Recent content by DaveMcLaren

  1. DaveMcLaren

    Song Birds As Defence?

    So, I recently heard someone say "Oh look, the little ones are chasing the hawk away". Boom- Moment of inspiration! How have I never thought of (or read anyone else talk about) using song birds to keep the flock safe? I realize this plan has some minor holes in it, but I think it could work. The...
  2. DaveMcLaren

    My young rooster is being bullied by the hens...

    LOL! Glad to hear it.
  3. DaveMcLaren

    My young rooster is being bullied by the hens...

    I recently introduced a 6mo old rooster to my flock, replacing my former 1yr old. All but one of my hens are 1yr, and they pick on him constantly (despite his overwhelming size advantage). I'm wondering if he will eventually realize his place in the flock, or if I should remove him for a while...
  4. DaveMcLaren

    Property fence for free range

    Just remember, that dogs can dig as well as any other four legged creature. My fence does a great job of keeping my chickens in, but I had to train my dog not to dig her way out of the yard.
  5. DaveMcLaren

    Property fence for free range

    Putting a fence around my yard was one of the first things I did when I bought my house last year. I went to TSC and got six foot tall "T posts" and four foot tall welded wire goat fence. It's the easiest thing to install, and If you are careful, than you can make it look presentable. I fenced...
  6. DaveMcLaren

    Chickens Staying Out Too late!!!

    My birds used to stay out after dark. I had two dusk-til-dawn lights in the yard. I removed the bulbs and now they go inside as the sun sets. Always have food in hand when you call them, and they will always come running; even if it's the same food they always eat, they will come running just...
  7. DaveMcLaren

    Dirty bird, displaying uncharacteristic behavior

    Do you think it's ok for my family to eat the eggs if the hens are sick?
  8. DaveMcLaren

    Dirty bird, displaying uncharacteristic behavior

    I have had 4 hens for the past year. I recently added a silky, making a total of 5... I got 3 eggs per day consistantly all winter. I have now had a drop to 2 eggs per day (one of which is obviously the silkie). Before the drop in production there was a lightening of the shell color from all the...
  9. DaveMcLaren

    Dirty bird, displaying uncharacteristic behavior

    black oil sunflower seed as a treat... I have never tried. I have had my hens for a year now, and I'm still figuring many things out. I'll pick some up next time I'm in town. Do they typically like wild bird seed?
  10. DaveMcLaren

    Dirty bird, displaying uncharacteristic behavior

    Where may I find it? A vet? TSC?
  11. DaveMcLaren

    Dirty bird, displaying uncharacteristic behavior

    I went out to check, and the first hen I grabbed felt just like a bag of laying mash pelets. The hen in question felt more soft and squishy, as if she had eaten something soft. It didn't feel empty. She did help herself to some of the feed I used to lure them to me, so that is one good thing. I...
  12. DaveMcLaren

    Dirty bird, displaying uncharacteristic behavior

    They have always seemed to eat and drink well. Now, however, the hen in question isn't running to me when I toss a hand full of feed out for them. She is coming far enough to see what I'm up to, but not eating the feed I toss out. I have no way of knowing if she is eating and drinking from the...
  13. DaveMcLaren

    Dirty bird, displaying uncharacteristic behavior

    Learning of all of these illnesses makes me fell like I'm in just a bit over my head. Always something new.
  14. DaveMcLaren

    Dirty bird, displaying uncharacteristic behavior

    Well, with the weather change comes bugs and fresh plant growth in their diet (they enjoy having the run of my yard). Her droppings appear to be mostly white- some green, which isn't unusual. I have not had the time to observe her at length to determine consistancy, but evidence suggests loose...
  15. DaveMcLaren

    Dirty bird, displaying uncharacteristic behavior

    My Buff Orpington has been displaying uncharacteristic behavoir; that could be due to the introduction of two new birds (a RIR roo and a silky-both from a seemingly carefull breeder.). What I'm more concerned with is that her rear end is covered in poo. It has worsend over the past week. I have...
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