Recent content by kcal

We got several chicks this spring in a few different breeds. I ordered all pullets but one was mis-sexed and we wound up with a cockerel. I’m trying to figure out if he is a brown leghorn or a welsummer. I know the easiest way to tell the two apart is earlobe color and his are definitely red...

Looking for some help regarding an accidental rooster we acquired. Long story short (hopefully) - we bought a somewhat large number of new chicks (all pullets) to add to our flock this year because the demand for our eggs has grown so much. After a few weeks it became very obvious that one of...

I have 32 chicks ordered and set to arrive the middle of March. This is the most chicks I’ve raised at one time before, the most up until now was 18. I’m looking for ideas for a new brooder to accommodate more chicks, but also have a couple other issues I’m trying to work through. In the past, I...

When I went out to close up the coop tonight, one of my girls didn’t look right. She was standing up on the roost and was fluffed up and hunched over, similar to the position they have when they’re pushing out an egg. Her back end looked a little bloody and as I looked further, I discovered she...

I’d be really interested to hear more about your set up with invisible fence and horse fencing. I think I’m following, but having a hard time picturing it. We have roughly 1.5 acres of yard, and dogs have access to about one full acre, so I don’t want to break the bank trying to make it work. We...

Thank you! Fortunately, other dogs are one of the lesser concerns as far as predators in my area. We are pretty remote - nothing but farm land around our house. Anything is possible of course, but I’ve only ever seen two other dogs since we moved in and they were being walked on leash by their...

Would her eggs be considered safe to eat as long as they haven’t cracked, or should I toss them since that spot is thin?

I have 14 hens, all 1 year old. For the last 1.5-2 weeks, one of them has been laying a slab sided egg every day (I’ll attach photos). The side that is flat is thinner - I’ve accidentally cracked that spot just by gently touching it before. I’m not certain which one is laying them, but I do...

Thanks all! I definitely figured free ranging may never be a reality on our property, it’s just always been a hope I had. I suppose my first step will be to get the dogs to leave the chickens alone even along the fence of the run and go from there. I don’t think leaving them unattended with the...

I have two chocolate labs, littermates that are 2.5 years old, and currently 14 one year old chickens with 10 chicks in my garage in a brooder. Chickens share a run with our two goats. I always hoped to be able to free range my chickens, especially in the spring/summer when I’m outside a lot to...

Yes, I’m aware. This was my first thread. When my chickens were still not better and I had no replies on this one, I made the other post. I have been responding to the replies on the other thread.

All of my girls are only a year old - I got them last March. I did wonder if sour crop could be an issue because when I first brought them into the garage and was holding one, I noticed an odor even though neither of them had gone poo in the crate yet or had any on their feet. I did do a...

Right now our regular vet is gone on vacation, and the only alternative is a vet whose prices are almost double. I have some Corid on hand and can use it if needed. I tried to give them some SafeGuard, but they weren’t having it so I will try again this evening when my husband can help me - I am...

Can anyone provide any insight on what could be going on with two of my chickens? This started a day ago - yesterday one of my black australorps was lethargic and standing, not moving, with her eyes closed. She didn’t come running when I came over which is unusual for any of my chickens, and she...

I noticed yesterday that one of my black australorp chickens did not look well. She was fine when I went out in the morning, but by mid-afternoon she was laying in one spot, looked very lethargic, and didn’t come running over like all my girls usually do. Watched her further and she declined...