Recent content by John2510

  1. John2510

    Coop/Run Cameras

    Mine continue to do quite well. I installed them pretty much as a joke, but I've found it's quite reassuring to check on my girls to make sure they're roosted and safe when the sun goes down. I have a solid (corrugated plastic) roof over my run. If you're going to have them outside, I'd make...
  2. John2510

    Mystic Marans

    I'm certainly not disagreeing with you, as experiences differ, but my "production marans" are my sweetest hens. One of them (Suzette), wants my attention more than she wants treats. While the other birds are squabbling over who gets the treats, she's looking up at me, crouching, etc. They've...
  3. John2510

    Probiotics and Electrolytes

    Here's a good article on natural and home-made probiotics: https://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2020/12/how-to-make-homemade-probiotics-for-chickens.html I've been trying fermented wheat berries anyway. I'm also feeding them sprouted wheat, which I just learned is a good prebiotic. I...
  4. John2510

    Coop camera and finding an internet solution

    In February, I moved to a rural area. I work from home and had to get Viasat for internet. It's very expensive and has small data caps. I started doing my research and found Visible. Visible is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Verizon. It's $25/mo with no data caps. Your speed will vary with your...
  5. John2510

    Coop/Run Cameras

    I also use Wyze. I have power at my coop, so mine plug in, but they have a somewhat pricier "outdoor" version that you charge up on a USB. I primarily use mine to make sure the girls have gotten in and are safely roosting at night. My coop is about 100' from my house/router and I don't have...
  6. John2510

    Chicken attacked by dog - no open wounds

    Thanks for posting back to let us know. I'd wondered how she was doing. I didn't lose any sleep over it... but I wondered ;) Glad to hear it worked out and you won't have that hanging over your head :)
  7. John2510

    Chicken attacked by dog - no open wounds

    My thought would be to keep an eye on her, but generally leave her be. Extra excitement and stirring her around isn't something she needs right now. Don't be too hard on yourself. We all make mistakes. I left a door open an let one of my huskies get out and get hit by a car and killed. It's...
  8. John2510

    Grit and outside

    This is my first year with chickens, so take my comments for what they're worth. I figure it can't hurt. Some of the more experienced hobbyists often comment that the chickens know what their bodies need, and it's best to offer things and let the birds decide. I bought a small bag of chick...
  9. John2510

    Ether to cull a chick

    I've seen others suggest that works. I have a pair of the long-handled ones that work on small tree limbs, so I'm sure they'd work on any sized chicken. Though I haven't seen it discussed, I would think (in the appropriate environment) a shotgun would work quite well. The bird would be dead...
  10. John2510

    Ether to cull a chick

    I've had to kill two small birds in nature, whose injuries were not survivable. One was hit by a car. The other had a badly broken leg. In each case, I found something very large and heavy, and killed them instantly by crushing them - targeting their heads. While that wouldn't be a good way to...
  11. John2510

    Looking for Buff Orpingtons near Stafford/Fredericksburg, VA

    Not being familiar with them, I'm not entirely sure (assuming they're true Ameraucanas). Photos attached. I only recently realized that there are varieties of Ameraucanas, and the hatchery didn't describe them by variety. Unfortunately, one of them appears to be a cockerel. I got 2 Ameraucanas...
  12. John2510

    Looking for Buff Orpingtons near Stafford/Fredericksburg, VA

    Thanks! I'd assumed we would get the cicadas, but just looked at a map, and we're barely outside the zone. Maybe you could ship some down? ;) I lived through two other cycles in Maryland. It would have been nice to have a purpose for the little buggers! I'll never forget the time one crawled...
  13. John2510

    Tractor Supply Chicks Not Being Taken Care Of

    I recently drove two hours to get my chicks from a place with "Farm & Garden" in their name. When I got there, it seemed too small an operation for all the many chick varieties they advertised on the web. I noticed, stacked up behind the bins, boxes from the hatchery from which the chicks had...
  14. John2510

    Tractor Supply Chicks Not Being Taken Care Of

    I've noticed that at the Fredericksburg, VA TSC yesterday. The veritical brooder was replaced with the galvanized tubs they used in the past. In addition to any improvement in the chicks' quality of life, it makes for a more appealing display, IMHO.
  15. John2510

    Tractor Supply Chicks Not Being Taken Care Of

    On the one hand, it would be a shame if TSC decided selling chicks is more trouble than it's worth, and simply stopped. On the other hand, some care is basic. Feeding them takes time. Watering them takes time. Cleaning them takes time. All three are basic to having them, and part of the duties...
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