Recent content by MamaMia72

  1. MamaMia72

    Top Egg Layers!

    I am a first timer and tried a variety...I will get RIR's and Barred Rocks again over the others both for their laying, but also for their "personalities." Keep in mind though that before they are fully mature their laying can be somewhat undependable. Mine are just about a year old now and...
  2. MamaMia72

    My lawn vs the chickens

    Hey that is a great idea and certainly not as ugly as the wire mess I made for their "run" when they were babies. You should see my crazy set up right now...I am sure my neighbors are dying (either of laughter or horror)! I have been having trouble with one flying over the fence so I have tried...
  3. MamaMia72

    My lawn vs the chickens

    It's funny, but I had originally considered a tractor, but then the coop I ended up with and the lay out of my yard didn't really lend to it. My husband and I took a bunch of heavy gauge wire fencing and put together a small run, so to speak, for when they were really little and I was afraid...
  4. MamaMia72

    what to feed and what not to feed

    I have had great success with apples, pears, berries, grapes, watermelon, tomatoes (and yes cherry tomatoes are great keep away fun), lettuce cores, cabbage, and cucumbers. They haven't seemed to like broccoli or bell peppers or just the peels of cucumber, though they will eat it if it's part...
  5. MamaMia72

    My lawn vs the chickens

    Thank you to all! I kind of figured that we have a loosing battle on our hands with having lawn in this area, but a girl can dream right? Since I don't have an enclosure (just their coop, no run) for them I am just going to have to make due for now, but I like the idea of only letting them...
  6. MamaMia72

    My lawn vs the chickens

    So, we have spent the summer figuring out where we want our chickens to hang out. We started out with them having access to the whole yard, but have since chosen to section off part of the yard for many reasons. This has left them (5 girls) with about a 20x20 patch of lawn and then about a...
  7. MamaMia72

    Can I eat eggs laid by hens who've been eating medicated chick feed?

    I am new too, but from what I am understanding is that you should be fine since most store bought eggs come from chickens that are medicated. The issue here is that you are then exposing yourself to the medication...totally a personal call...I don't want to get into all the issues here with...
  8. MamaMia72

    Official BYC Poll: Why Do You Have Chickens - Select All That Apply

    I primarily got them for the eggs. I wanted a less expensive, more healthful egg and a fun hobby (I am a city girl with a country spirit I suppose). I also wanted them so that my children could enjoy them and learn about caring for animals (there something special about caring for an animal...
  9. MamaMia72

    Post your FIRST EGG pics!

    R-L: Large sized store bought egg, RIR, Araucana They laid these first ones last Sunday and so far the RIR has given me 4 (one soft shell...I think...my BR is squatting so maybe it was her? I had a regular egg in with the soft one?!). I am amazed that already the RIR's egg is nearly the same...
  10. MamaMia72

    What breeds of chickens will fly - help with clipping wings!

    Mine are great fliers (and very curious!). I tried the one wing clipped method, but have now done both since it didn't seem to work. I am thinking this is actually better for us...I understand that the one wing clipping is to throw off their balance but I think that doing both has now made it...
  11. MamaMia72

    Does it take awhile for hens to become dependable layers?

    Good question and good info. I am new at this and so far my RIR started last Sun, then Mon, nothing Tues, then yesterday I had what I suppose is considered a fart egg...smaller, soft, slimy with what looks like the inner membrane that would be covered in shell PLUS a regular egg (I am guessing...
  12. MamaMia72

    Egg Song ??

    My daughter was out playing when my RIR laid her first and she ran in to tell me (knowing they sing)..."either she's dying or I think she's laying an egg!" She sang for almost an hour, off and on before her first one!
  13. MamaMia72

    Oyster shell grit

    So I am totally new to this, but 2 of my 5 (my RIR and an Aracauna) girls just started laying on Sunday...YEAH!!!! My question is this, should I now provide oyster shell or do I wait till everyone is laying? I got beautiful eggs with nice shells so do then need oyster shell or do you think I...
  14. MamaMia72

    Newly hatched chick With curled in toes.

    Sounds like what I have read to be "curly toe"...check this out: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKRaisingChicks.html I am just raising my first batch of hens and haven't had any issues with this, but this is my guess that this is what you're dealing with. Best of luck!
  15. MamaMia72

    Clipped and still flying!?!?

    Hi there, I am a first timer and new to this forum. I looked first so hopefully I am not asking a repeat, but I have a dilemma. I was holding off from clipping since I wanted them to have the ability to fly if needed but then they started going on "adventures" which in my area is a bad idea...
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