Recent content by NickySpink

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    The Great Debate: Free-Range vs. Coop-Raised Chickens

    I have been debating this very problem for the last month. I have had between 3 and 5 hens since 2018. The fluctuation is due to the fact that each time we lost one I would generally buy more as replacements. Over the years I have kept them all in at night and let them out into my 3 quarter acre...
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    Large Egg

    We had an enormous egg the other day from one of our 4 mature hens, see picture. Grandson opened it for breakfast and it contained 2 big yolks and one little one. We get double yolks fairly often. Picture is of 2 normal sized eggs and our giant between them :)
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    Large Egg

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    TINY egg. We're talking PENNY SIZED...!!?

    Make a little hole at each end of the egg and blow hard through one hole with the egg over a bowl the innards will flop into the bowl . Be careful though as the shell will crack if you squeeze it too hard! You can then dry it and keep it (and use the contents if there is anything there :) )
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    How to get free range birds in coop

    My five hens are completely free range within my large wild garden. I let them out of their run after I think they have all laid. They have layers pellets always available and water in the run which they can get to any time as the door is left open. I throw a hand full or so of corn and meal...
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    Peeps in Europe!

    My feelings exactly ;)
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    Peeps in Europe!

    I am sure you are right about the mad cow thinking. But really - 5 hens?
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    Peeps in Europe!

    This is an article about DEFRA's ruling on scraps. It seems to use a sledge hammer to crush a bug (or a chick!). www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/can-you-feed-human-food-and-kitchen-scraps-to-chickens.html# Personally, as I have only 5 hens purely for my own consumption of their eggs I really...
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    Peeps in Europe!

    My hens get layers pellets and treats of bird seed or corn and wheat and meal worms - not just the scraps. 4 out of 5 of them are laying well :)
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    Peeps in Europe!

    How do people in the UK stand on the subject of feeding kitchen scraps to your birds? I admit that my 5 get a bowl of veg peel and any fruit that's getting a bit tired in the evening when I put them to bed. They also love bread thoroughly soaked in water, cooked pasta or rice :) The books tell...
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    Peeps in Europe!

    I have 2 copper browns, 2 White Marrons and 1 Sussex pied. Did have another pied but she up and died - ill for 2 days then dead on the third morning :( hence the 2 new whites . They are all free range but come to my call - especially if I have a tub of bird seed to rattle! We have a very large...
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    Peeps in Europe!

    Yes I am in Surrey in the UK and find a lot of the US stuff doesn't apply to me - though it is still interesting to read. For instance we are advised in Britain that we should not feed kitchen scraps to chickens.
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    Official BYC Poll: How Often Do You Clean Your Coop?

    I take an old dustpan and brush and scoop out the poop in the coop every day - leaving the dry straw behind. That goes on the compost heap. I currently have 5 mixed hens two of which are newbies and they stay down in the run at night to keep them from bulling. They all free range as soon as i...
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    Star of Bethlehem flower and bulb toxic to animals

    I recently found a single one of these plants growing in a patch of weed and was contemplating replanting elsewhere as it was so pretty. My garden is large and mostly wild and my 4 hens have the run of it during the day. One of my hens became ill a few days ago. She wouldn't eat or drink and...
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    Four very individual hens

    I have given the hens both over the time I've had them. I know it should be oyster shell and they do get that - but one out of four of my hens has frequently laid thin shelled or 'balloon' eggs while the others that lay have nice hard brown eggs. This is why I think the thin egg layer just isn't...
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