Recent content by tcarter

  1. tcarter

    Sexing Speckled Sussex

    Almost 2 weeks old now and the "pullets" all have tail feathers coming in. The "roosters" (if I am correct) still have a fuzzy rump, but just starting to see tail feathers. Wing tips are still too short to fold to the back of the tail.
  2. tcarter

    Sexing Speckled Sussex

    I uploaded a helpful photo. In this one I hope you can see the wings well. I am calling these two pullets and one roo by the water.
  3. tcarter

    Sexing Speckled Sussex

  4. tcarter

    Sexing Speckled Sussex

    Hello chick experts! Always love to hear from you. Thought I would post my observations this year on determining the sex of my 10 Speckled Sussex. I got them from Ideal. Supposed to be pullets, but I know sexing is difficult. I wanted to explain what I am seeing and why I am nearly certain I...
  5. tcarter

    Starting over with new hens?

    I buy it from my local feed store, and the H&H dealer services them. It comes in 50 lb heavy paper sacks. What other feeds do you recommend? Do you suggest that I change the way I store it?
  6. tcarter

    Starting over with new hens?

    Ok, I think I will try separating the one hen maybe tonight. It is going to be brutally cold tonight, so I am not sure yet. I have more baby chicks coming in March, if I want to keep my order. However, there is a nice breeder in San Antonio that I could buy pullets from in the future. That might...
  7. tcarter

    Starting over with new hens?

    Thank you for the compliments, as I truly do try to strive for good care and love for all my animals. Yes! The seasoned chicken owners, like you, are sure helping me a lot! Thank you very much! I am feeding H&H organic "old fashioned" layer feed 19% protein. It is beautiful stuff with real seeds...
  8. tcarter

    Starting over with new hens?

    I could try isolating her. I'm not sure if it would stop the feather eating, but it might change the hierarchy. One lady I talked to said to take all the roost bars down for about a week. That changes the pecking order. I haven't tried that yet. I have to do things slowly, one at a time to see...
  9. tcarter

    Starting over with new hens?

    Here are my remaining hens
  10. tcarter

    Starting over with new hens?

    Hen house is 4'x6' and it is joined under one roof to two runs, 6'x16' and 8'x12'. There are photos previously posted on this thread of my set up. I can post a photo again if they are not there anymore. I started with 9 chicks in Feb. I raised them to maturity. A few started pecking really badly...
  11. tcarter

    Starting over with new hens?

    Update. Although I don't see fighting among my remaining 5 hens, two hens that had lost feathers before are now losing them again. One of my hens follows these two around and the minute they are busy doing something she pulls and eats their feathers. This same feather picking hen doesn't appear...
  12. tcarter

    Starting over with new hens?

    Thank you so much, Mrs K. I appreciate it! Thanks to all who helped! All the input has been useful. My 2 Buff Orps left this week. Then I went out late that night and sneaked in the two Speckled Sussex back into the hen house (after being separated for a few weeks to grow back feathers). There...
  13. tcarter

    Starting over with new hens?

    I believe it may be the size of my hen house, as the other chicken owners are telling me. Since I have had the flock separated with just 5 in the main hen house and two in my barn (to grow feathers back), the feather eating was greatly reduced. I have not seen new feather loss at the rate I had...
  14. tcarter

    Starting over with new hens?

    The two Buffs are the leaders and they graze on feathers. They purposely pluck and eat them. They stalk the other hens. It is not all day long, but it is common. Those two are leaving tomorrow and I hope the new owners have better luck. They are aware of the hens' history. I have a Sussex that...
  15. tcarter

    Starting over with new hens?

    The only thing that slowed down the feather picking was Desitin. However, as soon as it starts to wear off in a day the picking starts. It is also messy. I tried pick no more and that didn't work. I tried Corona cream, and that didn't really work either. Now most of her back feathers are back. I...
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