Recent content by plfreitag

I turn on a light around dusk and this encourages my birds to head homewards. If they lag, I just get out the mealworm bag and shake it....that's generally all it takes. I've never had trouble with them going into the coop but it does take some time for them to settle in at night so I turn on a...

We just raise regular chickens and butcher them. They're not all gross looking and they are healthier, and we can butcher as we need them instead of having to do a mass butcher all at once. I prefer fresh meat anyhow!!! I do agree things are getting better, and it is reassuring. I think part...

Not fast enough in the USA as far as I'm concerned!!! I don't know if people just aren't aware or if they truly don't care, but the conditions that commercial poultry farmers keep their flocks in are atrocious at best. I simply can't eat commercial eggs any more....not only do they look bad, but...

Love it! I really like this shape!!! Trisha

Thanks so much! I love it. Trisha

Thanks! He's a talented guy. Like I said, I was all ready for a little old coop and he went all out. We call it "The Chicken Chalet." I have a friend who says that's not the right name. She says it should be "The Chicken's Taj Mahal" or something like that. I love how creative my hubby is...

These hens were all together -- EEs, Faverolles, a Barnevelder, and a few others for good measure. They all did fine and were all treated for worms and mites twice. I gave them 20% layer feed, and all the extras. The other girls did fine. I've had chickens for a while now and haven't ever had...

Hubby converted an unused corner of the carport to a coop for me. This is the front. In the winter he puts plexiglass over the screen for warmth since the wind comes up the hill we live on and right into the carport area. This is the "overhang" section of the carport being converted to a...

I thought that too until I got some Salmon Faverolles. We had 14 birds and by the middle of the second laying year we were only getting 2 to 4 eggs a day. Fortunately we found someone who wanted them as pets. Otherwise, I'd have given them to someone who wanted them for people food or for dog...

I just went to check for eggs and one of my Salmon Faverolle hens was sitting in the nest box closest to the fan I have hanging for ventilation; she didn't peck at me or even move when I went to check under her for an egg. I picked her up - no fight, no noise, nothing. She didn't feel any...

Thanks, y'all. Yes, the cockerel does have a blue underside. He's a darn pretty bird, the prettiest one they had at the Rescue when we went that day. There is white on his tail. His back isn't totally black. The shorter feathers in the middle appear to be almost a blue tone as well...

We ordered Salmon Faverolles from Cackle this spring. We got 15 of them and two (they were supposed to be cockerels) who have the same coloring but lack the facial fluffiness and have larger combs as well as wattles. Here is a photo of one of the girls next to a Salmon Faverolle. Like I said...

Hi: I have 15 pullets and two cockerels. The boys aren't even TRYING to crow yet, and one of them pulled the old "squat for the rooster" posture when I walked up behind him today. No eggs yet, either. They are 24 weeks old today. Any idea when I will see some gender-specific...

I order from Cackle Hatchery. They hatch on Monday and Wednesday & ship on Tuesday and Thursday. I've gotten live, noisy chicks each time. No problem at all. Of course, I chose the hatchery closest to my house, discounting the one with the reputation of bad birds. This time around I got 16...