I have a hen who is losing feathers around her vent. I noticed it yesterday, and today I witnessed the feathers flying off of her, maybe 10 at a time, every time she jumped or flew. I haven't seen anyone picking on her. I don't have a rooster.
I checked for lice and mites but didn't see...
Just wondering if this is safe...my chickens love to poke around my compost bin. It's a mix of pine shavings, chicken manure, egg shells, and all my "green" scraps from the kitchen. There is an occasional avocado pit or peel in the mix, but it breaks down quickly in the heat and humidity lately...
I ordered 3 chicks from Meyer Hatchery. They are now 3 weeks old. I know the darkest one (on the right) is a Barnevelder. I also ordered a Speckled Sussex and an Easter Egger. Anyone know which is which in my photos?
I have been letting my 3.5-week-old chicks free range with the hens the past couple days. Yesterday I noticed the chicks pecking away at something. I realized it was where I had dropped oyster shells a couple months ago. I could still see some of the shells, not sure how much they ingested...
Next week I will be receiving three 1-day-old chicks. At that point, I will also have two 4-week-old chicks. I only have 1 heat plate. Can I use the heat plate for the new chicks in my indoor brooder, and use this standup style heater for my 4-week-olds who are now in their grow out coop? I have...
Thank you. I hope this was the case, that for her, it was instant. I was not emotionally prepared for the wings to flap. It was shocking and terrifying, and felt like it took forever to stop.
It is done. It was horrible. I held her in a warm blanket and she fell asleep while I held her and rubbed her head, and I thought it would be peaceful. But it took nearly 10 seconds for it all to be over and her body to be still. It was the most horrible thing I've ever done. I pray I never have...
I have posted a couple times about my almost 3-week-old chick who arrived with a leg injury at 1 day old. The leg has not improved, and it gets worse every day. It's been weeks of splinting, chick chairs, sandals, and rehab sessions. She is not growing properly and the leg continues to get worse...
Yes, I think you're right that the stories I read about one-legged chickens were grown chickens who survived an attack. So this is definitely different.
I let my 3 chicks out to explore in the warm sun today. It was heartbreaking to see the others run and fly and jump and play, and she just...
Thank you! I read a similar article on this method yesterday, but someone commented that there is peer reviewed literature stating that this method is less effective in chicks than in adults. I haven't researched further. I think I could handle the sharp shears, though, because it would be...
I have three 2.5 week-old chicks in my indoor brooder. One chick arrived at 1 day old with a leg injury that has not healed. It presented as a slipped tendon, and despite popping back in place, splinting and using a chick chair, the leg did not recover. I no longer use the chick chair, I just...
The main coop is a 7x7 converted shed, on a slab on the ground. The grow out coop is this -. And can be put anywhere, it's on wheels.
The main coop has 11' of roosts in an L shape across the back and right side walls, with poop trays, 3.5' high. 3 nest boxes under the back wall poop tray...
I got 3 baby chicks about 2 weeks ago. When they are 4 weeks old, I'll be getting 3 more baby chicks (long story). I plan on having 2 brooders in my house (XL wire dog crates, so they can see but not touch each other), side by side, until they can all coexist without the older chicks attacking...