Recent content by The Balcom Clan

  1. The Balcom Clan

    Bald spots on "alpha" hen

    We just noticed this large balding spot on our top hen (black sexlink) that goes from her upper breast all the way down between her legs. Our chickens are only 9 months old so I didn't think it was molting. (also because it's bare, not just a "grow new feathers" kind of thing.) I'd assume it was...
  2. The Balcom Clan

    Chicken prefers to stay out of coop at night

    We have 5 chickens in our little backyard flock whom we've had since they were all a day old. We have a chain link run attached to their coop that is covered from the lovely rain of the PNW but we let them out in the mornings and free range most of the time. We gather them to the pen/run as it...
  3. The Balcom Clan

    Newbie - Head Spinning - Winter's here! help!

    I am brand new to owning chickens and am getting a little worried about winter and a 10 day absence coming up. I don't want "pampered" birds but I want them healthy and happy but am not sure what is NEEDED for them to be healthy and happy. We have five 7 week old chicks (who don't quite look...
  4. The Balcom Clan

    How to leave 8 week old chicks while on vacation.

    The coop was built as a surprise gift to our family by my father in law. He built it with 3-4 chickens in mind (not having asked us how many we were planning to get - 5). We are very blessed with his time, effort and thoughtfulness in building this coop for us. He did an amazing job and paid a...
  5. The Balcom Clan

    How to leave 8 week old chicks while on vacation.

    We live south of Seattle, so it *shouldn't* get too cold but our weather is so unpredictable. The "box" is a 4x4 shipping crate, like what apples are shipped in, without a lid. We would be putting wood over half for protection from the weather (even though it would be under our patio cover) and...
  6. The Balcom Clan

    How to leave 8 week old chicks while on vacation.

    They have a history of mites with their chickens. I think they have them under control at the moment, but should I be worried? They'd probably keep the two groups of birds separate, but might let our chicks in their back yard where their chickens also go....do you foresee any issues with that?
  7. The Balcom Clan

    How to leave 8 week old chicks while on vacation.

    Thanks for your input Mary! Can I ask why the covered patio sounds risky? I was thinking it would be safe. I supposed I could always put the 4x4 crate in our family room! :) We have a coop and fenced in run for them but that would require someone coming twice a day to open and close the coop...
  8. The Balcom Clan

    Comment by 'The Balcom Clan' in article 'How To Socialize Baby Chickens'

    We're among the many who have done this "wrong" :) We held our 5 babies at a day old even though we were told to take it easy for a week. We have a 9 year old and a 5 year old, NOT holding them wasn't going to be an option! :) The chicks got used to our chocolate lab while scampering around our...
  9. The Balcom Clan

    How to leave 8 week old chicks while on vacation.

    Our 5 babies are just over 2 weeks old and we are going out of town for 10 days when they will be almost 9 weeks old. (the timing of chicks and the trip weren't in my control) :) Since this is our first time having chicks, I'm wondering what kind of attention they'll still need at 9 weeks? We...
  10. The Balcom Clan

    Suggestions for auto feeders/waters for a small coop? (possible converted nesting box?)

    Thanks for your input! Do you have suggestions on where/how to install/arrange the roosting bars? I was worried about needing to make space for food and water but if I don't need to do that, then I have more room for roosting. And what age can they safely go out there? We're getting into colder...
  11. The Balcom Clan

    Suggestions for auto feeders/waters for a small coop? (possible converted nesting box?)

    That so funny about the Buff being bullied - she was the first day or two and it was sad to see, but now SHE'S the bully!! She gets the most holding due to be "claimed" by my 5 year old and the fact that she's the most docile. She loves being "cuddled" in our hand but definitely holds her own...
  12. The Balcom Clan

    Pierce County, WA

    We're right in the middle of both of you in Parkland!
  13. The Balcom Clan

    Suggestions for auto feeders/waters for a small coop? (possible converted nesting box?)

    As far as what types of birds, we have an EE, an Australorp, a Buff Orpington, a Welsummer, and a Black Sexlink. The coop is about 24" off the ground. We have chain link fence that used to be a dog run (another gift!) that we will use for a run for the chickens. There are 4 six foot...
  14. The Balcom Clan

    Suggestions for auto feeders/waters for a small coop? (possible converted nesting box?)

    Our chicks are 8 days old so to say I'm new to chickens in an understatement! LOL!! Many of you have larger flocks and have really cool looking coops, runs and feeding/watering systems that work great in large areas. I'm hoping you can help me downsize your awesome ideas for our smaller scale...
  15. The Balcom Clan

    Baby Chick Pictures!!!!! POST!

    We just got our babies 5 days ago and they're so much fun!! This is our first time ever having chickens so y'all at BYC are our lifeline!! We took the girls outside yesterday when it was hot enough (not many days like these left!) and let them snoop around their soon-to-be new home a bit. They...
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