Recent content by Sara H.

  1. Sara H.

    What time of day do YOUR chickens lay?

    I have 13 laying hens, and they will lay at any hour during daylight! Some days I find an egg in the nest box when I first go out in the morning (6-7 a.m.), and some days I'll find one when I'm closing them in for the night. But they don't all lay first thing in the morning - it goes on...
  2. Sara H.

    Coop finally finished!

    Just wanted to share the amazing work my hubby did in building our coop! It took a year and a half to finally get everything situated where I wanted it, but he's such a trooper! (We still have some finishing touches to put on) We have 13 laying hens (when they're not being broody - grrr) and 6...
  3. Sara H.

    Trouble integrating young chickens with slightly older chickens

    I'm glad it gets better! So, was it a couple months? Or longer? I'm just wondering if it will be OK by the time the young ones start laying - about 8-10 weeks yet. If it could all be worked out by then, I'd be a very happy chicken mama! LOL
  4. Sara H.

    Trouble integrating young chickens with slightly older chickens

    Thank you for this thread! I was feeling like I was doing this all wrong! This is the first time I've added new chicks to my flock, and I thought it would be a smooth process... Hah! Boy, was I wrong. I had the newbies separated in the coop for a week or so (they were 6 weeks old).Then I would...
  5. Sara H.

    Chickens vs. Barn Cats - Looking for Suggestions

    Don't know how much you're willing to spend, but they make those cat feeders that only open if the cat has an RFD thing on its collar... chickens would just be out of luck - the magic door wouldn't open for them! Of course, they might resort to holding a cat hostage for his collar!
  6. Sara H.

    Frost on my chickens back feathers. Should I be concerned?

    Just saw this on my girls this morning, for the first time! Last night was the first night the temps dipped down to about 10 below. I don't keep food or water in the coop, and there was no condensation on any windows. The thought had crossed my mind that it could be from them tucking their...
  7. Sara H.

    Topic of the Week - Feeding Chickens in Winter

    I switch from corn-free feed to regular feed with corn, as I've heard that digesting corn makes chickens warmer. I also make more feed available and try to provide warm goodies like pumpkin or oatmeal on really cold days.
  8. Sara H.

    Weekly soft egg

    Oddly enough, I haven't had a soft shelled egg in about a month! Shortly after I posted, we got some poultry netting up to protect from hawks, and the chickens have been free ranging in their pasture ever since. I guess the hen just needed whatever minerals are available in the pasture!
  9. Sara H.

    Weekly soft egg

    I have oyster shell available, free choice... All the others who are laying have good strong shells.
  10. Sara H.

    Weekly soft egg

    Hi! I'm on my second flock of backyard chickens, and this time around I've had the strangest experiences! I have 14 hens, all 28 weeks old. Every Tuesday morning for three weeks now, I find a soft egg in the poop catcher under the roosting bars. Whoever it is, is very consistent! Out of my 14...
  11. Sara H.

    what kind of chicken breeds are good to add to the flock

    I thought I would ask my question on this thread, as it kind of relates... I currently have two Rhode Island Reds and three Barred Rocks. My Reds are more domineering than my Rocks, and I'm wondering about adding new chicks this spring. I would love to add a couple Wyandottes, a couple...
  12. Sara H.

    Topic of the Week - When eggs go wrong

    Thank you! I've been wondering if it might be something to do with the pigment. These eggs are usually a bit lighter in color than the rest of the eggs. I feed my hens New Country Organic layer feed, so I'm comfortable that they are getting a good food. I also give them "treats" - various...
  13. Sara H.

    Topic of the Week - When eggs go wrong

    Good morning, all! I finally got a picture of the kind of wonky eggs I've been getting from one of my girls. Sometimes they will look like this, with raised dark bumps on them (feels like sandpaper). Sometimes the bumps will be white and raised (usually there are fewer bumps if they are white)...
  14. Sara H.

    Topic of the Week - When eggs go wrong

    I currently have 2 RIR and 3 Barred Rocks. Someone is laying eggs that have "invisible" speckles on them. The egg looks normal when I first take it out of the nest, but if I run water on it (to get poop or something off), bunches of darker speckles appear. And they will scrape off with a...
  15. Sara H.

    Anyone feeding New Country Organics?

    Thank you! I just ordered 50# of the corn and soy free. I am still considering making my own, as NCO also has the organic grains available, but we will feed the premix for now. Thanks for your response!
See more
Back
Top Bottom