Recent content by momofonly

So here's another question about dealing with the snow cover of winter. I'd like to change the litter in the coop regularly instead of using the deep litter method. We have a compost pile for yard trimmings, but it is buried or mostly buried in snow for most of the winter. So what can I do...

Quote: That's good to know. I haven't got chickens yet, but am in the planning stage. I have two old chihuahuas. One barks at all the backyard birds and tries to chase them, but the other does not. The dogs aren't out in the yard much. They have a dog run to do their 'business" in, and when I...

If you're starting a small flock for eggs, do you have to start with chicks? Is there a way to get just 2 or 3 full grown hens and start a flock? Thanks!

You make excellent points. I'll use that as a justification for keeping them all if and when the time comes.

That's a phrase I saw in a book about chicken raising. The author states that if you don't cull your layers when they stop laying, you'll be running a "chicken retirement home." My plan (if I actually do decide to raise chickens) is to get 2 or 3 hens that will hopefully lay eggs. I realize...

This forum is great! Here's another question. How about using hay in the floor of the coop and the run? When I was about 11 years old, we kept a flock of ducks for one year (until we moved) and I pretty much took over all the maintenance myself, including cleaning their house. It was lined...

Wow, so many great replies already, thanks! My husband wanted to put in electricity for a lightbulb. We thought that would help a little with the warmth. I should probably mention that I wanted to have a small number, between two and four hens. Would they generate enough heat to keep warm in...

Hi All, I'm new to this forum, and trying to decide whether to keep some chickens (for eggs/pets) or a rabbit. We have a good sized backyard, part of which is enclosed by a six-foot high privacy fence. We have only one neighbor on the side whose yard is at quite a distance. We are also...

Thanks for the welcome! I'm still trying to decide between rabbits and chickens, so I'll probably have more posts in other topics.

Hi All, This is my first post. I'm just in the stage of deciding whether or not I want to keep chickens. I checked with my local animal control, and chickens are allowed. However, an annual inspection is required. Has anyone ever dealt with an inspection before? I'm in Massachusetts. Thanks...