Recent content by smurray

  1. smurray

    Mystery: bald tummies, egg production down- what could it be??

    They don't seem to be broody- everyone is out eating and drinking and pooping normally. The breeds are 2 americaunas (i haven't seen a blue-green egg in 6 months, probably!), 1 buff orpington, 1 red sex link, 1 barred rock, 1 buff brahma. The (very knowledgeable) guy at the feed store...
  2. smurray

    Mystery: bald tummies, egg production down- what could it be??

    Thanks erijn, I thought it might be molting, but they aren't losing feathers anywhere else and have been like this for a while... Nobody has any ideas about the bugs??? Someone has to have experience with this...
  3. smurray

    Mystery: bald tummies, egg production down- what could it be??

    Hi all, Please help with this mystery condition: My 6 hens are about a year and a half old and several months ago their egg production went waaay down and now I am only getting 2 eggs a day from 6 hens. We also have one hen that lays rubber-shelled eggs and one that lays thin shelled eggs...
  4. smurray

    Is my hen broody or sick?

    Thanks guys- I will keep evicting her and shut her out of the coop. I was going to out of tow fOr the weekend, but maybe that's not such a good idea anymore? Will she be permanently ruined if I don't take care of this right away?
  5. smurray

    Is my hen broody or sick?

    Hi all- my 1yr old brahma hen is spending all of her time in the egg box. For the last couple days I thought she was going broody, so I would kick her out of the box and make her walk around outside. She was upset about being evicted, but once outside walked around and pecked up scratch just...
  6. smurray

    Washingtonians

    Hi, Anyone near Seattle want a free black australorp rooster? 14 weeks old, very handsome and friendly. Easy to pick up and pet, takes treats, etc. He needs a home in the country! Thanks for your help!
  7. smurray

    Free Black Australorp Rooster - 14wks

    Our 14 week old BA roo needs a home outside the city. He's very docile and would make a great pet for your kids. He's healthy and has big beautiful eyes and is growing a nice comb. We'd love for him to go to a free range-type situation. We are in Seattle, and a local re-homing would be best...
  8. smurray

    OK to leave 14 week old pullet by herself?

    Ok, thanks for your input. I see there's no use in getting replacements unless I get two.
  9. smurray

    OK to leave 14 week old pullet by herself?

    Hi all, I need to give up a cockerel because we can’t have him in the city. I think we can do this easily enough, but the problem is that his lady friend would be left alone and I’m worried that it would be very bad for her. They are both 14 weeks old, raised together. He’s a black...
  10. smurray

    How to get rid of rats in house?

    Hi everyone, This is not necessarily chicken related, except that the rats may be eating the chicken food, but does anyone have brilliant ideas for getting rid of rats that live in the floor/ceiling between the first floor and basement of my house? I think there are multiple ways for them to...
  11. smurray

    Do any of you write blogs?

    Hi all, Just curious if any of you blog about your chicken adventures or other aspects of your lives/topics you're interested in. I just started one yesterday, mainly as a way to keep myself sane while i slog through grad school. I'm hoping it will help me stay connected with and get more in...
  12. smurray

    We are raising a family of squirrels - help

    Oh, yeah, squirrels are so bad about eating little vegetable sprouts. Last spring they mowed down my chard and broccoli seedlings within a couple days after transplanting. I've heard that some people feed their squirrels (or crows) just to keep them away from the garden- you could buy...
  13. smurray

    chicken-trained dogs

    Hi, I think as they get bigger, the dog will mellow out, but it might depend on the breed of dog. My border collie mix was obsessed with the chicks at first- had to be near them at all times. But, i gave her lots of treats for calming down around them, looking away, walking away, ignoring...
  14. smurray

    Just curious? Who names all their chickens and who doesn't?

    Quote: Mine have similar names- old lady names! Agnes (Black star) Cornelia (Red star) Ferdie (blue/grey EE) Mabel (golden brown EE) Pearl (Buff Orp) Amelia (Barred rock, named after Amelia Earhart because she likes to fly so much) Bernice (Buff Brahma) Alberta (BA) and Matilda (RIR) and...
  15. smurray

    help hen not laying a egg

    I don't have any experience with this, but my friend who grew up raising chickens said his mom used to say that if a dog catches a chicken, the chicken won't lay an egg for a whole week just due to stress. Hope she gets better!
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