I think that tool is actually for stir-frying small things like shrimp and vegis on the bbq- I have one and it looks just like that. In case anyone is looking for one at the store...
Patty N. ;-)
Sometimes they will lay an egg or two (whatever is in the "pipeline") and then have a hiatus of a couple of weeks where they do not lay... I do agree you probably ought to separate the EE's from the big girls til they are the same size or at least keep them separate but where they can see one...
Might it not be better to separate her entirely from the others to quarantine her for at least a month and THEN work on reintroducing her? Maybe you could put another friend in with her since she'll probably be miserable all alone... you don't know if she has contracted anything from the other...
I have a 7 yr old female German working line GSD and a 6 yr old male American showline GSD (both neutered). They are both great around the chickens. My 1 yr old Australian shepherd is a little more interested in herding chickens (and llamas but that's another story), but I hope he mellows with...
I started mine a few months back and got 5000 of mixed sizes... I have four tubs of "baby" worms and the last bunch of beetles are hard at work... I think I'm going to purchase a few more small batches over the next few months to keep the variety of stages so I can start feeding them again... I...
Thank you, DB.. .guess I'll carry on with my dried peas and lentils on the side unless I start a feed that has them in the top few ingredients, then...
Patty N. ;-)
I'm curious about this since feeds that do not rely on Soy or animal products for protein frequently have dried lentils or peas high on the ingredients list. I've fed both to my chickens mixed in with a large rubber feed tub of decomposed granite so they have to scratch for it with good...
Most neighbors who don't have chickens are happy to check on yours while you're gone for the reward of the eggs (or at least some if you need some too....)
Patty N. ;-)
I've ordered from Rainbow Mealworms online before, with decent results though the shipping was $$$... but someone recently called me attention to ebay, don't know why I didn't think about it before- there are some sellers with good ratings and much cheaper shipping... next time!!!
Patty N. ;-)
I bought some wheat bran at our feed store but it was a bit $$ so I found some in the bulk bins at Winco (discount grocery store). Or you can use unmedicated chick starter too I think.... that should be easy to find right now.
Patty N. ;-)
Shade cloth is not waterproof, but it does let the breeze through. I like the highest percentage coverage possible- I think I've seen it at 95%. I do prefer it to tarps.
Patty N. ;-)
I think you will be disappointed in how quickly the nutritional value slips away- how old was the feed to start with, and will you be storing it under optimum conditions? I never use feed more than 6 weeks old since several of the vitamins are time/heat sensitive. I believe you would be best...
I have a galvanized tin roof on my coop (not painted) and it is very cool inside although it is not in the shade. It is well-insulated underneath as well so that helps too, but I think you are supposed to insulate those anyway because of condensation. I don't know about the walls, though-...
I've been feeding it to my kids (15-16 weeks) for a while now... my BOSS is about 1/2 the size of my pinkie nail and I feed it as scratch to get them to churn up their deep litter bedding. Mine seemed to like it just fine. I also make sure they have grit available.
Patty N. ;-)
Let's see... I would prefer to get it from a local feed mill for freshness, it would not need to be organic but preferably none of the ingredients from China, little corn or soybean protein with more of it coming from peas, lentils or animal protein (not ALL fish please)- and not chicken...
I think it's a great idea, especially if it's not under the WHOLE brooder... I use one of those reptile ceramic heaters because I agree that it is important to allow them to sleep more deeply without a light shining 24/7...
Patty N. ;-)
I find any trace of chicken poo comes out easily in hot water washing... I do not use chicken diapers and don't sit around with chickens on me very much, but I do use towels in my "chicken hospital" and they wash right up, no problems!
Patty N. ;-)
I am not an experienced "chickener", so take this with a grain of salt, but that mystery pullet looks like my australorp girls when they arrived from Ideal. They are supposed to be very mellow birds and great layers, plus quite heat-hardy.
Patty N. ; -)
I have a big hill of DG and have been dumping it in a big rubber tub (a low one) for grit and bathing in... the baby grit I was using before was granite so I thought it would be a good idea?
Patty N. ;-)
I think cutting the popdoor into the regular door would be fine as long as it was secure. I had considered a dutch door too- would just depend on where your "weather" comes from and how severe..
Patty N. ;-)