Recent content by crystalsc

  1. crystalsc

    Laying outside of the coop

    Thank you!
  2. crystalsc

    Laying outside of the coop

    I found my alpha hen laying in my tomato plant. The rascal has figured out she can jump the gate into the garden and get into the raised garden bed. They are two years old and they have never laid outside of their coop before. Any clues why she is now doing this? I have not found the others...
  3. crystalsc

    The Warrior Queen Flock

    Wow! Another snake capture today! Anyone know what kind of snake this is?
  4. crystalsc

    The Warrior Queen Flock

    I heard a commotion at my feet and looked down to see my hens with the largest worm I’ve ever seen -then I realized it was a snake! After a little battle over who would get it, a victor rose and gobbled it up like a piece of spaghetti! I was so shocked! I had no idea they would do such a thing...
  5. crystalsc

    Odd egg laying behavior

    Thank you so much. I do have oyster shells but they never eat it. It’s in its own dish. Should I mix it in with their food, maybe?
  6. crystalsc

    Odd egg laying behavior

    One of my girls seems to be straining a lot when trying to lay. She finally left the nest box and is walking kinda stiffly and squatting around the yard like she’s trying to push. Could this be egg bound behavior? I have found a couple soft shell eggs in the last month so that’s why I was trying...
  7. crystalsc

    Preparing for snow

    Thank you all. The ladies have a wood framed covered run with hardware cloth with sand floor. The coop interior has hemp bedding. 29 is pretty cold here but we are still in SC. :)
  8. crystalsc

    Preparing for snow

    Hello. We’re expecting snow this weekend in NW South Carolina. It might be about 5 inches and the temps will get down to 29F. I have 3 barred rock hens in a nice enclosed shed coop and they have access to a covered run during the day. This is the first time we’re having snow since I had my...
  9. crystalsc

    First loss from a hawk.

    Thanks again. I will take the advice to heart.
  10. crystalsc

    First loss from a hawk.

    Thank you for the kind words. Her name was Boudica and we called her the comic relief of the gang because she had the most personality.
  11. crystalsc

    First loss from a hawk.

    Thank you for the advice. I wonder if he’d be back around now that he knows there is potential food.
  12. crystalsc

    First loss from a hawk.

    I’m so sorry for yours. Three of ours survived a dog attack in April, and maybe that gave me false confidence. It can be very traumatic.
  13. crystalsc

    First loss from a hawk.

    We had our first chicken loss yesterday. It was a hawk. I have felt so incredibly sad. Our chickens are pets. I know I’ll feel better soon and that it’s just nature, but I can’t help feeling sad. I just needed to say this in a space where people are more likely to get it.
  14. crystalsc

    1st soft egg during heat wave

    I was surprised on Wednesday when I went to collect the eggs that 2 of my ladies had laid in their droppings board (not their nest) and one was soft like the picture below. The next day all 4 eggs were normal and in the nest box so I’m hoping it was minimal stress. ? It has been VERY hot and...
  15. crystalsc

    Best snake repellent

    Y’all. I’ve met my quota on black rat snakes. This morning we removed our 5th one in a month. We put them in a bucket and relocate them two miles away. I think it’s time to invest in some kind of snake repellent. I would like your opinion on the best ones.
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