Recent content by sallihennipenni

Thanks for your suggestions "ChickensAreSweet". At the advice of another member....given to help them with the molt and low-egg production, I've been feeding my girls a game bird feed that is high in protein. I believe this feed is 24% protein. I've almost wondered if this change in feed has...

I posted this earlier in Behaviors & Egg laying forum and didn't get any help. This forum is probably where I should have started. Hope someone has an idea of what's going on. Please read: I have a 1/12 yr old RIR hen that is going through a heavy molt. A few days ago I noticed she was...

I have a 1/12 yr old RIR hen that is going through a heavy molt. A few days ago I noticed she was walking in a crouched position. She doesn't do it all the time. She CAN run and walk upright, however she seems to be in this crouched position most of the time. Sometimes I SEE HER STAGGER AS...

Racoons, fox, possum, coyote, skunk, mink, weasel, hawks. By far, the racoons have been our biggest problem. We trap them and kill them. My husband shot mink last Spring that had a growing interest in coming around our chickens. We're lucky we saw him!

How many hens and how many boxes? I agree with GardenSimply.....they can have plenty of boxes and they all want to lay in a certain one! I've found a random egg here and there, including in the run. I always thought it was one of my "underling" hens getting chases out by those higher in the...

STRANGE!! Hopefully, you'll hear from a few people who've had this with their hens. I'm clueless. Sorry.

Hopefully giving her more time will help. Young layers take a while to get in the groove.....so to speak. I think the layer feed is important if getting eggs matters to you. Is there any way you can provide it to her.....and keep the duck away?? May be worth it if you can. Good luck!

I never thought feeling irritated by the jostling....growing feathers, etc.... Maybe you're on to something! Thanks!!

Though poop bombs happen occasionally, the roosts and rafters are located that the bird can avoid this. Good thought though. I'm really curious if after sleeping in your nesting boxes.....did they go back to their roosts once they started laying again???? I agree that the girls probably...

Yes, the main roost is higher. We have a few hens that go even higher though....up in the rafters. There's still about 4 hens that seem to like the nest boxes. Blocking off is a good idea. I think while they aren't laying, they're getting confused??

Our 12 hens (1 1/2 yrs old) used to roost on........well, their roost! They've been molting for a while and aren't laying hardly at all. Now, we have several hens who go nighty-night in the nest boxes. Is this normal when they're going through the molt? Anyone else have this problem? What...

I love it!! Gotta have one!

I've heard that putting a golf ball in the nesting boxes will help. May be worth a try? We've had an occasional egg on the floor, but it hasn't happened that any hen of ours decided to ALWAYS lay on the floor. Are your nesting boxes out of direct sunlight? A bit dark is a good thing....they...

Our hens started laying late August 2011. I can't remember for sure how long before we were getting big eggs, but I think over the Winter, the eggs were normal size. Some medium, some large and some extra large. I checked out your post about your coop. I love the coop/run. Very attractive...

Completely normal!