Michigan

[RaZ]

If this were the case, your chickens would also eat them things! You should see my neighbors chickens when they catch a mouse! Its like gladiator in the chicken arena!

Last year, my hens caught a mouse. It lasted all of 15 seconds.
I was watching the mallards earlier and they are darn good at catching flying insects.

Speaking of the ducks, the drake has been flying around the yard a bit and he returns to the last 2 hens as if to say, "look what I can do. Come with me". I expect that they will be leaving soon.

 

[NovaAman]

The hand is very good, thank you. I took the stitches out the other night.

Yay on the new layers!

 

[dascountry]

Around my animals (which is everywhere) I only use non poisonous methods.

Going to have to try your contraption

 

[Rusty Byrd]

I have a question. A couple of months ago I bought a used glavanized nest box. It has some rust on and in it. Can I paint it to spruce it up? Or leave it alone? I don't want to paint if it may harm the chickens picking at it or the fumes.

 

[chicken grandma]

Hey, I like the idea of using larger type to make it easier for some folks to read our posts! This seems like a simple kindness. This is size 16.

 

[RaZ]

I have a question. A couple of months ago I bought a used glavanized nest box. It has some rust on and in it. Can I paint it to spruce it up? Or leave it alone? I don't want to paint if it may harm the chickens picking at it or the fumes.

You could sand or wire brush it, then prime and paint with non-toxic, low VOC paint. Give it several days to dry well. But I think that is too much work (for me at least).
I have a couple of old galvanized buckets and wash tubs that I use here and there in the coop and run. I don't recall seeing the chickens peck at any of the rust spots if I leave the containers in the run. I suppose I should watch a little closer.

Font size 18...

 

[NovaAman]

today I counted how many birds are actively laying since my recent losses. 12. 2 in brood. 7 to young. 2 I don't know the sex yet. I got 11 eggs today. But while I was counting hens, I could not find Vonna. I went to get a treat, started whistling, everyone comes running but not her. I went to the far back, turned around and she is coming from the front. She looks awful. I get up close to her, and her feathers are all droopy, even her butt fuzz. Then she shakes out so much black dirt, I swear she could fill a pot. The little chit was in the garden bathing! Ah! Dang chicken. I guess where I just took out the peas was just too tempting.

 

[NovaAman]

oh, and she's back to fluffy.

 

[Opa]

Bob, my personal opinion with regard to hatching eggs with broody hens is to leave them alone. I would not even attempt to candle them because disturbing the hen can cause her to quit. I have notice that often a hen will kick eggs out of the nest or to one side where she doesn't sit on them. I have found that they eggs usually haven't started to develop. I doubt if you would be able to candle the eggs that you got from me. The primary cause of problems with broody hens is usually too much human involvement.

 

[Opa]

Rustoleum paint works well for painting galvanized metal that has started to rust. Once the paint has thoroughly dried it won't be a problem for your birds