Recent content by Ratbird

  1. Ratbird

    Anyone know what causes this? Impacted Pockets in chickens toe webbing

    Chickens really prefer the flat roosts. We use 2x4s with the larger side available. They are flat footed sleepers and not “perching birds” Per say.
  2. Ratbird

    Anyone know what causes this? Impacted Pockets in chickens toe webbing

    I have actually seen this before. It, to me was a combo of bird genetics and environment. Is it possible to refill's The holes with an antibacterial filler? Some fibers and neosporin or something? This way the area does get infected and displaces the mud balls and hopefully allows the area to...
  3. Ratbird

    Anyone know what causes this? Impacted Pockets in chickens toe webbing

    I have actually seen this before. It, to me was a combo of bird genetics and environment. Is it possible to refill's The holes with an antibacterial filler? Some fibers and neosporin or something? This way the area does get infected and displaces the mud balls and hopefully allows the area to...
  4. Ratbird

    All Black Barred Rock Chick (Pic) Question

    Also, Barred rocks should have yellow shanks. I have a barred rock with white shanks and skin and that’s unusual and disqualifies for showing. Also shank color fades with age.
  5. Ratbird

    All Black Barred Rock Chick (Pic) Question

    Barred rock female chicks have a large white spot on their heads. Males either small or almost absent. One of the many reasons barred rocks are popular. Auto sexing.
  6. Ratbird

    Is it normal for chickens to molt in the summer?

    Heat can temporarily drop egg numbers and increase feather dropping. Also obviously drinking a lot more water but also larger, squirt poos that also helps remove heat from their bodies.
  7. Ratbird

    Molting in July?

    They do a full moult in the fall and winter time but often they do a partial moult in summer in response to heat. I have a bird drooping probably 300+ feathers a day at the moment and it’s June. Her best buddy did the same about a month ago and stopped as suddenly as she started and she’s...
  8. Ratbird

    Buckeye Chicken, Good Breed or Bad?

    I’d say it’s the line you got them from. I’ve had buckeyes for over 20 years and they are robust and awesome. Definitely my all time favorite breed.
  9. Ratbird

    Easy Nest Box Idea

    I’ve been using these for a few years and every so often I buy a new one to add, because they work so well! Reasons why I love them is a) easy to clean. B) portable. This is especially important when a broody will (and they always do) set in one of these, I can relocate her without upsetting...
  10. Ratbird

    Grainy specks on outside of shell and in egg whites

    Bet you anything it’s a disease or virus. Many chicken viruses can attack the reproductive organs such as the shell glad. Not feed related. Is it a new thing or has this particular hen always laid this way?
  11. Ratbird

    What do you wish you'd done differently with your duck housing?

    Yeah I’d find out what Cayuga tastes like lol. Poor jumbo Pekin. We have 11 jumbo Pekins and although 3 are boys, all the girls are obsessed with the Rouen drake. They prostrate themselves in front of him and everything. can’t have a drake damaging and scaring the girls. And yes the Pekins seem...
  12. Ratbird

    What do you wish you'd done differently with your duck housing?

    We have 2 floorings and both are awesome. Concrete in one coop and we tiled the wood floor on the other. We got super cheap tiles from the local reused stuff place and slapped those tiles down. Easier to clean even than concrete. Both are great.
  13. Ratbird

    What do you wish you'd done differently with your duck housing?

    That’s exactly what we have. Pine shavings on concrete and free rage during the day. We have 11 Pekins, 4 Rouens and 3 magpie ducks. All sleep according to their family groups but free range together during the day. They are messy creatures and with winter and so much rain and them doing what...
  14. Ratbird

    Reply to review by 'Ratbird' on item 'Golden Campines'

    I had 2 campine chicks and both died within 4 months from I have no idea what. No other birds died (I have 60) in that first year. Disappointed as I love this breed. Had them 15 years ago and they lived a good 7 years. Don’t know why more recent hatchery campines are not very sturdy.
    • Ratbird
    • Review rating reply
  15. Ratbird

    "Deleware" patterned rooster help

    Light Brahma?
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