting rid of the papery feather covering? My chickens clean where they can reach, but their heads and necks aren't as they should be!!

My neighbour has been offered some rhea eggs, I have offered to put them in my incubator (4 inch headroom) and understand they will take 30+ days. Anybody been there before me? They sound pretty cool birds, will they REALLY keep the foxes away? (Just had 'phone call, birds are no longer...

I have 4 buff orpimgton cockerels that I need to move on. They are 14 weeks at the moment and I would like them to go as flock additions rather than 'table birds'. At what age would they be mature enough to look after themselves and a flock, at the moment they just have wimpy sparring matches...

Just how reliable is the wing feather method? Does it work for all breeds? My friends dog had to be put down today, as I have some chicks hatching right now (day 20) I said I would name one 'Annie'. I don't want it to be an 'Andrew'

My 9 week old chicks are now out in the garage (old enough to have their own flat ). The last couple of days I've been letting them out supervised, to graze etc. Any low flying bird will send them scuttling for cover, but when my old ginger cat comes strolling up he is their best friend and...

Just a thought - rather than everything getting lost in the 'general discussion' one? I'm sure everybody wants to know how the chickens are progressing ....... and the thread is getting longer and longer!!

Yet another visit by the fox today has left me with one chicken :thun , luckily I called her 'The Lone Ranger' and she is happy in her own company! I have decided now to get an electric fence and my neighbours have said they will help me put it up (if I give them a barbeque) ! I understand I...

Mine goes into a duck money box, supposedly to buy their food etc. There have been times they have been better off than me! When I was out of work I told people I was a 'kept woman' - then explained it was by my chickens!

Just out of interest how much can you expect to lose in the bucket? I'm sure somebody's asked this before - I did try a search, honest!

Just tell me I'm not alone! Last week I had five chickens and a cockerel and was up to my ears in eggs. Sold/gave away the lot! Thanks to the fox I'm now down to two chickens (one laying) and find I can't bring myself to eat the last of the fertile eggs The eggs in my incubator are on day...

At least I've started 6 lavender and 6 exchequer leghorn eggs in the incubator. Another 6 white leghorn eggs will be going in tomorrow as they are still having their 24hrs 'quiet time'! I hope they'll catch up! Anybody else on the same timetable?

Two broken eggs today, first one cleaned right out; second one slashed and just a bit gone as if disturbed*. I saw a magpie in the tree yesterday, still better my eggs than young birds. I hope he moves on soon! :| *my old cat had the benefit

I've just (over the weekend) ordered 3 x 6 leghorn eggs through e-bay. The first lot arrived safely this morning and are going to have to wait for the others to arrive. I know I have to let them rest for 24+ hrs, rounded end up, before going into the incubator. Looking at some of them I'm...

I may well have over catered! I have seven chicks and a 25kg bag of food - 55lb? Does it taste good with milk and sugar.........

Just asking, because nearly all my girls have been rescues from the local 'free range' farm (not as we know it). It's an excellent way to start off, the birds don't need a lot of care and provide almost 'instant' eggs. Whatever happens to them their lives have been extended - mine are free...

My chicks are just over a week old. I've got some shredded paper - it looks like magazines rather than newsprint, would it make good bedding? I'm asking as I can remember being told about something dying through ingesting ink - but was it a hamster?

I have some of my own eggs hatching and some bought in. At the moment I know which are which from the eggs, but would like to keep a check on future progress and I feel they are all going to be yellow! I can only think of wool round their feet at the moment, but have you any other suggestions?