Recent content by Umpire

  1. Umpire

    Old age symptoms

    We inherited a hen (New Hampshire Red if it matters). A friend found her wandering around their property and could not find an owner. She does not lay, and is pretty lethargic lately. Even worse, her upper beak is deformed, twisted upwards a cm or so. I don't know if the beak problem is...
  2. Umpire

    Being a Back Yard Farmer

    It comes hard, but we had to realize that we are technically farmers now, and have to think that way. Our chickens are not pets, but livestock. It looks like we will need to cull them some, and that's difficult especially for the boy who plays with them. I just wanted to toss this in...
  3. Umpire

    I have a deformed chick, help!

    As an update, Gimpy is doing fine, although she still limps. We also now inherited a New Hampshire Red with a deformed beak. She has trouble eating but manages. I don't suppose the eggs will care.
  4. Umpire

    Bad rooster

    We have a rooster problem. We got a batch of australorp chicks and four turned out to be roosters. Found a home for one of them. While I'd like to keep one, these are a nuisance. They get aggressive to each other, the hens and us, at times. I have tried selling or even giving them away...
  5. Umpire

    Which plants WON'T a chicken eat???

    They don't seem to eat poison ivy, although they will run around in it. Doesn't bother them. (Bad part was, my son would get infected when he played with them)
  6. Umpire

    Best way to store eggs?

    I would just label the cartons. However, a crayon would probably work better than a sharpie for the egg shells (non toxic). For long term storage, coat the eggs with mineral oil or vaseline and store in a cool place (refrigeration not needed). They'll last 1-3 months that way. For long term...
  7. Umpire

    I have a deformed chick, help!

    note for mp5girl "Gimpy" has been with us for about a month now. She still limps badly and probably always will. She gets around ok for normal things, although seems to rest more. She does occasionally get left behind when the crowd is ranging. She calls for help, and we'll carry her to...
  8. Umpire

    roosters and siblings

    We got a batch of 9 chicks. At 3 weeks, at least two are roosters (not sure about some others). Obviously, we want the hens, but may keep one guy. Will that be a problem with breeding, which will happen whether we intend it or not? I am thinking of the genetics. Would we be better advised...
  9. Umpire

    I have a deformed chick, help!

    we have one lame one. We don't coddler her-- she'll live or she won't. But we didn't cull her, either.
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