Recent content by Firefoot

I have always gone by 3 sq. ft. per bird inside, so with the 4'x6' coop at 24 sq. ft., that's 8 birds. I have actually had 9 in there very comfortably, but lost one to a fox and two to Marek's so hence now the 6. Half of their run has a solid roof, so even in bad weather, they spend the whole...

Hey all, So I'm adding a couple more pullets to my flock this spring and had a question about having multiple coops. Currently, I have 6 birds (1 roo) that live in a 4x6 coop and have a 10'x40' run. They free range most afternoons/evenings. The run is actually two 10'x20' runs attached with a...

Like @Ridgerunner said, Easter Eggers are too variable to have distinct traits. But I think there are some preferred crosses from hatcheries and the like because I there do seem to be similar "colorways" of EEs. Like, I have a EE pullet that is that common chestnut-red/brown color with black and...

The hens are pretty good at eating what they need. I feed the HH but still offer OS/egg shells. So, while they can have too much calcium, if you switch to the HH I'd still let them have the option of more calcium, especially as they are new layers.

They sound super happy! They are just figuring out laying. I'm not sure what's available where you get your feed, but I've had good luck with Nutrena HeartyHen. Nutrena also makes an All-Flock 18%. Both feeds are a pellet, which is typically less wasteful, but you will have to mix old and new...

Cut out the mealworms and bread treats and get them a feed with higher protein. Your feed is the lowest % protein for layers and it is being hugely diluted with treats. Treats should only be 10% or less of their diet -- even higher protein ones like mealworms. Try to find an all-flock feed or a...

I agree she sounds like she's stressed out and bored being alone. Seems like it's been a long time since she had a friend. What kind of set-up does she have? You say it's too cold to take her outside -- how cold has it been? If possible, I would try to give her a docile friend who won't peck at...

Oops I am late to this thread, but so sorry for your loss, OP. Your bird's wound looks exactly like the tumor my Faverolles opened up on her next last fall (linked above). I am seeing more and more subcutaneous Marek's cases on here recently but when I was dealing with my bird, I couldn't find...

I have had great luck with an e-collar. I use it for a variety of activities with my dogs and I almost never have to shock, usually a beep or vibrate gets their attention. I take my dogs trail running, hiking, and riding with my horse as well as hanging out in my yard and the e-collar does the...

Yes, I have one very similar and it is a game-changer!! Still lazy tho :cool:

I had wondered about fresh chips. Luckily I'm a great procrastinator and have let my chip piles sit for months before getting around to using them. The first pile actually sat for over a year because I didn't have chickens yet and I was too lazy to put them in my garden beds. The chips I plan to...

Last year in MD we had 72.5” of rain. 40% of the days were rain. It’s been miserable and wet since this time last year and we are due for more snow/rain this week. So we have plenty of wet. There are flies in the summer but I haven’t found them to be that terrible. I think taking up with the...

@Shadrach, I loved your responses in this thread. Until not so long ago, I was guilty of just expecting my cockerels to assume their manly duties faultlessly and immediately, and I was upset when they didn't. My first cockerel died at 20 weeks, defending a hen from a fox. My second cockerel was...

I second was aart said. I use sand in the coop during the warmer months and just scoop it daily with a kitty litter scoop (pine chips in the winter). But in the run, I use wood chips and leaves. I got a local arborist to drop off a load of chips for free and added about 4" at the beginning of...

Yay, so happy your little hen is turning around! Great job!!