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  1. Michael Fitzgerald

    Pendulous crop?

    Haha. Yep
  2. Michael Fitzgerald

    Pendulous crop?

    I'm curious ... is the bra a temporary thing? Seems like once they need one, they'd need it for life.
  3. Michael Fitzgerald

    Pendulous crop?

    She's back to normal, thank goodness. Lesson learned ... I need to pay more attention to their appearance in the morning. I'm still going to give them yogurt and maybe some coconut oil for gut health. Thank you Aunt Angus
  4. Michael Fitzgerald

    Pendulous crop?

    I'll do that momentarily. They do have water in the henhouse, though.
  5. Michael Fitzgerald

    Pendulous crop?

    I haven't massaged it yet, I've only felt it a bit. She's in her second year. I normally give them organic layer pellets but have switched it up lately. I have them a more natural mix of seeds and grain for awhile but last time I bought feed, I got the high protein stuff for molt recovery. I...
  6. Michael Fitzgerald

    Pendulous crop?

    Hi all, I'm concerned about my girl Ginger. I only noticed her crop yesterday and it looks about the same today. I've read a few threads on the subject. Tomorrow, before she has any food, I will check it again. I'll give her yogurt and coconut oil. I will also smell her breath. I just wanted...
  7. Michael Fitzgerald

    Talk me off the Ledge... $2000 for a chicken coop!

    I gave someone an estimate to build a henhouse a few years ago. It was a copy of the one I built for myself and came in at over $2000. It's only 16 square feet and did not include any fencing, and that was before lumber prices were insane. They bought a pre-made henhouse. I don't know if they...
  8. Michael Fitzgerald

    Help I’m so stupid

    I usually avoid chemicals completely where my girls roam but am thinking of using weed and feed. I only have 4 pullets who're 8 weeks old. I'm sure it'll be long gone by the time they start laying and plan on keeping them out of the area for a month or so. Any thoughts? Thanks
  9. Michael Fitzgerald

    Chickens eating feathers

    I've just noticed one of my hens plucking another and eating the feathers. Seems like a one on one situation ... no other hens displaying either behavior. Could protein be my problem? I feed them organic layer pellets (16% I think, maybe 18%) and scratch grains occasionally.
  10. Michael Fitzgerald

    Introducing pullets to mature hens/integration

    Removed outdoor roost. Added indoor roost. Hens are opting for comfort. Thank you everyone!
  11. Michael Fitzgerald

    Introducing pullets to mature hens/integration

    Storey's Guide recommends 4 sq.ft./bird so my henhouse is a bit small for 6, but having a large fenced run eases stress. My hens are almost always outside. With the structure on stilts, there is covered area outside and they spend time there when it's raining, snowing or hot. So far, they...
  12. Michael Fitzgerald

    Introducing pullets to mature hens/integration

    According to whom? If it's the manufacturer...it's probably inaccurate. Actual dimensions and pics would rule out crowding an issue. Adequate space is essential to smooth integration and overall health. Here are some pics. I realize you can't get a sense of scale. I will take pics with hens...
  13. Michael Fitzgerald

    Introducing pullets to mature hens/integration

    According to Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens. It's 16 square feet plus nest boxes. I'm the manufacturer. I had 6 hens before and they were just fine. They also have a large fenced run and I let them roam the backyard for a few hours everyday. Thank you!
  14. Michael Fitzgerald

    Buff Orpington - What gender is this?

    I have BO hens. Looked like mine until I saw the whole profile. That tail looks like rooster to me.
  15. Michael Fitzgerald

    Introducing pullets to mature hens/integration

    Thank you so much! I shall do my best and I'll read your articles. I will attach some vertical fencing to their outdoor perch to discourage roosting. When the weather improves, I'll remove it completely.
  16. Michael Fitzgerald

    Introducing pullets to mature hens/integration

    Ha. That's my leg. I thought "roosting perch" was specific to pullets. My hens sleep on 2x4 roosts. My henhouse is deluxe. I just need to convince the youngsters top go in at night. I spoiled them by building a very simple adjacent henhouse. I was told to keep them separated for 16 weeks. I may...
  17. Michael Fitzgerald

    Introducing pullets to mature hens/integration

    Hi azygous. My henhouse is large enough for 6 to 8 mature hens. I'm not sure what a roosting perch is. I had 6 hens originally. The youngsters are at about five months. I'm familiar with the pecking order #orpingtonsarebullies I have a partition for the nest boxes and none of my mature hens are...
  18. Michael Fitzgerald

    Hello from North Idaho

    Nice. You absolutely should build your own. I would refer to Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens for information on design/square footage.
  19. Michael Fitzgerald

    Hello from North Idaho

    Hello all. I've found some great info here but this is my first time posting. I live in North Idaho. I have two mature buff orpingtons and one mature auracana. I also have three young ameraucanas and an eight year old yellow lab mix. I'm a carpenter and I like to be outside. Thanks for having me.
  20. Michael Fitzgerald

    Introducing pullets to mature hens/integration

    Hello, I've found some great insight here in the past but have never posted anything. I have 3 mature hens; 2 buff orpingtons and 1 auracana. I got 3 ameraucana chicks this spring and they would rather roost outside than join their elders in the henhouse. It's getting colder here in North Idaho...
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