It started with both silkie hens, at the same time. They both have 6 guinea eggs and are even sharing a nesting box.
Now it is broodies everywhere! One hen has 6 chicken eggs, Buff has 8 duck eggs, Blondie has 24 guinea eggs (not her first time ) and I placed 18 guinea eggs under another hen...
I took in a momma cat and kittens, the momma did kill two chickens. She became less interested in the chickens as the kittens got older; but I didnt trust her and thought for sure she would have to be rehomed. After I found the kittens homes and she was spayed....she NEVER even looks at the...
My lab/border collie cross and doxie both leave the chickens alone, as does my in laws golden retriever that "vacations" here alot.
I bought a shock collar for the lab/bc, he tends to turn his ears off when he is determined about something. One afternoon and two shocks and he leaves the birds...
farm yard mixes are the best to have! You just never know what the chicks are gonna look like.
Looks like they are enjoying their chance to forage and to whatever it is chickens do.
It seems that once a year, I loose one the same way. Showing no signs of illness, no standing off from the group or anything...just dead one morning. I have never given any of my birds antibiotics. I prefer the "if they arent sick..dont medicate".
I am sorry for your loss. I know the grief of...
Keep the poor little picked on chick by herself. Until she is completly healed. Then try and reintroduce her. If that doesnt work, remove her again for a while. She may have to wait till she is bigger before you can put her in w/the flock.
I don't know why chickens do that. But once they get...
Did you turn the litter?
I use mostly straw, sometimes lawn clippings. When it gets nasty on top, I turn it with my scoop shovel. The chickens go nuts thinking they have a "new playground". I don't change the litter all winter, just add more straw under the roosts and keep turning it.
holding them and loving them will not deter their hunting skills. My "barn cats" love to be brushed, held and loved on. (except for Stinker) BB even comes in the house once in a while and she is ruthless on mice, rats, gophers and the occassional unlucky black bird.
Good luck in moving any guinea and her eggs. It is nearly impossible, although I have read where its been done. I was able to move a nest and catch the hen...but she never sat on them again.
I would set the incubator and go from there. I am sure the eggs are still fine.
I have lost a few hens...
If your daughter wants to hold Willy, have her try this. Pick up Willy, then promptly set him down. Do this several times, after a while extend the holding period. This worked on my Tigger. She was nervous about me touching her when she first came here. While she ate, I could pet her head and...
Get a thermometer in the brooder, keep it at least 95F until they are fully feathered or they will die.
There is alot of good info here on raising guineas. Keeping them 95F is the most important. I raise mine of chicken starter right along with my chicks but that is a personal preferance and I...
Roosters can be aggressive and they can be nice. I had an agressive one (aggressive to me). I currently have a very nice rooster who has no aggression issues, with me or the hens. He is coming on 3yrs of age.
I pick fertilized eggs everyday. There aren't any problems eating fertilized eggs...
The person had two royal palm hens and also some pigeons. The link is now gone, so the birds are probable gone too.
Blisschick, DH said the exact things you did; messy & noisy. We live in a rural farming area, so neighbors & space are not issues. The wild ones will walk thru our crops behind...
Mine have all been raised together. The guineas can get bossy. Since they all free range across the farm, it hasnt been an issue. They seem to all get along fine. When locked up during the winter, I dont have any problems either.
I usually change the litter when ever its too dirty to turn and have "clean" on top.
The birds free range all summer so they dont spend too much time inside the coop. The winters here get pretty bad and I lock up the birds. I don't change the litter all winter, just add new stuff to the top...
Most definately use them! They will scratch and crunch them down, pick out the "bugs" and have a big ole fun time. The coop should stay dry as long as its water tight. I tried pine shavings and prefer wheat straw. Straw breaks down alot faster and can be tilled in my garden earlier.
I used...
They are adorable! I want one
My friend's pygmy had twins early this month. I never knew they were the size of a chihuahua at birth! scary small.
How big are Lamancha's and their kids?