I live near Matthews, NC and am wondering if anyone here may know someone who could chicken-sit my birds while my family is out of town near the end of the month?
Our favorite chicken, the one my daughter named Lemon, a Golden Comet, died of unknown causes today. She was the only hen in our small flock that permitted us to hold her at any time (and judging from the stories I've read on this site, the favorite of the flock is always the first casualty)...
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I have a RIR and a Barred Rock and they lay despite the lack of light. Their production has plummeted as the weather has cooled. Still, they lay.
The answer to your question is no. She experiences maybe 11 hours of light this time of year.
There is no doubt my Leghorn is a hen. She exhibits all the primary characteristics including the flopping crest.
More, she is the only white-laying hen in my small flock. The rest are brown layers. I have a diminutive backyard, reducing the chances she has laid in an obscure space hidden from...
I have a 35 week old leghorn hen, purchased as a 6 week old pullet, who has yet to lay a single egg. Is such behavior normal now that we are in the fall? For some reason I thought leghorns were some of the best layers, beginning the process at an earlier age than most.
Folks,
I really need your help regarding two of my hens, a Barred Rock and a Rhode Island Red.
Both birds stopped laying at the same time this summer and seven weeks have passed since their last egg.
They are both slightly under one year of age. Are they more than likely molting? I have...
My five hens layed at least 4-5 eggs per day without fail. Two weeks ago, though, it all stopped. I've gotten three total eggs in the last ten days.
They free range, have access to feed, have plenty of water, show no signs of illness or molting, or anything. I'm stumped.
Is it the heat?
We...
Gallo,
Thank you so much for taking the time to post your reply.
I'll follow your advice.
Your insights concerning the order in which the chickens seem to learn was spot-on for me.
I have a leghorn pullet--harried by my other hens and by far the lowest in the pecking order--that started...
I have tried propping the door open. The result was a squirrel buffet, which was the reason I bought the feeder in the first place (a squirrel deterrent).
Should I therefore let the squirrels feast and feast until the time comes when I can close the door all the way?
I am feeling as though...
Hi!
I have scoured this site looking for a thread explaining how best to train hens to use a treadle feeder. I found nothing in detail.
I now pose the question to you.
What is the best method to train chickens how to use a treadle feeder?
My luck has been nil so far, and I have some hungry...
I'm in North Carolina. I have had the hens for about four months with no new additions to the flock. I have examined their poop but have seen nothing out of the ordinary. Puzzling.
My hens seem quite sedentary over the last couple of days, reluctant even to eat their feed, which on most days disappears as the day progresses, preferring instead to nap together under a bush.
Is this normal behavior for cooler weather?
I've got a bird with chest rattling, sneezing, and discharge from the right eye. I have quarantined her from the rest of my birds.
What should I do next? Is there any treatment? My research so far has lead me to believe there is little hope.
Thanks!
Yes, my city requires it and I dislike flying under the radar, but I also want to keep my birds. In all honesty, I jumped into the hobby of raising the hens without considering the permit issue.
The permit application also asks for the names, addresses, and phone numbers of five neighbors...
So I bought my hens without applying for a permit and am wondering what would be the likely scenario should I apply for the permit now? I have ample room, a good coop, and no more birds than the city permits per acre.
Will my city confiscate them? Levy a fine?
What are your thoughts...