This is an excellent place to learn about ferment food. I know the thread is long and can be overwhelming but it is full of great information. Once I learned about ferment food 3 years ago that's all I feed my girls. Twice a day -- morning and night. I even start my chicks on it as soon as I get...
Just wanted to let you know you are not alone. I have a RIR that's is 1 1/2 yrs old and has been laying soft shelled eggs off and on for the past month. More on than off honestly. It sucks and I'm like you they have oyster shells available at will. Some of my hens are moulting bad but not this...
I've really enjoyed looking at everyone's landscaping ideas. Here's what we have. This is my favorite spot. First thing in the morning I sit on our deck with a cup of tea watching the girls. Great way to start the day.
The girls get the bottom and I get the top.
I am so sorry to hear about this. I bet it was devastating to see this. So are you having to start over with new chicks? I'm so grateful to hear that your husband and son tore it down and got rid of it.
I understand about the love of a husband because I have one too. My husband wasn't too...
Thanks -- that was kinda what I was thinking too but just thought I'd ask. I don't think next spring when the rhode is blooming I'll let the girls in that paddock. Their blooms are really sticky when they fall off and we could have a really big mess.
About a month ago I had the chance to go visit our son and his family for a week. This meant that my husband was on chick patrol for the first time. The first day he confessed that after cleaning the coop he forgot to open the hen door. Later in the afternoon he said there was so much squawking...
It's been a month since we set up our 3 phase paddock and I just thought I'd share with everyone how it's going. The girls are loving the extra space to roam. We have used all three paddocks and everything is working better than I hoped. I've been trying to do a 10 day shift and that seems to be...
It was so encouraging to read your update. Thank you for sharing your joinery. We are 3 years into having chickens and have enjoyed every moment. BYC is an amazing resource because of people like you who take the time to share. Thank you for that. I'm so glad to hear you are still enjoying...
This is something my husband and I was just talking about tonight after I posted this. We'll have to see if we can come up with something tomorrow and try it tomorrow night.
Thanks for the reply CTKen.
I have 12 pullets and 1/2 are pilling in the nest boxes at night. I can't block them off because my 8 older girls use the nest boxes in the day time. My roost bars are all at the same level and make an "L" around two sides of our coop. The coop is 8' x 10', so there is 80' of roosting bars. We...
We just built a 3 phase paddock this summer for our girls and there is a very large Rhododendron in one of them. I saw on here that Rhodes are toxic to chickens last night. Do I need to be concerned about this. I had no idea. They have had access to the paddock for 10 day's now and everyone...
Welcome to BYC! Looks like you are off to a great start and a great family projects. Nothing better than making memories with you kids. Enjoy the journey.
We mounted our nest boxes under our roost bar too. I used dish pans that I can pop out if I ever need to clean. So easy. I love this way because it still leaves floor space for the girls underneath. ( this picture was taken before the girls had moved in) BTW I no long use the rice hulls. Now I...
I have been using Sweet PDZ for over 1 1/2 yrs in my new coop and love it. Highly recommend it. The initial set up was a bit costly but worth it. I scoop it out every morning with a cat litter scooper. Once in a while I'll have to add a bit. I like to keep mine 2" deep.