If you do it right the magic number is 3 weeks...
You need to start changing the amount of heat they get after week one. By the end of week 3 they don't need light and can take 40° temps easy.
I just but a batch out that were exactly 3 weeks old and they are doing great
Electrified poultry net should cure your problem.
It's portable and extremely effective, fox can't get by it.
If I had that kind of fox, it would get lead.
I have to respectfully disagree...
The birds start crowing at about 6 weeks, it's not like a full grown rooster crow but they can and definitely do crow. I've had some batches that were quiet and some that were noisy.
I'm amazed about what people will complain about. Nobody seems to care if...
Easiest way is a leg hold...
The odds of that fox going in that box is slim, not impossible but unlikely especially set like that.
If you made it look like a way in the coop that would help. #1 1/2 leg hold and a baited dirt hole will catch it no problem.
Takes a little doing, watch a few...
He said all outdoor birds have similar load and its normal. Because it was a pastured poultry convention all producers that were attending keep thier birds one full season, a few do 2 but that's rare. it didn't hurt the birds production, she has plenty of eggs inside and laid extra large.
As...
The spots are a trait that appears from one of the Cobb strain of meat birds.
I know this because I called moyers when I had spotted meat birds delivered.
I'll add a little bit of advise...
All chickens that live outside have worms, can't be avoided. You can deworm them but you need to induce chemicals to do so.
I attended a necropsy class given by the head of animal sciences from UCONN. Once he got to the digestive tract he said I want to show...
...thread from people saying their cats never ever bother chickens and your cat was just playing and all kinds of nonsense. Cats are predators and **** good ones, if they choose your chickens are in serious trouble.
Best way to stop it is have them separated, that's the only way to be sure...
It's simple...
Take all other forms of water away and check on them in 2 hrs. They will figure it out just out of curiosity.
When you first put it on hold it down so it drips and the birds see it. That's it they will do the rest. I've switched LOTS of birds to nipples and never had a issue...
I would say honestly don't do it...
Sounds like it's against what you want to do, it will most likely not be worth it when your done.
CX are a different experience than layers, actually they are like pirañas with feathers. They eat more than you can even imagine, and the amount of waste they...
Didn't realize you were in the UK...
Box Traps catch cats perfectly well, use a empty can of tuna that way you can have a sandwich while you wait.
After that do what ever you want with it.
My kids do not bother the electric fence, they are 3 and 5 and it's fine. Just tell them and it's a non issue. They see the pigs get zapped once in a while that's all the reinforcement they need lol
Best method I've found is small pieces of lead traveling extremely fast....
I've posted on this issue before cats are a big problem for chickens whether or not some people choose to believe it.
I have to deal with drop offs, people think it's the country and its ok, obviously it's not. More...
What about a small portable coop that's decorative?
I build these and most are used in suburban settings.
Wire all the way around so they are safe, completely portable and no need for cleaning. It's built for layers but could easily so meat birds( maybe use smaller wire)
It's solid and...