I'm fairly hands off and just let them be chickens. They free range during the day with a very roomy, protected coop and run at night or when they can't be out. They also get garden scraps, high quality feed plus mealworms (which is how I train them to come in from the field when called), plus...
Welcome! And definitely get your coop fully functional and predator proof before ordering chicks. They grow surprisingly fast! If you don't have electricity in your coop, you'll need a protected and secured brooder box or area to house the chicks with an electric heat lamp or plate for the first...
Much much thanks for this! I keep looking at your photos. Your EE pullet is similar for sure, but your lady has that wide body and rounded tail that I love to see on developing pullets. My little thing is still super sleek and upright which reminds me of cockrel, but it's still early and you're...
Oops posted too soon but I also keep our GP up at night. It's not only to curtail the barking, but strong as she is, she might not be a match for a boar bear or a pack of coyotes. I've put way to much money, man hours, and love into her to leave her to her own devices when not semi-supervised...
As an owner of a now 6 year old LGD pyre mix, I agree with all of the above! Your dog bonds with YOU so therefore your dog obeys YOU. (Well okay they're GPs so they *mostly* obey after considering it for a minute or five. 😂) Your GP loves you so will guard you and your property including all in...
I've noticed a change in it also. This year, we purchased the exact same HWC from the same company we've always used and had to send it back. Hopefully @RJKnott can find the good stuff.
I think if it was something big, you'd have more than one dead. Since you mentioned north Alabama area, it won't be a cougar or bear anyway. If the tear is the access point, it would have to be something that can climb that cloth. I'm would guess coon or weasel in your area but they tend to make...
I also think pullet. Honestly her entire look - stance and body and feathers etc - reads 'pullet' also. Some of the ladies can be pushy pests also. I've had to rehome a Buff Isa pullet that made me scared to go into the coop, and I may have another pushy pullet on my hands at the moment... an...
Me too, Mary! They look very pointy but I need to catch her to see. Sometimes the pattern can make round feathers look pointy and vise versa.
@SilverBirds & @DLA I certainly hope you both are right and will continue to wait. Boy howdy she is a feisty one though! I've never had an EE be anything...
Okay peeps, we're another week in, now at 9 weeks, and are you all sure this EE isn't a roo? Especially because in one of the photos, I felt like she's debating whether or not to charge me. If so, please explain why! I feel like I know my birds, but I can easily be wrong. I really want a pullet...
Went foraging today. Tonight's dinner is Lactatius volumus (milk cap mushroom) with Black Trumpet fungi seasoned in butter with bread crumb & parmesean served alongside a good ole' farm egg.