I've collected about 5 of these "scarred" eggs over the past month or so. It looks like a crack that happened in formation and was healed during the remainder of the process. Most my hens are going on 3, so past their prime. I'm thinking it's from one hen considering the frequency?
Not certain...
I figure this might be the best place but move my thread where appropriate otherwise.
I'm frustrated because I went to lock up my birds and my cock was dead. Just slumped in front of their feeder a good 10 feet from the coop. At first glance I thought that he was sleeping, but realized...
002 (my hens are numbered) is a first time broody of two years. She had seven eggs of the ten I placed under her make it to hatch day. First two started to hatch today, but when I checked they had died before finishing.
I removed the deceased chicks and carefully pulled away the shell, checking...
I'm planning to pick up some free roosters in a few days with the plan to process them and have a few questions:
1) do you let the person know you plan to process the birds? This individual has three roosters about 5 months old and only wanted hens.
2) do you let the birds settle for a few...
I tried toe-punching for the first time this year on my five hatched chicks at one week old. Today I noticed two of the cockerels, now nine weeks old, have a split where the hole should be. They are bound for the pot so it won't mess up my system any, but any advice on how to prevent this?
I...
Looking for something unrelated and I found Stromberg has the Brinsea Mini Eco on clearance since it was discontinued (even though the photo is the Mini II Advance). I can't find a lot of information on it since it's been discontinued, so I can not find reviews for it.
I'd eventually like...
I know there are a lot of threads for aggressive roosters/cocks, so here's my experience thus far with my own and how it seems that I've "fixed" his attitude.
Last April I got my starter flock as day old chicks consisting of six females and one male. My endeavor is that these are the start of a...
When checking my broody for chicks, I found my first chick has this scratch on the head. The skin appears to be peeled back and inflamed around the neck area. It's not quite fluffy yet. No bleeding that I can see.
First brood ever, so first time mom. I think she must have stepped on it.
I've...
I just moved my broody hen that has only been setting for five days tonight because she was in the favored nest box and the other hens were harassing her.
The bedding is the same (pine shavings), but the nest box obviously is not and she is flustered by the move. I had to improvise with a large...
I browsed the threads and couldn't find an answer to this, but it seems only my pullets (they'll all be hens next month) have full crops when they go to roost in the evening while my cockerel does not. I'm guessing this is normal, as he is very healthy (and a pain 🙄). I've checked several times...
My pullets/ hens (I forget what age they transition) are about 8 months old. For the past few months I've been finding evidence of a broken soft shell egg every few mornings or so, occasionally several consecutive days. Since they began laying at 20 weeks, they've had access to oyster shell and...
What do you guys use to keep your cock's spurs blunt? I want to keep my cockerel's spurs blunt. I have garden pruning shears and have, in the past, used large dog nail clippers on my mother's cocks. Would the shears be adequate, or should I invest in some clippers?
As an aside, I need to keep...
My mother has a flock of barnyard ducks that live off foraging. Four ducks from this year's clutch have become ill within the last few weeks with two of the four dying. During my visit, we noticed two more (the third and fourth) stumbling during their morning whole corn treat. They've been...
I banded my six hens and one cockerel Sept 12th at 20 weeks old. On all the birds, I used the 3/4" diameter (B) of the Aluminum leg bands for chickens from Pinnon Hatch. They are all Partridge Plymouth Rocks, too give an idea of sizing.
The bands on the hens are doing well, but I'm concerned...
One of my hens has developed this series of lumps along her right upper eyelid. I acquired her flock this April, so she's still very young. The tops of the larger ones are a little scabby, so I thought, at first glance, it was an injury.
I'm looking for means of preserving my egg-cess eggs (I couldn't help myself) for the leaner laying times. One method I was interested in trying is the "water glassing" method using pickling lime. My only concern is that I have a cock with my six hens so chances are high that everything is...
My cockerel is 18 weeks old and is obviously becoming interested in the hens. The problem is he just sporadically grabs them and I'm unclear if it's to bully them, breed them, or a combo. I keep threatening to throw him in the pot because, as much as I want to start raising my own, I won't put...
My cockerel had an accident when the netting of their mobile run fell in on one side. It appears that he hit his wing on the side of the run (it's only about two feet high) and injured the joint. I can't feel any obvious broken bones, but the joint is certainly bruised and hung limp.
I went...
I have the Zip wing bands on my seven birds and think I'll add adjustable leg bands for an easier ID; those wing bands are pretty hard to read on a fully feathered bird. Additionally, I'm stamping the year into my leg band for an easier time aging.
I'm thinking of using toe punches or different...
What do you like to keep on hand for first aid?
My chicken specific right now consists of:
"Rooster Booster" wound wash
"Rooster Booster" Poultry Cell (expires June 2021)
MannaPro Hen Healer Ointment
Generic items in my house include Hydrogen Peroxide, pet bandage wraps, and gauze.
I like to...