Recent content by NY Chicky

Mine are always unsure of the snow - Last year, they were free ranging (under our deck) and it snowed. They were all huddled there in the evening - I had to show them the way through the snow back to the coop :lau One brave lady started after me and the rest soon followed. If their yard gets...

Thanks, Wyorp Rock - It's never easy to have to put one of the girls down (she's actually the first I've had to do myself)

That looks nice! I wrap my chicken yard/run with 20 guage clear vinyl - it works great! The top has a roof already and there is open areas around the perimeter at the top so plenty of fresh air. It cuts the wind down, and not too much snow gets in so the girls are pretty happy in there. I have...

I just had to put down a Silkie of mine that had a crooked/wry neck. I had been giving her extra vitamins, eggs, flax seed oil and she seemed to be doing better, but the past week it has gotten cold and snowy here and every night I would find her out in the run area in a heap, unable to go back...

I have two black Jersey Giants that are about 23 weeks old - They are already the biggest hens! (I also have an Americauna, a black Australorp, Silver Wyandotte, Buff Orpington and a White Leghorn) I'm not sure if they are laying yet (the Australorp and Wyandotte are the same age and I'm getting...

Oh - well maybe that's why the girls are on strike - I have 4 new chickies (they are 9 weeks old) so hopefully I'll get some eggs in the late fall :-/

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend - but in my much more limited experience with this one Orpington, she was my best layer (better than the Leghorn, often, since the leghorn would stop and take a break every few months). It's been quite a while since the slackers have laid (since February!) so I...

I don't know about that.... The Orpington is usually an excellent layer - one a day all summer the last two years, and the Americauna usually laid 2-3 eggs a week (the Silkies haven't laid at all, so you're right about that)

I have five mature hens (2 Silkies, 1 Americauna, 1 Buff Orpington and 1 Leghorn) Only the Leghorn is laying eggs (one a day, faithfully). I cannot figure out why the others aren't laying! The Silkies were the last girls introduced back in October of 2016 and all of the hens are about 3 years...

My chickens (well, all except one hen) have stopped laying - I cannot figure it out. They have lots of food and water, are let out to forage usually once a day (in the afternoon). Two birds were added last year (right before winter), but other than that, we haven't had any major changes. They...

mclanea: 2% (So for one gallon, add 2.5 ounces) Only add to plastic waterers (the metal ones will have a reaction to the acid in the vinegar). And use unpastuerized apple cider vinegar. I have to say, in my larger waterer (5 gallon bucket with the horizontal nipples), the water doesn't really...

If it's a plastic waterer, you can add apple cider vinegar to cut down on algae and bacteria growth. I just clean mine out all the time (especially in summer - daily)

I love your ideas!! And how nice your chicken yard looks - I want to improve mine this year (I built a larger coop with storage last year and have to put the finishing touches on it this year too) Thanks for sharing the pics!

I've been separating the 3 younger ones at night - I came home from work 2 days ago and, to my horror, the Wyandotte was laying on her side outside the enclosed area under the coop! I was so upset! I went to pick her up (I though to dispose of her) but she opened her eye! So I took her inside...

Thanks! I was thinking that is probably the case, but hopeful there was an easier answer. I'll probably just keep plugging away at it and I'm sure they will all get along soon - I purposely chose breeds that were known for being easy going :-) (Silver Laced Wyandotte, White Barred Rock and a Brahma)