14 + weeks, EEx?? Pullet (prob x w/ RIR but could be one of the EE hens), grey leg and peacomb hoping green egg layer?
Thinking a cockerel, but hoping it's a pullet! EExAustralorp.
EExCuckoo Marans wish it could be a pullet (I think I recall the 2 Cuckoo's had larger Combs faster than...
Oh, and because mine are free ranging and we want to hatch out chicks naturally, a Roo for us was a must.
He is AWESOME. Calls the girls in, warms of predators, breaks up squabbles, is gentle with chicks, eats from our hands (will hop up in my lap, doesn't want to be petted but gently tugs on...
My RIR runt was the sweetest girl - smart, friendly, and a great layer.
Cuckoo Marans have been great - sweet, easygoing with flock, beautiful eggs and very productive
My BAs are a little flighty, tend to be at the top of the pecking order, and not so nice to younger chicks. Super pretty pink...
You cannot sell through a store in KY with out the proper license! You can sell off the farm and at farmers markets to which you belong so long as you don't exceed the maximum number of eggs pet month, and handle, transport and label according to the law.
Doing some learning and trying to figure out how to pay for it. That's the way we're going as soon as we can. Till then the coop stays locked up so they're safe, and we're let them out when we are all out.
We decided to keep the run locked so when the automatic coop door opened the chickens were trapped in the run.
Good thing, because the dogs were back at dawn, trying to dig through and under. The chickens uproar (from within the run) alerted us and John and our dogs chased them off. Need to...
We have Lila but she's a house dog - out a lot during the day unless it's rainy and cold like today. John and I did talk about the possibility of an outdoor livestock dog this evening - we plan to get a few young pigs and calves in the spring. Our dogs did catch and rough up one of the...
I would not have believed I could love a little chicken this much. I would never have thought a chicken could be so lovable. I've cried several times today about her, especially this last time I checked to see if she had somehow come back to the coop after dark.
She followed us around like a...
Our sweetest girl Rosey never made it back in, so they got her too, though we found no evidence of her demise. We tracked the culprits to the property but did not confront the owner.
Still considering our options and I need to be able to address the owner calmly.
Elvis our Roo must know some are missing he's been walking and crowing, and Mama Maggie is back as well as another Maggie (both speckled Sussex - we have 6 and you can't tell them apart).
But still no Rosy. She is fearless and friendly. It's why we love her, and why I fear she was killed.
That's what John and I are talking about now. Give them an acre or so. I know electric fence is more affordable, but is it really effective for dogs? I've seen dogs scoot right under. And if the lower wire is too low, wouldn't it kill a chicken?
We need to run errands, but I feel paralyzed...
@Howard, I just read what salt load does to an animal and I probably need to research a better deterrent load such that the on the spot repercussion is memorable, even painful, but doesn't cause enduring pain and suffering.
I wish we could afford to fence our 18 acres but that isn't an option...
Rock salt could lead to deterrence, lead means no more chances. We raise organic free range chickens for eggs and we love a lot of those friendly little birds.
We will talk with the dog owner, who has a kind heart and takes them in, but does not manage them. He will get one warning, kindly...