Recent content by MikeBarnes

  1. MikeBarnes

    Dead Chicken...eaten eggs!

    No signs of a break in. I have 2x2 heavy gauge cage framed on 4x4 posts on the outer side of the coop run and 1/2 inch wire mesh on the inner side. All still in tack. I am working on the theory that the hen got shell inside her. Either that or perhaps she had an egg break whilst she was laying...
  2. MikeBarnes

    Dead Chicken...eaten eggs!

    Thanks for the reply, My coop is pretty much bullet proof. So much so I never thought to check. Raccoon is out of the question but a weasel perhaps! I am on my way out to check right now! Thanks
  3. MikeBarnes

    Kindest yet easiest way for the human to cull?

    This is always a tough time, but a vital part of flock management. Now to the details! I prefer to bleed out the hen. Take the hen and swaddle her in a towel so that just her head is poking out. I then sit down and calm the bird for a few minutes away from the other birds. Taking a sharp knife I...
  4. MikeBarnes

    Dead Chicken...eaten eggs!

    Hi, I have not yet done a necropsy on her. I have never done one before! I shall do some homework on that quickly.
  5. MikeBarnes

    Dead Chicken...eaten eggs!

    I have just found one of my welsummer hens dead inside the coop. She seemed well yesterday along with the other ten birds of various breeds. This particular bird seemed to be top of the pecking order. She was still warm when I found her, suggesting that she was not long dead. I also found that...
  6. MikeBarnes

    Feather loss

    I have a flock of 12 birds. A mix of breeds. I have noticed over the last few weeks that some of the birds are loosing the feathers to the front of their neck, some loosing all the feathers on their neck and parts of the head. I thought at first that they might be malting. But am wondering if...
  7. MikeBarnes

    Infection in foot.

    I have a Black Copper Marans hen who lost a toe about one week ago, she must have snagged it in the wire fencing?. I have not treated it, hoping it would just heal up, which it has. However, the ankle now looks inflamed. Should I wait to see if the inflammation and possible infection sorts...
  8. MikeBarnes

    Infections?

    I have a Black Copper Marans hen that has recently suffered a loss of a toe. I can only think that she got it caught in the wire fencing. This happened about one week ago and I have not treated it, hoping that would just heal over. I have recently noticed inflammation around the ankle. I am...
  9. MikeBarnes

    Introducing new birds to the flock.

    I have six black copper Marans that I have had since day old chicks (they are now about 3 months old). Five of these are roosters :( However, I went out a got myself four more hens to even it up and so that the single BCM has company. I got two 9 month old BCM hens and two 9 month old Welsummers...
  10. MikeBarnes

    Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

    I was referring to BCM chicks.
  11. MikeBarnes

    Deep litter method,or...Something else???

    I am new to keeping chickens but have read up a lot about the deep litter method and am trying it out now. I am using a mix of pine shavings, leaves and a small amount of straw (mostly leaves). It has only been about on month so far but all is going very well, no smell and the birds love it. I...
  12. MikeBarnes

    Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

    They all look very much alike. Some have more darkness on them, the BCM being dark on top with lighter under areas. They can not be sexed at that age. If they can...please let me know.
  13. MikeBarnes

    Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

    I have five beautiful Black copper Marans Roosters. Sadly I need to get rid of them. I don't want to have to put them in the pot as they are great breeding stock. I have tried to sell them on Craigslist but not luck. What other options do I have besides the killing cone?
  14. MikeBarnes

    Nesting box design?

    I have just about finish my first chicken coop. I only have to put in the roosts, the nesting boxes, feed and water. The floor area is about 8ft x 8ft, and walls about 4 ft high around the walls (going to about 6ft in the center). I am guessing that nesting boxes are pretty simple. I have heard...
  15. MikeBarnes

    $100 coop...repurposed materials and a ton of time.

    Here is a picture of my reclaimed coop. I am a carpenter contractor and luckily managed to build this coop out of left over materials and recycled lumber from other projects. The only materials I have purchased was the cedar siding ($150). I have a few more details to complete over the next few...
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