Deep litter with the large droppings removed every day. I mix dried lavender into the litter and I also mix a few drops of clove oil in a quart of water and spray the wood in the henhouse. My neighbor brings me rose petals that I sprinkle into the litter in the run.
Deep litter method but I always remove large droppings each day. I also mix a few drops of clove oil with a quart of water and spray the wood in the henhouse once a month. My neighbor also brings me rose petals that I sprinkle into their run.
I have had my girls for about 12 years. I started with the plan to become more self-sufficient and because of my love of birds, in general. I came to BYC asking for help after setting a half gallon waterer on top of a newborn chick who was there for a day before I found her. I received...
The best system I have found so far is: http://bit.ly/1uAC83l. The water stays clean and temperate even in weather extremes, short of a long freeze. Each time I start a new batch of hens, they master it in a few days by watching the other girls. I leave a pan of water until I see them all...
Update 9 Years Later: Smashy has passed away. She died of natural causes, old age we presume. Special shout out to everyone who commented, gave advice & wished us well 9 years ago. This is an example of how valuable Backyard Chickens is!! Extra special outcome was that I made a lifelong...
As far as feeders are concerned, I had to find one that did not allow rats to get in. I finally found one that has served me well for 2 years now. A little pricey, but it's sturdy and should last at least 20 years. It is activated by the hens stepping on a step, and closes when they move away...
I did the heat lamps, thermometers, the whole thing with my new chicks two years ago. They were in a little hen house outside. I'm about ready to add some more chicks this Spring (in southern CA) so give me a good idea of what I DO need as minimum requirements? I had 14 chicks to start and they...
She is walking better now, but still not extending the upper part of her legs to walk. She is more upright, and seems to have improved balance. She still is walking low to the ground though.
She is able to go up the hen-house ramp to roost at night, but does not jump up on a roost pole, but...
I seriously doubt your ramp was the problem. Chickens can fly, afterall, so a fall from 3 feet would only require a few flaps to keep from hitting the ground hard. Ours jump from higher than that all the time and just a flap a bit to get down softly. If they are not fenced into a fully...
If you just want to soothe the eye, you could use plain petroleum jelly. You could also clip her nails, in case she accidentally got herself while scratching normally.
Seems to me that mending chickens is more of a merry-go-round than anything... you start to see one thing getting better and...
In terms of house much to feed - feel her crop during feeding and just keep going until she won't take anymore, you can't take anymore, or her crop is full - whichever comes first. When the crop is full, it will seem to move/shift to the right side of her chest. When it's around half full, it...