Mine are in the open too at times, but I always trust them more with hawks only because I have seen their reactions to freeze, hide, or at times even vocalize to each other that 'something is happening' when they hear wild birds. If they did nothing to notice or save themselves then I would be...
That is too much of an age gap unless your older birds are very docile. If you put them in together the older birds could possibly peck the younger ones to death.
I agree with @nchls school that doing research for a good rooster to help protect your hens. I always have 2 roosters, cause one is bound to die trying. Also your yard looks good for coverage, your weeds are good for chickens to hide, the trees, any shrubs or bushes are all great.
Chasing chickens I think could affect a chicken, but again I don't think if would be that big of a deal either unless you are doing it all the time. I have chased mine before and they still eat out of my hand, but that comes with age I think. I have a very flighty White Leghorn right now, my...
There is only 90% accuracy with sexing chicks also, 10% for human error cause we all make mistakes, chicks are misgendered or tossed in the wrong bin from the hatchery, etc. Life has no guarantees, but if you have only 1 chick remaining after getting rid of your possible rooster then you will...
No I don't, have been doing it for years and years and I get an egg everyday (or every other for 2 of my hens). They get left overs and free range and are by no means missing out on anything. If I have chicks they obviously get chick starter only.
If the other chicks are ok with her being there, I would give it a few days. You could ice it, but I feel like she will be ok. Chickens are extremely hardy animals and can handle a lot. I had a very young pullet get stepped on my by my full Belgian Draft horse and she couldn't stand on it, it...
I give my chickens Scratch (grain/corn mix) and seeds. I give them a few handfuls spread out and I have 11 chickens. They also free range and get food that way, plus left overs.
If you go to Meyer's website and type in Lakeshore Easter Egger.. Those pretty eggs are exactly what she laid and I have heard others who owned them say the same about the egg color.
I picked up one of those on accident a few years back. I have read that they make an odd, yet gorgeous clay/cream colored egg, not blue or green. The one I had laid the pretty clay/cream ones. They are not the prettiest, but they are not ugly either. If you google them that's exactly what mine...