Recent content by AuntieTamsBYC

  1. AuntieTamsBYC

    Hens don't like new coop!

    The hens are finding their way to the new coop with a little help from me by sprinkling mealworms in the run and then closing the door. They are using the ramp to get into the hen house. I am closing off the nest boxes at night so they are clean in the a.m. Got 3 eggs today and they were all...
  2. AuntieTamsBYC

    Hens don't like new coop!

    Yeah, I thought it might be small but the old coop was 8'x3.5 and they only used one section, about half the coop. By inches there are the same amount of roost space plus the additional boxes. So I think it will work out.
  3. AuntieTamsBYC

    Hens don't like new coop!

    I have 6 hens and they are free range in a 20'x20' yard and allowed to roam free all day. So only need enough room in the hen house for them to roost and lay. They are never confined to the caged area. I am also changing the yard so they will have a pastured area on a daily basis too. Didn't...
  4. AuntieTamsBYC

    Hens don't like new coop!

    I think they are wide enough as they are the same as the old ones, except they are square instead of rounded. Might have to look into changing those.
  5. AuntieTamsBYC

    Hens don't like new coop!

    I don't understand. An old milk jug in the nests does what? Keeps them from sleeping there? But will they lay there?
  6. AuntieTamsBYC

    Hens don't like new coop!

    I hope I picked the right category because I need to know how to manage the hens. Bought a new coop with nesting boxes. The old coop didn't have them. The hens roosted and laid eggs in one place so I was excited to get the nesting boxes. But the ladies haven't found their way to the roosts and...
  7. AuntieTamsBYC

    Need a Cleaner Watering System

    Success! Yep, had to take the existing water away and they had no problem using the new one. If there were directions, my husband threw them away. Is there a recommendation for at what height the water system should be hung?
  8. AuntieTamsBYC

    Need a Cleaner Watering System

    I am going to take the water bin out of the yard today and keep a close eye to find out if they will use the new system. Thanks for all your advice! As a Newbie, I sure do appreciate the support!!
  9. AuntieTamsBYC

    Need a Cleaner Watering System

    This looks like the one I just bought. I was just out in the chicken yard where I threw some spinach on the ground around the waterer and worked the nipples so that water would come out. Some of them watched me. So I think I will continue to try to teach them a little more before I take the...
  10. AuntieTamsBYC

    Need a Cleaner Watering System

    I've done that and it seemed like one or two kind of got it but can't tell if they are using it. I still have a bin of water available to them and I know they are using that. Should I take that away? I'm afraid that they wouldn't use the new feeder and then they'd be without water.
  11. AuntieTamsBYC

    Need a Cleaner Watering System

    I recently had to replace the watering bucket for my hens so bought the nipple kind. The hens won't go near it. Any suggestions on how to teach them to peck at it?
  12. AuntieTamsBYC

    Hurricane Preparation

    We live near St Augustine and I am a newbie hen owner. I have 7 hens. We are closely monitoring the storm and deciding what to do should we have to leave. I am very anxious about leaving the hens but there is no way to take them with us. How would I prepare them to be alone through the storm...
  13. AuntieTamsBYC

    What is causing this? Wasn't sure whether to post in Predators or Egglaying

    Thanks for the advice. I thought maybe calcium but I feed them a pretty balanced diet with their feed and lots of veggie scraps from the kitchen. I haven't added egg shells in a while because I've been saving them for the garden. Or, I might have one that is at the end of her cycle as the...
  14. AuntieTamsBYC

    What is causing this? Wasn't sure whether to post in Predators or Egglaying

    I've had this a few times before. Is this a snake in the coop or something wrong with the hens? The inside of the egg looks to be in the hay. If it was a snake wouldn't the egg be gone?
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