I had a similar event - my gals (my first flock of 8 ), were going into a neighbor's yard. We're on very friendly terms, and they said they enjoyed seeing them, since the couple had grown up on farms with chickens. All good...
But then, unbeknownst to me, the husband spent a great deal...
I have changed my water system, and no longer need this nipple unit - good for a small flock. You can use any container that you can drill a half inch hole in. It screws on easily, and you're set ! The whole thing can be detached , and submerged for cleaning/disinfecting. My girls learned...
I recently noticed my girls were sometimes laying in odd places, so I went to check the coop. My timing was perfect - caught the thief in the act of trying to swallow an egg !
A beautiful yellow rat snake had her head in the nest box, and her mouth around the egg. After I got some...
I just cracked open an egg kike this. It looked normal outside, but looked like the photo - except the clot was smaller. Not very appetizing !
It didn't smell bad at all, and the yolk looked nice and yellow, so I set the bowl outside for the girls - who, as we know, usually gobble up just...
Oh , your poor traumatized girls ! Do you have any idea what/who attacked them ?
I've not heard of this - but their behavior sounds quite similar to post traumatic stress syndrome in humans, and other animals.
I would imagine it may take an undetermined period of feeling absolutely safe...
Some Australorps, some RIR, some crosses. Began laying at the beginning of September. All healthy beauties , used to interaction with people, and having a large yard. They lay brown, tan and beige eggs - with occasional double yokes !
Looking for the kind of home where they'll be treated...
In many towns, those commercial plastic signs on heavy wire supports are totally illegal. They're considered litter, and those that repeatedly place them on town right-of-ways can be heavily fined. That's true where I am. So ... during my neighborhood clean-up of general trash , myself and...
Whooo-hooo ! My ( well ... one of my hen's ) first egg this morning !
And then, to top it off, another hen just laid her first this afternoon - after much carrying on and moving around ( hope it wasn't painful ).
Everyone's around the 19wk old mark. Pretty good huh ?
I can't get over...
By the way - "shouting" is displayed using all capitals, and has nothing to do with font size. I tend to use a larger font to save many from having to grab their glasses. Much easier to read ...
I'm not sure why you're gettin' all riled up. Especially as it sound like you do make just the kinds of efforts I mentioned. I'm not about to start wars here either.
If the shoe fits - wear it. If not , well then - on to the next topic ...
This whole thread makes me very sad . Some animals have "value" and others do not? Seems we're all here for the same reasons, to live our lives - however diverse they may be.
One of the reasons I held off having chickens for a few years, was because I knew that just about every critter out...
Well , today I tried the colored Velcro ties on my nine 10wk old sweeties.
What a riot !
With someone else holding, I was able to put a strip on one , and she seemed ok with it. But as soon as we put her down, the others gathered 'round and all began pecking at the strip , which...
Yeah - I've got one too. Out of nine assorted ladies, this one is a lovely Australorp with golden highlights on her chest. She's sweet natured and rather affectionate, but she's also the alarmist of the group.
" wait !!!!! I can't see my flock mates - what'll I DO !? "
"Everyone is...
Well - that's some progress ! From everything I learned about transitioning the birds to nipples, is to remove any other water sources (pans/bowls etc) , which will make them more likely to try a new idea. Good luck !
Sorry to hear ! I just tapped the nozzles with my fingers, and made sure the water came out so they could see it, and they went for it !
Maybe changing the height might help ?
I live in central Florida too. So it's especially nice to be able to see someone else taking advantage of the warmth here, and being able to build such a fine open-air enclosure !
Great ideas , and so well done ! Both the humans and the chickens should have lots of pleasure from all this...
My large yard has an abundance of huge trees - many of which are water oaks that drop leaves regularly. The ground is covered with them, and they provide shelter for all sorts of of teenie critters, and a lovely surface that requires little care.
I recently visited a chicken owning neighbor...