Recent content by Ruffled Feathers

  1. R

    How much space do I need?

    Andreefs - A 9x9 run will be very small for 17 birds. That’s less than half the space standard breeds need (81 sf compared to 170 sf) and would be too tight even for bantams. The coop also looks small for that many so check the size, linear feet of roosting bar, and nest boxes. Standards need...
  2. R

    When will they start laying again?

    So your girls will need 12+ hours of light to start laying. Some say 14 hours or more but that hasn’t been my experience over the years. It’s normal for first year girls (pullets) to lay all winter then get into the cycle of not laying over the winter. Each year I rotate in about a third new...
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    How much do you need to sale.eggs

    My break even cost is real close to $4/dozen. But I give mine to family and trade with neighbors for honey. Before selling too many you could check your state laws. My rural state shouldn’t care but they require sellers to be registered and pay a small amount.
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    Cracked egg

    +1 on checking the depth of the bedding! That’s been the cause of every cracked egg I’ve found. The girls will move it around and it can get thin pretty quick.
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    How do you go on vacation with chickens?

    My wife loves to travel. I’ve seen the world and would rather be home. We compromised on several shorter trips and one longer trip each year. A word of caution, if a spouse wants to travel then figure out how to make it work for the sake of the relationship and chickens/other livestock...
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    Need help with introducing new pullets

    If the integration seems too rough you can give new ones have a place to ‘hide.’ This could roosting bars or something else in the run so that’s it’s not just an empty area. I have also had luck with a separate feeder & waterer to help them ease into being integrated. But bottom line is the...
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    Anyone have a good list of simple products to have on hand?

    Another option for for soft shells is crushed and ground egg shells added to their feed. For that, I recommend a mortar and pestle. You will recognize when they are getting too much calcium by the little ‘bumps’ on the shells. Egg shell powder is also good for tomato plants (and compost in...
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    Ended Guess When BYC Will Reach 500,000 Members!

    Am guessing 10 March 24 at 5:00pm
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    My experience with Tractor Supply chicks

    A lot box stores are full of minimum wage earning kids who are just out of high school and may not be the resident chicken experts. However, I have always been able to pick my chicks even if it’s me pointing and them handling them. Some of the responsibility lies with the consume.
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    Ended Official BYC Caption Contest 10-13-23 Pic by Sussex19

    “Warm fall days are so nice but where did the big turkey go?”
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    Oyster shell vs egg shell

    i rinse, dry, bake, crush, then add the powder to their feed. I also use the powder in compost and when I plant tomatoes. For those that don’t bake and feed shells without mixing with oyster shell or feed - do you ever have problems with chickens going after the eggs in the nesting box?
  12. R

    When to put Chickens together?

    So there are lots of smarter people with great advice that will chime in. When integrating chicks, I like to let them free range together to start sorting things out. Then I put them in their own separate area fenced in the run. Finally I let them start mingling. Couple tricks is to have a...
  13. R

    Sponsored Post Nestera Coop Giveaway! Total worth $1595

    All of those are great features but would have to go with the warranty because it is an assurance of quality.
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    Sponsored Post Nestera Coop Giveaway! Total worth $1595

    My favorite feature is the sustainability as they are made of 100% recycled plastics and a near zero waster process!
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    Ended Official BYC Caption Contest 06-16-23 Pic by SueT

    All dressed up and no place to go
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