Welsummers. They are dependable layers of beautiful dark brown, sometimes speckled eggs. They're well mannered, and you can tell Male from female when they hatch.
Thanks. I built a small brooder box for my chickens - I will probably use the same one for quail. You can see it in the video below.
About what percentage of your coop is enclosed vs. wire?
Thanks. I live on a Louisiana bayou and have had chickens for years, so I know about predators. We have all kinds of critters in our yard at night. Are you in El Dorado AR? If so, we're nearly neighbors.
Thanks. I'm not completely sold on wire floors, but I do want something off the ground. I've also been reading about deep litter. I have used this with my chickens for years and it works very well. My big concern with this is lost eggs. If I decide to go with wire I plan to provide a large sand box.
I'm hoping to build my first quail enclosure soon. It will probably have a wire bottom and will be located outdoors. If I slant the floor to a pick-up area in the front, I will need a predator-proof door on the pick-up area. Is the slanted floor worth the trouble? When looking at cages online I...
I haven't looked at her droppings specifically, but that's a good idea. I'll keep an eye on her this afternoon and take a look. I haven't noticed anything unusual except for the stinkbombs from my broodys.
It is hot and humid here. Upper 90s at least every day.
The coop is 5x8 plus they have full access to a secure 8x16 covered run where they spend most of their time. In addition to the metal roof over the coop and run, they are in the shadiest part of the yard.
Thanks for the responses. They have never run out of food or clean water, and they freely roam my large yard most afternoons that I am home. Other than the heat, the only stressor I know of is that a broody hen was growling at anyone who got near the nest boxes to the point that a few, including...
I have 9 hens ranging from 11 months to 4 years. The youngest 4 started laying this past spring. One of these, a buff leghorn, quit laying about 2 weeks ago. I know because she is my only white egg layer. I know that she is not hiding eggs because I did not let them out of their secure run for...
Thanks everyone for the information. One of mine seems to be starting to come out of it. If the other doesn't soon, I will buy a dog crate.
My Sussex has quit sitting on the nest after about 9 days. If my Welsummer is still broody tomorrow I will buy a crate. What are you using as a feeder? I...
I have had chickens for about 4 years and never had one go broody until now. I have 9 hens ranging from 9 months to 4 years. No roosters. About a week ago, one of the youngest (Sussex) wanted to sleep in a nest box. I’ve had chickens try this before and my way of breaking the habit is to block...
I don't think this is correct. I searched the city codes for Monroe LA (https://www.municode.com/library/la/monroe/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CIMOCO) and I did not find any language that prohibits keeping of chickens. There is a statement that no one can keep an animal or fowl that makes...