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I've personally always been more into the hen discussions, egg-production, etc. when it comes to breeds. And I realized I can see a lot of hens and name the breed pretty frequently on sight. But roosters, hmmm never paid much attention. I saw my roo wandering the yard yesterday and thought he's...

I'm rehabbing a little shed (put in windows, etc for ventilation), but thinking on insulation. It's summer and I just want this done and can tell myself I can add insulation later. But time flies and fall and winter roll in and I'll wish I just did it while the coop was empty, clean, and still...

Hi All! I just was given two Australorp started pullets from a farmer to join my flock. They're about 12 weeks to 15 weeks. He didn't remember their hatch date. He had them on starter feed of a reputable local brand. If possible, I'd like to skip buying a grower bag since I already have large...

Hi all! I have the chance to pick up some cuckoo marans and/or welsummer pullet chicks (90% guarantee) next month. Due to having a bit too many chickens I can only take two. Which has the best odds of laying darker eggs? From what I understand cuckoo aren't quite as dark as black copper but I...

Hi all, I don't have layers yet, just chicks on starter. I've been reading posts that people mix grains into their feed. Is this necessary or recommended and at what ratio? Are wheat and oats options? Do you feed at set times or leave feed available 24/7? Also, should I offer scratch available...

I'm in a rural area but in town so I have a couple fairly close neighbors. One won't care about rooster racket but the other likely will be bothered. They are not "right next door", like over-the-fence in an urban area. But our coop would be about 200 ft feet from their house. They are friendly...

I came across this blog post by a lady that keeps a pretty robust "suburban homestead" in a small suburban backyard. There's the edge of what looks like a large coop in one picture and then she came up with a clever idea for a chicken run that doesn't take up a big foot print in space usable for...

Hmmmmmm. Trash can chicken coop. Yikes. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/364158319840435493/

I'm a new chicken mama thinking of getting a mix of bantams and standards. I like the idea of bantams for space but I want eggs and have a big family. I know bantams are layers, too, but it takes a lot of bantam of eggs from what I understand and physically makes sense. Is it better to get...

Does having a hardware cloth floor increase the risk of bumblefoot? I've seen a lot of people attach hardware cloth to the bottom of their entire run to prevent predator dig-ins (sometimes then putting soil over), and some have a grid floor for their coop, particularly tractors, so droppings...

Hi Everyone! I'll have my first flock this spring. I'm trying to come up with a coop plan before then. It sounds like the ready-made ones (outside of a light-use, small, urban yard) are pretty rickety and not secure for predators. Coops made by professional carpenters and builders are...

Hi Everyone! I'm starting my first flock this spring and a new to BYC. We're doing a native prairie restoration to a large part of our property along with a lot of other people in the area, restoring native wildflowers, pollinator and butterfly plants, and grasses that are disappearing in...

Hi Everyone! I'll have my first little flock this spring. What are some of your tried-and-true tips for avoiding bear problems? I understand to lock-up the girls at night and be sure to have strong latches, doors, and secured ventilation openings. Is it ok for ventilation openings that are...

Hi All! I'm new to BYC. Setting up a flock this spring. A few people have mentioned spring latches can get covered in slush so they freeze up and are a pain in the winter. I have arthritis in my hands. Is there another option that's raccoon-proof? Or are the spring ones really not an issue in...

Hello Everyone! I'm Krista, a former social services case worker turned into homemaker, home with our five sons. We recently moved from the shadows of the skyscrapers in Minneapolis to a more rural area not too far away, but out in plenty of country air, no stoplights in sight, but plenty of...

Hello! I'm a new member here and starting a flock this spring. I won't have any other chickens so my chicks will be the first. The hatchery can do Marek's vax for $1 a bird. Do you recommend that as a good idea or is it unlikely to be an issue since these are new baby chicks and not going to...

Hello All! I'm starting my first flock this spring and wondering if any particular chickens do not mix well with others. I'm noticing on My Pet Chicken's website, some chickens are noted as Docile or Not Docile. Does this mean docile with humans or likely to be docile with other chickens in...

Hello Everyone! I'm Krista, a former social services case worker turned into homemaker, home with our five sons. We recently moved our urban hearts from the shadows of the skyscrapers in Minneapolis to a more rural area not too far away, but out in plenty of country air, no stoplights in...