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All, I've searched and haven't found this addressed - one of my cream legbars has gone broody for the 1st time - she just turned 7 last month. Does that seem like a thing? I'm worried it could mean hormonal changes from some sort of reproductive disorder, rather than basic broodiness - she has...

Hi, all - I've allowed some native bushes to sprout up here on this place I rent so the chickens have shade and cover. However, I am learning about this "urban wildland interface" that I now live in, and thinking about how to garden and landscape in fire country. August was horrible, with all...

I am sorry to see that Backyard Flock, the little Florida company that made great drinker cups, has gone out of business. I appreciated their products and great customer service. Do people have recommendations on their favorite drinker cup available for purchase these days?

Hi and thanks to everyone who has offered advice so far on my hen who survived a predator attack. She had no blood from the attack, but internal injuries and possibly some puncture wounds I didn't find. Now, at day 13, and after starting antibiotics, her poop is finally looking normal and she...

My girl shows a mix of good and bad signs some days after tangling with predator at night after not getting in in time before the auto door went down. Biggest issue is digestion - poop not looking good, appetite on/off. 1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel...

Hi, folks - I have 2 options so far to reintroduce a hen that tangled with a predator to the flock, neither of them great. Until I have time to set up some temporary but firm fencing, what do you all think would work better? A. Medium sized plastic dog crate in the chicken yard. I tried...

One of my hens did not make it in before the auto door closed last night, and the unfortunate incident taught me a couple things I thought worth sharing: 1. A chicken being chased in the middle of the night may make noises that sound like a mammal. I feel really horrible that I thought, when...

Hi folks, Got a hen with a failed reproductive system leading to ascites, EYP, etc. Her walking and breathing are impacted. I want to try to handle her in a way that would least increase pain. She is typically flighty and loves her autonomy so that is part of the issue - her main goal at the...

I am in the midst of a rat-eradication effort and am doing research. I read that rats will eat cat and dog poop, so it is recommended to clean up after them. Well, last two days, a roof rat has decided to spend part of the night sitting on my roo coop - and the remains in the morning include...

My 4-year-old BCM started an early molt a few weeks ago, after an extended period of half-broodiness. Her tail is still gone and back neck feathers are tiny. But today she very crankily laid an egg. What a trooper!!

I could swear every now and then one of my chickens, usually when sitting relaxed, will blink their eyes at me, just the same way that cats do (http://pets.webmd.com/cats/features/cat-body-language). This link suggests that when cats do this, it signals they don't view you as a threat. Am I...

Hi all, A number of us have now been using automatic chicken doors, either self-made or bought, for a while. Question: If the door is working right, hasn't jammed or stuck or run out of juice -- has anyone experienced a raccoon, or other predator, finding a way to lift the door and get in...

Hi folks, I've read the threads on poop-dirty eggs - many people find them edible with cleaning or cooking. What about eggs dirtied not only by poop, but by a broken egg in the nest? And up to 5 or so days old? I was letting eggs build up in the nest to suss out any broodiness in my new...

So I know it's very difficult for a single hen to join a new flock. Has anyone had experience with a new hen accompanied by a new rooster? I have a slightly special needs hen, bottom of the pecking order, who likes to yell extremely loudly, at any point in the day when she thinks I should come...

Hi there - I just wanted to add info on this possible biting pest that can reside in hay and straw: http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=11153 Also a good source for helping to diagnose source of bites and itching: http://www.birc.org/Winter2005.pdf I recently moved to...

My lead BCM hen brooded some youngsters last year from fertile eggs, and I decided to try to keep one of the cockerels along with 4 of his sisters (all cream legbars). They are all 10 months old now, and the lead hen and another EE girl are 3 years old. This is my first experience with a roo...

$30/pair OBO. Only selling a pullet if paired with a cockerel at this point. Broody-raised, backyard free ranged, fed organic feed, fermented feed/grains. No Marek's vaccination as the vaccine needs 30-days isolation from other chickens to be effective. I am in East Bay but will drive them to...

I have 3 hens, one who has been brooding 8 chicks within the flock. The chicks are now 7 weeks old and my broody, who is the lead chicken and has maintained her dominance, is getting ready to transition back to laying. She is still sleeping with the chicks but could stop any day now. My...

Hi folks, I've been trying to track down withdrawal info, after I wasn't able to get a response from my vet. Found this good compilation of study results for many different drug residues in laying hens - good info on ivermectin, many antibiotics...

Hi folks - A newbie question: I picked up a dozen hatching eggs yesterday for my broody - it was about a 2.5-hour drive back including stops for gas and food, eggs fat side up, in a carton nested on bubble wrap in a box. temps during the drive seemed to be pretty moderate. I DID NOT let the...