Yes, a wildlife officer came to inspect my "facility" (aka, my garage with an old rabbit hutch that houses my two birds!) It was pretty informal, but it would have been better if I had a receipt for the birds -- which I did not because I was given them by a preschool teacher who hatched them in...
With regard to the turkeys:
The turkeys would be subject to whatever regulations livestock fall under in your city/township.
The midget whites seem to be egg laying machines, in season. Turkeys are seasonal layers, and mine seem to start some time in late April and continue thru September. I...
I am also in Ohio and own a pair of bobwhites (that I was given). You DO need a permit to own these native birds in OH, no matter where you get them from. Be sure to keep your receipt and the permit number from your source if it is in OH, to make your permitting process go easier.
There are...
I do keep my turks and chickens together. I know that blackhead is always a danger, but for 4 years I have not had a problem, so until I do, I will continue to manage them together. I don't have space to give everyone separate a environment (chickens have had the run of my entire yard, so if...
We have about 2/3 acre suburban lot and we keep 4-6 chickens and a trio of Midget Whites (full disclosure: they reproduce and we enjoy a freezer full of turkey). The back yard is fenced and they all free range during the day, but the turkeys only go out when someone is home.
A few things I...
Just lost my second 10 week old poult, Now the last two are looking a little lethargic. Help!
Here's the situation: I have three adult (1.5yr old) turks (raised here, bought as day-olds) that run with my 4 chickens. This spring the hens obligingly raised a bunch of poults. 2 Moms and 10...
I'm no breed expert - I raise midget whites - but if your birds turn out to be BBWs, and you intend to make long term pets out of them, please look into feed restriction/exercise needs on the turkey section. These birds must be maintained on strict diet to prevent physical problems. They are...
Probably figured it our by now, but definitely clip those wings! If they are BBB they should quickly grow too large to fly, but if they are heritage birds, watch carefully for molting and wing feather growth - those babies like to fly a lot the first year! I had to severely clip both wings to...
Hi backyard bird friends
A few months ago I posted in search of advice on obtaining, husbandry and taming some bobwhite quail for use in educational programming. I got a lot of great advice so I wanted to share my success with all of you!
These two are about 4 months old now and they have...
My girls get an extra thick layer of wood chips, but that's about it. I do switch to a heated pet bowl so they have water available at all times, though this winter I'm going to try out a birdbath heater in the bucket/nipple water system. Winters i central Ohio aren't too severe, so I have...
Good advice above, I would just add that depending on your climate, I would definitely like to see her with a companion for the winter. It is hard for one bird to keep warm if your winters are very cold. Introduction of a single bird should go smoothly, especially bringing it to her coop! Just...
I think if you confine them now until they are bigger and heavier (lazier!), and break this habit (chickens are very much creatures of habit) it may help keep them confined to your yard for the long run. When you let them back out - months from now - be sure to clip both wings severely to...
If your want them REALLY tame (pick-up-and-hold tame) you will have to insist on picking them up when they are in a confined area. . I have found this is the age where my birds either become just food tame, or lap tame, depending on the time an attention i give them, and also depending on the...
I have seen chicks as young as two weeks enjoying a dust bath, so it can't hurt, though I have raised many chicks w/o it and they do just fine. If you add some DE to the dust bath, that with help with the external parasite worries. Although, I use the word "worry" cautiously. I wouldn't...
I have free ranging cats in my neighborhood that I have seen kill adult rabbits. These are pets that are allowed to roam, not feral cats, so they are well fed. I have no doubt they could kill one of my chickens. In fact, they don't have to actually kill your birds outright, as cat saliva can...
Just got a few silky chicks and the breeder recommended fermented feed. I have gotten a nice bubbly batch going and they love it, but here is my dilemma --- the chicks have it all over themselves! I've only got 4 babies, so I just put the feed in a little dish (actually, a ceramic ingredient...
I have a banty hen that went broody about 2 weeks ago. Picked up some 2 day old chicks yesterday and tried to slip two of them under her last night. All went well until this morning. I was advised to watch her carefully, so at first light i took up a vigil beside the nest box. All went well...
If you clip a bird's wings it will not regrow the feathers until the next molt. If you clip during molt, you could have to clip again very soon, but feathers do not regrow once clipped unless they are removed at the follicle.
Always be careful when clipping that you do not cut growing (blood)...
I got 4 sweet little silky chicks from a back yard owner about two weeks ago. Supposedly about a day - three old. Three days ago the largest one of them suddenly developed what appeared to be neurological issues - neck bent under body and unable to stand. An exhaustive search, and a wisp of...
I got 4 sweet little silky chicks from a back yard owner about two weeks ago. Supposedly about a day - three old. Three days ago the largest one of them suddenly developed what appeared to be neurological issues - neck bent under body and unable to stand. An exhaustive search, and a wisp of...