Recent content by toastinboots

  1. toastinboots

    Official BYC Poll: Why Do You Have Chickens?

    I've thought about getting backyard chicken for years. Our former neighbors had a huge garden and I thought it would be cool to be able to trade eggs for produce. I shelved the idea, but when COVID hit and I couldn't get eggs at the grocery, we decided to go ahead with it. Kindof to get eggs...
  2. toastinboots

    It’s 15 degrees in Kentucky

    I put the thermo-peep heated pad (from when they were chicks) back in the coop for some extra warmth. They completely ignore it and really are fine without it. Their coop is well ventilated at the top and draft-free, and they do seem to prefer to hang out in there rather than out in the run when...
  3. toastinboots

    Water Heater Advice Needed!

    FWIW, I did get the birdbath de-icer and have been using it in the 2-gallon horizontal nipple waterer. It's 12 degrees today and the water is still flowing fine from the nipples.
  4. toastinboots

    Cloudy halo around yolk - free range

    My hen Twinkie just started laying and all her eggs so far have that golden halo around the yolk. The eggs are delicious and I haven't gotten sick or died yet so they must be fine...
  5. toastinboots

    Poultry agility course competition! Show me your chickens going through an obstacle course! Contest ends November 1st!!

    Hope you enjoy the video I put together of this epic event, and thank you @Weeg for such a great idea! The neighbors came over and placed bets on who would win. We had a blast!
  6. toastinboots

    Poultry agility course competition! Show me your chickens going through an obstacle course! Contest ends November 1st!!

    I LOVE THIS! What a fun idea! I will try to set something up for my hens this weekend, and will submit a video of their triumphant victory through the obstacle course... or a dismal failure and chaos, which I suspect is the more likely scenario. Either way, this is going to be fun!
  7. toastinboots

    Water Heater Advice Needed!

    Anyone use a bird bath de-icer for this? https://www.amazon.com/Allied-Precision-BDT250-Multiple-Thermostat/dp/B000TZ745A/ref=psdc_13764281_t1_B001E8X2CA I have a 2-gallon plastic horizontal nipple waterer. I'm hesitant to stick a fish tank heater in there because once the water level goes...
  8. toastinboots

    Treats

    It's funny to me that the entire flock, even a flock of mixed breeds, seems to unanimously decide what they like and don't like. Either they ALL like watermelon, or they ALL hate it. Seems to be the case with my five anyway. Mine all go bonkers for sunflower seeds, watermelon, and clover...
  9. toastinboots

    Wobbly walker: 7-week old Lavender Orpington seems off balance

    Update: although she's not 100%, I'd say my chicken is pretty much better at last! And I now suspect something completely different was wrong. (I mean, I don't really know, but I think maybe?) I'd been pulling weeds from the yard and leaving them in the run for the chickens to pick through...
  10. toastinboots

    Climbing Wall Fun for Chickens?

    @aart I was thinking this would go on the outside coop wall, in the run. Thanks for the link to the enrichment ideas - some good stuff there!
  11. toastinboots

    Climbing Wall Fun for Chickens?

    I'm considering adding a series of shelves or something as a climbing wall on the side of the coop. Do you think chickens would use and enjoy such a thing? Has anyone tried something like this?
  12. toastinboots

    Wobbly walker: 7-week old Lavender Orpington seems off balance

    Thanks - I've been giving vitamins, healthy snacks. She's been eating and drinking normally through all of this. Sometimes her crop feels full, sometimes empty. Feet still look perfect to me. Her feathers are looking kinda ratty and dirty, especially on her hind end, though she does not have...
  13. toastinboots

    Lets talk Mealworms

    My plan when I got my chickens was to use dried mealworms as an irresistible treat to teach them to come to me when called. Ha! They won't touch them. Now what do I do with a gross bag full of dried up worms? Yuck.
  14. toastinboots

    Young Cock Can't Walk Normal

    How is your guy doing? My girl seems maybe slightly better, certainly no worse. But still seems off balance and unsteady. I've given some vitamins and snacks high in vitamins B and E. I'm glad all my other chickens seem fine so far. Have you considered Infectous Bursal Disease (Gumboro)...
  15. toastinboots

    Comment by 'toastinboots' in media 'Peck_Your_Eyes_Out.jpg'

    Yep - one of mine took the contact lens right out of my eye, and I'm now done letting chickens on my shoulders or anywhere near my face!
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