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  1. nan4848

    Help! To cold?

    At 7-8 weeks and fully feathered they should be fine without heat. I live in Iowa south and Temps are only slightly cooler. My chicks are 8 weeks old and have been outside for almost 2 weeks with no additional heat.
  2. nan4848

    Little Rant about Hawks

    I'm in Iowa and we've had an explosion of hawks. I feel like I can't let the chickens out unless I'm out with them. My husband is 'so what ' about it and says we can get more. We only have 4 at the moment so that attitude doesn't work for me. 🤨
  3. nan4848

    Two year old chickens have not molted.

    The days here have started lengthening on the 21st of December. I'm not a new chicken keeper. In the past I've had as many as 13 at a time. Different breeds and all molted, either heavily or light molts.
  4. nan4848

    Two year old chickens have not molted.

    3 of them are Barred Rocks. The 4th I'm not sure, but she is white. They are all excellent layers and have not slowed down at all.
  5. nan4848

    Two year old chickens have not molted.

    I don't provide any supplemental light or heat. I had thought maybe it was a light molt, but all 4 hens? and still laying at least 5 eggs each per week? All other chickens I've had the last 10 years have molted October or November with one that molted in December. This is a new one on me.
  6. nan4848

    Two year old chickens have not molted.

    My entire small flock of four 2yr olds have yet to molt. Am getting an average of 3 eggs per day. I live in Iowa. Is this normal? I have kept chickens for 10 years and have never had a chicken not molt.
  7. nan4848

    Is this bumble foot?

    I know this is a old thread, but wrapping bird with a large towel to control movement. And black electrical tape is excellent for keeping bandage intact for a couple days.
  8. nan4848

    Dog turned predator - how do I convince my husband to get rid of it?

    I hope this is sarcasm?
  9. nan4848

    Dog turned predator - how do I convince my husband to get rid of it?

    Quote: You can have problems with any breed, especially if it doesn't get training, attention and love. And especially if one owner doesn't like dogs much and has her hands full with other things and the other owner is absent the majority of the time. You and your husband should never have a...
  10. nan4848

    Dog turned predator - how do I convince my husband to get rid of it?

    You might point out to your husband that that dog is unable to defend anything, let alone himself, being chained up, which I recall was his reason for purchasing this breed and dog. Dogs are pack animals. They need social contact. Keeping her chained and away from that contact is cruel.
  11. nan4848

    Small hawk

    I would worry, especially if it is a sharp shinned or cooper's, but if there is plenty of smaller prey around I would think the hawk would go at an easier/smaller target first that can be carried to the nest. But you never know. Oh, and a Sharp shinned will go places a larger hawk will not...
  12. nan4848

    Look who is snooping around!

    I believe in live and let live, if I'm absolutely certain the critter cannot get near my chickens. If you're sure of that, and also sure he/she cannot get in the run, or make a home under the coop, I'd leave it be. Where there is one there will be more.Just keep and eye out for holes under the...
  13. nan4848

    Dog turned predator - how do I convince my husband to get rid of it?

    I am really feeling badly for that dog. I think from reading your story, you need to put your foot down with your husband and tell him to man up, and talk to that neighbor again about taking your dog. Personally I think he also owes you an apology for putting you in this situation. It can't have...
  14. nan4848

    Hey Northerners: What is the absolute coldest air temps your chickens have experienced happily!

    Can't be said too much that the best think you can do for your birds in these cold temps, more than adding heat, is keeping the air in the coop dry. Drafts from cracks around doors etc. are okay as long as they aren't blowing directly on the birds, and actually provide needed ventilation if the...
  15. nan4848

    Coyote decoy

    Thanks. Good to know. I had a feeling if geese got used to it hawks would also.
  16. nan4848

    Coyote decoy

    Has anyone ever used a coyote decoy to deter hawks? I live in an urban setting and recently had a hawk attack one of my hens. The hens do have a covered pen, but I have gotten into the habit of letting them out for a few hours when I am home. It isn't a huge area and they do have some cover with...
  17. nan4848

    Severe molt and balance issues

    Thank you for your replies. I knew that she needed extra protein and I have been feeding her a good quality wet cat food since this started. She went through a hard molt last year and was quite miserable then, but this one is worse. I've been searching on the net trying to figure this out and...
  18. nan4848

    Severe molt and balance issues

    I have a 2 yr old Australorp hen that is going through a severe molt. I'm talking nearly naked!. She is also having what I think are balance problems. She tends to walk to one side as she's moving forward and appears to lose her balance at times and will just sit down. I have separated her in...
  19. nan4848

    alfalfa hay?

    I have a huge bale of alfalfa hay that I will be using all winter for the ladies, as bedding in the run, and entertainment. I also read somewhere that decades ago in early 20th century alfalfa was given to chickens in winter to improve egg laying. I don't know the truth of that, but did use...
  20. nan4848

    New chick mom...do I need to enclose my girls' run?

    I have heavy breeds and my youngest are 7 months old and they regularly fly up to sit on the run door when it's open which is 8 feet high. A friend in Atlanta had a dog attack her chickens and one (Wyandotte) 2 year old hen flew on the roof of a garage to escape.
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