Recent content by MagsDeatrick

  1. MagsDeatrick

    Adding a new chicken to a very small flock

    Wow, that's crazy. We have a lot of vacant land around our home but no problems yet with coyotes in the neighborhood- I do worry about some of the aggressive dogs that I see, mostly escapees from people's yards and not strays. Our newbie is pretty well integrated. I would bring you my two...
  2. MagsDeatrick

    For the new folks that haven't experienced a molt yet.

    looks like i have jinxed myself- I'm home for the week and noticed my girls looking rather scruffy- and they both stopped laying! Looks like we are into our molt. I just introduced a new hen last week, and while stressful, they've finally found peace in the hen house. I wish I hadn't caused...
  3. MagsDeatrick

    Wrinkly Eggs

    I forgot to add- from what I know about wrinkly eggs, it happens when two forming eggs pass near each other in the oviduct and bump each other and then crack a little, which is then mended before being laid. I think they are still okay, but I don't know what would suddenly cause a spate of...
  4. MagsDeatrick

    Wrinkly Eggs

    Tomomi, I have had similar problems over the past two days- my one Rhode Island Red has suddenly started laying pale, pale eggs....and my other laid a rubber egg today! I figure there is some stress since we have recently added to our flock, but from my reading (in Storey's guide to raising...
  5. MagsDeatrick

    Adding a new chicken to a very small flock

    Sorry to hear about the loss of your flock. I hope you are able to reconfigure a new coop soon. I've been reading your integration advice and thanks to it, my little flock is doing ok. The New Plymouth white rock (8 months) that we introduced yesterday to our two 18 month old RIRs is doing ok...
  6. MagsDeatrick

    Just rescued some more Battery Hens *pics*

    Well, if anyone reads these longer threads like I do- using the "search" tool, that is- they'll find this helpful. There's not much else out there on battery or rescue hens, and you seem to have the most knowledge. Thank you
  7. MagsDeatrick

    Just rescued some more Battery Hens *pics*

    Also, found this for folks within 90 miles of the twin cities: http://www.chickenrunrescue.org/ I am finding rescue hens everywhere except where i live :(..that's good, and bad.
  8. MagsDeatrick

    Just rescued some more Battery Hens *pics*

    I'll do anything to avoid homework today! I just found that www.petfinder.com lists adoptable and sheltered chickens, if you enter your zipcode and select "birds." I found hens, roosters, ducks, rare birds etc on there. The closest chickens to me are in Albuquerque, but I also found some...
  9. MagsDeatrick

    For the new folks that haven't experienced a molt yet.

    Thanks for the info, centrarchid. I suspect my girls might be of that persuasion. Luckily, our winters aren't severe (some snow, and just a few weeks of below freezing temps, but it is very windy!) and the coop is well-sheltered from the wind but I'll take your advice and load them up with...
  10. MagsDeatrick

    Just rescued some more Battery Hens *pics*

    I am in El Paso, in west Texas (USA)- and somewhere in this thread I saw questions about finding hens in the state. I currently work in San Antonio, and there is an egg farm nearby- now, I don't know anything about their operation or the condition in which their hens live, but this coming week...
  11. MagsDeatrick

    For the new folks that haven't experienced a molt yet.

    My RIRs are 18 months old, with no signs of molting whatsoever. Temps are still nice but we will dip into freezing temps this winter- and we have some cooler nights ahead already- low 50s- should I be worried about them experiencing a molt during winter? I don't think they'd make it. Is it...
  12. MagsDeatrick

    What do you use in your nesting box

    We use pine shavings. There is rarely poo in there and we've never had a broken egg either. We get it pretty cheap and don't have to clean it too often. Of course, our hens (and we only have two) share the same nesting box. I'm worried what they'll do when we set up their new coop in a few...
  13. MagsDeatrick

    Does the coop really have to be in a certain spot?

    I just found this out the hard way, too...we can't even get a permit for our girls, we have to get them a coop that's 30' from our neighbors...only one little spot for that in our yard. It's maddening. I have 2 hens, that's it. I can't think who complained since my neighbors both love...
  14. MagsDeatrick

    What plants do chickens like to eat?

    Oh my gosh, my girls ate my entire veg/herb garden this summer- I was out of town a few months and DH thought it was cute to watch them demolish my basil, lettuces, cilantro, parsley, everything! I started my sprouts indoors this past weekend and for outdoor planting, this year I give up- I'm...
  15. MagsDeatrick

    Texas

    I have great luck with my Rhode Island Reds here in El Paso- my hens do ok in winter (as low as the 20s at night) and summer (110F+). They are feisty towards my dog but love getting petted by me or my husband or actually any people at all. I do not have a rooster. I was worried at first that the...
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