Recent content by Thelma-Anne

My favorite is Margaret Mary who wins that position because she is the most affectionate, racing up to me for a cuddle. I don't look this loving when I hold my grandkids!

We live in Central Ontario - so cold in winter, hot in summer. Our insulated coop has a biggish window facing west and one east with ventilation openings in the peaks. My husband made the windows, ie framing plexigass squares in with hardware cloth permanenty installed inside. The windows...

I have my "chicken outfit" that I put on before going in the coop to avoid the shaving problem. In winter it's an old parka, overpants, gloves, boots and hat which I leave in the garage - in the summer it's painter's overalls and rubber boots, again don't come inside. If I'm just gathering...

Thanks, Drumstick Diva and Cafarmgirl - great to share stories.

My question: how do you tell the pecking order? My 6 girls are 1 year old - no rooster. I spend a lot of time with them observing their patterns and I see none in terms of who gets to the treats first, positions on the roosts, coming in/going out first, pecking etc. Is it possible that it's...

Thanks Lisababies - looks like I'm on the right track. I do have perches in my outdoor run. Good feedback.

I live in central Ontario with serious winter. First year with 6 hens. The coop is well built and insulated; wired to allow a light and heated waterer. I've been advised not to heat it unless really cold to allow them to adapt. Attached to coop is a totally enclosed run (predator proofed...

Our first chick experience this year - built a plan from Chicken Coop for Dummies - we've made some changes as we went. Our best idea - under the perches we put a shelf lined with linoleum a few inches below it and on top of that put cookie sheets (I'll never feel the same about baking cookies...