I have Silkies and Cochin bantams. Some have feet feathers that rival their wing feathers! Most free range, and their feathers break off with wear and tear. They get muddy and dusty and dirty, but it doesn't bother me. I still think they are the cutest things!! I have sandy soil and lots...
Oh, my goodness! Chicken math is a real thing for me, too! I started out with just 2 hens, Easter Eggers, several years ago. Was given 6 silkies for free - how could I say no!! - and kept only one as the others started crowing. Moved to the country a year ago and bought some Orpingtons. Played...
I'm very worried about trying to breed them. Their skin is delicate, (and quite warm!) If a rooster mounts the hen, even with an apron on, he will injure her. If the naked rooster is able to mount a hen, he may also be injured. I think, realistically, that hens will reject him with hard pecks...
I kept them in a sheltered pen in the shade. They got bits of sunshine during the day, with room to get out of it if desired. Recently I moved them to the quail aviary because of the coming hurricane, and they seem to really like it there. Unless they get too uppity, I may just let them stay...
About 2/3 of the chicks have the white legs, the rest have the yellow legs. The batch of patents I purchased as chicks were also about the same ratio. I bred only the white legs. I have noticed that those with yellow legs get bigger than the white leg ones.
Wow, it's been a while since I have posted here! Good news! After we both retired, my husband and I found a place in the country of North Florida. We've been here a year tomorrow. I now have a lot more chickens, some guineas, mini pigs, gardens, and an old house with a real fireplace on five...
There are 21 brothers and sisters from the same hatch, and 9 from an earlier hatch, if you want any of those. They all look normal, except for 2 hens who have some cream in their feathers. I lost some to coccidiosis, but all have been treated and are very healthy now. It took me by surprise...
I had to cull the rooster because he was so mean, really vicious bird. The 7 hens are laying g fine but with no roo, the eggs are not fertile. I have young roos growing up now, will put one of them in with the hens when I pick the best one in a month or two.
I live in Northern Florida, so summers are no problem, except for the mosquitoes, but they seem to be doing ok with that. For the winter, they will have access to a heating pad or a light bulb in their little coop. It does freeze here in the winter.
As far as breeding, I would love to, but...
Today I harvested green beans, squash, okra, cucumbers, bell peppers, pimento peppers, eggplants, basil leaves, some dill flowers, and rosemary cuttings. It's getting too hot for tomatoes, I miss them. Lots of rain and humidity, I may also lose my melon vines to rot😢
I have pure bred Buffs, too, and 2 chicks from this year's hatch are mixed buff and cream. 2 others ended up with no feathers at all! The parents all look completely normal( except the rooster had 2 more bumps on his comb than the required 5).
I had 2 chicks hatch with no fuzz, totally naked. I had to keep them separate from the rest of the hatch (28), because of pecking. They were cold and sad, so I added 2 other chicks to the little broader, and that worked. Its been a few months and they are doing well, although the female is...
Thank you for the warm welcome! There are a few people lobbying for backyard chickens in my town, and I have signed petitions, but they are always shot down. Chickens are still labeled as 'barnyard animals' here. Sometimes I meet people at the door with Miss Millie on my arm, (my house chicken)...
Hello everyone! I've been with Backyard Chickens for a while but never introduced myself. I used to have property in 'the sticks' but fell in love with a city man and we live in town now. I have a third of an acre in Florida, and 2 'stealth' chickens as we are not allowed them here. I also have...
I have a bantam silkie house chicken and she will perch on my hand or arm. I slide my hand under her breastbone and slowly lift up. At first she flapped a lot, but very soon got the idea. She also knows she can get treats when I am cooking in the kitchen and comes running. If she doesn't see us...