Searching for ways to repel rat snakes from entering chicken house to eat eggs. I came across the "snake not crossing the rough rope" thing. I am skeptical but was wondering if a rough coco mat laid outside the pop door might discourage snakes from slithering across that surface to enter the...
CMV - I see that you are in New Hampshire. Do your chickens not get frostbite in a clean, dry, well ventilated house EVEN if the temps in the house go below freezing? How low can the temp get in the house without a problem of frostbite? I am in AL and when temps get into the teens and single...
On nights when freezing is expected I pick up outside waterers and put them in a shed close by chicken yard and then back out in the morning. I certainly hope it does not get so cold here that the waterers freeze inside!
I too have hawks out in the woods where my chickens live and play, and I have taken these steps: I was told that in the Florida Keys where restaurants have open air eating areas that some have strung nylon fishing line above the outdoor areas in a criss cross pattern. The fishing line...
When it is real hot then I put a box fan outside the chicken yard fence blowing inward and they always gather in front of the fan and sit on the ground. If it is going to rain then I place the fan under a card table type structure to keep it out of the rain. I also use the mister on my hose...
I too thought that chickens did not like to get wet. But....my chickens love the rain, love splashing through the puddles, drinking from them and even rolling in the puddles. Go figure. I think when it is raining and I go to work then my roo gives swimming and diving lessons to the girls...
I have dealt with 2 cases of bumblefoot in the past 2 years. First hen I tried to treat myself and the second one I took to an avian vet. The first hen I eventually had to have put down due to lack of healing, severe weight loss, and the second vet treated hen healed well over a month's...
I have a 10 month old laying buff orpington hen whose brother was rehomed yesterday. Brother had been isolated from head rooster and flock for a few weeks in a large pen within the chicken yard where this hen would often hang out around his pen keeping him company. I rarely put them together...
I have a 9 month old buff orpington rooster, Harper, son of existing head rooster. Harper has evidently reached puberty because the head roo doesn't want him around,chasing and pecking him. Harper is a gentle soul, lets me handle him without any aggression. His dad is a most attentive...
Buff Orpington rooster now 8 months old. This must be puberty for him because he and his Roo Daddy no longer get along. Harper has a sweet disposition , good with the girls even though he has not been allowed to have his own, not aggressive and lets me handle him to treat a broken nail and...
8 month old rooster began standing on one leg 2 days ago. He is in a large yard and house with an older rooster and 5 hens. He does get chased at times by the older rooster and I thought he had an injury from the other rooster. I captured him, saw blood and dirt on one toe, soaked foot in...
Garden clogs....worn barefooted in summer and with socks in winter. Have a shed next to chicken house/yard and change shoes in shed. Just have to remember to shake clogs out before putting your feet in them to rule out mice or scorpions. Clogs coated with poo but it doesn't matter because they...
Writer: I am so very saddened by your experience. I think only a person whose heart has been won over by our precious chickens can fully understand. I send gentle hugs to soothe your pain.
Same situation here with my faithful BO layer of 2-1/2 years. Seems perfectly fine and acts totally normal but no egg in 7 days. I gave her the bath and abdominal massage which she totally enjoyed, but I felt no egg and it produced no egg either. I chuckled and decided that she will probably...
I have a 3 month old cockeral who is jumping up about 2 feet onto my 6 foot chain link fence surrounding the yard and then proceeding to climb up a few feet. I clipped wings so no flying out but I have never seen a chicken climb a fence. Any suggestions? I will have to get up pretty early to...
Elite Silkies: How do you get enough calcium into a hen who will not eat oyster shell? I have one like that and she lays soft shelled eggs. Would like to change that situation. Thanks.
Thank you both so much for your ideas. I shall use the book idea with a nice inscription for birthday since time is short this week. She loves to look at chicken pictures in my poultry magazines so it is a great idea. I also thought to get her her own pair of "chicken pooh shoes" (garden clogs)...