Recent content by James Gielow

  1. James Gielow

    Evil Chicken Mites

    Great tips! Thank you both!
  2. James Gielow

    Evil Chicken Mites

    Hello all! This year is seeing a explosion of chicken mites. Had some broody hens and I think that intensified the issue. I've begun dusting with DE and will hit everything again in 7 days to get any new hatching mites. Here's my bigger issue though. They get on me when I harvest eggs. They're...
  3. James Gielow

    Dealing with a possum

    Here's the video of him or her leaving last night. So cute. And rude. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl2HIcWBDPg/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=9ac3ubmyger7
  4. James Gielow

    Dealing with a possum

    Hello all. For the last several months I've been getting a bunch of broken egg shells in my laying box. I thought it was one of my hens for a long time. I even increased the calcium levels in case they were wanting more. It turns out that a possum has been visiting nightly to snatch my eggs...
  5. James Gielow

    Rhode Island Red is laying mutant eggs?!

    I like that idea! It covers all the bases. I do feed them GIANT grubs from my compost bin at least once a week. Those are loaded with proteins. When I get home, I'll check out the label and see what the ratios are. I'm a newbie, so I'm still on a learning curve. Thanks again!
  6. James Gielow

    Rhode Island Red is laying mutant eggs?!

    Dear aart, Great tip! I will look into oyster shells! I'm assuming it's for adding calcium to the diet to aid in a stronger shell? Is protein present in the shells as well? If not, any recommendations on adding protein supplements? Perhaps I can feed her back her mutant eggs in a scrambled...
  7. James Gielow

    Rhode Island Red is laying mutant eggs?!

    Thanks for the confirmation, I needed that. I'm giving them non organic layer pellets as the main dish. They also get veggie scraps from the garden. I give them the occasional weeds that I pick in the yard, but only the field greens just in case there's anything toxic that I don't know about.
  8. James Gielow

    Rhode Island Red is laying mutant eggs?!

    Oh, I should also add that the shells with the RIR are super thin and fragile. The thought did cross my mind that the other layer is simply crushing them in the box. But that wouldn't explain the oddly shaped eggs.
  9. James Gielow

    Rhode Island Red is laying mutant eggs?!

    Hello friends, My RIR just began laying about 3 weeks ago. She started off with a few small ones, which I expected. Then she began getting normal sized pretty ones. The last week all of them have been either misshapen or simply cracked. Sometimes both. Any ideas as to what's causing this? My...
  10. James Gielow

    Comment by 'James Gielow' in article 'Helping your flock through molt'

    Okay, this is the first I'm hearing about the molting phase. I'm a newbie and have yet to see a full year of chicken activity. Thanks so much for the pre-warning!! yours, James Gielow www.mindyourdirt.com
  11. James Gielow

    The rooster must go!

    Hi Ginger, Unfortunately, my rooster had to meet an unpleasant end. I couldn't give him away. It was hard for me to do, but it's part of animal husbandry so I couldn't put it off anymore. It took a few days to get over it emotionally. I'm not a fan of killing. Best of luck with yours. I found...
  12. James Gielow

    Removing an unwanted rooster

    Good point Bobby. Although I'm not sure if he's aggressive or if this in normal rooster behavior. When I walk into the paddock, he comes towards me and looks as though he will try to peck my feet. I never let him get close enough to do so. I just get the vibe that he's sizing me up and looking...
  13. James Gielow

    Removing an unwanted rooster

    Hello fellow chicken folk, So, I have this pesky rooster that I should not have on my lot whereas I'm required to have at least a half acre in order to have a rooster. I was on the fence as to what to do with him until he began crowing and attacking me and some of the other girls in the...
  14. James Gielow

    The rooster must go!

    Hello all, I've made the decision to sell the rooster. Here's my next question, how much do I ask for? He's a Red Silkie with Partridge mixed in a few lines up. Would I do better selling a male and female as a breeding pair? Here are some photos and thanks in advance for your help!
  15. James Gielow

    The rooster must go!

    Thanks drumstick diva, Yeah, I'm aware of the predator/chicken wire issue. We don't get anything other than cats around here. No skunks or coons with all the houses and such on the nearby blocks. Too urban for them. My dog keeps cats away as well as other dogs. She also protects the flock...
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